The Power of the Word

Scott Risley
1 Peter 1:22-2:3

It is the Word of God that empowers us to do anything good. We can't truly love others on our own, but God's Word gives us a new nature capable of real love. Scripture gives us many word pictures for the Word; It is the seed, milk, solid food, bedrock foundation, an anchor for our souls, a mirror, a lamp, fire, a hammer, a sword, pure gold and silver, rain from heaven, and finally, the sweetest honey. The Word of God is the starting point for this new spiritual life God wants to give us. This Word is also the sustainer of this new life.

The Power of the Word

Dennis McCallum
1 Peter 1:22-2:3

It is the Word of God that empowers us to love fervently from the heart. It is the imperishable, life germinating seed that endures forever. The Word of God is a source of wisdom, victorious prayer, effective ministry, and character transformation. God works through his Word creating faith, nurturing growth and empowering ministry.

Be Different

Conrad Hilario
1 Peter 1:13-22

When God calls us to be holy because he is holy, he is not asking us to be different from the culture in merely superficial ways like clothing choices or refraining from cussing. He is calling us to stand out by having higher values and a fervent love for others. If you let God transform your values and grow you in your ability to love others, you will be different in a very good way.

Four Insights Into the Gospel

Gary DeLashmutt
Colossians 1:1-8

Paul gives four insights into the Gospel. The Gospel is a definitive announcement. It declares that Jesus is the Christ. It offers the grace of God. Finally, God spreads the Gospel through people who have ben changed by it.

I Want to be Different

James Rochford
1 Peter 1:13-22

Change begins in the mind but does not end there. Many people desire to be different but allow mental lethargy and fleeting thoughts to derail them. Peter says to prepare your minds for action, be holy or unique, like God is holy. To be holy is to love one another fervently from the heart.

Girding Our Minds for Action

Dennis McCallum
1 Peter 1:10-22

Because of the multiple gifts God has given believers and the secret plan of God now revealed, gird your minds for action! We have a mission! Do you go for a self-serving lifestyle or do you go a different way where you refuse to conform to the world system? Learn about true, self-giving love by beginning with God's love.

A Different Way to Live

Scott Risley
1 Peter 1:10-22

Sometimes Christians try to stand out and be different from the world but they end up being weird. Since one becomes a new creation upon salvation, Christians should be different in a good way. because we live during a unique era, we are headed for a unique destination, our God is totally unique and we have been given a unique identifier: love. God is love. What impression will we leave?

What's So Great about Christianity?

James Rochford
1 Peter 1:1-12

Everything in this life is perishable, defiled, and fading away. But we rejoice because we have obtained an inheritance that is eternal, imperishable, undefiled, and will not fade away. We can endure trials and suffering in this life because we have a salvation that results in us having praise and glory and honor at the appearing of Christ. We never have to doubt God's love for us. Our slate has been wiped clean and our place in eternity is secure. God will heap such rewards on us that we can't fathom the magnitude of what we are going to experience in that day.

Walking with Christ

Jim Leffel
Colossians 2:1-7

The continuity of grace is a process that God has us on as we walk with Jesus. This process involves us responding to what God has done for us, by receiving from him and being rooted in him, being strengthened by interwoven lives, and having complete confidence through understanding of his mysterious plan in Christ.