All posts by Athol Barnes

Athol Barnes is the Senior Pastor at Grace Point Baptist church in Kansas City, Missouri. Born in South Africa, as a son of a pastor, Athol became a follower of Jesus at an early age. He studied and worked as a mechanical engineer for almost 14 years before being called into fulltime Christian mission work. Emigrating to the USA in 2000 with his wife Debbie, Athol has served as the Director of Project Management at Adventures in Missions between 2004 and 2009, and a Discipleship training school leader with Youth with a Mission and Call2all from 2009 till 2014. In 2014 Athol graduated with a MATS degree from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. In the same year, Grace Point called Athol to be their Senior Pastor. Athol has a heart for missions and seeing the Great Commission fulfilled in our lifetime. He is passionate about seeing the church on mission, being and doing what Jesus called the church to do. Athol and Debbie were married in 1996 in South Africa and have two adopted Children, Christine and Joshua.
Sermons

From Suffering to Glory

Click on the Camera to view the full message.

No one is immune to suffering, but Christians have the hope of glory to look forward to in and through their suffering. If you are experiencing extended periods of hardship, you might struggle to hope in that future glory, but the promises of God’s Word do not fail. The apostle Peter knew that the early church was going to experience trials of persecution, and he wanted them to be prepared. As he ended his letter, Peter gave the church family three important instructions to obey so that they could glorify God in the difficulties to come

Be Humble (1 Peter 5:5-7)

Submitting to Elders

Peter exhorted the young people to submit to their elders in humility. A healthy church honors the voice of all generations. Submission requires humility (see v. 6). As we submit to God, we are to humbly submit to and prefer one another in love.

Clothing in Humility

Peter exhorts all of us to clothe ourselves in humility, the same humility that Jesus displayed as he walked the earth (see Philippians 2:6-8).

Pride is the root of all sin; therefore, humility is the most powerful weapon in our arsenal. Humility is not thinking poorly of ourselves; it is simply thinking of ourselves less and preferring others first.

Treating Our Pride

Verse 6 begins with the following phrase, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God…”   When God begins to do a powerful work in our lives that brings Him glory, sometimes we feel God’s mighty hand as a heavy weight. God allows us to feel the heavy weight of suffering, which is naturally humbling. Suffering can serve as a remedy for pride. 

Learning Patience

The glorious hope we have is the promise of the rest of that verse, “…so that at the proper time he may exalt you” (see v. 6b). The key, of course, is the phrase “at the proper time.”

The hardest part of suffering is learning patience. Our impatience is a remnant of pride that God is working out through suffering.

Giving Over Our Worries

God doesn’t simply put us under His heavy hand like a cruel master; He gives a promise in verse 7, “casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

Giving God our anxieties must come from the realization that we cannot handle them ourselves. God does not forcefully take our worries and our anxieties; He invites us to hand them over to Him in humility.

Holding on to our anxieties is prideful, and the heavy hand of God lovingly gets heavier until we release our burdens to Him.

When we are suffering, we struggle to believe what Peter says in verse 7—that He cares for us. We don’t trust that He is good. These are lies from Satan.

As we give Him our concerns, God promises to minister to us in four ways: 

(a) He gives us the courage to face our cares honestly and not run          away (Isaiah. 41:10).

(b) He gives us the wisdom to understand the situation (James 1:5).

(c) He gives us the strength to do what He has called us to do (Philippians. 4:13).

(d) He gives us the faith to trust Him to do the rest (Psalm. 37:5)

Be Watchful (1 Peter 5:8-9)

We have an enemy who comes to steal, kill, and destroy (see John 10:10). Peter writes, “be sober minded”. In other words, he wants us to think rightly about the situation we face. This is hard when we are suffering, but it is crucial. To have right thinking is to have God’s perspective, keeping His promises and the scope of eternity in view.

We give the enemy a foothold when we are not watchful. Satan devours by bad thinking: discouragement, hopelessness, pridefulness, and arrogance. These are just some of the tools that Satan uses when we don’t adopt sober mindedness.

Whatever God designs for good, Satan produces a counterfeit, and the fruit of the counterfeit is death. Be watchful.

One of Satan’s most effective tools is twisting the Scriptures. He knows the Bible, and he is a master at twisting the Word to deceive. This is why we need to be people who know the Word (see Psalm 119:105).

We are to be watchful, and, at the same time, resist the enemy,standing firm on the promises of the Word of God (1 Peter 5:9). We see this in the letter that Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus (see Ephesians 6:10-11). When we stand on the Word of God, we can stand firm.

Peter reminds his readers at the end of the verse, “you are not alone in this”; many believers around the world are wrestling with the same struggles.

Be Hopeful (1 Peter 5:10-11)

Peter ends the letter with the powerful and glorious conclusion about suffering: no matter how difficult the trial, we always have hope of a certain victory. Verse 10 reads, “When you have suffered a little while…” For some people, the suffering feels like it has lasted their whole lives.  But when seen in the light of eternity, it is just for a “little while” (see 2 Corinthians 4:17).

