1 Peter 1:1 – To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, A. The Physical Exiles of Peter’s Letter 1 Peter 1:1, Acts 2:7-11 B. The Spiritual Exiles of Christ’s Kingdom 1. Our Identity as exiles, sojourners, strangers 1 Peter 2:11, Hebrews 11:13 a. New family status – Our relationship with God: Ephesians 2:1-3, Ephesians…
Pleasing God, Making Disciples of Jesus Christ
Pleasing God, Making Disciples of Jesus Christ
New Testament
Today’s scripture provides the necessary elements for a church to be healthy (Acts 2:42). All of these must be active, alive, and safeguarded if we are to model God’s design for the church He reveals in His Word. There are four identified by Luke. First, there must be the commitment to sound Biblical teaching or doctrine. The next element in a healthy church is fellowship among God’s people. A third element in a healthy church is observance of the Lord’s table – “the breaking of bread.” The final element in a healthy church is a vibrant prayer ministry.
One could and likely should spend significant amount of time pondering the words of Jesus as He hung on the cross. There are seven things He said. The first one revealed His love for sinners. He looked out over the mocking crowd, His weeping mother, saddened disciples, and the curious bystanders and said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). In today’s scripture, are the last words He would speak before dying, “It is finished.” Let’s consider two situations we must rely upon the finished work of our Lord Jesus on the cross for our daily walk with Him.
I believe all Christians share two commonalities when it comes to time. First, we complain there just isn’t enough of it. In the frantic pace of life, often self-imposed, we seem to have so much to do and so little time to do it. A second common trait in Christians, actually all humans, is we waste time. Now don’t be quick to defend yourself. We do it. A minute here, a minute there, soon turns into hours. We must fight against the foolish and unwise investment of our most precious resource – time – on things that won’t matter when it comes to that day of all days – our Day of Judgment before the Lord Jesus.
In this sermon Pastor Jim takes us on a whirlwind tour of prayer in the early church. Through an examination of approximately fourteen passages in the book of Acts he expounds on eleven over-arching themes of prayer. He entreats us to think about our prayer life and if we are praying the way the Bible instructs us to pray, as evidenced by the early church.
1 Peter 1:1-2 – Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you. A. The Purpose…