Imprint Community Church: Recent Episodes
Imprint Community Church: Baltimore, MD
Paul concludes his letter to the Thessalonian church with a litany of ethical instructions, mostly concerning how to pursue sanctification in the context of a local church. But his final words, after this long list of commands, is an assurance: God himself will accomplish this work in you by his grace. May this exhortation and encouragement spur on God's people to invest deeply in their local church, and to trust fully in God's redeeming grace in the gospel.
Zechariah's final prophetic oracle is a richly symbolic vision of the blessed future of God's people. The prophet pronounces coming judgment on God's enemies, and promises final salvation for his chosen ones. Relying on the familiar prophetic language of "the Day of the Lord," Zechariah comforts Israel with assurance that God will defend them, cleanse them, and dwell with them in safety.
In Zechariah 9-11, the prophet preaches a divine message of indictment on Israel's "worthless shepherds" - those leaders who had failed to properly care for Yahweh's flock - and promises the coming of a Shepherd-King who will faithfully tend to the needs of his people. This prophetic message contains strong implications for those in positions of authority - especially spiritual authority - and rich encouragement concerning the Shepherd-King he has sent to us in Jesus Christ.
After Zechariah's series of night visions, he delivers two sermons in chapters 7 and 8 that offer the people of God a somber warning concerning the danger of empty religion, and a glorious promise concerning the blessing of covenant obedience. With God's heart for his people shining clear as day, he then clarifies his calling on them to live as a just and righteous people.
The first half of Zechariah's book ends with a poignant "sign act" - a public, visible action that depicts an important spiritual truth for God's people. As Zechariah performs this public act - fashioning a crown from gold and silver brought back from Babylon, and placing it on the head of Joshua the high priest - God's people receive a message of glorious grace. God will unite his people under the faithful leadership of his anointed King and Priest. This is good news not only for the Jews living in Zechariah's day, but for all people throughout the ages who will put their trust in God's Messiah, Jesus Christ.
The final three visions of Zechariah reveal three things God does for his people: he judges his people's sin, he removes his people's guilt, and he gives his people rest. The Jews would no doubt have taken both comfort and challenge from these visions, and their truths are no less relevant and powerful for Christians today.
The most familiar words from the book of Zechariah come in his fifth vision, in Chapter 4. Zechariah sees a menorah flanked by two olive trees, and receives three promises from God to deliver to the people. These promises, depicted poignantly through prophetic imagery, should fill God's people with comfort and hope to carry on the work of his Kingdom, knowing that his Spirit will empower us for the task, and that he will faithfully bring his purposes to fruition.
In Zechariah's fourth vision, he sees Joshua, the High Priest, standing before God in filthy robes. The problem: God's people are sinful and unclean. How will the Holy God of Israel dwell with a sinful people? This chief predicament of all human beings is answered in the poignant image of God himself providing pure robes for Joshua, and cleansing the sins of his people "in a single day." In this beautiful passage, we learn about the power of God's grace to transform sinners into saints, and we see the seeds of his ultimate provision for our redemption in Jesus Christ.
The first half of Zechariah is comprised of eight "night visions" that the Lord gives the prophet. This message examines the first three of those visions, drawing out important and timeless truths concerning God's heart for his people, his purpose to fight their enemies, and his unswerving inclination to dwell with his people in love and blessing.
The first six verses of Zechariah set the stage for the vivid prophetic images and exhortations to follow, displaying Yahweh as a faithful, covenant-keeping God. He urges his people to renew their covenant commitment to him, and promises that he will draw near to them in grace and kindness. In this message to ancient Israel, Christians today receive a poignant word of warning and welcome from the Lord, and are encouraged to turn their distracted and wandering hearts back toward him in faith and repentance.
Guest preacher Orlando Cordero walks us through a passage in Romans 12 displaying the kind of community God calls his church to be. As the new year begins, Christians would do well to consider these exhortations to love, honor, care, and grace that God's people are called to show one another.
Guest preacher Anthony Wright reminds Christians of the gentle, compassionate care of their good shepherd, Jesus Christ. The scene in Mark 6 where Jesus feeds a multitude of people with just a few loaves of bread provides a rich portrait of Christ in his bountiful care and provision.
