"Abraham is a prophet, and he will pray for you" (Genesis 20:7). The prophet speaks for God. The prophet speaks to God. Speaking for God and speaking to God - we need both. We bring the Word of God to the people, and we pray that his blessing will be upon the people. When we …
Tag: 1 Peter
Links to Rev James Philip’s notes on 1 and 2 Peter
1 Peter 2 Peter
Jesus makes the difference. He changes us.
1 Peter 1:1-25 On earth, we have ‘trials’. In ‘heaven’, we will have ‘salvation’(3-9). In our journey from trials to salvation, from earth to heaven, we are to live a life of holiness and love. In this life of ‘obedience to the truth’, we must never forget that we have been ‘redeemed with the precious …
There’s light at the end of the tunnel …
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the …
Walking In The Footsteps Of Our Saviour
"21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 22 “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” 23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to …
You get nothing for nothing … ?
"You get nothing for nothing. You only get what you pay for." Is this cynicism - or realism? Let's think together about something else - something that lifts us above all of this - the love of God, the grace of God, the mercy of God, the gift of God, the peace of God, the …
On earth, we have trials. In heaven, we will have salvation … (1 Peter).
1:1-25 - On earth, we have ‘trials’. In ‘heaven’, we will have ‘salvation’ (3-9). In our journey from trials to salvation, from earth to heaven, we are to live a life of holiness and love. In this life of ‘obedience to the truth’, we must never forget that we have been ‘redeemed with the precious …
Continue reading On earth, we have trials. In heaven, we will have salvation … (1 Peter).
We thank You, Lord, that the devil flees from us when we flee to Jesus.
We thank You, Lord, that the devil flees from us when we flee to Jesus. What a precious promise is given to us in Your Word: “The Name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe” (Proverbs 18:10). Who are “the righteous” – Surely, not us? We’ve failed …
Continue reading We thank You, Lord, that the devil flees from us when we flee to Jesus.
Renewed By God’s Salvation, We Are Strengthened For His Service.
Ps 51:10, Matt 15:8, 2 Tim 3:5, 1 Pet 4:11, 5:11 In all the service we offer to God, there is to be the offering of worship: ‘To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever’ (1 Peter 4:11; 5:11). We will not learn to serve God unless we are learning to …
Continue reading Renewed By God’s Salvation, We Are Strengthened For His Service.
Jesus Christ Has Died For Us – The Righteous For The Unrighteous.
Ps 49:7–9, John 20:28, 1 Tim 2:5–6, 1 Pet 3:18 Some die young. Others live to a ripe old age. None of us can predict what lies ahead of us. There are some things that are beyond our control. We look at what is happening and we say, ‘I wish things could be different’. Absalom …
Continue reading Jesus Christ Has Died For Us – The Righteous For The Unrighteous.
Faith, Holiness, Worship And Witness
"Come to him ... be yourselves built into a spiritual house" (1 Peter 2:4-5). This speaks to us of personal conversion and life in fellowship with God's people. The life of holiness, to which we are called, is to be lived in fellowship with God's people. We are to encourage one another to live a …
If we want to serve God, we must learn to worship Him.
1 Peter 3:1-4:6 The world is preoccupied with outward appearances. As Christians, we should be more concerned with our inward attitude. ‘In your hearts reverence Christ as Lord’. Pray for His ‘attitude’- ‘a tender heart and a humble mind’(8,15; 4:1). We believe the Gospel - ‘Christ died for our sins once for all, the righteous …
Continue reading If we want to serve God, we must learn to worship Him.
From Good Friday to Easter Sunday (4): Out of darkness into light: Create in me a clean heart, O God.
Welcome to the fourth stage of our journey from Good Friday to Easter Sunday: Out of darkness into light - Create in me a clean heart, O God. 1 Peter 4:1-8 Since Christ suffered physically, you too must strengthen yourselves with the same way of thinking that he had; because whoever suffers physically is no …
Praying Through God’s Word: 1 Peter
1 Peter 1:1-25What kind of people are we to be? You’re calling us to be holy. You’re calling us to be loving. It’s not holiness without love. It’s not love without holiness. It’s holiness. It’s love. This, Lord, is the life You’re calling us to live. Help us to walk with You in holiness and …
We remember our loved one, and we, also, remember our loving Saviour.
"How precious is your lovingkindness, O God!" (Psalm 36:7). When I'm conducting a funeral service, I lead the people in prayer, giving thanks to God for "precious and treasured memories." We remember our loved one, and we, also, remember our loving Saviour. To help us focus our attention on Jesus, I begin each service by …
Continue reading We remember our loved one, and we, also, remember our loving Saviour.
