Identify. Magnify. Glorify. Jesus.
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Posted by Church on August 10, 2011
“The Soils”
Mark 4:1-20
Simon Peter of Capernaum
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Posted by Church on May 16, 2010
Pastor Brian LeStourgeon
“The True Grace of God”
1 Peter 5:6-14
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Posted by Church on May 3, 2010
Pastor Brian LeStourgeon
“The Old Shepherds”
1 Peter 5:1-5
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Posted by Pastor on April 21, 2010
Read 1 Peter 4:12-19. This passage is really the whole point of Peter’s letter. Everything else has been preparing his readers to be able to accept this fact of faith: Your suffering is the evidence of what you believe.
Again, it is helpful to remember that the one who violates his faith to be accepted by the culture is not the one who is persecuted. Cultural suffering only comes to those who reject the culture. It is not judgment from God. Rather, it is the opportunity to demonstrate, as did Jesus, that your trust in God is complete and sufficient.
Do not be surprised at the firey trials when they come. Expect them, and be prepared to trust that God’s ways are always best, even when they run counter to worldly standards. Just be sure that, when you are suffering, you are suffering for trusting in Jesus Christ, not for actual wrong-doing. Yet, if the world’s condemnation falls upon you for your association in Jesus, continue to trust him, being a benevolent blessing to those around you, and God will not put you to shame.
You either trust God or you do not. How you handle your crisis will display the answer. Christian, true believer, Elect Exile – do not lose heart, do not be surprised by the firey trials – trust God, and love them anyway. Trust God, and serve them anyway. Trust God, and show them what saving faith really looks like. Trust God, endure to the end, and be saved.
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Pastor Brian LeStourgeon
1 Peter 4:12-19
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Posted by Pastor on April 12, 2010
The Sunday after Resurrection Day should not be the first Sunday that we “move on” from Easter and get back to our regular thinking. Each year, focus on the death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ should transform us and our lives should reflect anew our encounter with him.
In this passage Peter reminds us that we have already been given a certain victory – a freedom from bondage to sin that empowers us to live as he has been describing – as Elect Exiles. It is not the one who sins in order to fit in that receives the mocking or scorn of the world. It is the one who stands for the word of Christ when the culture is counter to it.
Rather than engaging in any form of debauchery, live in a way that is sober-minded and self-controlled. This way of life gives power and focus to prayer. Above all – devote yourself in a giving agape-style love to your fellow believers. Help them in any way you can, in any way you have been enabled.
The world can see what we believe by how we behave. Do so with honor. Do all things for the glory of God in Christ, knowing that He will bring your reward.
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Pastor Brian LeStourgeon
“Live in the Victory of Christ”
1 Peter 4:1-11
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Posted by Pastor on March 29, 2010
Bible Text: 1 Peter 3:13-22
As we enter Passion Week, it is appropriate that we return to 1 Peter 3. The word “passion” refers to suffering, originally the word meant to be affected by external forces, but came to have a negative connotation. In verse 13, Peter returns to discussing how Elect Exiles should relate to their society.
Peter makes a distinction between “doing good” and “being righteous.” In Roman culture, “doing good” meant something along the lines of being a benefactor for another person. In fact, Roman society was based on these benefactor relationships. A wealthy person would share his wealth, in the process earning honor and favors to be called in later. You may or may not like your benefactor, but you did not do anything to cause him shame. Peter reminds us that no one wants to harm a group of people who are benefactors of the community. This is one reason why churches should be involved in public ministries that improve the surrounding community life – doing so brings honor to the gospel way of life. Continue reading…
Posted by Church on March 28, 2010
Pastor Brian LeStourgeon
“Suffering”
1 Peter 3:13-22
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Posted by Pastor on March 15, 2010
Bible text: 1 Peter 3:8-12
This passage concludes Peter’s instruction section to the Elect Exiles. Though the previous instructions to slaves, wives, and husbands were meant to be read and understood by all, he now explicitly returns the attention to all of his readers.
Sometimes we get all caught up in ourselves in church. We come to believe that we attend church to receive something – a blessing, encouragement, friendship, an experience. We become consumers rather than producers. But Peter tells us that every true believer is a producer. We do not attend church merely to learn how to experience God. Participation in the church community is an experience of God. When “the church” fails our expectations, we tend to withdraw and hope someone will fix it. Instead, the Elect Exile will become the change he seeks.
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