1 Peter 1- Set Apart

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Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 1 Peter 1:13-16

A message we dont hear in the Churches very often today, “Be Holy”, what a concept! Many Christians today if you told them you need to Be Holy , they will tell you your a legalist or your “outdated” however as Peter states here “It Is Written” meaning this is the Word of God from God, this is not just an idea or opinion of an Apostle, this has been the message sent from God for His people throughout time!

Now before we get into what God really means by this, I love how Peter starts this “Gird up the loins of your mind” meaning prepare your minds for action! As we walk in this spiritual warfare we can’t just expect to survive this walk without preparation. We need to be prepared, we need to put on the Armor of God (Ephesians 6) we need to be filled and led by the Holy Spirit, we need to begin and end our days on our knees in prayer, we need to be walking in the obedience of Christ, we need to study and meditate on the Word of God. We can’t begin this battle until we gird up our loins in our mind!

The Apostle Peter then states “Be Sober”, what a concept! Why should you avoid drunkenness, besides the obvious reasons? Because the battle begins in your minds, if you lost control of your thoughts , you have already lost the battle. You notice , when people are drunk, they are easily persuaded into sin. The battle begins in your mind, you need to be prepared with the Holy Spirit to enter into this spiritual warfare, entering the battle drunk, you have already lost!

As obedient children of Christ not conforming yourselves to former lusts! If you are a Christian, you are Born Again, you are a new Creature, how can you be transformed by Christ and still living in the same old sins? It’s not logicial, you are either a Child of God or a Child of Disobedience. So how do we avoid falling into the same old sins again? Going back to what the Apostle Peter said Prepare your minds in Christ! Sin begins in the heart and mind, you need to cleanse yourself from within before you can see a change outwardly

The Apostle Peter states “It Is Written” meaning this is the Word of God, Be Holy for I (God) is Holy” This is the standard we are striving for as a Christian, so what does it mean to be Holy? The Greek meaning of the word “hagion” means Set Apart, be Set Apart for Christ! The meaning behind the Church, the Ekkelssia is Called Out Assembly of Believers, meaning Set Apart. If you are a Christian, you have been Set Apart from the world by the Blood of Christ and the seal of the Holy Spirit, Amen!

1 Peter 1- Prophetic Times

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Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. 1 Peter 1:10-12

The entire Bible is about Jesus Christ and Gods Kingdom to come! Regardless of what book or chapter you are reading in your Bible, it will in some way point to Christ. This is what the Apostle Peter is trying to convey to us here, the prophets throughout the Old Testament foretold about Christ and the New Covenant, they searched diligently the scriptures and when Jesus came, he fulfilled it

As a Christian, sometimes your daily walk may seem long or boring, however think about this , you are living in prophetic times! Until Jesus Christ returns, you are living in prophetic times, everything you do on a daily basis for God’s Kingdom, matters! As Jesus taught us about the parable of the Mustard Seed, the Kingdom of God is growing daily, you are part of the building of Gods Kingdom! (Matthew 13)

Just as the Old Testament prophets were living in prophetic times and the Apostles were living in prophetic times, you are also living in prophetic times, think about that! Just like them, we know how it ends, we know Jesus Christ has the victory and Gods Kingdom is eternal , however we don’t know all the little details of how Gods plan is going to work itself out, so enjoy the journey of a lifetime, literally

The Apostle Peter says “Which things the angels desire to look into” The Angels in Heaven have been watching Creation since the beginning, they know how it’s going to end also, but they are eagerly watching how it’s all going to play out! The angels have watched the prophets suffer and die for Christ, the angels have watched the Apostles suffer and die for Christ, the angels are watching the Church right now! All eyes in Heaven are on you, are you fulfilling your calling in Christ?

So what is the mission of the Church, as Peter says “By them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Spirit sent from Heaven” We share the good news of Jesus Christ and Gods Kingdom, this is our job as Christians and this is the same message given since the beginning of time, Amen!

1 Peter 1- Trial of Your Faith

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Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:6-9

How do we know if your faith is genuine? You will often hear people say “They are a fake Christian” or “We are the real Church”, so how do we know who is real or fake? Well don’t worry because your faith is going to be tested by trials and temptations. People will often question God, why would he allow me to go through this? Or I’m a good Christian, why would God let me go through this? We must go through the trial of fire to strengthen our faith in Christ

Previously the Apostle Peter talked about how Jesus is our Living Hope, which is great news for us all. However the reality is we are still living in a fallen world until Christ returns, you are going to go through many trials and temptations as a test of your faith. As Peter says here “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory appearing of Jesus Christ” 

Becoming saved in Christ doesn’t mean your done now until Christ returns. In fact when you become saved, this just begins your journey with Christ. As disciples of Christ, we have alot of learning and growing to do with the Holy Spirit, a process called sanctification, Peter hopes your trial of faith might be found honorable when you stand before The Lord Jesus Christ. 

