THE END IS NEAR Verse 7 starts with a sobering statement. “The end of all things is near.” Although we don’t know the day or hour that Jesus will come again, we do know that it is imminent. This truth should transform the way we live. No longer can we live as if we have […]
https://www.belovedchurch.com/messages/to-live-for/ YOLO is a popular phrase today—’You only live once.’ While this is true, its interpretation differs for the world and for believers. For the world, yolo means to live for immediate pleasure, prioritizing personal satisfaction over everything else. For the Christian, however, the understanding that we have a limited time on this earth drives us in a
https://www.belovedchurch.com/messages/2968/ The idea that we should live a life free of struggle is a relatively recent one. We should expect to have trials and challenges. How we respond to these reveals our character and our values. If we are Christians, our responses should be like Jesus. Jesus did not repay evil with evil or insult
EYES FOR ME The recent passages have been addressing specific relationships within the framework of a Christian life. Peter now shifts his focus to all believers. First, we are called to love one another. We are to be like-minded, sympathetic, compassionate and humble. As believers, we should look to the example of Jesus. How did Jesus
https://www.belovedchurch.com/messages/centered-marriage/ This week’s passage is both familiar and controversial. In modern society, calling for a wife to be submissive to her husband can be a challenging message. This passage has also been abused by men in the past in order to subjugate women. Peter’s purpose here is not to demean women or elevate men. In keeping with
https://www.belovedchurch.com/messages/suffer-in-good-company/ In verse 18, slaves are told to submit to their masters, and not just the good ones. It is relatively easy to submit to a loving spouse or a great boss. It is much more difficult to be Christlike in the face of an angry teenager, a screaming tyrant or cheating significant other. Our responses
WRONG ENEMY Sin is deceptive. We tell ourselves our sins are not that big of a deal. We may know we need to work on areas of our lives that are not perfect, but we justify and compare ourselves to others. “At least I am not as bad as (fill in the blank).” Peter tells
GROWING & BUILDING Peter tells us we are to rid ourselves of a lot of bad qualities. We are not to be people of malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, or slander. In a recent survey of young Americans who have left the church, the number one reason for leaving was perceived hypocrisy by older believers. We
HOPE FULLY SET Our salvation is based only on the power and work of Christ. We did nothing to earn our salvation, but we do have a responsibility to walk righteously and in obedience. Verses 13-15 tell us how we can live in light of our salvation. We are to live soberly and alert to
IF NECESSARY Peter walked with Jesus. He spent as much time with the Lord as anyone in his circle. He betrayed Jesus and was received back into a loving relationship. He knew the mercy of God in an intimate way and it informed his life and teachings. After his introduction, Peter pivots to praising the