The reality for many is that the burden doesn’t feel light, and it certainly doesn’t seem to be momentary. So, does God lie in His Word? Not at all; God sees all of eternity. Someday we will see it from His perspective(see Romans 8:18).

 The Christian’s Hope in Trial

Our Heavenly Father is incredibly invested in developing our character in this life. He is intent on preparing the church as a bride for Christ by constantly refining and equipping us. His methods of building Christian character in us often involve suffering.

Peter used four words to underline the promise of God to all believers in verse 10:

He will restore, confirm, strengthen and establish His children.

This is the Christian’s glorious hope in times of Suffering!

Sermons

Healthy Leadership – Healthy Church

Click on the Camera to view the full message.

By God’s design, the local church is to be led by elders. Other names for that role are pastor, shepherd, or overseer (see Acts 20:28). In 1 Peter 5:1-5, Peter provides instructions and exhortation to the elders of the church; we can all learn from these leadership lessons.

The Role of the Elder

Jesus bought the church with his own blood. Although we like to identify our community as “my church”, in truth, it is “his church”.

The primary role of the elder is to tend to the sheep, feeding, leading, and protecting them. The challenge is that elders are also sheep, and as such they need accountability and shepherding themselves.

The Bible teaches that healthy church leadership should have more than one elder. This strengthens the church and guards against strong personalities that might slowly introduce false teaching.

A healthy church will only grow from healthy leaders. A church will never grow in an area of ministry if the leaders are not leading the way by example.

The Proximity of the Elder.

Peter writes in verse 1, “So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed.”

Peter is exhorting the elders who are among the people, implying that these elders were directly engaged with the community. Pastors who are not in the trenches are not shepherding. YouTube “pastors” are not shepherding.

In times of persecution, the leadership of the church is crucial (see 1 Peter 4:17). Humble local shepherds play a critical role in helping the church withstand the temptation to swim along with the stream of the world’s culture, especially during times of trial. Sadly, leaders who run away during persecution are hirelings and not true shepherds as Jesus said in John 10. John Maxwell said, “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way.” Peter identifies himself as a co-elder, but he had some extra credibility: he witnessed the crucifixion as Jesus died in our place on the cross. He also saw the empty tomb as Jesus victoriously conquered sin and death. Peter knew that even though there is suffering now, there is glory coming later. Glory always follows suffering, and this coming glory should motivate the elders in their shepherding. Peter had a healthy eternal perspective, and we should too. How often do you think about Jesus coming again, and how does it affect your leadership of others?

The Leadership of the Elder

Peter goes on to encourage the elders in verses 2 and 3, “shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.”

To exercise oversight is to care for others, not dominate or dictate. Oversight is providing care for the church family; it is a high calling and a serious responsibility.

Peter then compares three styles of leadership.

Compulsion v. Willingness

“People ask the difference between a leader and a boss. The leader leads, and the boss drives.” —Theodore Roosevelt.

 The Lord wants elders to lead willingly, not from compulsion or some type of guilt and shame. When the Lord asks us to lead, we must respond willingly with a ready “yes” in our hearts.

Shameful Gain v. Eagerness

Then Peter compares, “shameful gain vs eagerness”

This contrast is the difference between a true shepherd and a hireling; a hireling works because he is paid, but a shepherd works because he loves and is devoted to caring for the sheep (see also John 10:12-13; Titus 1:7).

Domineering v. Servanthood

Different positions require different leadership styles. For example, in the military, the leadership is domineering. When a battle decision has been made and lives are at stake, you cannot have a subordinate wanting to discuss the decision. Obedience needs to be unquestioned. However, in the kingdom of heaven, Jesus models servant leadership for us, and he wants us to lead like he led (see John 13).

The Reward of the Elder.

In verse 4 Peter writes, “And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.”

This is our hope: Jesus is coming again, and we will all be judged and receive rewards for our faithfulness.

Faithful shepherds will receive an eternal crown of glory.  The “crown” here is the Greek victory garland, given as a prize during the ancient Grecian games. It was woven from ivy or something similar. But those victor crowns faded and eventually were thrown away. The crown Peter describes is incorruptible and does not fade. Many people go into ministry looking for rewards, seeking fame, an audience of thousands, perhaps a best seller book, or rising rank within their denomination. Such rewards are fading greenery; they will never satisfy.

The only reward we should be striving for is to hear the words of the master in Matthew 25: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” When we see Jesus, we won’t desire anything else. We will forget any personal goals or glory; we will simply take our crowns and place them at his feet – that will be the ultimate prize.

The Example of the Elder

Finally, verse 5 reads, “Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Peter is referring to younger people in the church, but this also applies to all church members who submit to the leadership of the elders. It is possible that Peter was remembering how Jesus clothed himself in humility as he washed his disciples’ feet. Pride is the root of all sin, but God favors and gives grace to the humble.