Praising the Lord and being blessed by Him …
Daniel 1:1-2:23; 1 Peter 5:1-14; Psalm 134:1-3 Daniel’s praise, offered to God, in Daniel 2:20-23, highlights for us the direction from which blessing comes. It comes from above. What we do not have is given to us by God - “He gives” (Daniel 2:21), “You have given me” (Daniel 2:23). Daniel’s praise is echoed in …
Continue reading Praising the Lord and being blessed by Him …
Let us worship God …
Ezekiel 47:1-48:35; 1 Peter 4:1-19; Psalm 133:1-3 “The sanctuary will be in the centre of it ... In the centre of it will be the sanctuary of the Lord ... the Temple sanctuary will be in the centre of them” (Ezekiel 48:8,10,21). Here, we have the centrality of worship in the life of God’s people. First …
Walking in wisdom, enjoying salvation …
Ezekiel 45:1-46:24; 1 Peter 3:1-22; Proverbs 28:18-28 In Ezekiel, we read of many sacrifices being offered to God. In the New Testament, it is emphasized that one Sacrifice is sufficient - “For Christ died for sins once for all, the Righteous for the unrighteous to bring you to God” (1 Peter 3:18). We are called …
Declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light.
Ezekiel 43:1-44:31; 1 Peter 2:4-24; Psalm 132:1-18 In Ezekiel, the priests are described in great detail. In 1 Peter 2:5, the Lord’s people are described as “a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” This description continues in 1 Peter 2:9 - “a royal priesthood ... a people belonging to God. …
Holiness and love – we need more of both …
Ezekiel 41:1-42:20; 1 Peter 1:1-2:3; Psalm 131:1-3 Ezekiel emphasizes that the Temple was to be built according to God’s pattern. Our lives are to be lived according to God’s pattern - “Be holy in all you do”, “Love one another deeply, from the heart” (1 Peter 1:15,22). The instructions for the building the Temple were …
The joy that comes to us – from the Lord …
"Look to him, and be radiant" (Psalm 34:5). The Psalmist doesn't draw attention to himself. He points away from himself to the Lord. In Exodus 34:29, we read about Moses - "his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord." The radiance didn't come from Moses. It came to Moses - from the Lord. "Taste …
The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead …
"Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?" (Psalm 24:3) - only Jesus Christ, our great Saviour! Jesus went down to the place of suffering and death - and, then, God raised him from death to life. Through Jesus, we are raised to life. We do not raise ourselves. We have been raised by him - …
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Where does our life of faith begin? …
Where does our life of faith begin? Does it begin with our decision? or Does it begin with God's grace? "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved" (Ephesians 2:4-5). We were dead. The …
Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord …
Daniel 1:1-2:23; 1 Peter 5:1-14; Psalm 134:1-3 Daniel’s praise, offered to God, in Daniel 2:20-23, highlights for us the direction from which blessing comes. It comes from above. What we do not have is given to us by God – “He gives” (Daniel 2:21), “You have given me” (Daniel 2:23). Daniel’s praise is echoed in …
Continue reading Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord …
Be holy in all you do … Love one another deeply, from the heart …
Ezekiel 41:1-42:20; 1 Peter 1:1-2:3; Psalm 131:1-3 Ezekiel emphasizes that the Temple was to be built according to God’s pattern. Our lives are to be lived according to God’s pattern – “Be holy in all you do”, “Love one another deeply, from the heart” (1 Peter 1:15,22). the instructions for the building the Temple were …
Continue reading Be holy in all you do … Love one another deeply, from the heart …
Declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light …
Ezekiel 43:1-44:31; 1 Peter 2:4-24; Psalm 132:1-18 In Ezekiel, the priests are described in great detail. In 1 Peter 2:5, the Lord’s people are described as “a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” This description continues in 1 Peter 2:9 – “a royal priesthood … a people belonging to God. …
We are called to look to Christ for salvation …
Ezekiel 45:1-46:24; 1 Peter 3:1-22; Proverbs 28:18-28 In Ezekiel, we read of many sacrifices being offered to God. In the New Testament, it is emphasized that one Sacrifice is sufficient – “For Christ died for sins once for all, the Righteous for the unrighteous to bring you to God” (1 Peter 3:18). We are called …
Continue reading We are called to look to Christ for salvation …
The centrality of worship in the life of God’s people …
Ezekiel 47:1-48:35; 1 Peter 4:1-19; Psalm 133:1-3 “The sanctuary will be in the centre of it … In the centre of it will be the sanctuary of the Lord … the Temple sanctuary will be in the centre of them” (Ezekiel 48:8,10,21). Here, we have the centrality of worship in the life of God’s people. …
Continue reading The centrality of worship in the life of God’s people …
Believe the Gospel. Be changed by the Gospel …
Second Sunday of Easter: Acts 2:14a, 22-32; Psalm 16 or Exodus 15:1-11; Psalm 111; 1 Peter 1:3-9; John 20:19-31 Christ has risen. Believe the Gospel. Be changed by the Gospel. The Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus Christ (John 16:14). ‘No one can say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit’ (1 Corinthians 12:3). In the preaching …
Continue reading Believe the Gospel. Be changed by the Gospel …
The Day of the Spirit’s Power …
