Awake Us Now

Seventeen of the New Testament letters open with a phrase containing the words "grace and peace." Grace, or "unearned favor," ALWAYS comes before peace. Do you wonder why that is?

Mary's response to the angle Gabriel's message shows us the strength and godliness found in a truly humble heart.

To everyone who has known sorrow and heartbreak, God offers joy and final victory!

Peter concludes his letter by restating his warnings and exhortations - avoid false teachers who would distort Scripture, lead holy and blameless lives, and hold fast to Christ's promise to return and make all things new!

In this story, Jesus portrays two ways of living - and two destinies after death. What will your destiny be?

The Apostle Peter urges us to look forward to the return of Jesus - the day when God will make all things new. We are neither to ignore the Second Coming, nor to try to "out-think" God by trying to predict when and how it will happen, but to be awake and live in holy readiness for that day.

People have called this parable "The Prodigal Son," but a better title might be "Prodigal Son, Prodigal Father" - wasteful selfishness forgiven by extravagant love.

Peter warns those who mock the promised return of Jesus that there will be a final judgment and destruction of the ungodly... but also reminds us that God is patient, "not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." Peter points us to the trustworthy Word of God for assurance of salvation.

Jesus told of a man who thought he had everything - but was about to lose it all. It's not what you possess that matters, but what possesses you.

Peter encourages believers to hold fast to their faith in Jesus, the One who fulfills all that the holy prophets predicted, so that right believing may produce right living in our lives.

Some consider talk of spiritual warfare politically incorrect and out of step with the times. In reality, the times are out of step with God, who calls us into battle and on to victory -- His victory!

Peter warns against false teachers, who try to entice us into what seems pleasing rather than what is Godly. Such teachers, Peter says, promise freedom but are themselves slaves to depravity.

When temptations come, do we have to cave in to them? Or does Jesus have a strategy for victory?

2 Peter 2:4-9 has some challenging verses on angels, Noah's flood, and Sodom & Gomorrah. But the good news is in verse 9: "if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials!"

Can you distinguish the taunts of the enemy from the truth of the Lord? Let's learn how!

"And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:14)" How far has the Gospel been spread across the world?

Although we are at war with an enemy that is hell-bent on our destruction, we also have a Savior who assures us that "the God of peace will soon crush Satan under our feet" (Romans 16:20).

Pastor Christopher Dodge continues the Rock Solid: Second Peter study with a focus on the verses of II Peter 1:19-21. If you doubt who Jesus is, you will want to listen to this message!

God daily offers us a free gift: His steadfast love. Have you opened your gift today?

Pastor Dodge continues his teaching on Second Peter with a message based on 2 Peter 1:12-18, with a special story of a "Person of Interest!"

When asked about prayer, Jesus told his listeners to ask God boldly, even audaciously, for the fulfillment of His promises!

We can g o to the Holy Spirit for the qualities Peter mentions in 2 Peter 1:3-11: faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection and love. Learn about each of these godly characteristics that Peter encourages us to pursue.

The Apostle Peter gives us a warning about the dangers of deception and false leaders, and differentiates between knowing about God and knowing God.

The concluding verses of First Peter tell us that the God of all grace who called us to His eternal glory in Christ, will restore us, make us strong, keep us on the Firm Foundation (Jesus Christ), and keep us steadfast through the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives!

Peter tells us: "Sober up!" "Wake up!" "Resist the Devil!" He says these things not to frighten us, but to enlighten us and give us the strength we need to face what lies ahead in these last days.