Faithful to the End

Peter continues with the exhortation he began back in 2:11-12. Peter exhorted these believers to “ Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles .”  This is still his point and Peter has been building on this exhortation  with various aspects of life, even household life. He begins with the  believer's response to government (2:13-17). He then moves to the  interactions...

After the miraculous events that accompany the coming of  the Holy Spirit, Peter steps forward to explain what this crowd that has  gathered just witnessed. Peter begins with a quote from the prophecy of  Joel. He explains that what they have just witnessed is a fulfillment,  in part, of the prophecy of Joel. Peter then explains how Jesus connects  and is actually the Lord...

Peter continues to encourage these believers who have  been scattered. Specifically, he addresses slaves who may have also been  experiencing opposition from their masters. Peter calls them to look to  the example of Jesus as he suffered for them. As believers, we must  follow the example of Jesus when faced with opposition and suffering. Peter writes to believers who have been...

As we continue our study in the book of Acts, we  considered today the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of  believers. Our goal is to consider his ongoing work in the lives of  people, especially believers today. We discussed the varied descriptions  of his working: regeneration, indwelling, sealing, anointing, the  baptism of the Spirit, and filling. The Holy...

Peter continues by exhorting these believers who have  been scattered because of opposition to maintain godly, Christian  examples as they live in this world in verses 11-12. He continues by  calling them live their lives as good citizens, never using their  freedom as an excuse to be disruptive or rebellious as citizens. There  are reasonable rights given to citizens and...

Luke continues with the ongoing progress of all that  Jesus began to do and to teach, by relaying the coming of the Holy  Spirit on the apostles and followers of Jesus on the day of Pentecost.  Pentecost is actually a reference to one of the three feasts that  required a pilgrimage back to Jerusalem. This feast, just 50 days after  the Passover and likely ten days after th...

As Peter continues to encourage these believers who have  been driven away thorugh persecution and oppression, he calls them to be  built up and strengthened in Jesus, because they are now the people of  God. This does not mean they replace Israel, but that they are  partakers, as the people of God, and enjoy the position and honor as  followers. Peter writes to believers...

Luke continues with an explanation of the immediate responses of the  Apostles after Jesus ascended back to heaven. They returned to  Jerusalem, as Jesus instructed them to do, and were waiting for the  coming of the Holy Spirit. As they waited, they prayed. At this time,  Peter stands before the group of followers and calls for a replacement  for Judas Iscariot. In Peter's thinking, a replacement...

As Luke begins his second book to Theophilus, he reminds  him and his readers of the parting words of Jesus and the mission that  he gave to his followers. Luke then gives a little fuller picture of the  ascension of Jesus. As Jesus ascends into heaven, two men in white  robes speak to disciples and offer comfort - the comfort that Jesus will  return, just like he had depa...

As Peter continues to write to believers who have been  scattered because of opposition and persecution, he now challenges them  with an exhortation to love one another. Peter has already given 3  commands in verses 13-21, but a fourth and final command focuses on the  necessity of loving one another. This is a reoccurring theme throughout  the New Testament and as believe...

As the prophecy of Jonah comes to a conclusion, the final  chapter offers a vital lesson about the character of God. Jonah is  angry because God has shown mercy, but as Jonah states, he knew that God  would show mercy because God is merciful, compassionate, slow to anger  and forgiving. These characteristics are first offered by God himself,  as he describes his person to...

As Peter continues, he now turns to offer exhortations on  transformed living, even while suffering. As we face hardships and even  opposition, it is in those moments that still can and should be  transformed by the realities of the gospel. As followers of Jesus, our  lives must be defined by God’s characteristics, not our own. Peter writes to believers who have been scattered...

A second time, the word of the Lord comes to Jonah  calling him to go to Nineveh and call out to them. Jonah is to preach  the message that God gives him. This time, Jonah goes. Likely, Jonah  travels 500 miles inland to Nineveh. He then shares the message. The  Ninevites respond by believing the word of God. God mercifully offers  second chances through forgiveness of all...

