Who was Peter? What was he like? Why is he important? Was he any different than we are, and what can we learn from his successes, and his failures? As we begin our study of Peter's letters, let's first look at Peter, the man.

June 8 2025 - Peter - the man

Before we begin to look at the "nitty gritty" of 1 Peter, let's first step back and get an overview of the entire book. What was Peter's major theme, and how was he seeking to encourage those who read this letter to respond to the challenges that they were facing? That is what we explore in this message.

Jun 15 2025 - The message of 1 Peter

"Life wasn't meant to be easy", or so a former politician once told us. And we know that life isn't easy. But how do we face the struggles and problems of life. This is one of the things that Peter addresses in his entire letter, and the topic of this message.

July 27 2025 - A life of Praise and struggle

The New Testament writers often talk about how something written in the Old Testament was "fulfilled" in the life and ministry of Jesus. In this message we are going to examine what the prophets knew, didn't know, and wanted to know as they spoke and wrote.

August 3 2025 - The work of the prophets

Peter's letters are not simply to give us information, or to fill our heads with facts. They are, instead, written to help us to know how to live as followers of Jesus Christ. In this message, and over the next few weeks, we will be looking at what Peter says about "living" as followers of Jesus in this world.

August 10 2025 - Living as obedient Children

Why did God save us? Is it merely to make sure that we get into Heaven one day, or does God have something greater in mind for us, and from us? That is what we look at in this message from 1 Peter 2:4-10.

August 17 2025 - A holy priesthood

Rulers, government, the powers that be. They are always with us. Sometimes good. Sometimes bad. Sometimes awful. Sometimes cruel and despotic. But how do we, as followers of Jesus Christ, respond to them? Fight? Rebel? Give in? Conform? These are some of the questions that we will be looking at in this message.

August 24 2025 - Submission to rulers

As we continue our look at 1 Peter, we notice that Peter continues to talk about the need for "submission". In this message we will be looking at the need for submission in the workplace, using the real-life experience of the first century: "slavery". Why does Peter talk about "submission" to slaves instead of "freedom", "deliverance", or even "rebellion"? That is the main thing we will be looking at, and how we translate this into our 21st century world.

August 31 2025 - Living lives of submission in the workplace

Family relationships are some of the most challenging that we have. What does Peter have to say to both wives and husbands about how they treat their spouses? It is to be a life of "submission", but how is that to work out, and why is it important? That is what we look at in this message.

September 7 2025 - Living lives of submission in the family

Peter's other instructions have been to people under the authority of others, but in 1 Peter 5 Peter addresses the responsibilities of church leaders and shows that they also have to live lives of submission. Surrendering their own wishes and demands to the good of the church, for the betterment of the church. There is also one, small, instruction to the church people.

Jun 15 2025 - The message of 1 Peter

Jim Sparks