1 Peter 2:11-20 - The Exiled Life

Sermon for the Fourth Sunday in Lent. The Scripture readings are Exodus 16:2-21; Acts 2:41-47; and John 6:1-15.

Jesus did not let the crowds take Him by force and make Him king that day, but He did later. He was nailed to a cross, shed His blood, and gave His for you. Receive that gift with thanks and watch how God multiplies it and makes you a blessing to others.

The third in our Lenten series "A Spiritual Contemplation of Christ's Suffering." The Scripture readings for tonight’s service are portions of Psalm 22; Zechariah 13:1, 7-9; and Mark 14:32-41.

Out of love for you God the Father punished Jesus on the cross. Christ willingly took all of God’s wrath against your sin. He was punished so that you would be restored and forgiven, brought back to your proper place as a child of God.

Sermon for the Third Sunday in Lent. The Scripture readings are Exodus 8:16-24; Ephesians 5:1-9; and Luke 11:14-28.

Demons still want to silence you – especially when it comes to making distinctions between what is right and wrong, good and evil, righteous and what is sinful. But blessed are those who are continually hearing the Word of God and keeping it and confessing it.

Second in our Lenten series "A Spiritual Contemplation of Christ's Suffering." The Scripture readings for tonight’s service are Psalm 103:1-5, 8-14; Isaiah 53:10-12; Galatians 3:10-14; and John. 3:13-21.

If we want to be in God’s holy presence, we need to be changed. Through His suffering, Christ changes us – not God – in such a way that we are cleansed from the pollution of sin, granted forgiveness and mercy, and invited into God’s holy presence.

Sermon for the Second Sunday in Lent. The Scripture readings are Genesis 32:22-32; Romans 5:1-5; and Matthew 15:21-28.

Great faith trusts that Jesus is the Savior of all mankind. Great faith is bold and consistent in prayer. And great faith recognizes that God’s crumbs are more than enough.

The first in our Lenten series "A Spiritual Contemplation of Christ's Suffering." The Scripture readings for tonight’s service are Psalm 16; Isaiah 50:5-10; and John 6:35-40.

Obeying God’s will wasn’t what caused Jesus to suffer, but that obedience led Him through suffering. Yet, that suffering was Jesus’ delight. It was for the joy that was set before Jesus that He endured the cross despising its shame (Heb. 12:2).

Sermon for the First Sunday in Lent. The Scripture readings are Genesis 3:1-24; Hebrews 4:14-16; and Matthew 4:1-11.

Satan is going to work to harden your conscience, but you need to fight to soften your conscience. Remember, the One who will rescue you is your Great High Priest. He can sympathize with your weakness because He was tempted in every way as you are, yet without sin.

Sermon for Ash Wednesday. The Scripture readings for tonight’s Ash Wednesday service are Jonah 3:1-10; 2 Peter 1:2-11; and Matthew 6:16-21.

Jesus has destroyed sin and fixed everything that we, by our sin, have broken. And the day of Christ’s return is coming. Then all creation will be put back together.

Sermon for Quinquagesima. The Scripture readings are Isaiah 35:3-7; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; and Luke 18:31-43.

Normally, when sinners hear about vengeance, they are afraid. But notice what this vengeance accomplishes – God comes to save you. He pays the debt that you owe. He avenges your sin upon His only-begotten Son. The payment has been made; your sin is atoned for.

Sermon for Sexagesima. The Scripture readings are Isaiah 55:10-13; 2 Corinthians 11:19-12:9; and Luke 8:4-15.

You are right to long for your suffering to come to an end. Jesus came to rescue you from it. But in your suffering, know that God is at work. Christ is right there beside you with His strength in every affliction and weakness you have.