Even though these verses are primarily directed towards the church elders, the principles apply to all church leadership roles. The way of leadership is humble servant leadership.

Is God calling you to leadership?

Sermons

It’s About to Get Real

Click on the Camera to view the full worship service.

In the year 304, Emperor Diocletian declared that he had destroyed the Christian church. Today over two billion people identify as Christians, and few people remember the emperor.

Over 200 years before Diocletian’s Great Persecution, Peter wrote to the early church to prepare them for extraordinary persecution. He warned them that even though persecution was coming, they would benefit from it.  

Over 365 million believers face intense persecution everyday in 2024, and I don’t think it is a stretch to expect persecution to come on the Western Church soon.  

How are we to prepare for and even respond to persecution?

In 1 Peter 4:12-19, Peter gives the church four instructions to follow in preparation for the persecution that is to come.

1: Expect Suffering (1 Peter 4:12)

Throughout history, persecution has been normative for those who live for Jesus. In Genesis 3, God declared war on Satan, and as a result, Satan has been attacking those who worship the one true God.

Persecution is not a strange thing for believers; in fact, the absence of persecution should be strange. But when we do experience persecution, we must remember who our enemy is. The person persecuting us is not our enemy; our enemy is Satan and his demons. Jesus died for the persecuted and for the persecutor.

2: Rejoice in Suffering (1 Peter 4:13-14)

Peter writes that we should rejoice when we are insulted for the name of Jesus.

Peter lists several privileges that come with persecution; these are reasons why we can rejoice in the midst of it.

i: Our suffering is fellowship with Christ.

As we read in Isaiah 53, Jesus came as the suffering servant; he is not removed from or unfamiliar with pain and suffering (see Philippians 1:29). God uses the refining fire for our good, and when we do suffer, Christ is with us in the fire. It is in those times of intense persecution that many Christians testify to the incredible nearness and fellowship with Jesus, and that is  a reason to rejoice.

ii: Our suffering means future glory.

In our Western mindset, we tend to believe that suffering is to be avoided, and the absence of suffering is glorious. But for the Christian, hardship is the path to glory. God doesn’t remove the suffering; He transforms it into something glorious (see John 16:20-22)

We see this displayed on the cross—the pain and agony that Jesus went through was changed into something glorious and powerful. There is always a purpose and a glorious outcome to the suffering we endure as a result of persecution. Sometimes we don’t see the outcome in this life, but it is always glorious, and that is a reason to rejoice.

iii: Our suffering leads to the Holy Spirit’s ministry (1 Peter 4:14)

There are many testimonies of persecuted Christians who say things that no human would normally say, even while being put to death for the name of Jesus. By the power of the Holy Spirit, they are filled with courage and boldness (see Acts 7:55).

This has been the experience of many believers, boldly singing, and declaring the Gospel even while they are losing their lives in an excruciating way. This supernatural power is a reason to rejoice.

iv: Our suffering glorifies the name of Jesus (1 Peter 4:16)

In our modern context, we lose the impact this verse would have had on the original readers. In the 1st century, being called a Christian was a term of ridicule, a slur. It is becoming increasingly more so today. Do you boldly bear the name of Jesus? Are you willing to suffer ridicule for claiming his name? This verse promises there is glory in bearing his name, and that is a reason to rejoice.

3: Let Suffering Refine You (1 Peter 4:17)

When in the furnace of persecution, the frivolous things of this world melt away, and we see the reality of where we stand with regards to holiness. God uses persecution to refine the church. We saw a little glimpse of this during 2020. Many people left the church when the authorities told us we were not allowed to gather to worship. Sadly, there was a falling away, an exposing of the heart.

The persecution of the church is used as God’s judgment to refine the Bride of Christ.

Every loving parent knows that shaping your child in the right direction involves times of discomfort. God the Father loves us enough to allow discomfort to come upon the church for our holiness, for our refining. If we don’t experience some opposition, we should be concerned. If we proclaim the whole truth of God’s Word, we will offend and experience opposition in this world.

4: Commit Suffering to God (1 Peter 4:19)

When called upon to experience persecution, we can commit our souls to our Heavenly Father. That word “entrust” is a banking term meaning to deposit a treasure for safekeeping in a trusted place.

When you commit your life to the Lord, you can be absolutely certain that you have a guaranteed eternal inheritance. The great news is that you can continue to add to that deposit in heaven, storing up treasures for eternity. 

Are you living today with eternity in mind? This is difficult because the present temporal world is so loud. We so easily get caught up in its trappings that we forget we are living for so much more than what we see around us.

It has been said, “unsaved people have a present that is controlled by their past, but Christians have a present that is controlled by the future.”  

Are you living with an eternal perspective?

Sermons

Healthy Community

Click on the camera to view the full message.

