256th Week, I Peter Intro - Chapter 4 (Click on Title for Video Introduction)

 

Click on Title for Video Intro

Monday, I Peter Introduction

I Peter

Introduction

Bart Strayer

A FEW THOUGHTS ON PETER

As I reflected on Peter, I tried to think of some descriptive words to help set the stage for Peter. When I think of the book of Peter, the following words come to mind: heartache, oppression, suffering, distress, overwhelmed, heartsick, torn, loss of hope, and so on. What I love about Peter is that among these feelings there can be the light of hope and redemption; a redeemer, counselor, and friend. One that is complete in all answers and has the keys to everlasting life in his hands. That person is Jesus.

As we will see, following Jesus is not always easy, but we can rest easy, knowing we serve an all-knowing, all-powerful God that loves us and will be with us regardless of the situation. 

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, we thank You for this time in Your Word. We ask that as we continue our study with Peter, that You bless this time of reading and reflecting on the letters of Peter. Use the book of Peter to strengthen our relationship with Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us examine ourselves so that we may gain a deeper understanding of where we are in our walk with Christ. Expose those areas in our life that need maturing and restoration. Clear our minds of the noise of the world so we may fully understand what you have to say to us through Peter and give us understanding according to your doctrine. In Jesus Name. AMEN 

Tuesday, I Peter Chapter 1

I Peter 1

Verse 7

Bart Strayer

Verse 7:  “Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. Jesus wraps this all up; it’s your faith, not your gold that God will have on display as evidence of his victory.” 

THOUGHT

We can't read Peter and not talk about trials and challenges of life. We all have events in our life that can lead to frustration, anger, or sadness. As we mature in our faith, we begin to see early in the trial that circumstances like these can offer growth opportunities. I am not the greatest person to talk on this subject. Many of you have been through much more than I have. Mindy and I have been fortunate in that we haven't had any major trials in our lives (besides our tenure at the Des Moines Sheridan). 

As we encounter problems, we have to make a decision on how we are going to react. Can I encourage everyone before they do anything to pray? Pray for strength, wisdom, faith, patience, and God's favor. It is so much easier to face life's trials after we have faced God. With this understanding, we can face life with whatever the circumstance. God is right behind us. 

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, we thank You for this weeks’ time together. Help us to first seek You in our struggles in life. Help us in times of uncertainty to depend on You for our strength and guidance throughout the hard times. Be with us as we go about our lives this weekend. Prepare our hearts for worship on Sunday. We pray all of this in Jesus Name. AMEN 

Wednesday, I Peter Chapter 2

I Peter 2

Verse 5

Jeanie Boldt

This chapter is loaded, but I have to go with the verse that was highlighted when I joined the church at King of Kings in Omaha on 11-15-2000.

Verse 5:  “You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” 

THOUGHT 

Christ said in Matthew to Peter that on this rock I will build my church. Well, folks, we all are rocks. If we think of it as a structure, we must believe that each brick is important and must be in place to make up the church as long as Christ is the cornerstone or the foundation. Paul describes it as a body with Christ the head and each believer as a member. However, when we think of this verse, we must realize that we are important. We are special at keeping His house strong, active, modern, and always looking bright, healthy, and clean. We must be great examples by doing good things as written in the latter part of the chapter. 

Salt Shakers, be sure you, as a rock, are one of the special ones that shine, because we love Jesus so much. We have been chosen by God as His very own, and we have been called to represent him to others. We are all too far from each other to have our own structure, but let’s make our churches say, "Praise God for this one stone. It is doing a mighty work for the One who was sent." 

PRAYER 

Father God, thank You for the desire of men who love and cherish You so much to come together in union and create a place for You. Help us realize that it is not the structure that is the most important thing, (although you deserve the best), but it is our hearts and actions that would please You if You came to visit us in our churches. Help us to do Your Will, and may we find our purpose in our churches. We pray that we may support them with our talents and offerings. We lift up each of our pastors, worship teams, and all the support groups within. Thank You for their dedication. May we also not tire of doing Your Will and showing others Your purpose. Thank You for Peter and how You used him to build Your Church.  May we begin a new week with Your love in our voices, a light in our eyes, softness in our touch, an understanding in our ears, and a passion for what we are doing. 

We Love You, JESUS!   AMEN 

Thursday, I Peter Chapter 3

I Peter 3

Verses 7,8,11,15

Jeanie Boldt

THOUGHT 

This is a dynamite chapter. I love Peter. He makes me want to live my life better for the Lord each day. The whole chapter is about how we should care for others in a GENTLE and loving way. The first way is in the home with our spouses even if one is not saved. The second way is we need to be GENTLE and caring with fellow Christians to show one another love and courtesy. The third way is in the world where we may need to learn to suffer for doing what is right and standing up for our faith. We must be GENTLE and caring witnesses and make a big difference in a violent world. I believe the following verses are ones that need to be remembered and held in our heart each and every day as we demonstrate to others the qualities of being Christian. 

Verse 7:  Husbands, IN THE SAME WAY, be considerate as you live with your wives and treat them with respect. 

Verse 8:  Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 

Verse 11:  He must turn from evil and do good: he must seek peace and pursue it.

Verse 15:  Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give reason for the hope that you have. But do this with GENTLENESS and RESPECT.

PRAYER 

Heavenly Father, help us to keep Your love first most in our minds so that we can treat our spouses, family, fellow Christians and those who don’t know You with gentleness, love, and respect. May this group of believers demonstrate harmony, sympathy, love, compassion, and humility. We can do this through the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Please fill us each and every day. May Your Will live in our hearts.  We ask these things in Your Holy Name. AMEN 

Friday, I Peter Chapter 4

I Peter 4

Verse 10

Jeanie Boldt

Verse 10:  “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.”

THOUGHT

This is the verse that spoke to me when I was thinking about becoming a Stephen Ministries Leader and going to training in Seattle on May 20, 2001. It really affirmed my desire and plans. I so felt that the Lord said it to me personally that day. He had given me a crisis that I learned and grew from, and I came to realize that I could help others out of turmoil. I took training in a caring ministry, and now He was calling me to go even further by being a leader. He had given me the gifts and was now saying "Go and serve others." 

No matter how difficult life may be, there is a job to do, and we must be faithful. What qualities has the Lord given to you? The Lord who gave you the ability will also give you the strength to use it for His Glory. I can't help but think about the training I received there at the University of Washington. I met Bart and Mindy that night to share supper and have fun at the Space Needle. None of us were this strong in our faith at that time. Now, just look at what He has done with us. Praise God for the students I taught tonight to become Stephen Ministers. I so love what I do and the place the Lord has me at this very moment. My desire is for you to feel the same. 

PRAYER 

Father God, please direct us to the perfect place to share the gifts You have given us. May we not hide them, think they aren't good enough, or think we don't have the time. Place in us a spirit to use our gifts for the betterment of Your Kingdom and tell others there is rest, peace, and hope in YOU. As Peter said in Matthew 5:16, "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” AMEN