Reasons we might struggle to know/believe God loves us:
We love with expectations.
We play the comparison game.
We trust our feelings more than than we should.
We don’t see the wisdom in God’s will.
We become our own worst enemy.
John 17:20-23
God loves me just as He loves Jesus
Romans 8:38-39
nothing can keep me from God’s love.
God loves me just as He loves Jesus,
and nothing can keep me from God’s love.
Not even ME.
Romans 5:6-11
Jesus died for when we were:
Weak
Ungodly
Sinners
Enemies
Romans 5:7
Romans 5:8
Jesus died for you to prove GOD LOVES YOU.
1 Peter 5
1 Peter 5:5-7 Humilty
Humility in relationship to one another.
Humility in relationship to the almighty God of the universe.
1 Peter 5:8-10 Perseverance
Persevere against the adversary.
Persevere in suffering.
Persevere until the end.
1 Peter 5:10
He will RESTORE you.
He will CONFIRM you.
He will STRENGTHEN you.
He will ESTABLISH you.
What do we want more: to have Jesus, or to not suffer?
Acts 12: 1-5
There is serious suffering going on in the world.
Top Five worst countries for persecution
1 North Korea
2 Afghanistan
3 Somalia
4 Libya
5 Pakistan
All is not bad news
We need a larger vision
Video: 2021 World Watch List
We need to take action
Jesus rose from the dead to bring us life…
…but we often live like he’s still dead in the grave.
Luke 24:13-32
Jesus rose from the dead to bring us life, but we often live like he’s still dead in the grave.
Is our heart burning within us because we’ve encountered the risen Jesus?
Be willing to suffer well in a world that won’t believe.
1 Peter 4:1-6 (ref)
1 Peter 4:1a (up to “ceased from sin”)
1 Peter 3:18
Isaiah 53:10-11
1 Peter 4:1b-2 (start with “for whoever”)
1 Peter 4:3-4
1 Peter 4:5
1 Peter 4:6
even to the dead I the gospel was preached
Question: How could the gospel have been preached to them if Jesus had only recently come?
Answer: Ever since the fall God has given witness to the good news of Jesus and the promise of his coming.
judged I the way people are I in the flesh (line 1)
live I the way God does I in the spirit (line 2 progressive)
Be willing to suffer well in a world that won’t believe.
Message given by Jim Hardy
1 Peter 3:15
1 Peter 1:1
Can circumstances overrun your heart’s ability to revere Jesus as Lord? YES!
Focus: Jesus battles for our hearts to be with God.
1 Peter 3:18a
1 Peter 3:18b
Word Play: Apostle / Exiled (1:1)
Living Stone (2:4 Rejected / Precious)
Put to death / Made alive (3:18b)
1 Peter 3:18
A.D.D. WARNING!
1 Peter 3:19-20
1 Peter 20b-21
One Goal for All Relationships: Proclaim God’s Excellencies
1 Peter 3:9-12
Key Idea: We are supposed to live right and bless others.
Matthew 5:13
Matthew 5:14-16
In your Neighborhood (and Co-Worker) Relationships
In Your Acquaintance (and Stranger) Relationships
James 2:14-17
Key Idea (repeat) We’re supposed to live right and bless others.
Illustration
John 7:37-38
Prayer
One Goal for All Relationships : Proclaiming God’s Excellencies
Singles Relationships
1 Corinthians 7:32-34
1 Corinthians 6:17
Key Idea: Don’t take shortcuts to escape singleness.
Faith Community
Hebrews 10:24-25 24
Key Idea: Being part of a community that shares the same desires will fuel growth in that area.
John 13:35
1 Peter 3:8
“The development of meaningful relationships where every member carries a significant sense of belonging is central to what it means to be the church. This is a God-ordained gathering of people that is so strong that even “the gates of hell will not overcome it.” ~Randy Frazee