Healthy community is a goal for every church, but cultivating it is challenging. Even the first century church that the Apostle Peter wrote to in 1 Peter had to be encouraged to work towards a healthy community. 

Watch and Pray

In 1 Peter 4:7, Peter writes, “The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.”

The state of the world today indicates that we are rapidly getting closer to the day of Christ’s return. As we see “the day” approaching, we need to be mindful of how we live. Preparing for Christ’s return does not mean hiding in a cave and isolating from the world while stockpiling food.  Rather, it means focusing on living as the salt and light of the world, being self-controlled and sober minded. To be sober minded is to use right judgment, to have steady and clear thinking. If you are sober minded in this world, you will not be drawn to false teaching regarding the return of Christ. Instead, you will be focused on preparing for his return. 

If our minds are confused, we will have an unfocused prayer life. It is crucial that we are people of prayer, watchful, alert, and sober minded as we see the day of the Lord approaching. Peter wrote these words with his own painful memory in mind. Jesus asked him to watch and pray, but Peter fell asleep and couldn’t pray with Jesus as he fought the greatest battle in human history before going to the Cross (see Mark 14). 

There is no place for listless prayers in the Church; we need to be alert and energized in our prayer warfare. 

Love One Another

Peter continued in verse 8, “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins”.

Within the body of Christ, we must prioritize loving one another earnestly and with intentionality. We can only love with the love that comes from God; it is a supernatural love by the Spirit of God. It is not an optional extra (see John 13:34). 

It is always humbling to realize how little grace we have for someone we don’t know and love, yet for someone we love, we are quick to overlook an offense. Out of relationship comes grace.

If someone is bothering you, take the time to learn about them. Get to know them and see how God has uniquely designed them to be a blessing to the church—including to you. 

Show Hospitality to One Another

In verse 9, Peter exhorts the church to be hospitable, which is a spiritual gift and essential for a healthy church community. This is not the sole function of a small team in the church; it is everyone’s responsibility. We cannot outsource this command. 

Serve One Another

In 1 Corinthians 12, the Apostle Paul teaches about the spiritual gifts given to the church for the health of the church. Peter underlines the fact that these gifts are for us to steward within the church family (see 1 Peter 4:10). 

If you are not serving one another, you are missing out by not exercising the gift God has given you. Everyone is gifted differently, and we all have differing roles to play. 

Two Spiritual Gifts

In verse 11 Peter highlights two gifts, “Whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies…”

  • Teaching: This is more than simply information transfer; this is declaration of the truths of God’s word. This is the crucial declaration of the Bible in the church. 
  • Serving: Serving one another in the Body of Christ. 

Why are these two so important?

In 1 Corinthians 12:31, Paul wrote, “…But earnestly desire the higher gifts.”

What are the higher gifts?

I would like to propose that the higher gifts are the servant gifts. The gifts done in secret, the “non-platform” gifts (see what Jesus said in Matthew 20:26). 

Prescription for a Healthy Church

In the context of the church, we value worship, prayer, missions, compassion and various forms of ministry, but what did the early church value?

In Acts 2 we see that the early church devoted themselves to a few things. 

Preaching of the Word

Acts 2:42, “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”

Recently, an increasingly loud group of voices say that we don’t need preaching in the church. They suggest that we simply gather, worship, and discuss the Bible together. 

But the Bible constantly shows us that preaching or declaring God’s Word has always been God’s method for equipping His people, even in the Old Testament. 

As the Apostle Paul trained and encouraged Timothy, his young church planter, he never focused on the worship band, the building aesthetics, the welcome team and the free coffee… no, he instructed Timothy to, “preach the word” (see 2 Timothy 4:1-2). 

Eric Spady preached on this text at my ordination in 2014, and it has always been my primary goal, to faithfully declare the truths of God’s Word by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

A church without declaration of the Word of God will starve to death. 

Sacrificial Community

Acts 2:44-45, “And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need”

This is not communism, rather it is how they voluntarily showed each other that they valued one another above earthly things. 

One of the most valued commodities in our culture is our time. We value “me time”; we want flexibility to do our own thing when we want to. But when we value community, we give of our time and serve one another. 

When you are serving the Lord, you have the promise of the Lord’s supply. You are tapping into a supernatural resource, and it brings glory to God (see 1 Peter 4:11). 

All for His Glory

This is what we were created for. This is our God ordained purpose, to declare the Gospel and to serve one another. 

And it is all for His glory. 

Sermons

Suffering unto Holiness

Click on the Camera to view the full message video

Everyone goes through suffering; no one is exempt. As Christians, we can be assured that God uses every moment of our suffering for a greater purpose. 

In Chapter 4, Peter encourages the believers to endure suffering because there is a purpose in it. He reminds them and us that while Jesus lived on the earth, he was a man of sorrows (see Isaiah 53:3-5). There was a purpose to Jesus’s suffering—our salvation—and there is a purpose to our suffering—our sanctification.

