Living in a foreign place that does not share your faith, customs, or values is extremely difficult. This why Peter tells his friends in Asia Minor that it is going to require a new type of community. First, he tells them to prepare their minds for action. Literally, he is telling them to gird the loins of their minds. They need to prepare their minds for some difficult things ahead. They need to be prepared, ready for action. He is getting ready to tell them about a new way forward into this new and difficult life they have entered.

In addition, he tells them that God judges each man’s action impartially. Each one of them have been saved by God through Jesus Christ.  It did not come at a cheap price.  God’s only son gave his life so that they could live. What God has done for them through Jesus, cost more than silver or gold. His advice now is to live their lives in reverent fear, knowing that the one who set them free will judge the way they live.

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Getting a glimpse of the last page has a huge impact on how the story is read.

That was Peter’s hope as he wrote the words,

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice,

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I am excited to be reading and studying through First Peter again. It is a tremendous letter that, if we allow it, can have a tremendous impact on our thinking and actions in regard to our mission in the world. The letter is written to believers who are described by Peter as temporary residents of the dispersion. These believers seem to be asking the question, “How are we to respond to and live in this foreign society, as followers of Jesus?” It is a question that many of us have asked and struggled with as we have sought to bring Jesus to those who live in our vane and selfish society.

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We have concluded our study and discussions of the Gospel of John.  It has been a tremendous study that has hopefully given you a deeper relationship with Jesus.  I know that it has for me.

Since the Gospel of John ends with Peter being reinstated we have decided to study and discuss Peter’s writings.  So, as we gather this Saturday we will begin our discussion.  In the meantime, read through 1 Peter.  Read completely through it without stopping.  It should only take a while since 1 Peter is only 5 chapters.  Then after reading search the internet and find an introduction to the letter that discusses: the author, the audience, the setting . . .  Hopefully, each of us can bring some insight into who, where, and why questions of 1 Peter.

See you Saturday!

It was a great time of fellowship at Denny’s.  I believe we are all moving in the right direction.  It is interesting to see how we are maturing as a group as we are reading about Jesus teaching the 12.  Remember to keep reading through John 13-16.  Try to at least read through those chapters twice before we gather again next Sunday evening.

On to “The Challenge.”  As part of learning to love one another, we have been challenged to spend time with two other couples over the next month.  We need to intertwine our lives together if we are going to fulfill Jesus’ new commandment “to love one another as I have loved you.”

We are moving in the right direction!