The book of Ruth ends with a beautiful display of God's abundant grace to widowed Naomi. And in a way much bigger than this one Hebrew family, God's redeeming grace toward his people as a whole, and his purpose to send another Redeemer many generations later, is evident in the genealogy that concludes the book. Christians can take heart at God's lovingkindness evident in this story, and given to us freely in the Savior to whom the story points.
The third scene in the book shows Ruth making a bold request of her kinsman-redeemer, Boaz, and displays Boaz' generous heart toward her and her mother-in-law. At the center of the drama is a promise made by Boaz, and the rest of the story will center on whether and how Boaz will keep his word to Ruth. Christians reading this chapter today learn important lessons about the providence of God, the courage of Christian decision-making, and the grace of resting in God's promises.
The second chapter of Ruth finds the vulnerable widows at the center of the story finding refuge under the wings of God, as his kind providence and abundant provision reveal his gracious pursuit of them from the start. In God's provision for the vulnerable in Israel, we see a foreshadowing of his provision for vulnerable sinners in Christ, and a call to extend his gracious care to the vulnerable among us.
Chapter 1 introduces us to the woman at the center of Ruth's narrative, a bereaved Hebrew widow named Naomi. Her life is marked by a string of tragedy that leaves her embittered and despairing. But even in the sad beginnings of Naomi’s story, there are glimpses of hope as God sets the stage for a display of covenant kindness to Naomi personally, and to his people as a whole.
The final verses of Revelation are an epilogue that borrows heavily from images and themes we've seen throughout the book. Despite the fact that there's nothing fundamentally new introduced in these verses, nevertheless they provide strong exhortation and rich encouragement for Christians, concerning our expectation and our preparation for Christ's return.
Rev. 21 (and the first part of 22) provide one of the most beautiful passages in all the Bible, depicting in vivid, symbolic imagery the glory and joy of the new creation that God has in store for his people. Reflecting on this passage calls to our imaginations to wonder at the beauty of the world to come, and calls our hearts to wait in anticipation for the day Jesus returns and makes all things new.
At the close of human history, every human being will be raised to stand before the great white judgment throne of God. The courtroom scene in this passage depicts that final judgment, and urges all people to live in light of that coming day.
"The Millennium" in Revelation 20 is perhaps the most hotly contested passage in the book. But if we can look past the bluster of theological debate, we find that the image of the 1,000-year reign of Christ with his saints fits nicely within the book of Revelation, and is totally consistent with the book's messages and exhortations. Is the Millennium a future golden age where Jesus rules on the earth? Is it a picture of the current age before Jesus returns? Listen to Pastor Kyle expound on the themes and encouragements in this important chapter.
Following the beautiful image of the marriage supper of the Lamb, John's vision zips back in time to show us another depiction of Christ's return in judgment. The "battle scene" at the end of history reveals Jesus Christ in undeniable power, zealous for the honor of his name, and swift to claim full victory. This vision of the Lord should fill Christians with reverence and worship.
The judgment of Babylon is followed by a glorious portrayal of exuberant worship in heaven, as the Church of Jesus gathers at a banqueting table for the "marriage supper of the Lamb." This scene provides powerful encouragement to weary Christians, and a poignant picture of God's abundant grace in the gospel.
Guest preacher Mike Christ unpacks Paul's teaching in Romans 7 about our new identity in Jesus Christ, and how having "died to the law" frees us into a whole new kind of being and living in union with Christ.
Revelation 18 portrays the destruction of Babylon, the great kingdom of man that opposes God and persecutes his people. In Babylon's depravity, Babylon's destruction, and Babylon's danger, Christians receive powerful encouragement - and pointed warnings - to remain faithful to Jesus Christ in this godless age.
In a new vision, John is introduced to a beautiful woman sitting on a scarlet beast - Babylon the Prostitute. The sharp imagery of this vision portrays the real, ever-present temptations of idolatry, greed, and immorality in "the city of man." God's people are called to discernment and endurance in the face of these Satanic seductions.
Revelation 15-16 provide a sobering picture of God's final wrathful judgment upon a rebellious world. Borrowing heavily from the Exodus story and the plagues God sent upon Egypt, John conveys two undeniable realities: God delivers his people, and God destroys his enemies.