Armoring Up

Peter writes in verse 1, “…arm yourselves with the same way of thinking,”

To arm oneself is to prepare for battle. Arming ourselves with the knowledge of the Bible—the Sword of the Spirit—is the greatest way we can prepare for life’s battles. Peter wants us to arm ourselves with the same attitude Jesus had toward the world, sin, and suffering. 

If we face suffering without a biblical worldview, suffering will embitter rather than purify us. The Bible clearly says we will endure hardship in this world (John 16:33); we cannot dodge that bullet. If we want to live victoriously in the face of suffering, we must embrace a biblical worldview of the challenges we face. Restraining Sin Verse 1 ends with a somewhat confusing statement, “…for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin.”

This doesn’t mean that the person who has suffered is no longer capable of sinning. Rather, it means that they are no longer enticed by temptations the way or to the degree that they once were. 

In Luke 15, the prodigal son came to his senses while in the literal pigpen of his sin. He realized that he was made for more; the slops and corn husks were not desirable to him. He left the pigpen and returned home to his father.

If you are a child of God, you will no longer enjoy living in the pigpen of your sin. Your tastes will have changed; sin will no longer hold the appeal it once did (see 1 Peter 4:2 & 1 Corinthians 5:17). When you find yourself tempted toward or back in the pigpen of your life before Christ, you will quickly run from it and return to the Father.

If, however, you live in willful sin without conviction, you are most likely not saved. You cannot be a child of God and enjoy living in the pigpen. 

Coming Judgment 

Peter looks to the future: our lives are short, and we must not waste time going back to play in the pigpen of sin and brokenness. 

He writes in verse 3, “For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.”

Peter lists the specific sins that his audience saw all around them, the sins that enticed them. We can add to his list the sins we see all around us, the sins that entice us—gossip, lying on our tax returns, pornography, etc. 

The time is past for living in that pigpen. Walk in purity because life is short. The world is rapidly moving towards the judgment of God. 

Suffering Witness 

As you walk in purity, you will be countercultural, and that may attract attention, good or bad. “With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you,” 1 Peter 4:4 says.

When you live for Jesus, walking out the new life he has given you, your life will raise questions. Some people will be drawn to the peace of God in you by the power of the Holy Spirit. Never underestimate the example of your lifestyle.  

Other people will be offended by you. They will be convicted of their own sin, made aware of their own pigpen. As a result, they will try to pull you back. They will mock and scorn you. 

If you are a true follower of Jesus, you have a new nature—the nature of Christ, you have a higher calling to glorify the name of Jesus with your life. You have the Holy Spirit, who gives you the strength to live out that new nature regardless of what circumstances and opposition you face. 

Living for Eternity

Peter looks ahead with an eternal perspective, writing, “but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead” (1 Peter 4:5).

Every person must give an account before Jesus one day—even those who are in Christ for believers, this judgment will not determine salvation—that took place on the Cross—but it will determine our eternal rewards. In light of eternity and the day of judgment, what does it matter what someone thinks of you? They won’t stand next to you when you stand before Jesus.

Live for a higher purpose and r calling. 

Refining Purpose 

“For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does” (1 Peter 4:6). 

Peter was referring to the fact that the Gospel was preached to people while they were physically alive yet spiritually dead. Some responded and were saved. Others rejected Christ and are eternally separated from God, facing eternal suffering in hell—this is the second death that Revelation 20 speaks of. 

These are the stakes. This is why we need an eternal perspective on every moment and the life that we are called to live. Often, that calling includes suffering by the grace and purposes of God. Many reading this are very much aware of this; you can see in your own life how God has used your suffering for His purposes and your good. 

Sometimes God uses suffering to discipline His children. Sometimes we suffer because of our own poor choices. But Peter is writing about the suffering God intentionally allows for the purpose of refining us and realigning our lives with Him. 

If that is you today, I encourage you to embrace the purposes of God for your life. Turn towards God in your suffering, and don’t give into the temptation to become bitter. God loves you and will not abandon the good work He is doing in you. 

Sermons

Pray for America

Click on the camera to view the full message video

Over the last few decades there has been a lot of discussion about the separation of church and state. While I don’t believe a pastor should direct the congregation to vote for a specific candidate, I also don’t think that the church should stand idly by and allow corruption and immorality to govern our nation.

Dr. Adrian Rogers once said, “the church and state should remain separate institutionally, but the church should be the conscience of the state. “

The church is supposed to be the moral compass of the nation; unfortunately, the church has largely compromised with culture to gain acceptance and numbers. As a result, the church has lost the authority to be the voice of morality. Churches and Christians see themselves as poor victims, a weak and marginalized minority. But Jesus said in Matthew 5:14, “You are the light of the world…” As Christians and as the church, we are Christ’s ambassadors, sent to represent Him in all spheres of life. When we do not represent His heart and morals, Satan continues to destroy this nation.

