1 Peter 3-5

So here is the stuff from this morning.

3:4 - the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.

3:6 - We don't submit because we are afraid. Afraid of getting taken advantage of. Afraid of being forgotten or becoming less significant. Fear keeps us from being the people God called us to be. And, if we cannot submit to the people God has put in our lives (husbands, parents, bosses, church leaders, etc) we cannot and will not submit to God the way we should. It is a truth most of us refuse to accept, but it is a truth none the less.

3:7 - Treating your wife poorly hinders your prayers!!!

3:9 - Those who bless receive a blessing.

3:15 - To have people ask you about your faith you have to have a hope that is seen. Is your hope so obvious that people ask you about it? We think people will ask us when we know more, but God says they will ask us when we hope more.

3:20 - God waited - WOW! Did you hear that? God waited. What in the world is so important that God would wait? What would cause God to step in line and wait instead of just walking to the front of the line and doing whatever He wants? YOU! God waited for the sake of saving Noah and His family. God waits today to bring the earth and everyone in it to justice because He wants you to be saved. God...waited (and waits).....for YOU! He won't forever, but He does right now.

3:21 - I am a baptism guy. I am one of those guys who has read through the Bible multiple times and I can't see baptism as something less than a part of God's plan for every person who comes to Christ. I love this verse that reminds us that even baptism would be meaningless without the resurrection of Jesus. The resurrection of Jesus is the centerpiece of our hope.

4:5 - But they will have to give an account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

4:8 - Above all, love... - Simple enough.

4:10 - Serving = administering God's grace

4:19 - Commit yourself to God and continue to do good - especially when you suffer.

5:2 - Shepherds, it matters why and how you watch over the flock. Be careful to judge and watch over your own motives.

Love, Michael