Chapter 14 concludes the cycle begun in Chapter 12, as the Lamb gathers his saints to himself and executes inescapable justice upon the wicked. This vivid chapter, juxtaposing full salvation against final judgment, is a sobering call to Christians to persevere in their faith.
John' vision introduces the Dragon's two primary agents in his war against the Church, in the form of two fearsome beasts who arise from the sea and the earth. These beasts represent Satan's primary tools in his effort to destroy, disrupt, and divide the people of God. Awareness of these dangers calls for endurance, faith, and wisdom on the part of God's people in this treacherous age.
Chapter 12 of Revelation begins the second major division of the book, in which Christ's battle with the Dragon is depicted. The cosmic drama of redemption is portrayed in the style of mythology, with vivid characters and an epic drama unfolding in the stars. Yet these grand images reveal tangible and true realities concerning the life of the Church in this broken world, awaiting the return of Christ.
Pastor Kyle concludes the summer series "Words of Life" by looking at some exhortations from Paul in 2 Corinthians, about the ministry of gospel proclamation God has entrusted to us. These principles will help equip Christians with the confidence and faith it will take to steward the gospel of the kingdom, and to point others faithfully toward the Savior of the world.
Guest speaker Mike Roach explores the famous story of Zacchaeus, a hated tax collector who was transformed by an encounter with Jesus. The grace of God in his life, and Jesus' declaration that he has come "seek and to save the lost," can arm us with compassion toward sinners around us, and challenge us to reach out in love with gospel hope.
In Acts 17, Paul delivers a shrewd and bold gospel message to the philosophers and thought leaders in Athens. In his message, we can see strategies and principles that can help us approach evangelistic conversations with unbelievers in our lives, and that remind us of the powerful grace of God in the gospel.
When a rich man asks Jesus how he can enter the Kingdom, he is disappointed by Jesus' message concerning the cost of following him. This conversation reveals the pitfalls of self-righteousness, idolatry, and the accumulation of wealth as barriers to receiving the Kingdom. Christians today need to be aware of these dangers for our own hearts, and seek to bring the gospel to bear on these idolatries in those we hope to reach for Christ.
When the disciples try to keep children from getting in the way of Jesus' ministry, the Lord has a word of rebuke for his disciples, and a warm welcome for youngsters to draw near to him. In our efforts to proclaim the gospel of grace, we must not forget the children in our churches and neighborhoods as those who need to receive Jesus in faith, and who are invited to come to him.
In Acts 8, God sends an evangelist named Philip to the chariot of a government official from Ethiopia, a man who had been made a eunuch. In this gospel conversation, we see powerful and practicable insights that Christians can employ in approaching unbelievers with the good news about Jesus.
This conversation between Jesus and a Samaritan woman highlights the profound grace of God in the gospel, and provides us with insights that will help us engage compassionately and courageously with unbelievers around us.
Dr. Smith considers the long patience of God with his people, and the powerlessness that comes from their lack of repentance.
Through the prophet Hosea, God gives his people a vivid portrayal of his covenant faithfulness, even in light of their rebellion and idolatry. In this message Dr. Kevin Smith reflects on the love of God and calls the church to sincere worship and faithfulness to him.
Revelation 11 introduces us to two witnesses, who have a powerful ministry of the word, but are strongly opposed by the world and the devil. A symbolic picture of the church on earth, these witnesses provide us with powerful descriptions of our calling in the world and God's unswerving commitment to save his people.
John's vision gives us a long interlude between Trumpets 6 and 7, which basically answer the question: What is the Church on earth doing during this period of history, while God pours out his partial judgments upon the unbelieving world? Chapter 10's answer to that question is that the Church of Jesus Christ is to be God's prophet to the nations. The strange imagery of John eating a scroll has very practical implications for our lives as followers of Jesus.
Chapter 8 introduces us to a new "series of seven" in Revelation: seven trumpets sounded by angels in heaven, representing terrible (but limited!) judgments of God upon sinners in the world during the present age. An escalation in the judgments' intensity indicates a drawing nearer of the return of Jesus, and the final judgment that will come upon the unbelieving world at that time. But for now, as God sends these partial judgments into the lives of unbelievers, he intends to turn the hearts of proud sinners toward himself in repentance and faith.
