Elect Exiles

Colton White

Sunday, January 5th, 2025

The Apostle Peter opens his letter to believers scattered across the Roman Provinces by calling them “elect exiles.” The question that we will answer is: what does Peter mean by that phrase? Peter attaches the phrase to four prepositions in verse 2: Elect exiles "...according to the foreknowledge of God the Father." Elect exiles "...in the sanctification of the Spirit." Elect exiles "...for obedience to Jesus Christ" and, elect exiles "...for sprinkling with His blood." Peter is reminding these believers that God has caused them to be elect exiles. He will sustain them during their time as exiles, and the goal of their exile is to worship Jesus through their obedience.

Living Hope

Colton White

Sunday, January 12th, 2025

What does it mean to be "born again"? How does being born again change our future? Those are the questions we will answer in these verses. First, we need to identify what exactly Peter means by the phrase: “born again.” Then once that is established, we can see the rest of the text unfold. We see that we now have a living hope, meaning, when we look to the future our hope is surely alive. It is not dead. It is not absent. It is not missing. It is alive! How do we know this? Because Jesus is alive! He rose from the grave and, for the born again person, there is an inheritance that is kept in heaven.

The Mingling of Joy and Grief

Colton White

Sunday, January 19th, 2025

Peter starts off this section by reminding the believers, scattered across the Dispersion, that there is reason to rejoice! Before he begins to talk about suffering and trials, he reminds them that, because of their new life in Jesus, they can rejoice! Specifically, they can rejoice in the midst of their trials and sufferings. Throughout our lives we will experience the mingling of joy and grief. We get a glimpse of the final joy that is coming in the midst of the various trials of our lives.

What's Your Purpose?

Kevin Brown

Sunday, January 26th, 2025

Peter was an apostle of Jesus and an eyewitness of Jesus' ministry on earth. He is writing to dispersed believers. Those believers were enduring some very difficult times. It was hard to follow Jesus. This is a letter of encouragement to continue to love Jesus in spite of their sufferings. There's joy in salvation, so live it out! This doesn't just apply to the believers living 2000 years ago. This applies to us today. By God's grace, all believers should have joy in spite of their circumstances.

Prophets and Angels

Colton White

Sunday, February 2nd, 2025

Have you ever searched diligently for something? You look in every corner, every crevice, under every pillow? This is what the prophets did with the Scriptures in regard to the coming Christ. Peter admits that the things he is saying are not novel ideas, and that he did not make them up. It is all there in the Old Testament. Sure, at times, they might not have fully understood, but there is a thread that leads through every book in the Old Testament to the death and resurrection of Christ.

Called to Holy Action

Matt Oberhelman

Sunday, February 9th, 2025

As we reach the conclusion to Peter’s introduction, we now enter into the “so what” portion. He tells us to do two things — 1) Prepare our minds for action, and 2) Set our minds clearly on the grace that is coming. We should be filling our minds with the things of God, which both prepares and transforms the way that we think about our current and future circumstances.

Fear in the Exile

Colton White

Sunday, February 16th, 2025

What does it mean to be judged by our works? We are told that salvation comes by faith, so what role and connection do works have with faith? In our lives, there should be evidence of a certain kind of conduct; a conduct that is driven by specific motivations. Specifically, a conduct that is driven by the grace of Jesus, by whom we are ransomed.

Sincere Brotherly Love

Colton White

Sunday, February 23rd, 2025

What is the basis of our love for one another? Peter seems to think that, at its foundation, there is a purification that has occurred through our obedience to God’s truth. Our love for one another will not fail, will not perish, and will not falter, because this Word that we have within us does not originate with man, but is from God.

Longing and Tasting

Colton White

Sunday, March 2nd, 2025

Peter has now moved us from the vertical to the horizontal. Chapter one was mainly focused on the vertical: how has God shaped our identity? Chapter two is going to shift us to the vertical: how does this new identity shape how we interact with others? The first thing that we hear from Peter is that we should have a certain longing, and we should be tasting something specific. We should long to grow like born again infants who crave milk. We should long to know the Word of God and to deepen our relationship with Him. We should taste just how good our God has been to us! And, as we long and taste, we will reject and put away the old and replace with something better: the Gospel of Grace.

Living Stones

Colton White

Sunday, March 9th, 2025

Living as Exiles: Beautifully Different

Nathan Parr

Sunday, March 16th, 2025

Peter and others throughout scripture assure us that we will be mocked, hated, persecuted, and worse. Our steadfast adherence to Christ's truth becomes compelling testimony in a world where standards change with every thought that flutters in the mind. Even when others misunderstand, mock, or criticize us, if we live with integrity, our lives speak loudly.

