First Baptist Church of Ferndale WA - online media

In our second look at verses 5-8 of 2nd Peter, we see that knowledge is built on excellence which is built on faith in God.

As we move on from the study of growing in godliness, we look at the next few verses to learn the benefits of that godliness.

As we finish or up close study of verses 5-8 of 2nd Peter 1, we see that it is essential to build on what God in Christ has given us.

Today we continue our study of 2nd Peter 1:5-8. We see that we need to make an effort to pursue godliness.

Peter calls for diligent, disciplined, life-long effort on the part of the Christian with a list of things we should add to our lives as we grow to be more like Christ.

As we look at the first few verses in 2nd Peter, we focus today on how Christ is sufficient for everything we may need now or in eternity.

As we start our study of 2nd Peter, we get a quick overview of the themes and then see what God has provided for the foundation of our faith.

As we finish looking at the Book of Acts, we see again how God expands His building of the Church, look at a few lessons from Paul's imprissonment, and five final lessons from the end of the book of Acts.

Paul said he wanted to preach the Gospel in Rome, but God has a different idea of how to do it than Paul probably did. And God's way was more effective and reached more people.

Paul stated in Acts 24 that he had a clear conscience, based on the Word of God. Are we maintaining a good conscience and practicing it daily?

The Bod of Christ as a whole and the members of that Body, are either living in the true word of God's grace, that is, the true liberating Word of God, or some perversion of God's truth which actually results in bondage, not the freedom Christ died to give us.

Sometimes, we are so busy looking for the open door that we want God to provide, that we don't realize that it also has to be in His timing. We need to learn to be patient and wait for God, and also realize that sometimes, it will show up in a way that we don't expect, but God knows is best for us.

Lyle talks about his time ministering with the Wethnow's, using sports as a way to talk to kids in private schools in Thailand about the gospel.

Welcome to First Baptist Church of Ferndale WA! Please enjoy a sermon from Pastor Dave Lunsford

God's plan for salvation, we know now, wasn't only for the Jew. And His plan for expanding the gospel story to the Gentiles was not what we would have foreseen.

Someimes it seems that things aren't going the way they are supposed to, like maybe God is doing someting wrong, or maybe got lost. But we need to trust God, that, since He sees the big picture, He knows what He is doing.

The experiences of the Christians in the early years of the church provide practical lessons for us today.

People oftenask how we can build the church. We need to have the right focus and the right answer to four questions.

The book of 1st Peter can sometimes be used as a guide on how to live the Christian life and about what to expect as a believer.

The Elders need to be shepherding the sheep they were placed among. When God carries out His purpose in leadership, it benefits the church greatly. A strong and healthy church that is able to stand against the evils of the world is a submissive church.

God calls pastors and elders to shepherd His flock. We, as Christians and His sheep, need to be shephered, because we don't always make wise decisions. We need the help of shepherds that help us make godly decisions.

We as Christians, need to remember that when naming the name of Christ,it’s painful and not abnormal to suffer. Christ suffered for us, and the early Christians suffered for Christ. So it should not seem abnormal when we suffer for Christ.

A Christian must live like Christ is coming. As such, we have responsibilities in the way we live.

Chrisitians must be armed with the right priorities. We need to fix our eyes on Christ. Having the right priorities will help us think like Christ.

The world will watch us to see how we as Christians, handle suffering. So, we should pursue a passion for godliness, be patient in suffering, maintain a place for Christ, be prepared to share our hope, and maintan a pure conscience.