When the Lamb opens the 6th seal, John's vision depicts the end of human history. In Christ's return to earth, two vivid and starkly contrasting realities are portrayed: the judgment of the wicked, and the salvation of the Church. These verses - alternately terrifying and hopeful - put in clear terms what is at stake in our response to Jesus Christ and his gospel.
The Lamb begins to open the sealed scroll, and we see plagues and hardships befall the earth. These are not merely depictions of future disasters, but snapshots of the woes and troubles of life in a fallen world in the age between Christ's first and second comings. This message considers the first five seals, which highlight the triumph of Christ's gospel and the suffering of Christ's people on earth.
John's vision of the throne room in heaven continues, revealing three all-important realities: Christ's coronation as King, Christ's conquering by the cross, and Christ's acclaim throughout creation. This powerful scene shows us a heaven that is saturated with adoration to Jesus Christ as the redeemer of God's people. Listen to this description of heaven's worship, and consider how our own lives and worship should be shaped by it.
As the body of John's vision begins, the first image he sees is of utmost importance: the throne of God. The throne is the orientation for the rest of the vision, and perhaps the primary point the Revelation intends to drive home to its readers: The sovereign God is reigning from his throne, and no earthly or spiritual powers can overcome it. Listen as Pastor Kyle describes the striking scene of God's throne room.
The final of the seven letters from Jesus is a church that is proud and self-reliant, who trust themselves so fully that they have grown complacent ("lukewarm") in their relationship to the Lord himself. Jesus has strong words of rebuke for this kind of church, yet still holds out incredible mercy and and hope to those who will repent and trust in him yet again.
In Jesus' 6th letter, he addresses a church that's been excluded by the religious community and the social systems of the day, but who have remained steadfast in their devotion to Christ. The Lord offers no corrections, but four powerful encouragements for this faithful congregation. In these encouragements, Christians today can find comfort and courage for steadfastness in the face of trouble.
An atheist commenter asks, "How do atheists find good feelings about life?" A simple, emphatic answer: The best way to find meaning in this life, and hope for eternity, is to believe that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead!" Examining 1 Corinthians 15:12-28, Pastor Kyle considers a world where Christ was not raised, and then demonstrates how the resurrection of Jesus answers all the hopelessness of a fallen world.
The church in Sardis has been lulled to sleep by complacency and compromise. Their reputation for being a lively, vibrant church is out-of-sync with Jesus' diagnosis: They are dead. (Or, at least dying.). This passage issues a powerful warning for Christians who are spiritually slumbering, in danger of missing out on life in the Spirit entirely. But for the faithful, Jesus assures them of the coming rewards of friendship, purity, and security.
Jesus has strong words of correction for a church that has grown in love and virtue, but has been tolerant of evil and false teaching. How does a modern virtue like tolerance become grounds of discipline for a church? What sorts of boundaries should a church have around its life and doctrine, to remain faithful to Christ?
Jesus writes to a church that has faithfully endured hardship and persecution, but is drifting into false teaching and immorality. Here are strong words of encouragement and challenge to Christians today to remain steadfastly loyal to Christ and his Word, no matter what pressures we face in this world. Those who persevere will be rewarded with unspeakable blessing in the eternal Kingdom.
Christ's message to the church at Smyrna provides pastoral encouragement for a congregation that treasured Jesus above the material wealth of the Empire. He warns them of increasing persecution to come, but urges them to remain "faithful unto death," promising them eternal life and salvation from God's wrath on the last day.
Christ's personal messages to seven local churches provide a window into the health of the church in the 1st Century, and also offer strong encouragement and exhortation to churches today. In his message to the Ephesian church, we learn of the central importance of love in the life of Christ's people. Doctrinal purity without love is empty, and Jesus has strong words of rebuke and warning for churches characterized by this distortion.
The main activity of these verses is John's commissioning by the Lord Jesus to write in a book the revelation he is about to receive. The main FUNCTION of this commissioning is to highlight the divine authority of Jesus Christ over his people, and over all human history. In this commissioning sequence, we find three important truths about the Kingdom of Christ - realities that will help prepare Christians for the journey they're on in this life, and to provide them with hope and endurance to make it safely home.
