“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)
As we enter the third month of lockdown, these words from 1 Peter will, I hope, encourage us that we are God’s people. No matter how we are feeling, Christians have been chosen by God to be his special people. No matter where we are, or how we might be feeling about ourselves, God describes his people as chosen, holy and special. I hope you will be able to join us on Sunday as we look at this part of Peter’s first letter together.
“‘Men of Galilee,’ they said, ‘why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.’” Acts 1:11 (NIV)
The first words heard after Jesus’ ascension was that he will come back again. You would be very welcome to join us for our Ascension Day service live at 6am on 21st May, the recording will be available shortly afterwards both on Facebook, and via SoundCloud.
“Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.” 1 Peter 1:13 (NIV)
As we continue to look at the book of 1 Peter, one of the things Peter wants is to look to the future. We are to set our hope on what will happen when Jesus Christ returns. I hope that you’ll be able to join our service at 10:30am on Sunday morning, as we explore that more together.
“To God’s elect, exiles scattered … who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood” 1 Peter 1:1-2 (NIV)
Starting this Sunday, we will be spending a few weeks looking at Peter’s first letter. It was written to Christians who had been scattered to the edges of the Roman empire. They must have felt threatened, isolated, and insignificant. Fortunately for them, and for us, significance in God’s kingdom is measured differently. As we look at 1 Peter together, I hope that we will see the future glory that awaits God’s people, even if there is suffering now
“Jesus said, '… I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. … I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me’” John 10:10,14 (NIV)
We are now some six weeks into lockdown, with no real sense of how and when restrictions might start to be lifted. It’s been great to meet up virtually a couple of times in the last week. We’ll be meeting again in the same way tomorrow and next Wednesday (more details below).