Jeff Stevens

This introduction to John's Epistles is filled with hope. John is explaining to believers that we can enjoy the fellowship that he and the other disciples of Jesus have with God as well. That in Jesus, the Word of Life, our joy is made complete!

Chad White walks us through the Advent theme, Love. This profound statement really helps us to understand the purpose of the theme: "When we understand love, as believers, Christmas becomes worship, not sentiment."

Mark Little takes us through a study this week that helps us to understand where we find our joy. Joy is not different than happiness, as some would teach. But it is also not a simple, temporal feeling . It is about understanding that we have been saved by Jesus through his work on the cross. Having joy at Christmas is celebrating the coming of our Savior!

This week, Tony Holt helps us to understand how Jesus Christ is our peace. We are not just called to have peace, or to be peaceful, but to understand that Jesus is the peace that we need.

Did you know that hope is not just wishful thinking or expecting something to happen in the future? True Hope in Jesus is a certainty of the promises delivered to us by God! The first week of Advent has us looking at the hope all believers can have in that truth of our Savior, Jesus Christ!

The final study from Peter's letters has us considering our diligence in the faith. In this study we will be reminded to grow in the grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This is a fitting message for the beginning of the Advent season where we look forward to the hope that is Jesus!

This study from the beginning 2 Peter 3 examines the destructive language Peter uses that marks a judgement called, "The Day of the Lord." We take a look at Isaiah 24 to get some perspective how language like this is used in the Prophets. It is important for us to remember that even when we are reading about judgment, we are seeing that our God is faithful to His promises. This is good n...

This is the last message from 2 Peter 2. We have discussed false teachers and heretics for the last 4 weeks. And this message is just as important. The focus in this study is to look at the influence of false teachers on believers. Heretics are not doing what they do by accident they come to destroy, to exploit and to promise false freedom. It is up to each of us to ensure that we are testing ever...

Heretics and false teachers seek to destroy. Why is it that the church is so soft when it comes to facing false teaching? This study will examine the firm stance that Peter has taken against those who will commune with you, yet seek to destroy your faith.

It is an important message to understand just how seriously God views the ungodly. Specifically, those who secretly bring destructive heresies into the church. But this is not just a message about judgment, it is a Gospel message. One that shows us that even in judgment God loves His own so much that He saves them to Himself! This is Good News!

The contemporary church could really use this lesson. The church as become soft on standing against false teachers for the fear of being called judgmental. Heresies are dangerous and destructive to the church. We must stand firm against those who do not teach the gospel as it was brought by Jesus Christ and taught by the Apostles.

Peter gives us a very important lesson based on his experience at the transfiguration of Jesus Christ. That the things that he is preaching are not based on myths but on his eyewitness testimony of seeing Jesus in the fullness of His glory! We can also be sure because of the prophetic word that has been given to us by God. So, the answer to our question after Peter calls us to live holy and effect...

Peter give us two imperatives in this lesson. Live a godly life; and live an effective life. And he is so convicted by these, that he promises the church that he will continue to remind them of these until the day he dies. It is a good day to ask yourself if you are being diligent in the faith and are effective for the gospel of Jesus Christ!

Chad shares a message about biblical persistence. "We can persist because Christ first persisted." This is a great lesson that is applicable to all believers and their walk with Jesus!

It is because of the precious and magnificent promises of our God that we become partakers of the divine nature. This is an amazing picture of how much we are loved by the Lord and how He glorifies Himself through the work of Jesus Christ.

We are called by Peter to, "Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God." This is such a fitting message considering the assassination of Charlie Kirk this past week. The Devil truly does prowl looking to devour the weak. The real question is how do believers stand firm in the faith in light of the evil that is around us!

It is a very important mission to shepherd the flock of God. The calling is one that should drive a man to yearn for God's wisdom while exemplifying a humble spirit. As a church we should be praying for our elders, their call, their qualifications and the mission.

Peter returns to the topic of suffering. He is very clear that believers are going to deal with fiery trials that will test our faith. The real question is if through these trials, will you entrust your soul to our faithful Creator?

Peter's call here is for the church to love one another and to be hospitable. Believers receive gifts in order to serve in the church. And those gifts should be used to show Christ's love. The handling of the Word and the gifts of service are ways in which we show glory to God through Jesus Christ!

Peter's message to believers is to set aside all of the debauchery that is being practiced by the world. Not in an effort to be better than anyone else, but because God has called us to holiness. The world may not understand us and mock our change of heart. But we know that we do not need to be discouraged or try to overcome the world; for we know that we are victorious in Christ Jesus! Living...

Believers are not called to respond persecution, hatred, violence like the world. We are holy and we glorify God through the way we respond to an evil world. This study is not just about our response to suffering, it is also about the victory we have in Christ! We are victorious in Jesus!

Peter taught us about the relationship between a wife and a husband. Then he moves on to the body of believers. We can see from the text that we should most certainly think alike. There are things that we can disagree on, but the gospel message and our conduct are not waiverable. We are called to be like-minded.

A single, simple verse from Peter carries so much weight that it is worth spending some time on. This study helps us to grasp what it means to live with your wife in an understanding way. This is an essential message for all husbands and for all men who are going to be husbands. Strong marriages that honor God, solid families and good church fellowships all rely on men who honor their wives.

This message from 1 Peter 3 is focussed on wives of non-believing husbands. However, there is an abundance of relevant information in this for every wife. Our wives play an essential and extremely important role in the marriage and family. The world will try to tear down God's design for the family. But God knows what is best; and a woman who love the Lord and loves her family exhibits a beaut...

We have been called to suffer with Christ. And He is the perfect example of that suffering, for our sake, and for His Glory! The message from Peter helps us to understand how a Christian life is one that is called for suffering, but also for finding joy in all things. This is a message we all need to hear!