John offers a formal greeting to his readers, in which he spotlights the glory of the triune God and the glory of Jesus Christ, in particular. The glorious truths here enumerated about Christ become themes that are expounded throughout the Revelation. These verses provide a compelling glimpse of the person and work of Jesus, and offer a poignant reminder of the beauty of his gospel.
In the first message in this new series on Revelation, Pastor Kyle considers the first three verses of the book, providing principles and guidelines to aid in our approach to Revelation. The star of the story is Jesus Christ, and the people of God are given strong encouragement to keep their hope tethered to his final and decisive victory over evil.
In this ancient song for corporate worship, God's people are warned about the foolishness of trusting in human power for salvation, and exhorted to trust only in Yahweh and his just reign over the world. The psalm is bookended with a call to "praise Yahweh," and his people find ample reason for that praise in his just, eternal kingship.
Paul concludes his letter to the Ephesian churches with a commendation of the letter's courier, and a prayer of blessing upon his hearers. In this message, Pastor Kyle provides an overview of the message of the entire book. If the book of Ephesians were one sermon, it might sound something like this.
Paul concludes his meditation on "the armor of God" by discussing the offensive weapons with which God has equipped his people. Far from cowering in a corner trying to fend off the approaching enemy, the Church of Jesus Christ is advancing against Satan and his kingdom, and Christ has provided his people with the word of God and fervent prayer to launch their offensive strike.
The Christian's instructions about waging spiritual warfare against the kingdom of Satan continue in these verses, as Paul outlines the essential defensive pieces of spiritual armor that God has provided. This armor will equip God's people to withstand the devil's deceptions, accusations, distractions, and seeds of doubt, and provide confidence that we will ultimately triumph over him.
Paul concludes his letter to the Ephesian Christians with a poignant and memorable description of the spiritual battle they're engaged in. In these verses, he urges the church to prepare for spiritual battle by knowing a few important things: the power at work in them, the enemy who opposes them, the tools God has provided, and the victory that's already theirs in Jesus Christ.
In these verses addressed to slaves and their masters, Paul gives Christians important principles about how they relate to authority. Living in light of the gospel means faithfully serving those in authority, and holding authority over others with gentleness and respect, for the sake of Christ.
As Paul continues his instructions on household codes, he turns to the relationship of children with their parents - addressing children directly as recipients of his letter. God's design for household order includes children living under the loving authority of their parents, and both parties must rely on the strength and assurance of the gospel.
Paul begins to apply the principles of gospel living to Christian households, beginning with the relationship of husbands and wives. The gospel is reflected in a profound way in the marriage relationship, and in this message Pastor Kyle unfolds how the unique roles of husbands and wives, and the very nature of marriage itself, paint a picture of Jesus Christ's relationship to his church.
Guest preacher Ben Lacey unpacks an exhortation from the apostle Paul to "look carefully how you walk." He urges Christians to examine their lives and make the most of the opportunities God has given them.
In this passage in Ephesians, Paul uses the metaphor of light and darkness to define the shape of Christian faithfulness, and the holiness that God intends to cultivate among his people. With particularly strong warnings concerning God's wrath against sin, Christians are exhorted to abandon "works of darkness" and pursue the "fruit of light."
Paul's description of life in "the new man" has a distinctly relational shape. These verses urge Christians to live with one another, within the church, in ways that display the transformative power of the gospel.
Paul's instructions on "walking worthy" continue, as he exhorts Christians to stop living like unbelievers, and to live out their new identity in Christ instead. The gospel gives us the power to live holy lives!
Within the theme of the church's unity, Paul here directs his attention toward the unique and diverse ways Christ gifts each individual member, and the roles they have to play in building up the body of Christ. In order to grow into the unity that Christ has accomplished for his church, each member must minister to one another.
How can a church pursue unity? What are the characteristics, the capacities, and the commitments that will lead to a truly united church? As Paul begins to focus on the practical outworking of the gospel foundation laid in chapters 1-3, he turns to these questions of unity. As Christ has purchased his people's unity, and the Spirit has gifted it to them, followers of Jesus must be vigilant to cultivate oneness in their local church contexts.
Paul concludes the first half of his letter with a prayer for his readers, that they would experience the strength of the Spirit, the love of Christ, and the fullness of God. These verses provide a compelling vision for Christian growth and vitality, and give us confidence in our prayers for Christ's church.
