Hillside Bible Study

1 Peter 4:1-11

2011-04-17T16:51:00.002-03:00

LET EVERYTHING YOU DO BRING GLORY TO GOD

We are finishing the study in 1 Peter and find in chapter four the same theme in other chapters of Peter - that of suffering as a Christian. We identify with Christ and realize that suffering and persecution counteracts the pull of sin. If we are focused on following Christ and know that we may face slander and ridicule, the priorities in our life are more about following than about self-indulging.

The reality is that time is short and we do not know how long we have to live on this earth. Verse seven speaks of Christ's return and of course we do not know the day nor the hour. What we do know however is that none of us are guaranteed of how long we will live so we best be ready.

Thus, let us put our focus on things like prayer (v. 7), loving one another (v. 8), hospitality (v. 9), using our gifts (v. 10) and letting everything we do bring glory to God (v. 11)

How might that look in our lives this week and going forward?

Are we still drawn by the evil one to the former ways of life (v. 2-3; 1 Peter 5:8-10)?

How about our prayer life - is it earnest and disciplined?

Have any people in your life who need more of your love?

What about hospitality - is it sacrificial and focused on serving others?

Using your gifts, speaking about the things of God, helping one another?

Bottom line, we need to be sure our lives are about bringing glory to God in all we say and do.

Share some of your ideas on this weeks sermon topic and let's be encouraged in our faith.

Thanks again for interacting with others through the Hillside Bible Study (blog site).

1 Peter 3:8-12

2011-04-10T13:31:00.002-03:00

PAY BACK INSULTS WITH BLESSINGS AND ENJOY LIFE

These verses (8-12) in the third chapter of Peter call us to a God honoring standard of responding to those who do evil or insult us. Our typical first step is to react and give back the very evil or insult that was given to us. At least that way we don't let them feel they got the best of us and that if it is to happen again, they would know a mouthful is coming back.

Speaking of the mouth, that seems to get us in trouble in our reactions and shows up with what verse 10 says about keeping our tongue from speaking evil and our lips from speaking lies. We are responsible for our reactions no matter how we have been treated. Thus God is calling us and will reward us for paying back blessings when mistreated.

How is this working in your life? Has anyone done evil against you or spoken insults about you?

If you have suffered in the past, have you been able to resolve that hurt so that you are not repeating the cycle - paying back evil for evil and retaliating with an insult to those who have insulted you?

Does this admonition from Peter seem impossible and unrealistic?

As was shared in the sermon, planning ahead is a huge benefit for when the "out-of-nowhere" kind of strikes come our way. We do not know when a nasty persecution or challenge may come but we can prepare in advance for how we want to respond.

Read again the prayer that was written based on these verses and ask the Lord to plant this in your life for future application. Who knows, evil and insult may come your way this week.

Blessings on your week, and again, read over and have close at hand this prayer so that your faith is strengthened for any and all persecution.

Lord,

I don’t know why this evil or insult has come into my life and to be honest, it is not very enjoyable or encouraging.

There must be some reason for it in my life or in the life of the person who did it to me. I don’t understand and I may never know but one thing I do know – you do not want me to repeat the cycle by repaying evil for evil and you do not want me to retaliate with insults when people insult me.

What you are calling me to do and you will bless me for it, is to pay back evil and insults with a blessing. I am not exactly sure how to do this but I want to enjoy life and see many happy days so I am going to keep my tongue from speaking evil and keep my lips from telling lies. I am turning away from evil and I will do good which is all about searching for peace and working to maintain it.

I want your face to shine upon me, for your eyes to watch over me and for your ears to be open to my prayers so please take my life and let it be committed to your ways.

I will continue to uphold our church to be of one mind where we sympathize with each other, love each other as brothers and sisters, where tenderheartedness and compassion abound and we maintain a humble attitude.

I restate it again - it is my desire is to pay back insults with blessings and enjoy life.

Amen

STUDIES IN 1 PETER

2011-04-04T09:56:00.001-03:00

We are exploring the New Testament book of 1 Peter starting March 27 and concluding April 17. For these next four Sundays we will look into Peter's book and invite your dialogue and input to the questions and ideas that are given each week. Please write a comment or ask further questions. Enjoy growing in your faith and be transformed by the word of God.

1 PETER 2:4-9

2011-04-04T09:52:00.002-03:00

CHOSEN FOR GREAT HONOR

Thanks for blogging on to dialogue with us as we continue our journey through the book of 1 Peter. This week has us moving into chapter 2 where our focus is on
1 Peter 2:4-9.

To recap what Pastor Jay had indicated last week at the start of our journey, this letter was written by the Apostle Peter to believers scattered throughout various regions. These regions now make up a portion of the country of Turkey. The purpose of the letter is clearly stated in (5:12) and is intended to encourage the believers during a time of very horrific persecution.

For us, persecution doesn’t look the same in our end of the world, but the truth is, we can be alienated from our families, friends, and colleagues because of what we believe. Like the believers in Peter’s time, we also face the trials of life that may create doubt and denial in our faith.

So, be encouraged by this passage as the early believers were and let’s enjoy knowing as they did, that we have been Chosen for Great Honor!

Has there ever been a time in your life when you faced a challenge or trial that made you doubt or even deny Christ? How did you work through it and do you still struggle?

Peter writes in (2:5) that we have the honor of making spiritual sacrifices that please God. What kind of spiritual sacrifices have you been offering to God lately and how has it impacted you?

What are some new ways you can begin to give honor to God in your life?

Have any of you this week recognized the honor God has given Jesus and are you ready to allow him to be your savior to lead your life now and forever?

Thanks again for blogging on this week! Please read the entire chapter this week a few times and also read the third chapter in preparation for next Sunday.

Be encouraged as you continue reading God’s word this week and know that he has a purpose for your life.

Blessings on your week!

Studies in 1 Peter

2011-03-27T07:52:00.001-03:00

1 Peter 1:13-16

2011-03-27T07:35:00.001-03:00

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO HOLINESS

Thanks for joining the conversation and growing together in Christ. I trust you will not only read and answer the questions on your own but you will add a comment and reply to others comments in the blog. Let's learn from one another this week as we explore 1 Peter 1 :13-16.

The book is written by Peter, one of three from the inner circle of disciples of Christ. He became a leader of the apostles and had an incredible ministry (read more in chapters one through twelve in the book of Acts). It seems Peter had help writing the letter benefiting from Silas (5:12). Peter sure seems to have be shaped by Christ from those earlier days of impulsiveness and acting before thinking. He writes from a pastors heart about some important matters in the Christian faith.

Paul is writing to a group of believers spread across a wide geographic region (v. 1) wanting to encourage and lift their spirits as they face many trials, persecutions and accusations. Even in the midst of difficulty Peter is calling them to live a life pleasing to God and to model God himself in his holiness. Verse sixteen seems impossible from a daily performance perspective for so many times we fall, fail and feel less than holy. Yet the command is given and thus it must be attainable.

How do you feel about such a command from God - be holy as I am holy?

What type of persecution exists in our culture today? Have you experienced persecution for your faith?

How important is it to know God's Word and commands and obey them?

In what ways does pursuing Christ help us grow to be more like him and experience holy living?

Read the entire chapter this week a few times and also read the second chapter in preparation for next Sunday.

Blessings as you study God's word this week.