PASTOR'S CORNER

  1 Peter 1:22-25   On the night Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper He said this to his disciples, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another : just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:34-35.  To the church’s shame, she is at times characterized as self-seeking, contentious and even unloving and quarrelsome .  The church isn’t always known for her love and support for one another .  Instead of caring for the body we tend to fall into the category of finding ways to pick at each other, put each other down, rather than build up.   Peter calls his readers to be better than that!   Though they are scattered and facing such sufferings for Christ, they are to pull together and find strength to endure together .  By doing this, the church refuses to be broken or weakened from within.  Peter does this by helping us to understand about the love

  1 Peter 1:13-25 In the parable of the faithful servant, Jesus said, “Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.” Luke 12:48.  This is equally true in what is before us this morning as it pertains to our response to a gospel confession.  Peter’s hope was a “Living hope” and it was living because it was grounded in the finish work of the gospel of Christ.  Peter spoke of nothing less than the hope of a real Heaven .  And for the exiles in Christ this message could not  have come at a better time.  Peter has elevated our salvation to the very top of the list of what produces the most joy in our lives as we endure hardships and trials.  And as we wait for that glorious day we daily respond as confessional people of the Lord Jesus Christ , by pursuing what pleases God. Our hope and holiness is what brings the most glory to God in our lives.  It is relationship with God, a covenant relationshi