Paul highlights the cosmic importance of God's creation of the Church. Because of Christ's reconciling atonement on the cross, the newly-created, united people of God provide an announcement to Satan that his kingdom will not stand.
The same grace that makes sinners right with God, also makes sinners right with each other. These verses paint a powerful, compelling picture of the Church of Jesus Christ as a redeemed people, united to each other by the overcoming death of Jesus. The religious, cultural, and racial divisions that existed between Jews and non-Jewish peoples have been destroyed by the cross, and Christ has created for himself "one new man," for now and eternity. This passage challenges Christians to prioritize gospel community in their lives, and to pursue the reconciliation Christ died to achieve.
In Eph. 2:1-10, Paul clarifies the REASON that Christians enjoy such spiritual blessings (v. 3-14) and spiritual power (v. 15-23): the grace of God. He unfolds the "spiritual biography" of every follower of Christ, all with the aim of highlighting and celebrating the lavish grace of God.
Paul prays for the Holy Spirit to open Christians' eyes, to truly grasp and experience three rich realities of their spiritual lives: the vastness of hope, glory, and power available to them through Jesus Christ. These verses call us to lean on the abundant grace of God in our lives, appropriating his power in our fight against sin and the treacherous journey to eternity.
God isn't only redeeming for himself a people, but an entire creation. The "spiritual blessings" enumerated in Ephesians 1 culminate in God's cosmic redemptive plan to "sum up all thing in Christ." In this message, Pastor Kyle discusses the glorious reality of the creation's future restoration, and provides several applications of this truth to the lives of Christ's followers.
All the spiritual blessings Paul enumerates and celebrates in Eph. 1:3-14 are brought into the life of the believer through one essential, mysterious reality: Union with Christ. Pastor Kyle's second exploration of these verses shines a spotlight on this precious but neglected doctrine, and considers the ways that union with Jesus Christ defines the Christian's core identity.
These 12 verses form one of the most theologically rich and devotionally precious paragraphs in all the Bible. In this message (Part 1 of 3 on this passage), Pastor Kyle enumerates the vast spiritual blessings that we have in Christ, and demonstrates how a Christian's salvation is ultimately not about THEM, but about GOD and his glory.
In Paul's two-verse salutation beginning this letter, he reminds Christians of the riches of grace that God has poured out on us. His grace is evident in Paul's appointment as an apostle, God's sanctifying of his people through Christ, and in the forging of peace with God brought about by Jesus' death. These two verses set the tone for the glorious riches to follow!
Pastor Kyle wraps up the series by considering the biblical theme of the Kingdom of God as an essential framework for exploring questions of justice and the role of God's people in the world. The centrality, character, and call of the Kingdom provide Christians a robust vision and a high challenge to carry out in this fallen world for Christ's glory.
Guest preacher Mike Roach (a member at The Garden Church in Baltimore) provides an overview of the OT book of Amos, challenging God's people to embody the justice of God himself in their lives and dealings with others.
What is the Church's mission? Isn't concern over the welfare of secular society just a distraction from the gospel? A look at Christ's commission to the Church in Matthew 28 helps broaden the lenses through which we see the world, and understand our mission as Christ's people.
Should God's people care about problems and injustices in society? During Israel's exile in Babylon, God urged them to settle in for a long period in exile, and called them to "seek the welfare of the city." As citizens of heaven living in exile in this world, the Church of Jesus Christ is to be similarly concerned with the good of the people and institutions in the world where they live. This should challenge us to bring the heart of God and the grace of the gospel to bear on the injustices around us.
Jesus' parable of "the Good Samaritan" was told in answer to a man's attempt to avoid responsibility for loving his neighbor. The truths contained in this powerful story are still potent, and relevant as ever to Christians in this divided world.
Peter closes his letter with encouragement and exhortations: In order to faithfully endure hardships and safely arrive at home with Christ, his people need to remember their enemy, their calling, and their identity.
Churches equipped to endure suffering are those who are shepherded by faithful pastors. In these verses, Peter exhorts pastors to faithfully care for God's church, and paints a picture of what this kind of leadership will look like.