When we look back at our walk with Christ, you probably say “I can’t believe I said that or believed that a year ago” We should continually be seeing growth in our Christian walk , if were not seeing any growth as a Christian, then something is wrong with our conversion to Christ. If the Holy Spirit is living inside of you, then we should see fruits of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 7) 

Many of us, including myself, when we go through a trial, a difficult time, a test, we see how much we learned from God through this and how much our faith has grown. This is the whole purpose of trials and temptations, it’s actually for the benefit of your soul. That’s why the Apostle James says “Consider it joy when you go through trials” (James 1:2) What? How can that make any sense? Because when you understand its all for your own benefit in the eternal perspective. 

As Peter also says here “Receiving the result or outcome of your faith, the salvation of your soul” How did you respond going through a trial or temptation? Did you lean on the rock, Jesus Christ? Or did you fall like the house built on the sand? As Jesus said “Those who endures to the end, shall be saved” (Matthew 24:13) Amen!

1 Peter 1- Living Hope

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Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:3-5

What in this world gives you hope? This is an important question that we should be asking , because without Jesus Christ there is no hope for your life. That is the reality of everybody’s life, whether you’re a Christian or you’re an Atheist or a Muslim, we are all under the curse of sin and death. The question is what is your hope from the grip of death in this fallen world?

As the Apostle Peter reveals to us here, Jesus Christ is our Living Hope. Regardless of what happens to you in this world, regardless of pain and suffering, sickness, and health, you have victory in Jesus Christ. Why? Because Jesus Christ is Risen, He has overcome the grave, Christ has paid in full the wrath for your sins. Jesus Christ is sitting at the right hand of God the Father, as King of Kings and Lord of Lords

Outside of Christ, there is no hope! You must understand this, nobody else is able or willing to die for your sins. Nobody else is able or willing to rise from the dead, defeating sin, death, and Satan. Christ is the only one who can and did, just for you because He loves us! But outside of Christ there is no hope for salvation! (John 14:6, Acts 4:12)

Jesus not only justified us before God, but Jesus also transforms us and make us Born Again (John 3:3) Notice what Peter says here “According to His abundant mercy has begotten us again “ Some translations say “Has given us a new birth” other translations say “Has caused us to be Born Again” The reality is you are never the same when you have an encounter with Jesus Christ , you are a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:7)

Then Peter goes on to tell us “A living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” This is why the resurrection of Christ is the center of Christianity, this is your living hope! The Church gathers on Sunday morning because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we are Born Again because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we always have hope because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Living Hope!

As a Born Again Christian in Christ we have an inheritance, eternal life, that is incorruptible or undefiled. Again, we are not just saved, we are transformed. Notice what Peter says we have a reservation or inheritance in Heaven. Jesus Christ is preparing a place for you (John 14) because Christ has overcome the grave!

We are kept and protected by the power of God, by the Holy Spirit living inside of you, through faith unto salvation is ready to be revealed, Amen!

2 Corinthians 13- Edify The Church

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Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates. For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection. Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction. 2 Corinthians 13:7-10

The first thing we notice here is Paul is praying for the Church. As Charles Spurgeon once said “A praying Church is a powerful Church” As Jesus demonstrated to us in John 17 , we must pray for one another. Even when we have disagreements or get on each other’s nerves, we need to pray for one another as a family. Alot of these people in the Church of Corinth hated Paul, yet he continued to pray for them 

Paul has a great message for the Church “We can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth” This is a great message for the Church today also, we can’t go against the Word of God no matter how much the world wants us to. The Bible is the Word of God, which is our truth and authority, when we degrade the Bible, we lose our foundation of authority which is why we see so much compromising in the Churches today

I’m sure alot of those in the Church of Corinth was asking “Who does Paul think he is”? Remember Paul was an Apostle, as he says here “According to the power or authority which The Lord has given me” The Apostle Paul was acting under the authority of Christ, just as your Pastor is authorized by Christ himself also, the Church has order and structure. Another reason most Churches are disfunctional is because they don’t submit to the authority and order ordained by Christ himself

So what was Paul’s main goal for his teaching and shepherding of the Church, as Paul says its “to edification and not to destruction” Everything Paul was doing was for the benefit of their souls, this should be the same purpose for everything we do. We should strive for edification of the Church and not the destruction

Pray without ceasing for one another, read the Bible and lean upon its authority as the Word of God, edify the Church in all circumstances , Amen!

2 Corinthians 13- In The Faith

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Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates. 2 Corinthians 13:5-6

One of the things I love about partaking in Communion is it’s an opportunity for us to come to The Lord’s table and examine ourselves. Examine our hearts, our minds, our actions, our words, examine everything about our life and see are we walking worthy of The Lord or are we walking off the path. 

