PASTOR'S CORNER

  1 Peter 4:1-11 All Christians want to know how the past resurrection of Christ and our future resurrection in union with Him shape our everyday lives.  We will never see how the resurrection changes our lives until we understand that all change happens by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Paul wrote, “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin .” Romans 6:4-6.  We know that persecution was the predetermined pathway for God’s Son as He rose victorious over sin and death.   All four gospels harmonize this truth, Mark says, “And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must su

1 Peter 3:13-22   The true church has the only message for the world to hear, and that is the gospel that saves through Christ alone.  But don’t be surprised that you’re not met with open arms; but with opposition, confusion, and hostility, from the world around us.     Many in this present world system live lifestyles of….. Conflict instead of peace. Sin instead of purity. Pride instead of humility. Hatred instead of compassion. Rebellion instead of obedience.   Peter moves from our right response to submission to  the blessing that flow for unjust suffering with this question.  Peter asks, “ Now who is there to harm you if your zealous for what is good?” (v13).  Peter has already given us what a virtuous/zealous life looks like by what has been previously stated.  This zealous passion, we have for Christ, might be faced with suffering for righteousness sake, but it’s worth every second of it. (v14)  It’s important to note that Peter wants us to meet our suffering he