1 Peter 5:1-4 Peter describes elders as shepherds of the flock, a word picture that is purposeful. Shepherds watch, guard, guide, and feed the flock. They lead the sheep from the front by example; they don’t drive the sheep from behind with a whip. Ask God to help Calvary’s elders...
1 Peter 4:12-19 Pastor Dave organized his sermon around three contrasting statements drawn from this week’s passage. Don’t be surprised … but … rejoice. What is our response to a fiery trial, to suffering? Do we ask, “Why is this happening to me?” Do we try...
1 Peter 4:7-11 If you think of God’s plan of redemption as a play, we are in the final act. Granted, it is a long act – 2000 earth-years and counting – but the stage is set for Christ’s return. In this week’s passage, the apostle Peter tells us what we should be...
1 Peter 3:18-22 A theme of the apostle Peter’s letter is suffering. He warns believers to be prepared to suffer for doing good. One good act that can bring suffering is sharing the gospel, stated in a nutshell in verse 18 of this week’s passage. The suffering you and I face is...
So [the shepherds] hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all...
The Joy of Christmas Biblical joy comes from Jesus – all the time, not just at Christmas when we rehearse the story of his birth. When we think of Jesus as portrayed in the gospels, we might describe him as compassionate, wise, sometimes filled with righteous anger, but would we describe...
The Peace of Christmas A pet peeve of mine at Christmas time is cards that tout “Peace on Earth” against a background of national flags. The angelic chorus in Luke 2:14 is not referring to peace between nations but peace for people with whom God is pleased. Pastor Dave taught that...
1 Peter 2:13-17 We are now in the “practical” section of Peter’s letter that focuses on how we are to live. Pastor Dave noted that the command at the heart of this week’s passage – submit to civil authority – is a hot topic that doesn’t sit well...
1 Peter 2:6-10 Pastor Todd summarized this week’s passage as a comparison of two responses to Jesus, the cornerstone. To those who do not believe, Jesus is a stone of stumbling, a rock of offense. As an example of offense, Todd pointed to verse 8. If human beings have the choice to obey or...
1 Peter 2:4-6 The apostle Peter describes us as living stones. As we translate Peter’s word picture into a mental image, a still will not suffice. Use animation to paint a mental picture of living stones that grow and change. We living stones are not scattered in a field; we are connected...