“Great nations rise and fall. The people go from bondage to spiritual truth, to great courage, from courage to liberty, from liberty to abundance, from abundance to selfishness, from selfishness to complacency, from complacency to apathy, from apathy to dependence, from dependence back again to bondage.” (Alexander Tytler 1747 to 1813)

Looking for Saving in All the Wrong Places

In 1 Samuel 8, the nation of Israel was going through a leadership transition. The great prophet Samuel was old, and the people began asking for a king. Under Samuel’s leadership, the nation had expanded, their enemies had been subdued, and the nation was at peace. But the people were not satisfied; they wanted a king. God gave them what they desired.

The Israelites saw the nations around them and asked for a king so they could be  like those nations (1 Samuel 8:5). The people were crying out for a savior. They thought that an earthly king  would prevent and solve all their problems. On the surface, the request for a king seems reasonable. Israel was coming of age as a nation and needed to fit the mold of a successful nation. But this request upset Samuel because he realized that the people had rejected God as their King. They were looking for an earthly leader to take His place (see 1 Samuel 8:7).

Israel was once again turning their back on God. God’s chosen people, the people of the promise to Abraham, the same people of the covenant that God made with Moses on Mt Sinai, wanted to settle for an earthly king to rule over them. Israel had forgotten who they were; they had lost their moral compass.

Sadly, in America today we are not much different; we look to a president or the leaders in Washington to solve our problems instead of turning to the only one who can solve the problems of this nation and the world – Jesus Christ.

Receiving What We Ask For

In response to their request, God tells Samuel to warn the nation that a king will do them harm. He would tax them heavily and require their sons and daughters to serve in his army and in his courts. Despite this heavy burden, they still demanded a king. God gave the children of Israel what they wanted. God in His severe mercy and sovereignty gives nations what they ask for because ultimately He uses the leaders of nations for His purposes.

God chose Saul, a Benjamite, to be the first king of Israel. It seemed that Saul was the right man for the job; he had amazing leadership skills and potential to be a powerful king. Unfortunately, Saul became a bad king and, just as God had said, the nation became Saul’s slaves. Bad leaders enslave their people, and that is what Saul did.

We need to prayerfully consider the choice of the election ballot; as a nation, God will give us the president we ask for. 

Finding Wisdom in the Word of God

As believers we have a divine voting guide—the Word of God. Don’t be misled for one minute into thinking that the Word of God does not apply to your choice on November 5; it has everything to do with it (see Psalm 119:105 and Proverbs 29:2).

Our nation is facing some incredible challenges. As Christians, who are we looking to? If we place our hope in the next president, whomever that may be, we will be disappointed. The day after the election, God will still be on the throne, ruling and managing the world’s affairs. God has never needed a king or a president; he raises them up and he puts them down for his purposes.

There are so many issues we can identify in the world that need fixing. There is no human leader who can possibly solve all of our nation’s problems. Our only hope is in Jesus Christ, the King of Kings, the Word of God.

Keeping an Eternal Perspective

There is nothing wrong with being involved in politics or voicing our frustrations with the leaders of our country, but we must view everything from an eternal perspective. As followers of Jesus, this world is not our home; we must put our trust in Him and in no one else. 

Some Christians are more afraid of their candidate losing the election than they are afraid of their friends and loved ones spending eternity in hell. 

Sometimes we get so anxious about the temporal kingdoms here on earth that we forget about God’s eternal Kingdom (1 Peter 2:9-10).

Do you have an eternal perspective?

Join with me in praying for our nation to turn back to God in repentance. 

Uncategorized

Glorious Victory

Click on the camera to view the full video

This passage is one of the more challenging portions of Scripture to understand, but it declares wonderful truths. 

Glorious Access

Baptism and Communion are the two ordinances that Jesus gave to the church. Two seemingly simple activities, but they proclaim the reason why we exist as believers. This is the Gospel, the good news about what Jesus has done. 

“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,” 1 Peter 3:18. 

Jesus suffered more than any human being has ever suffered, but the purpose of his suffering was to reconcile us to God so that we could have a relationship with God the Father.

The phrase “bring us to God” is a legal term that means to gain an audience in a court. Because of what Jesus has done on the cross, we now have access to the throne of God (see Hebrews 10:19). 

The victory that Jesus won transformed the way believers relate to our Heavenly Father. The Old Testament prophets longed for the access that we have been granted by the Holy Spirit. We take for granted this glorious access. 

Glorious Proclamation. 

1 Peter 3:18b-20 continues, “being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, 20 because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water.”

Who are the spirits that Jesus went to visit?

Theologians propose three possibilities: 

1: Some propose that Jesus went to preach to those who died in the flood of Noah. They suggest that Jesus gave them a second chance for salvation. But this goes against the teaching of the rest of the Bible (see Hebrews 9:27).

