Books of 1 and 2 Peter Sermon Series - You Have a Living Hope (1 Peter 1:1-12). Lead Pastor Keith Burkhart at First Southern Baptist Church, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Reading 1 & 2 Peter shows, maybe like no other epistle in the New Testament, the transformative power of a life surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. To think the once, adventurous, impulsive, rough, self-reliant fisherman would one day write some of the most tender, compassionate and heartfelt words in all the New Testament gives proof to the transformative work of Christ in a person’s life. Peter’s words have comforted and encouraged persecuted and suffering Christians throughout the church age. Peter’s passion, love, humility and surrendered life to his Lord and Savior and love for the church overflow from 1 & 2 Peter.