In Case You Missed It...

Thanks for the birthday wishes everybody! My birthday has never been so....red & white!

1 Peter 1:3-12 Praise to God!

On Wednesday Nights we have been studying the book of 1 Peter. 

We have noted that the theme of this important book of the Bible is "Standing in God's Grace While Walking in a Wicked World."

Last night we looked at 1 Peter 1:3-12

1 Peter 1:3-12 – Praise to God

Having reminded us of our relationship to this world (we are foreigners, pilgrims, strangers) and of our relationship to God (we are his children by his choice) Peter now opens the main part of his letter by giving an extended praise to God. It is sort of a hymn of praise and worship to God.

I.        Praise God because he has saved us by his mercy(1:3-4)

1 Peter 1:3-4   ³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  ⁴ To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

A.      We are given new life through his life.

Peter says we were begotten us again – we were born again. We were given new life.

John 3:3  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

B.       We are given new hope in this life.

Because our Lord is living (he is raised from the dead) our hope is a living hope. Unlike the dead and empty hopes of the world our hope is living.

C.       We are given new treasure in the next life.

One of the unique things about our salvation is that we don’t receive all the benefits of it right away. There is a big part of our salvation that is yet to come – it is our inheritance. God describes this inheritance as a permanent inheritance. Unlike the treasures of this world our inheritance cannot fade or ruin or be destroyed. And this inheritance is kept in heaven for us.

Matthew 6:19-21   ¹⁹ Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:  ²⁰ But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:  ²¹ For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

II.         Praise God because he has kept us by his power (1:5-12)

1 Peter 1:5-12   ⁵ Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  ⁶ Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:  ⁷ That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:  ⁸ Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:  ⁹ Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.  ¹⁰ Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:  ¹¹ Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.  ¹² Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

A.      He has kept us through faith for a future salvation

God is guarding us. He is keeping us by his power – what an amazing thought. We are kept by God’s power by means of our faith unto our future salvation. There is coming a day when we will finally be saved from even the very presence of sin. God is keeping us for that day, though we walk in a wicked world, by giving us faith to endure to the very end.

B.       He has kept us in the midst of various trials

This world is no longer our home. And it is often the case that the world does not like to hear that. It bristles at those who woul d live their life different from them, with different identities and values then they have. Therefore it has often been the case, and will continue to be so that those that are saved and live godly lives shall suffer various trials. What is to be our response to these trials? God gives us four responses to these trials that we should have.

C.       How we should respond to these trials

1.   We should to rejoice in these trials

a.       Because they prove our faith is genuine

The word trial here carries the idea of proven genuineness. It has been tested and proven to be authentic. When we go through trials and come out still standing strong in our faith we can rejoice because that is a sign that our faith is real.

b.       Because genuine faith brings God glory

This kind of faith brings glory to God because it shows his value. When we are willing to hold on to our faith and profession even when it means we will suffer that shows the world that God means more to me than their opinion, my comfort, my stuff. God is enough for me, take what you want, but you can’t take Him or the treasure he has laid up in heaven.

2. We should love God in these trials

a.       Though we have not seen him

So many today question God, get angry at God, and hate God when things get tough. Yet real faith loves him, even though we have never seen him.

3. We should believe in God in these trials

a.       Though we do not see him now

We should trust God, believe in him, even though we don’t see him right now. We look all around us and it seems as if God is not there, yet we know he is. We believe that he is there, and in control, and good. We trust him. We have to.

        4.  We should rejoice in these trials

a.       With inexpressible and glorious joy

Wait a minute you say, you already said we should rejoice in these trials. Well I guess God wanted us to hear it again. Our rejoicing should be characterized by unexplicable and glorious joy.

Something seems different...CBCYM 2.0

For those of you who might be wondering, yes the CBC youth web page has gotten a face lift. From time to time I like to change things up a little around here and it seemed like time for a change. But the design of the web page is not the only thing that will be changing around here. It is my desire to make this web page more than just a place to post pictures of recent events. From now on I would like to also 

1. Post the lesson notes following Wednesday Night and Sunday School. (this is for the benefit of the parents and for the teens who occasionally have to miss a lesson, please don't let this become an excuse for not attending) 
2. Continue to post announcements for upcoming events.
3. Continue to post pictures of our events and activities.
   
4. I also want to regularly have discussions about various topics and provide opportunities for you to ask questions. On most Fridays a new discussion or topic will be posted. 
   
5. Occasionally post other challenges or thoughts throughout the week.
   

Hopefully this web-page will be a more helpful tool in your growth as Christians.

If you have any questions or comments you can leave them below or e-mail me at pastorryan@ymail.com

Please also remember that your comments are moderated through me before they are posted online and I ask that there be no anonymous comments.

God Bless You,

Pastor Ryan

Huskers Game - Saturday October 3rd

Quotes from the night:
"Yeah!!!"
"Wrong team!"
"What are you cheering for? That was the instant replay!"
"Well, replays are made for people who miss it the first time!"
"C'mon Huskers!!"