2: Others suggest Peter is saying that the Holy Spirit preached through Noah already and that when Jesus died, between his death and resurrection, he visited these people. Jesus didn’t go to preach the Gospel but rather to simply declare his victory over sin and death. 

3: Another commonly accepted explanation proposes that Jesus proclaimed his victory to fallen angelic spirits. Proponents of this viewpoint to the fact that Peter used the word “spirits” and not souls in verse 19. One of the reasons for this explanation is found in the little letter of Jude verse 6 and 7. Some believe Paul was referring to the account in Genesis 6 as he wrote the letter to Jude. In Genesis 6 we read that fallen angels had sexual relations with women, procreating a race of giants. God placed these fallen angels in confinement until the final judgment, and hence it may be that Jesus went and declared his glorious victory to these imprisoned spirits. Regardless of which interpretation is correct, the point remains clear: Jesus has won the victory, and he himself proclaimed it. Glorious Witness

1 Peter 3:21 continues, “Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

Peter connects the relationship between Noah and the topic of baptism. 

At first reading, Peter seems to be saying that baptism saves us. The rest of Scripture tells us this is not true. For example, the thief on the cross who was crucified next to Jesus, repented and was saved. He was never baptized. 

The Bible teaches that it is through faith in the saving work of Jesus that we are saved. There is no further work needed. Baptism is a public witness of something that has already taken place—a glorious witness, declaring to all that we have been saved by the blood of Jesus. 

Glorious Savior

Chapter 3 ends with a powerful and encouraging declaration. 

“…Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him,” 1 Peter 3:21b-22.

Our savior is at the right hand of God the Father in heaven. But he is not remote and distant. He is present with us by his Spirit in us and we are with him, (see Ephesians 2:4-7). 

Jesus is our advocate, high priest, savior and redeemer, who is constantly interceding for us (see Romans 8:34). 

When you are struggling and God seems far off, remember that we have Glorious Access. 

When you are surrounded by negative voices and it seems that all around you the world is spiraling into darkness, remember the Glorious Proclamation that Jesus has victory over sin and death. 

When the enemy tries to tempt you into doubting your salvation, remember the Glorious Witness of your baptism.

When you are tempted to think that the enemy is gaining the upper hand in the world, remember our Glorious Savior who has been given all authority in heaven and on earth (see Matthew 28:18-20). 

And it is in that authority that he commands us not to retreat or run and hide but to go and proclaim Jesus Christ: crucified, risen and victorious over sin and death. 

We have a Glorious Victory! Walk in that victory this week.

Sermons

Glorious Suffering

Click on the camera to view the full message video

Today over 365 million believers are persecuted for being a follower of Jesus. Some estimates state that 1 in 7 believers face physical persecution.

In 1 Peter, the apostle is writing to the persecuted church in modern day Turkey, preparing them for more extreme persecution.

In America, we are blessed to be able to worship freely without fear of persecution; however that is changing as people are standing against the culture with Biblical truth. One may lose a promotion, a job, or key opportunities, and the day might be coming when if you and I stand for the truth of God’s Word, we may very well face legal action and even prison.

Fearless Living

According to God’s Word, there is real hope and blessing in times of trial. In fact, persecution and trials are always the fuel that God uses to build His church. There is a divine grace and comfort that only those who have experienced real suffering will be able to understand. The key to this grace is that the fear of the Lord conquers every other fear.

In verse 13, Peter encourages his readers to be zealous in doing good (see also Hebrews 10:24-25). Followers of Jesus are called to be “salt and light”, living counter culturally and sacrificially blessing others with our time and resources.

Peter continues to write that even if his readers are persecuted, they should not fear (1 Peter 3:14). Fear is pervasive in our culture. Jesus taught us not to fear— in fact there is only one healthy fear (see Matthew 10:28). What fear is holding you back today?

In verses 14 and 15 we read, “have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy”.

The word “holy” means to be set apart. Fear tempts us to make unholy alliances and compromise our faith. As Christians, when we face a crisis that is forcing us into a corner, we are tempted to give in to fear and make a hurried decision. Decisions made in fear are often the wrong decisions and are outside of the will of God for our lives. 

The Bible reminds us today that as we honor Christ as Lord over our lives, we never have to fear any circumstance. In fact, we bring greater harm to ourselves if we fail to trust God.

Making a Defense

Verse 15 continues, “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect”.

When we face a crisis, people are watching to see how we respond under pressure. Do we really believe what we profess?

To honor Christ as holy means that we turn every situation and decision over to him. One of the characteristics of submitting our lives to the Lordship of Jesus is that we witness about him. We tell others about what he has done in our lives, and we invite others to become followers of Jesus.

Every Christian should be able to make a Biblical defense for their hope in Christ, especially when the situation looks hopeless. It is in those crisis situations that opportunities for witnessing come about.

