Sermon Snippets with Max Taylor

073. Our Living Hope | Studies in 1 Peter Part 16: Suffering for Christ

1 Peter 2:21-25 
 
Christ is the greatest example of suffering, and He endured all of it without ever reviling, threatening, or complaining against God. As Christians, we are called to follow suite. We must be willing to suffer in order to follow Christ because, as Jesus said, the servant is not greater than his master. May we consider the cost of discipleship and determine to sacrifice whatever necessary in order to follow our Savior, committing the keeping of our souls to Him.

072. Our Living Hope | Studies in 1 Peter Part 15: Our Suffering

1 Peter 2:18-21
 
What an encouragement to know that Jesus can relate to all of our suffering! There is a suffering that we are called to endure and a suffering that we should escape from, and we will touch on both of those in this episode. If you suffer unfairness or slight mistreatment, we are called to endure that with patience for the sake of the testimony of Christ. But I want to be clear that God is not calling anyone to stay in an abusive situation. If you are suffering abuse, you need to know (1) God is not okay with the wrong that has happened to you, (2) hope is only found in Christ, and (3) you should get out of that situation no matter how hard it is. Find people to help you leave that situation. We will continue to discuss suffering next week and later in chapter 4 of 1 Peter.

071. Our Living Hope | Studies in 1 Peter Part 14: Submit Yourselves

1 Peter 2:13-17
 
What does it mean to be submitted and who should we be submitted to? The basis of our submission must be a yielding to God. From that will flow our submission to one another, to the government, and even submission through persecution. I hope we will not view submission as a bad thing, it is a beautiful description of what we are to be as the family of God. We will continue with the thought of submission through persecution next week, hope you’ll tune in!

070. Our Living Hope | Studies in 1 Peter Part 13: A Prayer to Pilgrims

1 Peter 2:9-12
 
We are chosen (not ordained to be saved, but entrusted with the highest of callings) to demonstrate the very brightness and nature of God. We are called to be kings and priests unto God. And as such, we must abstain from our sinful tendencies. Prone to wander, the composer wrote. This passage shows us that we are to see the holiness of God, show forth the holiness of God, and then have a holy hatred for sin. Only by seeing the purity of God and showing the ἀρετὴ or brightness of Him can we truly lead a life that is holy and victorious over sin.

069. Our Living Hope | Studies in 1 Peter Part 12: As Lively Stones

1 Peter 2:4-9
 
What a depiction of the saved. We are built upon this rock that is Christ and joined together into a spiritual building in order to show forth the nature and very essence of God. This is why we must walk in the light. This is why we are called to be holy. I hope this short episode somehow encapsulates the amazing calling we have as the building of Christ and the awesome responsibility we have as His priests!

068. Our Living Hope | Studies in 1 Peter Part 11: Taste and See

1 Peter 2:1-3
 
This is one of the simplest lessons of God’s Word, and yet it has some of the deepest and farthest-reaching implications on our lives. The more we seek and pursue the Word of God, the more we experience the satisfaction and goodness that only God can bring. Trust in God’s promises produces assurance of our salvation produces growth out of the carnal and sinful habits of the flesh produces hunger for God’s Word produces fulfillment in the satisfaction and goodness of God. I hope we can put this simple paradigm to practice in our daily lives. May we taste and see that the Lord is good.

067. Our Living Hope | Studies in 1 Peter Part 10: Assuring Our Hearts

1 Peter 1:21-25
 
Here we see a snapshot of the Christian life in four steps: (1) hearing the truth from the Spirit, (2) obeying the truth through belief, (3) purifying our souls from sin, and (4) loving the brethren sincerely. The passage turns from this description of the Christian life and our hope in God to assurance of salvation. God’s Word is the fountain of our salvation (see also 1 John 3:16-24). Our assurance of salvation must be based in God’s Word and in the belief that God will keep His Word. We should ask ourselves ‘what does God’s Word say?’ and then ‘can I take God at His Word?’ or ‘will God do what He said?’ As long as we have been obedient to God in repentance and faith, assurance of salvation is nothing more than resting on God’s faithfulness to keep His promises.

066. Our Living Hope | Studies in 1 Peter Part 9: The Gospel Brings Us Hope

1 Peter 1:18-21
 
The ‘Gospel’ seems overused and trite today after it has been featured in the titles of so many mini movements and become a rallying cry in some Christian circles. Many are understandably confused as to what the gospel actually means due to its overuse and misuse. In some cases, the word has been used to mean almost anything. But the Bible gives us a clear look into the original meaning of this word/concept, and we would do well to review the message of the gospel so that we can minister it to others. Thankfully, the influence of the gospel does not lie with us, but in the power of the message itself. It is my hope that, in thinking on the gospel, we will become more motivated to share it with others in God’s strength.