Your mindset can make all the difference. Peter begins the final section of his letter with a set of perspectives to help carry Christians through seasons of suffering.
In the wake of George Floyd's death and the resulting national unrest, Kyle interrupted his series in 1 Peter to exhort the church to apply the principles of God's justice to the issue of racism in our society.
In light of the return of Christ and coming judgment, Peter urges Christians to orient their lives around this all-important reality. What should be the priorities and practices of Christians living in "the last days?" You might be surprised...
In a world that's hostile to Christian faith, and where suffering is sure to afflict God's people, Peter urges Christians to arm themselves for the battle that lies ahead. This passage tells us to think the way Christ did, and so be prepared for suffering, temptation, and judgment.
Peter exhorts Christians to remain zealous for good works, even in the face of suffering and persecution. He points our attention to the blessing that will come from God when his people commit themselves to goodness instead of revenge.
Guest preacher Mike Christ provides an overview of the book of Jonah, with poignant and timely applications concerning our anger toward God and others, our posture toward his commands, and ultimately how Jesus Christ stands in our place.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is no mere add-on to Christian faith - a risen Jesus is utterly essential for our salvation. These verses in Romans 5 provide a rock-solid foundation of assurance that God will carry on the work of salvation that he began in each believer.
Peter turns his instructions for marriage toward husbands, and in one power-packed verse, sets a high bar for their leadership in the home. Husbands are to show honor to their wives for their weakness, and for their glory. Find out what a Christian husband's leadership should look like, and how it points us toward Jesus Christ.
Peter's exhortation to "keep your conduct honorable" turns to the marriage relationship, where he begins by urging Christian wives to live in glad submission to their husbands. This counter-cultural message helps Christians in marriage relationships to faithfully carry out their God-given assignments.
Peter exhorts slaves to submit to their masters. Despite the difficulty of thinking about the Bible and slavery, Peter's exhortation extends to all Christians when they endure unjust suffering. This passage will help prepare us for seasons of suffering, by assuring us that God will reward our patient endurance, and pointing us to Jesus Christ as our example.
Peter begins to flesh out Christians' "honorable conduct" in the world by exhorting us to living in willing submission to civil government. An undeniably contentious issue in our own day, God's word has essential wisdom for us in how to relate to our earthly authorities, with our eye on Jesus Christ.
Peter's instructions to Christians turn toward their relationship to the unbelieving world around them. The sinful desires that live within us are at war with our new Spirit-born desires, and are working to sabotage the health of our souls and the strength of our witness for Christ in the world. How can we fight back against indwelling sin, and ensure the church's faithful testimony for Christ's Kingdom?
The story of Abraham and Hagar provide Christians an important lesson: God knows better than we do, and we are simply to trust in his sovereign care instead of leaning on our own understanding.
Do you know who the Church is? Could you give a clear, articulate description of the new people that God is creating for himself? 1 Peter 2:4-10 gives us a great definition, packed with encouragement and challenge to live out our calling as God's elect exiles in this world.
Peter urges Christians to "grow up into salvation," and he assures us that God has provided us with exactly what we need in order to do that: the "pure spiritual milk" of God's word. May this message challenge and inspire you to drink deeply of the goodness of God in the gospel!
Having urged the church to be "holy" - a distinct community in the midst of the world - he makes a strong appeal for Christians to embody this gospel-shaped distinctness in the most potent way possible: love one another. These verses show us what Christian love looks like, and points us to the resources we need to live it out.
Having celebrated God's lavish grace in vv. 1-12, Peter turns to exhortation in vv. 13-21. Urging Christians to live lives of holiness, he outlines three important ways for Christians to live as exiles in this world: in light of future grace, God's holiness, and coming judgment.
Having reminded the believers in Asia Minor of their status as the chosen people of God, Peter launches into a litany of praise to God for his grace to his people. In v. 3-12, he exhorts Christians to worship God because of the security of their salvation, the purifying power of their suffering, and the privilege of being the recipients of God's storied grace. Listen to this exposition by Pastor Kyle and be moved to worship the Lord for his glorious grace!
In Peter's introduction to this letter, the apostle grounds his readers' hope and encouragement in the unshakable reality that they have been chosen by God. Even though Christians live as aliens in a hostile world, they can have the confidence that they belong to him.