The Relevance of our Sunday Sermon Series

I received some mail from Dr. R.C. Sproul yesterday. It was the monthly letter I get from Ligonier Ministries. What he wrote further excited me about our preaching series in 1 Peter. Let me share some excerpts from his letter with you.

“…one of our teaching fellows, Dr. Sinclair Ferguson, reminded us that “we can learn the nature of Christian living in a post-Christian world from the perspective of how Christians lived in a pre-Christian world.”

He was talking about the Apostle Peter, who wrote to Christians in the ancient Roman world to teach them how to honor God in a society that did not understand – and even hated – the Christian faith.

What we’re seeing in our post-Christian society is new to us, but it’s really an old story. As it becomes less socially acceptable to live out Scripture’s teaching, we’re facing challenges like those that confronted the first Christians – social ostracism, the government’s contempt, and the reality that non-believers just don’t understand our values.

Like the first Christians, we’re told we can believe whatever we want as long as we keep it to ourselves.

But we can’t keep the Christian faith to ourselves. In fact, Peter assumes our lives will be so distinctive that non-Christians will ask us about our hope (1 Peter 3:15).

Peter calls on us not to adopt a siege mentality or to withdraw from society so as to avoid suffering. In fact, he tells us “Do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you” (1 Peter 4:12). We should expect suffering for our faith and be ready for it.

How does Peter prepare us for the trials that are sure to come? He reminds us of our calling and proclaims the person and work of Christ (chap. 1-2). He tells us to love others and rejoice that we share Jesus’ sufferings (chap. 3-4). He calls church leaders to shepherd people in the faith and to build them up in Christ (chap. 5).

In other words, Peter provides answers for suffering Christians. He grounds them in the truth of Christ and applies is to their circumstances.

Wow, what a great letter reminding each of us of the extreme relevance of 1 Peter for our day!

On Sunday, we will see the practical outworking of our Salvation as we turn to 1 Peter 1:13-16. You will discover that true salvation affects our Thinking, our Living and our Reading.

I am looking forward to seeing you as the Church gathers on Sunday for Bible Study at 10:00 and for worship at 11:00 and 6:00. We need this time together so we can effectively “Live Right in Wrong World.”

See You Sunday,

Pastor Mike