Welcome to our last week of our 1 & 2 Peter. This has been a wonderful study that has challenged us and hopefully grown us.

Peter has had a lot of hard things to say in this letter, but in chapter 3 he begins to switches gears and starts off by addressing his readers as “dear children” to remind them  of the affection he has for them.  An affection like a father has for his children, who speaks hard truth in love. He is concerned for their spiritual well being and wants to “stimulate them to wholesome thinking.” He desires his readers, and us, to be aware of the dangers that surround us, particularly when it comes to false teachers and the fact that truth is only found in Christ.

Peter tells us in these last days we will encounter scoffers and those who follow their own evil desires.

Christians often get upset and are even surprised when the world acts in a way that is contrary to the gospel. Peter is telling us that this should not surprise us because this is how people act who don’t have a heart for God and his way.  They mock, they are skeptics, they blow off truth.

It is natural that non-Christians don’t want God mentioned in public. It shouldn’t surprise us that the world not only tolerates sin, but celebrates it, calling evil good and good evil.

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.
Is. 5:20

The world is perishing. The world is headed towards hell. And Peter says, these are the last days.

What does that mean for us? While there are many things that we could say about this, I want us to focus on two things

1. Persevere

Life can become very frustrating and discouraging. Not only do we see the sin around us, but we also are very aware of the sin inside of us. I don’t know about you, but I get discouraged easily.  But remember who lives in you, God the Holy Spirit! And he will continue to teach you and guide you through the Word of God.

I can guarantee you that there will be hard days ahead for all of us in various degrees.When we enter these hard times remember that Christ is coming!  Keep trusting Jesus and his word. Know the promises found in scripture and find hope and joy in them.

The best way to persevere through this life is to always focus on the cross. That is where our hope is found. That is where our salvation was bought, that is where the lost are found and become a part of God’s loving family. That is where our joy is made complete. Because through the cross Jesus becomes ours, and we are his, and with him we receive all the spiritual blessings talked about in the Scriptures.

2. Preach

It is easy to get wrapped up in this world and to think it will go on forever, but  the days of God’s patience are coming to an end. He is extending a huge amount of grace on the world, but judgment is near and we need to tell everyone of God’s offer of forgiveness through his son, Jesus.

Often times our minds go to our neighbors or other people we know who need to find Jesus – and this is good, but this is also true of those people who live in our homes. Our children need to hear the good news of the gospel constantly. Maybe some have unbelieving husbands; they need to hear and see the gospel lived out and talked about. Maybe some have siblings or parents living with them; they, also, need to hear the beautiful promise of the gospel.

So our challenge for this week is this:

Commit to praying, and

  1. Search your own heart and life to see where you may been tempted to take God’s word lightly and to compromise his truth.  Ask him to not only keep you from compromise, but, instead, to really love truth with all of your heart, mind and soul.
  1. Make an opportunity to share the good news of Christ’s death with someone who needs to hear it. This could be your kids, other family members, friends or even strangers.

Looking To Jesus,
jen-sig

 

Week 8 Reading Plan:

 

 Week8

Week 8 Memory Verse:

Peter MVWK8

 

Week 8 Challenge:

Wk8 Challenge

 

 

Jen Thorn

Jen Thorn

Jen Thorn grew up in Germany and then spent her teenage years in Africa, where her parents were missionaries. She moved to the United States for college and attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago where she met her husband. They have been married for twenty-two years and have four children. Jen lives in the suburbs of Chicago, where her husband is the pastor of Redeemer Fellowship. Jen is passionate about theology and the connection to daily living.

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