And it’s important, in my opinion for us to examine ourselves daily. Because as we battle against our flesh, it’s easy for us to get off the mark. The Apostle Paul says “Examine yourselves, whether you be in the faith” Whoa, can you imagine asking others at your Church this question? The Hyper Grace folks would be calling you a legalist, however this is what the Apostle Paul is asking us to do under the authority of the Holy Spirit

Are you truly in the faith? Meaning are you really saved? Are you really Born Again in Christ? These are good questions to ask ourselves, and if you say Yes, then does your life reflect the calling placed upon your life? Are you producing fruits of the Holy Spirit or are you producing fruits of the flesh? (Matthew 7, Galatians 5) The way you live your life, tells alot about your faith. If Jesus Christ is truly your Lord, then you will act like your his servant. 

As Paul says “Do you not know that Jesus Christ is in you?” If you claim to be a Christian, in the faith, then you have the Holy Spirit living inside of you. You can’t be a Christian without the Holy Spirit. Therefor if you are in the faith, then your life should see evidence of the Holy Spirit living through you. The reason the world can’t understand this, is because this is a supernatural process, you can’t be saved without the Holy Spirit

Notice what Paul says “If Christ is not in you, then you are reprobates/disqualified/unsaved”  As Jesus said “You must be Born Again” (John 3:3) Examine yourself, does your life reflect Jesus Christ living inside of you? If not then are you really in the faith? Amen

2 Corinthians 12- Same Spirit?

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Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you? I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps? Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.  2 Corinthians 12:17-19

The Apostle Paul asks a good question here “Did we not walk in the same Spirit?” Are we not led by the same Holy Spirit? Paul makes a great point here, we should all be led by the Spirit of God, so why are there so many divisions among the Church? Why are there so many conflicts and disagreements? Because we are not all being led by the same Spirit, some are being led by the flesh instead. 

It’s very sad when Paul and Titus have to justify themselves to the Church for all their work, they literally dedicated their lives to serving God and the Church, yet many in the Church treated them like thieves. This is not only carnal , this is Anti-Christ behavior. Notice what Paul says here “But we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edification” 

Everything Paul was doing was for the edification of the Church. Everything he was trying to do was for the benefit of their souls, yet they rejected him and treated him like a criminal. This is spiritual warfare, these people are being led by Satan and not the Holy Spirit. They are not walking in the same spirit, they are not walking in the same steps. They are in opposition of each other, flesh and the spirit, good and evil, Heaven and Hell

For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed. 2 Corinthians 12:20-21

What fruit do we see being produced here? We see the bad fruit produced by the flesh, we see envy, strife, backbiting, gossiping, jealousy, selfish ambitions. All these things from the flesh and not from the Holy Spirit. So are they walking in the same Spirit? No, Is your Church walking in the same Spirit? We need to be obedient and unified by the Holy Spirit

Notice a warning Paul says here “Many which have sinned already and have no repented” There was no sign of remorse or regeneration at this Church, therefor they are not walking in the same spirit, they are walking in the flesh. In order the Church to be unified we need to walk with the Holy Spirit, in obedience to Christ, and by the grace of our Heaven Father, Amen!

2 Corinthians 12- True Love

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Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile. 2 Corinthians 12:14-16

What is true love? This world loves to throw around the phrase “Love is Love” and this world today loves to label Christians as hateful, but what does it mean to Love? A good example is, if you see someone standing in the middle of the road, and they are about to be hit by a car, the loving thing is to warn them, right?

However by the world’s definition of Love, they would want you to not say anything and let the person get hit on the road. True love warns people when they are in danger. If we know someone is in danger, especially for the eternity of their soul, the loving thing to do is tell them about it! Regardless of what the world says, the loving thing is not to remain silent or allow someone to remain on a destructive path.

When you go to a medical doctor, you want them to tell you the truth about your current condition, right? If we went to the Dr. and he just told us everything we wanted to hear, and yet we had a terminal condition, not only would this not be loving, but it would be unethical. As a Christian, you know many people’s souls are in a critical condition and need Jesus Christ. To allow them to die in their sins is not loving and your disobeying The Lord’s commandment of the Great Commision (Matthew 28:19)

Diving into our scriptures for today, the Apostle Paul is coming back for another visit with the Church, and he loves the Church as a Parent loves a child. This is the love God has for you also, as a parent/child relationship, Paul is greatly concerned for the souls of his flock as he would be for his own children. As a parent, we continually helped steer our kids to make good decisions, this should be the same for the Church. True love cares about the souls of others, not their opinions of you

Notice what Paul says here “though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved” The more Paul looked out for the Church, the more they hated him, even though everything Paul was doing was for the benefit of their soul. People’s rebellious hearts make them push you away the more you try to help them. This is what Paul faced with the Church of Corinth. 

To love someone truly , especially in today’s world, is not easy.The ideas of what the world calls love is false, the world isn’t promoting love, its promoting the self destruction of your soul.  But as the Apostle Paul taught us, Love is patient, kind, not jealous or proud, it doesn’t keep a record of wrongs,  its not self seeking, its not easily angered, its not to dishonor others, most importantly Love doesn’t delight in evil but rejoices in truth, Amen! (1 Cor. 13)