King's Church Birmingham - Media
Feb 5, 2023
Arm Yourself
Arm Yourself
Having laid out the glory of the gospel and the truth that Jesus died for our sins, Peter tells his readers the "So, what?" of the gospel. Believers now belong to God and are part of his family and we should live accordingly - saying no to sin and living for ourselves, and yes to living in line with God's will. We need to arm ourselves with the same way of thinking as Jesus and follow his example. Those around us may be shocked in the changes in our behaviour, might reject and attack us, but we know we are living in response to God's grace and in line with the truth. As we arm ourselves with gospel thinking and live in the light of it, we testify to God's amazing grace and invitation to know real fullness of life.
Verse: 1 Peter 4:1-6
From the Evangelism as Exiles series - 1 Peter is written to Christians in Asia minor facing all kinds of challenges… Social ostracism, exclusion, being mocked and maligned and there was therefore, a seductive allure to return to their old pagan way of life. Seeing others in their fellowship backsliding. Encountering the enemy’s fiery darts must all have caused them to doubt the goodness and faithfulness of God. These believers were elect exiles, they didn’t belong, and they knew it!
Fast forward to 21st century Birmingham there’s a similar feeling. John Mark Comer in his book ’Live no lies’ describes a concept sociologists call being a ‘cognitive minority’ where our values, practices, and social norms are at odds with the world around us. There’s been a shift in our culture, where previously the church was held in honour it is now a source of shame. Church teaching and behaviour can often be seen by our world as a problem and not part of the solution… It’s easy to feel ‘dislocated, uneasy, and uncertain about the future. A fight just to stay saved. To stay faithful to Jesus, let alone happy and at peace... It can leave us asking ‘am I crazy to believe what I believe?’ (Comer) If you’re a Christian hanging on and in need of encouragement then 1 Peter is for you! This series will bolster and strengthen your faith that God is good and fully trustworthy. That we have a ‘living hope’ found in the person of Jesus. An inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. And it may even give you confidence to believe that we have some seriously good news to share with those around us!
Having laid out the glory of the gospel and the truth that Jesus died for our sins, Peter tells his readers the "So, what?" of the gospel. Believers now belong to God and are part of his family and we should live accordingly - saying no to sin and living for ourselves, and yes to living in line with God's will. We need to arm ourselves with the same way of thinking as Jesus and follow his example. Those around us may be shocked in the changes in our behaviour, might reject and attack us, but we know we are living in response to God's grace and in line with the truth. As we arm ourselves with gospel thinking and live in the light of it, we testify to God's amazing grace and invitation to know real fullness of life.
Verse: 1 Peter 4:1-6
From the Evangelism as Exiles series - 1 Peter is written to Christians in Asia minor facing all kinds of challenges… Social ostracism, exclusion, being mocked and maligned and there was therefore, a seductive allure to return to their old pagan way of life. Seeing others in their fellowship backsliding. Encountering the enemy’s fiery darts must all have caused them to doubt the goodness and faithfulness of God. These believers were elect exiles, they didn’t belong, and they knew it!
Fast forward to 21st century Birmingham there’s a similar feeling. John Mark Comer in his book ’Live no lies’ describes a concept sociologists call being a ‘cognitive minority’ where our values, practices, and social norms are at odds with the world around us. There’s been a shift in our culture, where previously the church was held in honour it is now a source of shame. Church teaching and behaviour can often be seen by our world as a problem and not part of the solution… It’s easy to feel ‘dislocated, uneasy, and uncertain about the future. A fight just to stay saved. To stay faithful to Jesus, let alone happy and at peace... It can leave us asking ‘am I crazy to believe what I believe?’ (Comer) If you’re a Christian hanging on and in need of encouragement then 1 Peter is for you! This series will bolster and strengthen your faith that God is good and fully trustworthy. That we have a ‘living hope’ found in the person of Jesus. An inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. And it may even give you confidence to believe that we have some seriously good news to share with those around us!