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June 1 Worship

5/26/2014

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With this Sunday, I come to the end of my series on 1 Peter.  The focus will be on 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11.  Here again, the apostle Peter brings up the topic of suffering for one's faith.  It also must be kept in mind for us.  Maybe we won't have persecution like those early Christians under the Roman Empire, yet we may experience the indifference people have toward us or rejection we experience because of our faith.  We may have to face up to negative comments because of what we believe and by the very fact we attend church!

Peter makes the bold statement in terms of our response and how we view our suffering:  "Rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ's sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed."  (4:13)  Easy to say, but I believe not so easy to do.  We might want to avoid suffering at any cost instead of doing what is right and then rejoicing.

What I like about this letter is that Peter calls upon believers to place their trust in God for all things.  He writes:  "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time.  Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you."   (5:6-7)  We live out our Christian calling by God's power.  We are willing to surrender our lives to this God who cares for us in no small measure!

The letter ends on a very positive note for us keep before us.  It is that God will eventually come through for us. Peter writes:  "God...will restore, support, strengthen, and establish you."  (5:10)  What comfort we derive from basing our hope on God.  When our orientation is with God, we can rest assured that God has a future for us.

Discipleship Questions for Reflection

What are you anxious about at this moment and have you thought about bringing your concern to God?

Have you ever had a difficult time when you completely placed your life in God's hands?


What direction is your compass pointing at this time in your life?
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May 25 Worship

5/19/2014

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How do you feel about world conditions?  Are you optimistic that there will be less warfare, less violence, and better care of our environment in order to alleviate Global Warming?  Do you see nations cooperating and living together more in a state of harmony in the future?

Yes, it would be nice if we did have a crystal ball to discern the future. On some fronts we might be making advances such as with science and technology; yet, in other areas dealing with human interaction and the environment we seem to be going downhill.

As people of faith, I believe we are those who live with hope.  It is a hope that God has a future for us and that God will ultimately bring history to a close and provide our heavenly home for us and continue to care for us.  It is this HOPE that we ought to be able to share.  This Sunday, the apostle Peter gives us this directive:  "Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you." (1 Peter 3:15)  


If someone were to ask you about your hope, would you be able to articulate it?  Here, I think we might need to do some homework.  I believe it is important that we are prepared to speak regarding what we believe!

The apostle not only addresses our speaking of this hope, but also that we live with Christ as Lord.  Peter states here directly:  "Sanctify Christ as Lord."  1 Peter 3:15  This means that we recognize Christ's lordship over every aspect of life.  He is even lord over all human authority.  He is the one who rose from the dead and lives to give us new life (through baptism) and also to provide an eternal place in the heavens.

You can feel free to leave a comment on the questions below.  In preparation for worship this Sunday you can read 1 Peter 3:13-22.  May your preparation and actual worship be a blessing for you!

Discipleship Questions for Reflection

Have you ever had to give an accounting for your faith - why you believe as you do or why you attend church?

What situations today do people feel might be "hopeless" and how might your faith address these concerns?



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May 18 Worship

5/12/2014

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It's interesting that the Bible uses many different images to address our relationship with God and Jesus Christ.  Last Sunday it was that of a shepherd.  This Sunday as we continue in the series on 1 Peter, we find the apostle using the image of a house in order to write about the church.  

Peter wrote:  "Like living stones let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.  For it stands in scripture:  'See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious; and whoever believers in him will not be put to shame.'"  1 Peter 

The apostle here is seeking to solidify these new Christians and the image of a house made up of many stones serves the purpose.  But notice here that these are living stones.  What this means is that there is the capacity for growth (and shall I say decay as well).  It is with growth that Peter is concerned here.  We also are to be those who long for the spiritual nourishment of God's word on a regular basis.

Our growth is also to include witnessing of God's mighty deeds.  Peter wrote:  "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."  1 Peter 2:9

Discipleship Questions for Reflection


In your own discipleship are you growing or are you regressing?

Can you think specifically of what "mighty deeds" you would tell someone wanting to know more about God?  Also, what mighty deeds would you currently see around you in terms of God at work?
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May 11 Worship

5/4/2014

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This Fourth Sunday of Easter has been known as the Good Shepherd Sunday.  Our reading from 1 Peter 2:19-25 has this emphasis.   Peter wrote:  "You were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls." 1 Peter 2:25

Jesus as the Good Shepherd was willing to lay down his life for us.  This image of sacrifice and suffering is highlighted by Peter.  "If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that?  But if you endure when you do right, and suffer for it, you have God's approval.  For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps." 1 Peter 2:20 - 21.


Following in Jesus' steps is what the Christian life is all about.  Sometimes we would like to pick and choose the road we want to follow.  We don't want any obstacles; we don't need any road signs.  We fee we have everything under our own control.  However, suffering is part of the walk with our Lord.  Jesus told us to take up our cross and follow him.

If our aim is to follow Jesus' teachings in all that we do, we will experience opposition.  Will we cave in or will we remain strong?  Peter was addressing people who were undergoing some kind of persecution.  He wanted them to remain strong.  We also need to live the life Christ desires for us and be willing to suffer for it.  

I invite you to think about the above passages of Scripture in preparation for your worship this Sunday and how these verses would speak to your own life.

Discipleship Questions for Reflection

How much is cross-bearing for Jesus a part of your life?  Do you feel you are bearing a cross at all?

Have you ever suffered for doing what is right?



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    I invite you to reflect on these words of Scripture in preparing for worship.

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    Pastor Marty Pauschke

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