Hill Country Bible Church Dripping Springs Sermons

At the time Peter wrote this letter, the recipients were experiencing subtle persecution for the Gospel. In time that persecution became dramatically more overt. We are told that suffering for our faith is to be expected.

Living as Jesus’ disciples enables the church to demonstrate authentic community. In doing so, we demonstrate the virtues of Christian culture to those outside the church.

Peter continues on the theme of submission to human institutions by moving to marriage. Wives are to follow the example of Christ is joyful submission to their husband and husbands are to follow the example of Christ by using their strength and authority to serve their wives.

No one likes suffering. We do everything possible to avoid it. However, it is something we are told will happen if we are living distinctively for Jesus.

Human nature is to rebel against authority. However, as Jesus’ disciples, we are called to live distinctively. We must joyfully submit to human authority because it is God’s authority made visible.

We are called to be a counter-cultural community that is based on service. Peter describes this as a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation and a a people for God's own possession.

Through all circumstances we are called to love.

We are called to be holy because God is holy. We have been exiled from unholiness to holiness.

Peter lived during an extraordinarily time. He saw the prophetic Old Testament promises of Messiah fulfilled. Firsthand, person to person, he experienced Jesus’ grace. His teaching on dependence on grace in suffering shapes our outlook on life’s struggles.

These verses, in the original Greek, comprise one long sentence with Peter giving praise for our salvation. In them Peter teaches salvation as a living hope of comfort providing perspective on life struggles in the here and now.

Just as in Peter’s day, there is a stark contrast between the Christian’s and the world’s values. We look like strangers or exiles.

We all know that we have done wrong in some aspect. The guilt that comes is inevitable but we not have to deal with the guilt on our own, God offers a better way.

We gather not primarily for what the church can do for us but what it does for God and the kingdom. It is to engage in communal life for the sake of the world and the glory of our King.

Psalm 1 tells us that the person who meditates on God’s Word is blessed, like a well-watered, fruitful tree. Meditation is a spiritually enriching, fruit-producing spiritual habit.

There is nothing that can separate us from the love of Christ

700 years before Jesus’ birth, Isaiah taught that Israel could trust the coming Messiah. Remembering His first coming, we can trust the promise of His return.

Advent is a celebration of Jesus’ first coming and a reminder that He will come again. Even in the face of enormous challenges, God is our Anchor and we can trust in His promises for the future.

Advent should bring expectations and expectations always affect your behavior.

At its core, grumbling is an expression of ingratitude to God.

Developing a habit of giving thanks requires that we intentionally and repeatedly practice it.

Unity is weakened by selfishness. God calls us to have a bigger view of His Kingdom.

Differences should not create divisions in the body of Christ. Oneness in spite of our differences glorifies God.

Striving for success always comes at a cost. We must recognize how we approach achieving success is as important as what we describe as success.