Elect Exiles

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Elect Exiles

1 Peter 1:1-2

April 11, 2021 • Kenneth Ortiz

In this sermon, Pastor Kenny kicks off our sermon series on 1 Peter. This letter is written to Christians facing suffering. This sermon looks at the introduction of this letter. In the brief introduction Peter refers to Christians as "elect exiles" because we, as Christians, are not living in our homeland, which is heaven. We are sojourners in this world, strangers in this land, just passing through.

In addition, Peter gives us three key prepositional phrases to describe these exiles: according to the foreknowledge of God, in the sanctification in the Spirit, and for the obedience to Christ and sprinkling with his blood. The Father foreknows, the Spirit sanctifies, and the Son cleanses through his blood. We can be confident in these realities. Therefore, whenever you are suffering in this life, remember that the members of the Trinity, Father, Son, and Spirit, they are all cooperating to sustain us.

Be Alert and Sober-Minded

July 11, 2021 • Kenneth Ortiz

In this final sermon of the Living Hope series, Pastor Kenny Ortiz examines the last section of 1 Peter 5. He reminds believers that there is a future grace awaiting Christians, so let us guard one another to ensure that no one is devoured by the devil. We must be alert, and sober-minded, and cast our anxieties on God, because he cares for us. We learn that Christians will win our war against sin and the devil, but not because of our own will but because Jesus prayed for us and because Jesus died for us and because Jesus rose from the dead.

Shepherd the Flock Among You

July 4, 2021 • Joe Rigney

In this sermon, Pastor Joe examines 1 Peter 5:1-5 and, simultaneously, seeks to model for the congregation the exhortation found in the passage. In this passage the apostle Paul gives insights into the role of the elder and exhorts the elders to shepherd the people well. We are reminded that, ultimately, Christ is the chief shepherd, the overseer of our souls. Christ rules his church and governs his church and guards his church. He leads us and he feeds us. The elders are to model Christ for the people and lead them well and exhort them to set their hope fully on the grace that is coming and to rejoice as we share in Christ's sufferings.

When Christians Suffer

June 27, 2021 • Jonathan Parnell

In this sermon, Pastor Jonathan Parnell examines 1 Peter 4:12-19. In this passage, the apostle Peter returns again to the topic of suffering, which has been a major theme throughout this book, but here especially, in these verses, Peter dives into this topic with more detail. He gives us here the Christian perspective on suffering, and that’s what we’re going to look at today. This is a sermon on how to suffer as Christian.