Peter continues to offer foundational truths that are  given to these believers to encourage them and sustain them as they face  opposition and persecution as followers of Jesus. These truths  regarding our salvation have been foretold of by the prophets, who  themselves longed to see them come to reality in their own day. They  didn't and now we enjoy the blessings of the...

Despite the rejection of the call of God to go to  Nineveh, Jonah is rescued by the great fish. Often the great fish can be  perceived as a punishment, but truly the fish is the means of God's  mercy to Jonah. Jonah calls out to God from the belly of the fish and  offers thanks for his rescue, in Jonah's mind, from certain death. There  was no hope and no way out, but God...

As Peter continues his encouragement and exhortation for  these believers who have been scattered, he begins with foundational  truths that help to ground and establish believers. The truth that Peter  focuses in on most closely is the regenerating work of God in the lives  of believers and the impact that regeneration has. Regeneration  produces a living hope and gives us...

The book of Jonah begins with a clear call from God to  Jonah - Get up and go to Nineveh and call out to them. Jonah rejects  this call and flees to Tarshish. Yahweh, however, does not allow Jonah  to reject this call, he instead brings a storm that results in Jonah  being thrown off of the boat he's in. The sailors on the ship function  as a counter response to the divine...

As Peter begins his letter to scattered and suffering  believers, he begins with the foundation of their relationship with God.  The salvation or rescue from sin that these believers enjoy must frame  their hardship and suffering. Peter offers them grace and peace, a  consistent New Testament greeting. Peter writes to believers who have been scattered because of the  oppos...

Titus 3:8-15 As Paul concludes his instructions to young pastor Titus,  he concludes with the focus of the whole chapter - good works. Paul  warns about those in the church who are divisive, who cause division and  stir up strive among the body of believers. Paul specifically addresses  how they are to be addressed and the overall response of the church. As  a church, it i...

Titus 3:1-8a Paul continues the exhortation to Titus to appropriately  train the believers in Crete. This time Paul calls Titus to remind them  how to respond to those outside the church. Our reason and motive for  appropriately responding to those outside the church is because of the  gospel, because we have been saved from our sins through the work of  Jesus on our behal...

Titus 2:1-10 Paul challenges Titus to accurately teach the people of  Crete, but he reminds him that the way believers live is the loudest  statement of what they really believe. Daily actions flow from what we  truly believe about God. This challenge is offered to the groups that  make up the church including, the older men and woman and the younger  women and men. Variou...

Matthew 2:13-25 Matthew concludes his nativity narrative with the wicked  responses of Herod and the simple obedience of Joseph to the word of  God. Three times, God directs Joseph through a dream and three times  Matthew reminds his readers that God is fulfilling his word and  accomplishing his plan. You can trust God to accomplish his plan in your  life as well! As belie...

Matthew 2:1-12 The wise men come from the east to worship Jesus, the King of the  Jews. Jesus is worthy of our sacrificial worship and love because He is  God with us and has come to take away our sins! Matthew writes his gospel to prove that Jesus is the promised  Messiah, the King and the Son of David. Jesus is bringing the Kingdom of  God and is the fulfillment of the promis...

Matthew 1:18-25 Obeying is hard! It's hard when you can see the obvious advantage of  obeying, it's hard when the benefits seem clear, but what if those  benefits were really hard to believe or there were not seeming benefits. Joseph finds himself in this exact position. The young woman he is  betrothed to marry is found to be pregnant!  He does exactly what he is  suppose...

Psalm 119:97-104 As we approach a New Year, it is imperative that we make the decision to  spend time in the Word of God. That decision should be followed by a  plan to do so. We are desperately in need of the Word of God each day.  The Word alone has the power to change us, to shape us into the image of  God more and more each day - you need the Word. Psalm 119 is a  beau...