• May 13th, 2012
Last week looked at our future inheritance, our joy, and our confidence. We learned that we have an inheritance to look forward to and that we can have confidence in the Lord whom protects us by His power. We saw that the proof of our faith is more precious than gold. Even though we don’t see Him, we love Him because we walk by faith, not by sight. This morning we’ll look at something the prophets could see, but only dimly.
1 Peter 1:10-12 says, “As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven – things into which angels long to look.”
This is a really cool passage. Grab your Bible and hang on!
You can follow along on Pastor Ian's blog here.
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• May 6th, 2012
Last week we saw Peter’s encouragement to obey and we looked at our hope, this morning we’ll find out about our future regardless of our current circumstances.
1 Peter 1:3-9 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.”
As we look at our future, we have an inheritance that is imperishable. We have been sprinkled by the blood of Christ which means God has adopted us through Jesus. Let's see exactly what Peter is talking aobut I hope you have your Bible with you!
You can follow along on Pastor Ian's blog here.
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• April 29th, 2012
Last week we found out a little about Peter’s background. We saw whom Peter was writing to and where they were. We looked at sanctification. This morning we’ll look at some key words that Peter uses to describe our position in Christ.
1 Peter 1:1-5 says, “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
Let's find out where our hope is. You can follow along on Pastor Ian's blog here.
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• April 22nd, 2012
We kick off a new series today that I’m really excited about. We dive into 1 Peter. So much is known about this man. Many Christians have heard of him and may even know some things about him. Who did Peter write to in his first letter, and why? What is going on? In this study we will answer those questions and many more.
We begin in 1 Peter 1:1-2a that says, “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit.”
You can follow along on Pastor Ian's blog here.
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• April 15th, 2012
“And they continued steadfastly in the … breaking of bread.” (Acts 2:42) In the early days of the church the breaking of bread was part of a regular meal. Since then it has come to be known as the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper. The importance of the Lord’s Supper should never be overestimated. It declares our fundamental beliefs about Christ and His church. It is not only a service of celebration, but of consecration. We not only celebrate the life, death, resurrection, and return of the Savior, but we dedicate ourselves afresh as we identify with the body He gave and the blood He shed, symbolized by the bread and the juice.
The Lord's Supper is a solemn remembrance of what Christ did for you and for me. Let's dig a little deeper.
You can follow along on Pastor Ian's blog.
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• April 8th, 2012
Today is Easter. This day is of great significance in the life of every Christian. With all the Easter sales around, non-Christians often ask the question, “Is there life after death?” Job asked the question, “If a man dies, will he live again?” It’s a question most people ask themselves at some point. There are people that seek to prolong their lives here on earth as long as they can. Jesus asked the question, “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36) The longer you live, the more you realize that life is short. Today we’ll answer the question, “Is there eternal life?”
Paul says in 1 Cor. 15:1-2, “Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.”
Let's answer that question. You can follow along on Pastor Ian's blog here.
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• April 1st, 2012
Last week we finished up in the book of Jonah and it ended abruptly and somewhat strangely. We’re left to wonder about Jonah. Where did he go when he left the eastern outskirts of Nineveh? What became of Nineveh? Let’s look at the rest of the story of Nineveh.
First we need to go back to the future. We left Jonah sitting under the withered remains of a castor oil plant with God asking Jonah a question that goes unanswered. That’s not where the story ends. Fast forward about 130 years or so. Nineveh remains the center of Assyrian power. But something troubling has occurred. Another prophet comes on the scene and proclaims the message Jonah wanted to preach. Nahum 1:1-6 says, “The oracle of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite. A jealous and avenging God is the LORD; The LORD is avenging and wrathful. The LORD takes vengeance on His adversaries, And He reserves wrath for His enemies. The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, and the LORD will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. In whirlwind and storm is His way, and clouds are the dust beneath His feet. He rebukes the sea and makes it dry; He dries up all the rivers. Bashan and Carmel wither; the blossoms of Lebanon wither. Mountains quake because of Him and the hills dissolve; indeed the earth is upheaved by His presence, The world and all the inhabitants in it. Who can stand before His indignation? Who can endure the burning of His anger? His wrath is poured out like fire and the rocks are broken up by Him.” Wow.
You can follow along on Pastor Ian's blog here.
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• March 25th, 2012
Last week Jonah expressed great joy over the provision of a castor oil plant that provided him some shade in the hot Assyrian sun. That joy turned to despair as God appointed a worm that destroyed the plant. That was followed by a scorching east wind carrying small particles of sand that blew with such force that Jonah begged God to let him die. Quite the range of mood swings. There is one final conversation that God initiates with Jonah. Let’s see what God says.
Jonah 4:9-11 tells us, “Then God said to Jonah, “Do you have good reason to be angry about the plant?” And he said, “I have good reason to be angry, even to death.” Then the LORD said, “You had compassion on the plant for which you did not work and which you did not cause to grow, which came up overnight and perished overnight. Should I not have compassion on Nineveh, the great city in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know the difference between their right and left hand, as well as many animals?”
You can follow along on Pastor Ian's blog here.
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• March 18th, 2012
Last time we were in Jonah, we learned that Jonah was not overjoyed at the repentance of a whole city which led to God relenting of the calamity He had planned. Yet Jonah was thrilled that God provided a plant to shade him from the hot Assyrian sun.
Jonah 4:7-8 says, “But God appointed a worm when dawn came the next day and it attacked the plant and it withered. When the sun came up God appointed a scorching east wind, and the sun beat down on Jonah’s head so that he became faint and begged with all his soul to die, saying, ‘Death is better to me than life.’”
God has a lesson for Jonah to learn. Let’s see what it is.
You can follow along on Pastor Ian's blog here.
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• March 4th, 2012
Last week we saw that God changed the course for Nineveh because they responded to Jonah’s message. Because of their response, Jonah became angry with God for not destroying Nineveh. Jonah knew all along that would happen and now he believes he’s better off dead. God’s not through with Jonah though. Let’s see what God does.
Jonah 4:4-6 says, “The LORD said, “Do you have good reason to be angry?” Then Jonah went out from the city and sat east of it. There he made a shelter for himself and sat under it in the shade until he could see what would happen in the city. So the LORD God appointed a plant and it grew up over Jonah to be a shade over his head to deliver him from his discomfort. And Jonah was extremely happy about the plant.”
Let's find out what happens next.
You can follow along on Pastor Ian's blog here.
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