Christ Church Bentonville

The best way to refrain from sin and grow in holiness is by living a godly life by grace and through the power of the Spirit which is fruit of our salvation and therefore a means by which we are assured of our salvation.

"When we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." - 1 John 1:9

By faith, fullness of joy is ours as we share life with the triune God in mutual fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

We don’t have to wait for special feasts and celebrations, particularly man-made ones, to celebrate and rejoice the salvation that is ours.  We celebrate the Greatest Reversal every week.  (Technical difficulties caused the first few seconds of the introduction to be omitted and the audio is so-so.)

In Chapter 8 of Esther, the circumstances of the Jews don't change, but their attitudes and actions do, based on a new edict that greatly affects their future.

The surety of our salvation and our being able to approach the throne of grace is not based upon us finding favor in the sight of a self-absorbed, capricious God.

In one of the funniest chapters of the Bible, we see God opposing the proud and exalting the humble, while preserving His people, keeping His promises, and giving a picture of the greater redemption found in Christ.

Esther’s boldness and bravery were laudable.  But this shouldn’t lead us to make her an exemplary model to follow.  It should lead us to and point us to Christ.

The "Why" questions begin to be answered as God's purposes become more clear.

We can understand the state of confusion the city was thrown into.  What we can’t understand, hopefully, is that Ahasuerus and Haman sat down to have a drink to celebrate and toast the decision.

We need to recognize the destructive nature of the worldly kingdom we live in, resolve not to be assimilated by it, and rest in Christ to whose heavenly kingdom we belong.

Just because we can’t see Him doesn’t mean God is not at work.  He is working in the ordinary, insignificant, moments of the day-to-day.  We may not be able to discern how He is working until after-the-fact, if that's even possible, but He is.

Peter warned against false teachers and gave instructions for how Christians in Asia Minor should stand firm.  Because the churches who received Peter's letter followed his instruction, they continued to gather for worship and fellowship in the same way that we continue to do two millennia later.

Christ will return.  We are to wait patiently until He does.  But our waiting is active not passive.

In the historic examples Peter referred to, there was not only a lesson about judgment, there was also a lesson about rescue and salvation.  

The Bible is a gift that we should treasure and not neglect because God has given it to us for both our preservation and perseverance until Christ returns at the dawn of the new creation. 

Our striving to live godly lives is not in vain because Christ is risen!  (This sermon was given at our outdoor Easter Service at Blowing Springs in Bella Vista, Arkansas) 

“He cares for you” sums up the heart of the gospel.  God is not indifferent to our troubles; we are his concern. - Charles Cranfield

Peter says the sheep of Christ's Church have been entrusted to the elders who serve as His undershepherds.

Enduring persecution for the sake of Christ is a cause for joy, because the Lord is a faithful Creator who will send His Spirit to comfort those who suffer according to His will.

Just like you can't show up drunk to a shootout at the OK Corral, you must be sober-minded to live the Christian life in a world hostile to the gospel.

So whatever persecution and suffering should come our way, Peter wants us to assure us that we are secure in Christ.

Peter encouraged wives to be subject to their husbands for their own physical protection, for their own spiritual growth, and for the sake of their husband’s souls. 

How are we to live in a culture and society in which we are exiles and sojourners?  In humble submission, pursuing holiness, and bearing witness to our Savior.

For those who have been born again, our lives are not simply characterized by repenting and renouncing sin, our lives are also characterized by positive growth that takes place in community.