Category Archives: Sermon Notes & Announcements

Jan 19, 2025. I Peter 1:22-25

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PURIFIED VIA JUST SEED. I Peter 1:22-25. 1/19/2025. #7.

22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, 23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, 24 because “All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away, 25 But the word of the Lord endures forever.” Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.

1. Born from above

                a. There are certain obligations believers have

                                a1. Obligation to worship and obey God

                                a2. Obligation to fellow believers to love and support them

                                a3. Obligation to lost to share the Gospel and to be examples of godliness

                b. Believers are purified through obedience to truth

                                a1. Purified = to make clean that which was impure and tainted

                                a2. Cleansing had three steps:

                                                a1. The hearing of the Word of God

                                                a2. The enlightening of the Spirit

                                                a3. The positive response of the hearer

                c. Rebirth comes through an incorruptible seed

                                a1. Obedience to the Law was flawed

                                a2. Jesus Christ is the incorruptible seed which brings everlasting life

                                                b1. Abides forever, so can’t fail

                                                b2. The Word empowered by the Spirit reveals Christ unto salvation

2. To receive Christ is to love the brethren

                a. Love is a repeated theme (John 13, I Corinthians 13, 1 Jn. 4, James 2, Matthew 5…)

                b. Peter’s readers struggled with loving one another

                                a1. The implication of coming to Christ is that the body loves itself as it loves the Lord

                                a2. Being part of the same family with the same purpose should produce harmony with others in the family

                c. Peter uses two different words for love

                                a1. There should be sincere (genuine, unfeigned) brotherly affection (Philadelphia) for others (not forced or fake)

                                a2. Love (unconditional love, charity, and grace) one another with a pure (cleansed) heart

                                                b1. Choose to care and esteem brethren

                                                b2. Affection + self-sacrificed charity

                d. The love for the brethren should be fervent (intent, great effort, ardent; heartfelt)

                                a1. Fervent implies a chosen effort to seek to love, serve, and support fellow believers

                                a2. A result of salvation should be ardent love and harmony in the body of (John 13:31-35)

3. Things that will pass away

                a. Peter reminds his readers that all that man is and achieves will pass away

                                a1. Man’s life on earth is very short

                                a2. All man’s glory and acclaim will disappear

                b. Peter makes two claims about man’s life on earth:

                                a1. All flesh is as grass = thrives briefly and dies

                                a2. The flower of man’s youth withers and fades away (man’s strength, vitality, attractiveness, and influence leaves quickly)

                c. The Word of God endures forever

                                a1. Through the Word of God came the gospel and through the gospel came salvation

                                a2. To choose to focus on earthly things is to grab ahold of something that leaves soon (Ecclesiastes 12 – all vanity)

                d. One can choose to pursue the corrupt things of life and lose them (all millionaires, celebrities, heroes, and champions leave everything behind) or embrace the eternal values of Christ which last forever

Key passage: John 13:31-35

31 So, when he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him. 32 If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and glorify Him immediately. 33 Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come,’ so now I say to you. 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Jan 12, 2025. I Peter 1:17-21

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ETERNAL MOTIVATION. I Peter 1:17-21. 1/12/2025. #6.

17 And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; 18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 20 He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you 21 who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

1. Final accounting

                a. Peter had stated that eternal promises are worth enduring temporary trials, even if severe

                b. Now Peter lays out the practical side of heavenly rewards

                                a1. There will be an accountability for believers

                                a2. Even though a believer is not judged for his sins, which are paid for, his works are judged

                                a3. I Corinthians 3:9-17, a believer’s works are judged for both reward or loss

                c. Peter holds this accountability evaluation up as a motivation for us to focus on faithfulness in serving the Lord

                            a1. Not only should we desire to please God, but also to gain his rewards

                                a2. Our lives should live as gratitude to our Lord

                d. Peter adds that we should live in the fear of the Lord

                                a1. FEAR = to tremble before awesome greatness

                                a2. Reverencing the Lord should produce humble submission, obedience, and worship

