One of the drawbacks of blogging is that it's easy to think of each post as a stand-alone commentary, rather than as being a small part of a larger work.
In that context, let us remember that this past Sunday's sermon was actually the second in a series of sermons about Pentecost. Below are links to a few Scripture passages from the first two installments. Thoughts shared by Pastor Sam are in italics (paraphrase mine). I encourage all of us to take time to read and reflect on the verses and statements below.
I. The Promise-Fulfillment of Pentecost (May 4, 2014)
If the promise of Pentecost has been fulfilled, then it ought be fulfilled in us.
First Corinthians 6:19-20
Sometimes, what God is doing requires a prophetic interpreter.
Acts 2:14-18
To what extent are we fulfilling our experience of this promise?
II. Embracing The Promises of Pentecost, Part 1 (June 1, 2014)
The promise is to "as many as the Lord shall call"... but what is the promise of Jesus?
Acts 1:8
Witnesses have had a transformation of character: not in their own strength, but because of the power of God.
Second Peter 1:3-4
The Spirit-empowered Christian witness has an observable character profile.
Matthew 7:15-20
Lord God, please help us to tell others about the power and love of Jesus that radically transforms human hearts.
Showing posts with label First Peter 1. Show all posts
Showing posts with label First Peter 1. Show all posts
Saturday, June 7, 2014
Friday, June 6, 2014
Call Waiting?
In this past Sunday's sermon Pastor Sam made the following observation (paraphrased here): We are not Gnostics. Our Christianity is not just about what's hidden in our hearts; it's observable.
Our pastor referenced the epistle of First Peter. In the first chapter of this letter, we learn that Christians' lives, more than their words, indicate what they believe. Peter writes: "Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves in all your behavior; because it is written, 'You shall be holy because I am holy.'" (First Peter 1:13-14, emphasis mine)
Conformity, in some form, will be found in all of us. The question becomes, to what are we conformed? According to the First Peter passage, Christians ought experience a shift: the soul that was once conformed to worldly lusts is transformed, and as a result it becomes conformed to God's likeness. What does this look like in a practical sense? It looks like the fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23). As Pastor Sam shared, and I paraphrase here, it is neither more seminary nor more philosophy that will help us become "better" Christians, but more of the Spirit of God. A confession of faith, accompanied by actions which demonstrate the love of God in a fallen world, paint a picture of authentic Christianity.
Lord God, you know the confessions of my mouth, the actions of my body, and the intentions of my heart. May every part of me be managed and directed by You. Please conform my will to Yours by the power of Your Spirit. Amen.
Our pastor referenced the epistle of First Peter. In the first chapter of this letter, we learn that Christians' lives, more than their words, indicate what they believe. Peter writes: "Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves in all your behavior; because it is written, 'You shall be holy because I am holy.'" (First Peter 1:13-14, emphasis mine)
Conformity, in some form, will be found in all of us. The question becomes, to what are we conformed? According to the First Peter passage, Christians ought experience a shift: the soul that was once conformed to worldly lusts is transformed, and as a result it becomes conformed to God's likeness. What does this look like in a practical sense? It looks like the fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23). As Pastor Sam shared, and I paraphrase here, it is neither more seminary nor more philosophy that will help us become "better" Christians, but more of the Spirit of God. A confession of faith, accompanied by actions which demonstrate the love of God in a fallen world, paint a picture of authentic Christianity.
Lord God, you know the confessions of my mouth, the actions of my body, and the intentions of my heart. May every part of me be managed and directed by You. Please conform my will to Yours by the power of Your Spirit. Amen.