To the elders among you…
Summary: When Peter addresses part of his letter to “the elders,” he inadvertently highlights a sad and serious shift in cultural norms.
Continue reading “1 Peter 5:1 — Elders”1 Peter 5:1 — Elders
1 Peter 4:17 (b) — Deep Dive
… and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
Summary: Today Peter finishes his thought about judgment with a reference to obedience. How are obedience and faith related?
Continue reading “1 Peter 4:17 (b) — Deep Dive”1 Peter 4:13 — Jesus’ Stuff
But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
Summary: Just like sports have sports fans, God and Satan have their fans. God invites you to share the joy of His victory over evil.
Continue reading “1 Peter 4:13 — Jesus’ Stuff”1 Peter 4:4 — Cheap Kite
They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.
Summary: Peter offers us insight into what to expect when we turn our back on the world’s ways. Social pressure is a real thing and surprisingly powerful when we are confronted with it face to face.
Continue reading “1 Peter 4:4 — Cheap Kite”1 Peter 3:21 (b) — Baptism, Part II
It [baptism] saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ…
Summary: Peter says that we are saved by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This simple phrase describes the incredible moment in history when God opens the door to salvation through faith in his Son, Jesus Christ.
Continue reading “1 Peter 3:21 (b) — Baptism, Part II”1 Peter 3:18 (b) — Made Alive
He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.
Summary: Peter focuses in on the key fact of Christianity: That Jesus was put to death, was allowed to remain dead, and then was made alive again.
Continue reading “1 Peter 3:18 (b) — Made Alive”1 Peter 3:16 (a) — Saying “No”
… keeping a clear conscience …
Summary: Our conscience is like the red light on a car’s dashboard. It tells us something is wrong. It says, “Pay attention!” If we ignore the warning, we might survive, but our conscience suffers. Each little stain of being ignored clouds our conscience and leaves a mark that haunts us until we die.
Continue reading “1 Peter 3:16 (a) — Saying “No””1 Peter 3:15 (a) — House Guest
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord.
Summary: Peter reminds us to invite Jesus into the center of our being. When your life is built around the God of the Universe, there isn’t anything that can scare you.
Continue reading “1 Peter 3:15 (a) — House Guest”1 Peter 3:12 (c) — God’s Whiteboard
…but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.
Summary: Looking at the whole of verse 12 we see that Peter is contrasting God’s reaction to righteousness and evil. It is helpful to know what God thinks each of those words means.
Continue reading “1 Peter 3:12 (c) — God’s Whiteboard”1 Peter 3:12 (b) — The Toymaker’s Toy
… and his ears are attentive to their prayer …
Summary: Like a toy figure is made in the image of man, so is man made in the image of God. God is infinitely more than man can begin to comprehend, and yet he still listens to our prayers.
Continue reading “1 Peter 3:12 (b) — The Toymaker’s Toy”