The believers Peter was writing to were experiencing persecution and rejection from the world and culture around them. They had been dispersed throughout the ancient world and were living as exiles in foreign lands. Peter understood persecution and rejection, as he had personally been beaten, threatened, punished, and put in prison for preaching the Word of God. Here in chapter 2, Peter encourages the church to continue living a lifestyle worthy of Jesus by recognizing that they have been called and chosen by God. Though the world around us may reject our lifestyles and faith, God considers us His special people and promises us assurance on the day of visitation whereby God will judge the living and the dead. As followers of Jesus, we can live out our faith without fear of hell or rejection and instead with full assurance that we are saved by God’s grace and that nothing and no one can snatch us out of our Father’s hand.
Sermons from January 2024
What can you do when you feel overwhelmed by the chaos around? On Sunday, January 7, we discovered Jesus’ guidance in 1 Peter 1:1-2 to meditate on God’s grace and peace. Join us this Sunday as we discover a second insight to help us remain peaceful within and gentle toward others from 1 Peter 1:3-25!
What does faithfulness in this 2024 election year look like amid our diverse, divided and chaotic world? What should you say or not say when others declare ideas that are opposed to God’s ways revealed in the Bible? How should you love your neighbor, co-worker or classmate when they are openly hostile toward Christ? A first-century-bold proclaimer faced similar tensions in his generation. So, Jesus trained Peter to be strong amidst opposition with a Christ-like presence. Join us this Sunday January 7 to worship God as we begin our new study, “Gentleness – a beautiful way in a chaotic world” through Peter’s first letter!