Hope In A Hostile World

February 7, 2021 • Jeff Cramer • 1 Peter 1:1–2

Once again the Church is being positioned for what appears to be a season of persecution! Bible believing Christians are on a collision course with the forced standards in our society. Christians stand in stark contrast to the cultural-religion found in the mainstream of our society, and there’s no hiding anymore!

Hope In A Hostile World Pt. 2

February 14, 2021 • Jeff Cramer • 1 Peter 1:3–12

Last week we discovered the cultural-backdrop in Rome and the conditions Peter wrote about. History shows the hostility of Nero's government toward Christians was real and present across Rome! And, we learned that the main theme in 1st Peter is hope in the face of persecution (that hostile an unfair treatment of religious people. Today we add to this with a simple understanding of the man writing - Peter.

Hope In A Hostile World Pt. 3

February 21, 2021 • Jeff Cramer • 1 Peter 1:13–16

This morning let’s also recognize the growth in Peter and apply the lessons of faith so we can grow too. Peter was no joke! Tradition tells us that Peter’s wife was crucified while Peter was forced to watch. And, it’s reported that Peter cried to her as she was dying, He screams out, “Remember the Lord!” Then Peter was crucified upside down. Point being, Peter’s walk with Jesus had matured! And he was putting into practice the things he wrote here.

The Sting of Social Conditioning

February 28, 2021 • Jeff Cramer • 1 Peter 1:17

We discover three ways God’s word speaks to us: 1) It tells us of sinful conditions in a fallen world. 2) It tells us how God can forgive sin and change us in Jesus. 3) It teaches us how to live out our faith, in a hostile world. This week, another sinful reality… has arrived at the Churches front door. When we forget Gods word it’s because we’ve rejected God’s grace! (And that has a National consequences). A few days ago The House of Representatives passed a Bill called the “Equality Act”. This bill amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by adding discrimination language for sexual orientation AND gender identity to the areas of: Employment / housing / public accommodation / education / credit /& jury service.

Why Am I To Live Differently?

March 14, 2021 • Jeff Cramer • 1 Peter 1:18–25

Peter was writing to encourage the church during difficult times – hostile times! Time’s that increased pressure on the Church, just like what we’re experiencing today. This pressure comes from Satan, but human instruments implement it knowingly & unknowingly! LET ME PROVIDE AN EXAMPLE...

How Am I To Live Different?

March 21, 2021 • Jeff Cramer • 1 Peter 2:1–3

HERE’S THE QUESTION WE’RE ASKING: How am I to live different as a Christian? But, let's start with a basic understanding first! The Epistles provide Life Skills for Christians. In other words, our success will be seriously hindered if we don’t use the tools (directions) God has given us. The Epistles provide daily insight into God’s will for the Christian. They help us overcome practical problems with Godly responses. *We’re getting Hope in a HOSTILE world!

Special Access

March 28, 2021 • Jeff Cramer • 1 Peter 2:4–10

These topics have been the conduit for a single theme: Hope in a Hostile World! We’re learning how to live with HOPE in a changing culture. Practically, we’ve learned that separation from the worlds ideas does NOT mean WE isolate ourselves from the world! Rather, we’re to live in contact with the world without becoming contamination by unbelief OR rebellion!

The Right Response To Government Power

April 11, 2021 • Jeff Cramer • 1 Peter 2:11–17

We move forward into the core conversation of Peter’s Epistle and the main topic that he gives to the church for maintaining Hope in a Hostile World. We discover a very real issue for the Church during the time of Peter’s writing, and equally critical for the Church in America in 2021. Fundamentally “The Right Response to Power” (a.k.a. submission) is covered in FOUR distinct areas...

The Master's Agenda

April 25, 2021 • Jeff Cramer • 1 Peter 2:18–25

Today we’re going to start with a broad-spectrum of Biblical truth AND then drop into the point our text and conclude with personal application for everyone. God has a plan for every one of your lives! He has a “Master Agenda!” And the discovery of who He IS along with the relationship He wants with us is revealed in scripture.

Created Order

May 9, 2021 • Jeff Cramer • 1 Peter 3:1–6

Today we come to a topic that has massive implications on the way our families grow and develop. We know much of our worldview is shaped by the early input from our families! AND generally speaking we learn basic-life-lessons from the beliefs passed down within the family structure (Some good & some bad.) So, as we continue studying thru (1 Peter) remember we’ve been learning under the theme: “Hope In a Hostile World”. And over the past few weeks we’ve discovered Peter’s core message is submission when external pressure collides with our daily lives! Today we continue in the same vein, but we focus on submission within household structures.

A Right Perspective

May 16, 2021 • Jeff Cramer • 1 Peter 3:7

Today, Peter advances the theme of submission within the home for a second time! He's teaching the Church that believers can successfully live out their faith even when the world is Hostile toward Godly principals. It's no secret that the Christian home is being assaulted by Satan as he continually undermines Biblical truths. Yet, Peter’s letter helps us understand God’s plan by demonstrating how “submission” works within a home. Peter is giving pointed instruction for Christian Husbands.

Exercising Common Grace

May 30, 2021 • Jeff Cramer • 1 Peter 3:8–12

Today Peter closes the broad theme of submission with a maturity checkpoint to see if we’re living out common grace! So, this study is geared toward an individual response and NOT general information. Peter focuses on consistent agreement around major doctrine and how it plays out with one heart & one purpose. WHAT SHOULD WE DO? Peter provides a snap-shot of Christian virtues that should be lived out in common grace.

Under The Authority Of Christ

June 13, 2021 • Jeff Cramer • 1 Peter 3:13–22

Peter finishes the last pillar of submission by helping the saints think with Christian maturity! This study is critical for understanding our times! It’s where the rubber of Christian living meets the road of cultural difficulty. AND we learn to fear God over man! From a Biblical perspective suffering exists because of sin! Generally speaking, humanity suffers because of three primary reasons

Walking It Out

June 27, 2021 • Jeff Cramer • 1 Peter 4:1–11

Through the New Testament we read about the changed lives of those that followed Jesus. Not perfect lives BUT changed lives! (2 Cor. 5:17) NLT “… anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” Positionally a person who has accepted God’s grace is justified (Rom 5), but practically it takes time to grow as a Christian! Followers of Jesus will grow in new attitudes / new motives / new habits / new pursuits, and even new friendships.

Trials, Sin, & Suffering

July 11, 2021 • Jeff Cramer • 1 Peter 4:12–19

Today, Peter begins to wrap down his letter, and as we make our way toward closing he covers three more topics: Trials (v.12) Sin (v.15) Suffering (v.19) The core of his message has been focused on submission! But now as we approach the end of (1 Peter) he gives us insight on how God uses trials in our lives. Charles Swindoll: "Peter wrote this letter to Christians who faced desperate circumstances—undeserved suffering, unfair treatment, unexpected calamities. Here in his concluding counsel, he cycles back to this major theme of hope in hurtful times, giving us practical insights to help us not merely survive the flames but even thrive in their midst."