The Role of God's People Among Human Institutions

Colton White

Sunday, March 23rd, 2025

Today’s text leads us to the often difficult intersection of religion and politics. The tension between these two worlds is not new; it has existed throughout history, even within the church. Peter encourages believers to hold firmly to their convictions while extending gentleness and love. He advises them not to overthrow the government, yet not to compromise their faith either. Instead, believers are called to stand firm in their allegiance to Jesus, willing to suffer or even die for their Savior if necessary. Peter advocates for this balanced yet courageous approach. By living in a way that honors God, believers can demonstrate the truth and hope of the Gospel, even in the face of hostility and pressure.

Submit and Suffer Like Jesus Did for Us

Colton White

Sunday, March 30th, 2025

Jesus served those who misunderstood Him. He served those that persecuted Him. He served those that mistreated Him and His suffering, His submission, led to our salvation.

Husbands and Wives

Colton White

Sunday, April 27th, 2025

The joining together of a husband and wife is one of the most beautiful, joyful, and exciting relationships in all of humanity. Yet, at the same time, marriage can be difficult, confusing, and heartbreaking. In this text Peter focuses on the relationship between a husband and a wife. Specifically, he talks to women who are believers, married to husbands who are not. The question that he is answering is, "what am I to do about my unbelieving husband?" How are these women to "win them over", as he says in verse 1? This text, often misused and misunderstood, is actually a wonderful and encouraging word for wives who are in this situation.

Life is Hard. Live it Well.

Rich Diaz

Sunday, May 4th, 2025

Peter calls believers to live in harmony with one another. This life is marked by unity, compassion, love, humility, and sympathy. He urges them not to repay evil for evil, or insult for insult, but instead to bless others, reflecting the grace they themselves have received. Peter reminds his readers that they are called to this way of life, inheriting a blessing in return. Quoting from Psalm 34, he emphasizes that those who desire to love life and see good days must turn from evil, control their speech, and actively seek peace. Finally, Peter reassures believers that God watches over the righteous and listens to their prayers, while standing against those who do evil. This assurance provides both encouragement and a sobering reminder of God’s justice.

Suffering for Good

Colton White

Sunday, May 11th, 2025

Peter encourages believers to remain fearless and faithful when facing suffering for doing good. He reminds them to honor Christ as Lord and be ready to gently and respectfully explain their hope to others. Even if they suffer, it is better to suffer for doing right than for doing wrong, trusting in God’s purpose and presence.

Supreme Over All

Colton White

Sunday, May 18th, 2025

Christ is supreme over all things — that is what we see in this passage! In verse 18, we encounter three massive theological truths. First, we see the substitutionary atonement for our sins: that Christ died once for sin in our place and took on the judgment we deserve. Second, we see the imputed righteousness of Christ: that while He took on our sins, He also gave us His righteousness. Third, we see our reconciliation — that we were brought to God through the death of Jesus on the cross. Peter also reminds these believers that God will be faithful to them, just as He was faithful to those in Noah’s day. While they were surrounded by evil, God was with them and saved them through the ark. In the same way, God will be with us and bring us safely home. We must remember that Christ is supreme over all things — no power, no ruler, no authority exceeds the authority of Jesus. All things are subjected to Him.

Justice and Hope in Suffering

Matt Oberhelman

Sunday, May 25th, 2025

Peter writes that we should let the driving thought and process of our thoughts be that Christ nailed our sin to the tree and so we are a free and redeemed people — we have “ceased from sin” and our lives are to be solely focused on the will of God, on His kingdom. Judgment is coming, so let’s live as people who stand on the right side of judgment bc it is finished. Peter also reminds us that those who are in Christ, whether they are alive or pass away, nothing separates us from the love of God and from being in His presence.

The End Is at Hand!

Colton White

Sunday, June 1st, 2025

In this passage, Peter reminds believers that the end of all things is near, urging them to live with clarity, prayerfulness, and deep love for one another. He calls for practical expressions of that love through forgiveness, hospitality, and the faithful use of spiritual gifts to serve others. Every act of service is meant to be done with God’s strength and for His glory. The passage emphasizes living with eternal perspective, prioritizing relationships and community life in light of Christ’s return.

Suffering for the Right Reason

Nathan Parr

Sunday, June 8th, 2025

Peter reminds us of several things; however, what they are may catch you by surprise. Peter tells us what is in store for us by following Christ, what real trials are, and how we are to handle them, and the world around us.