                                a3. God’s grace shouldn’t yield casual familiarity!

                e. God judges impartially

                                a1. He does not show favoritism or ignore sin

                                a2. To focus on self is to suffer eternal loss

                f. Realizing the cost of our redemption should motivate us

                g. Faith reality should make sight reality unnecessary

                h. The faithful are motivated by love, gratitude, and devotion

2. Not by tradition

                a. We were REDEEMED by the sacrifice of Christ

                                a1. Redeemed is to buy back or reclaim

                                a2. What was lost to sin is now reclaimed by Christ, purchased at the cross

                b. Not redeemed by tradition handed down from ancestors

                                a1. Two sets of traditions: the Jewish legalism handed down by Pharisees, rabbis, and scribes and the pagan myths of the Gentiles

                                a2. False religion and philosophy have same end

                c. Modern traditions produce the same ruin as ancient ones

                                a1. Teachings on salvation by baby baptism, church creeds, church organization authority, or social works all lead to eternal condemnation

                                a2. Faith in Christ is the only way to be saved (John 3)

                d. False teaching seeks to add to what is taught in Word or seeks to offer an alternative way to heaven

                                a1. Satan promotes the myth of many ways to heaven and salvation by own works

                                a2. Believers work because they are saved, not to be saved (service to promote Christ, not self)

                e. Any additions to Christ sacrifice cheapens it (as Moses taking partial credit for bringing water from a rock)

                                a1. The Lord is to receive all praise, honor, and glory

                                a2. I Corinthians 10:31 all we do needs to point to Christ

3. Chosen from before the foundation of the world

                a. Peter adds that grace is especially amazing when one considers that we have been chosen since the foundation of the world

                                a1. God foreordained believers to be saved before creation commenced

                                a2. Romans 9 to be specially chosen demands total devotion, submission, worship, and gratitude

                b. Believers are bought with a purpose

                                a1. He has made us special unto himself

                                a2. He seeks our worship, fellowship, and service

                c. All that we are we owe to the Lord

                                a1. By focusing on what God has done and what he has promised motives us to obey him

                                a2. When we are distracted we become worldly

Key passage:  1 Corinthians 3:9-179 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. 10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. 16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

Jan 5, 2025. I Peter 1:13-16

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BE HOLY. I Peter 1:13-16. 01/05/25. #5.

13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

1. Choice

                a. Once we receive Christ, we have the power to live

                     holy lives

                                a1. Holy living is not automatic, for sin is in us

                                a2. Choosing to be holy is an act of the will

                b. No one can force another to be holy and being in Christ does not guarantee holy living

                c. No excuses are adequate not to be holy

                d. Peter gives five commands, which are actually two commands and three explanatory participles

                                a1. Gird the loins of your mind

                                a2. Be sober

                                a3. Rest in your hope in Christ

                                a4. Be obedient

                                a5. Be holy

                e. Each command rests on choosing to obey it

                                a1. Not a matter of feelings, reasoning, opinion, or working up desire

                                a2. We choose to obey for the love of the Lord and his sacrifice for us

                f. Choice requires the removal and repudiation of selfish desires and impulses

                                a1. To say, “I can’t do it” is to say “I won’t do it” or “I refuse to do it”

                                a2. Love for Christ must be stronger than love for what you desire or your habits

2. The 5 commands for Christians

                a. Gird up your mind = to focus, to put your mind on the right things (PHP. 4:4-9)

                b. Be sober – to think clearly (Romans 12:1-3)

                                a1. Clear-minded thought requires rejecting fleshly or worldly impulses

                                a2. Christ died for us; we owe ALL to him; he is worthy of our entire devotion

                c. Rest in the hope given by the grace of God through the revelation of Jesus Christ – it is the hope of the promises of Jesus Christ which energizes, motivates, and encourages believers to keep going

                                a1. Peter listed the promises given to us in Christ that inspires us to serve under trials