Fourth Sunday of Easter: Acts 2:42-47; Psalm 23 or Ezekiel 34:7-15; Psalm 100; 1 Peter 2:19-25; John 10:1-10 The Day of the Spirit’s Power In Acts 2, we read about the Day of Pentecost. It was a great day. The Spirit was poured out on God’s people. Christ was proclaimed to the crowds. Many were …
We listen to the Word of the Lord – and we hear the Story of God’s salvation …
Sixth Sunday of Easter: Acts 17:22-31; Psalm 66:8-20 or Ezekiel 43:1-7a; Psalm 115; 1 Peter 3:13-22; John 14:15-21 In our worship, we listen to the Word of the Lord. Notice the importance of the Scriptures for both public ministry - ‘reasoning with them from the Scriptures’ and private devotion - ‘examining the Scriptures every day’ …
Continue reading We listen to the Word of the Lord – and we hear the Story of God’s salvation …
Out of darkness into light …
Saturday in Holy Week: Job 14:1-14 (or Lamentations 3:1-9, 19-24); Psalm 31:1-4, 15-16; 1 Peter 4:1-8; Matthew 27:57-66 (or John 19:38-42) Out of darkness into light - “Death is swallowed up in victory.” When you don’t really know what you’re talking about, it’s a case of the less said the better. That’s how Job feels …
Christlike in life, Christlike in death …
Fifth Sunday of Easter: Acts 7:55-60; Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 or Proverbs 4:10-18; Psalm 119:9-32; 1 Peter 2:2-10; John 14:1-14 Stephen’s Prayer: An echo of Christ’s words from the Cross In life and death, Stephen was Christlike. In life and death, he made a great impact. In life, we see him, ‘full of grace and power’, …
Jesus – The Good Shepherd, The Great Shepherd, The Chief Shepherd
* Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd who died on the cross for us – “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11).* Jesus Christ is the Great Shepherd who rose from the dead for us – “May the God of peace, who through the blood …
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God’s Salvation – Past, Present And Future
"To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn …
Full salvation – By God’s grace and power, we will arrive at our final destination.
" ... you were redeemed ... with the precious blood of Christ" (1 Peter 1:18-19). May we never forget the cost of our redemption. Christ's sacrifice of Himself, on the Cross, is of more value than any of the things of this world. This world will pass away. Our redemption, purchased for us by the …
Continue reading Full salvation – By God’s grace and power, we will arrive at our final destination.
“An inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade – This inheritance is kept in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:4).
We thank You, our Father, that You have sent Your Holy Spirit to live in our hearts. We thank You that the new life in the Spirit is just the beginning. You are preparing us for the greater ‘glory that will be revealed in us’(Romans 8:18). We thank You that the Holy Spirit is ‘the …
Declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light …
Ezekiel 43:1-44:31; 1 Peter 2:4-24; Psalm 132:1-18 In Ezekiel, the priests are described in great detail. In 1 Peter 2:5, the Lord’s people are described as “a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” This description continues in 1 Peter 2:9 - “a royal priesthood ... a people belonging to God. …
Our great privilege and our great responsibility
"Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s" (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). These verses speak to us of our great privilege …
Continue reading Our great privilege and our great responsibility
Jesus Christ is Lord …
Third Sunday of Easter: Acts 2:14a, 36-41; Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19 or Isaiah 51:1-6; Psalm 34:1-10; 1 Peter 1:17-23; Luke 24:13-35 Jesus Christ is Lord. ‘God has made Him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified’ (Acts 2:36). ‘Jesus is Lord’: When this message is preached in the power of the Holy Spirit’, it …
Job thinks that God has it in for him …
Job thinks that God has it in for him (Job 19:6-11). When we start thinking like this, how do we get out of this way of thinking? We go back to Job 1. We remember that there is a devil, and we take our stand against him in the name and the power of Christ …
Suffering and faith …
In Job's story, we read about suffering - and we, also, read about faith: "I know that my Redeemer lives" (Job 19:25). Without his suffering, would Job's faith have grown so strong? Prior to his suffering, Job's faith had never really been put to the test. Our faith is put to the test so that, …
Let’s Declare God’s Wonderful Deeds.
In Christ, we are ‘a holy nation’. Why has God made us His ‘own people’? - ‘that you may declare the wonderful deeds of Him... ’ (1 Peter 2:9). ‘The nations are waiting for us, waiting for the gospel we will bring’ (Songs of Fellowship, 539).
Prophets, speaking for God …
"Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. …
Why has God made us His ‘own people’?
In Christ, we are ‘a holy nation’. Why has God made us His ‘own people’? - ‘that you may declare the wonderful deeds of Him... ’ (1 Peter 2:9).‘The nations are waiting for us, waiting for the gospel we will bring’ (Songs of Fellowship, 539).
Salvation
"an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time" (1 Peter 1:4-5)Salvation is being kept for us. We are being kept for salvation.
1 Peter 1-2
1 PETER1:1-25 - On earth, we have ‘trials’. In ‘heaven’, we will have ‘salvation’ (3-9). In our journey from trials to salvation, from earth to heaven, we are to live a life of holiness and love. In this life of ‘obedience to the truth’, we must never forget that we have been ‘redeemed with the …
