Issues In Perspective

Peter constructs the foundation for spiritual growth and maturity in Christ.

Peter closes his letter with an exhortation to elders, the importance of character and an emphasis on God's grace.

Peter offers several important truths about how believers should approach suffering in this broken world.

In light of Christ's suffering, we are to die to the old life and live a transformed life in "these last days.”

Jesus provides the pattern of suffering for the sake of righteousness.

Peter issues a call to righteous living in the midst of acute suffering and persecution.

Peter explains the virtue of submission in the wife-husband role responsibilities.

The virtue of submission is applied to the primary economic institution of the ancient world and to the family.

Peter challenges us to see ourselves as sojourners and exiles conducting ourselves honorably, highlighting the virtue of submission to the authorities in our lives.

To receive Christ makes us "living stones," part of the new building God is constructing with Jesus as our cornerstone and peak-stone serving as priests offering daily sacrifices to our God.

Peter summarizes the position of believers and their relationship with the heavenly Father, one characterized by reverence, faith, hope and love.

Peter emphasizes the life of faith in a Savior prophesied in the Spirit-inspired Old Testament, which results in a life of hope and holiness.

Peter reviews the incredible blessings of salvation in Jesus Christ and the "living hope" to which the Father is calling us.

An introduction on the character of Peter, his impulsive nature and how God transformed him, followed by Peter's greeting to the persecuted churches of the Roman provinces of Asia, Pontus and others.

These two short epistles of John focus on truth, hospitality and faithfulness as a leader.

John summarizes the testimonies to Jesus as the Messiah and the Son of God; and then how our faith in Him affects our praying and our walk with God.

John reviews the content of the Christian faith and the testimonies to the truth that Jesus is the Messiah.

"God is love"--the implications and obligations that go with that proposition are John's emphasis.

Discerning truth from error begins with how one views Jesus and the command to love one another is rooted in God's very being, for God is love.

John contrasts Cain and Jesus on the matter of love and offers three major tests of assurance for the believer.

John calls his readers to a life of purity and anchors the call in the promise of Jesus to return, when we shall be "like Him" and "see Him as He is”

John warns his people about false teachers among them and exhorts them to know sound doctrine, continue walking with the Spirit and walking in righteousness.

Walking in the "light" with Jesus is a walk of loving obedience, assurance and not "loving the world" or its desires and its pride.

John sets up the first test of assurance that we are walking with Jesus--obedience.

Our fellowship with God is affected by our sin and John gives three truths about how we deal with sin in our lives to facilitate that fellowship.