                                a2. True hope provides unwavering commitment, determination, and perseverance

                d. Be obedient – to comply with the Lord’s Word and will despite opposition, fleshly impulses, and cost

                                a1. Obeying the Word of God keeps us truthful, faithful, determined, and humble

                                a2. Obedience keeps marriages together, God’s work continuing, and testimonies pure

                e. Be holy – to be separate from world and sin unto God

                                a1. A shunning of fleshly desires and worldly activity and enticements

                                a2. A focus on righteousness in Word and deed

3. A desire for holiness

                a. One cannot desire righteousness and be fascinated by evil and sordid things at the same time

                b. We must ask if we really desire to be holy, totally separated unto God in our focus and desires

                c. Peter quotes from Leviticus 11

                                a1. Just as the Jews were to be a separate people, so are Christians

                                a2. The unsaved should be able to see and hear righteousness in us in humility, love, grace, faith, and dedication

                d. Though believers do not live in isolation, our choices of entertainment, activities, priorities, expenditures, and time usage speaks volumes

                e. The distraction trap is easy to fall into and can take us away from our Bibles, callings, and the Lord

Key Passage: Philippians 4:4-9

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

5 Let your [a]gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

Dec 15, 2024. I Peter 1:6-12

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TRIAL TESTED. I Peter 1:6-12. 12/15/2024. #2.

6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls. 10 Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, 11 searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12 To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.

1. Of grief and glory

                a. Peter has drawn a word picture of the glory ahead of the saints and the reason for their perseverance

                b. He now contrasts their grief with their joy

                c. There are 3 points Peter emphasizes about trials:

                                a1. They are necessary for trying faith

                                a2. They are beneficial in our spiritual growth

                                a3. God with both strengthen and reward us

                d. We now greatly rejoice

                                a1. The relationship with Christ overrides all other considerations for the faithful

                                a2. In the present tense (rejoicing now)

                                a3. Those who do not rejoice are not living by faith (focused on our problems)

                e. Peter uses the word trials rather than either tribulation or persecution

                                a1. He is speaking of all manner of sufferings

                                a2. All challenges of health, situations, attacks

                f. The word grief is used of Christ’s agony in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26) and the loss of loved ones in I Thessalonians 4:13 (lit. means heaviness)

                g. Our joy is inexpressible and full of glory since our burdens are subdued by presence of Christ

2. Faith under fire

                a. Our precious faith exceeds all privilege and glory

                                a1. We believe in a Lord that we have not physically seen (John 20:28-31)

                                a2. We actually experience what the prophets desired to possess but could not

                                a3. We’ve obtained a salvation that the angels desire to study, but can never know

                b. Trials are important because testing our faith is of extreme value

                                a1. Just as gold must be separated from its ore through extreme heat, our faith is refined by various trials

                                a2. Those who wither under trials did not possess true faith (seed on stony soil)

                                a3. Only through trials is our faith proven to us and men and angels

                                a4. Victory in trials is to the praise and glory of God through the power of the Holy Spirit

3. Perspective on trials

                a. Trials are to be expected (John 16:33)

                b. Trials are for our benefit (Romans 8:28)

                c. Compared to the glory awaiting us, trials are very minor (Romans 8:18)

                d. Trials are short-lived (James 4:14-16)

                e. Our trials are light compared to our relationship with the Lord and our hope in him (II Corinthians 4:7-18)

                f. It is important to keep our focus, perspective, and hope on and in Christ

                                a1. Romans 8:31-30 nothing overcomes the faithful

                                a2. Peter does not deny grief, pain, and suffering – they are real and hurt and create agony

                                a3. Jesus is greater than our suffering

                g. Galatians 6:7-10 in Christ we can endure to victory

                h. Anyone who is falling by the wayside is either depending on his own strength or not in the faith

                                a1. Since trials are God ordained, we are also God sustained (a guarantee to believers)

                                a2. By faith heaven comes to us now

Key passage: II Corinthians 4:7-187 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death is working in us, but life in you. 13 And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak, 14 knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.