Peter challenges us to witness with gentleness and respect. We are not called to win arguments. When people are suffering, there come those moments when there simply are no words. When you have lost everything, when that loved one dies, when the cancer returns… it is in that moment that the only thing that has any value is the grace of God. Let the grace of God shine through you as you victoriously proclaim the hope that you have in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Maintaining a Good Conscience

There is an interesting progression in this text: first, Peter tells his readers to “do good”. Second, he encourages his readers to publicly speak about their faith. Finally, in verse 16, he addresses the mind of the believer—our thoughts, where all good or evil actions and words come from (see 1 Peter 3:16). We all have a conscience, even unbelievers. Our conscience may be compared to a window that lets in the light of God’s truth.

If we constantly disobey God, the window gets a little dirtier and dirtier, blocking out the light, eventually leading to the defiled conscience that Paul writes about in Titus 1:15. When someone sins consistently, their conscience becomes seared and they lose  sensitivity to right and wrong.

As we feed on God’s Word, allowing the Holy Spirit to speak truth to us, our conscience becomes more sensitive.

How does a good conscience help us when we are going through trials?

Courage

When you know the will of God, even if it is not popular, you have the courage of a strong clear conscience to stand for the truth.

Written on the monument to Martin Luther, the Protestant reformer, are the words, “Here I stand; I can do no other. God help me. Amen.” His conscience, and his knowledge of God’s Word, gave him the courage to defy the entire established church in 1521.

Peace

When you have a clear conscience, you have peace.  With peace, you have the clarity and strength to move forward.

Having a clear conscience means that we do not fear what other people may know or say about us (see Psalm 118:6).

Having a clear conscience gives us courage and produces peace, even in the face of opposition. A clear conscience comes from a life of holiness and repentance (see 1 John 1:9).

Spending time in God’s Word cleans the window of our souls and allows the light of Jesus to shine in us and through us.

Suffering Well

As Christians, we should not be surprised if, from time to time, we are slandered or persecuted for standing for what is right. Peter wrote in verse 17, “For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.”

In a world that calls evil good and good evil (see Isaiah 5:20), we will be tested. In those moments, we are called to live without fear, be prepared to make a defense with gentleness and respect, and maintain a clear conscience before the Lord.

How are you making a defense for what you believe?

Sermons

Your Best Life Now

Click on the Camera to view the full message

Who doesn’t want to live a meaningful life full of peace and joy? The Bible gives a prescription for us to live life to the fullest. 

Peter is preparing the church for further suffering, preparing them to be strong and healthy as they endure hardship. The Western church is not familiar with persecution, but that may change soon. For a church to remain strong during persecution, they must operate according to the principles of the kingdom of Heaven.  

Living Healthily

Peter lists five essential characteristics of a healthy church in 1 Peter 3:8.  

1: Unity: Unity is not uniformity. We all have different spiritual gifts and different parts to play in the church. We need to be united around the mission of the church. The mission that Jesus gave us has never changed and we are to rally  around that call (see Matthew 28:19-20).                                                                                                       

2: Sympathy: This is having care and compassion for the needs and pain of others in the church. We need to be careful that we don’t simply come and go while overlooking the needs of our fellow brothers and sisters. It is tempting to become hard hearted towards one another, but we must never stop caring (see Romans 12:15). 

3: Brotherly Love: The Greek word for brotherly love is “philadelphia”. This word is only applied in the context of love within the group of believers. Peter encourages his readers to love earnestly from a pure heart.

4: Tender heart: Love in the church is revealed in our tenderness towards one another. Sadly, tenderness is viewed as a weakness today. Tenderness is a heart attitude of actively engaging with the pain of others. Not simply glossing over it with an, “I will pray for you”. Having a tender heart means that we see people and show that we care. 

5: Humility: A humble person puts others first and listens first. Humility is the opposite spirit of the world, and it is the mark of a healthy believer and a healthy church. 

Responding Well

Peter continues in verse 9, “Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing”.

Jesus was our perfect example as he prayed for those crucifying him. 

This is turning the other cheek, even if another believer says something about you that is untrue.  

I have had the privilege to meet some amazing leaders over the years working with various mission organizations. One of the essential character qualities that I have found in respected Christian leaders is that they don’t defend themselves. Even when they are falsely accused. 

I know this is easier said than done. We need to learn to commit accusations to the Lord. Sometimes an accusation is warranted, and we must receive it and make corrections. But if it is false or malicious, hand it over to the Lord. 

Blessing Others

In the face of reviling, Peter exhorts to live in the opposite spirit, “…on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing,” 1 Peter 3:9b. 

There are so many ways that we can bless others and as we do, we are promised a blessing from the Lord. 

Living Fully

In verses 10 to 12, Peter inserts some verses from Psalm 34. David wrote this Psalm when he was in extreme danger. 

Verse 10 begins with, “Whoever desires to love life and see good days.”

Everyone should want to live life to the fullest, squeezing every drop of opportunity out of our days. This does not mean living free from trouble or pain; that is not what is promised. But Jesus’ promises of abundant and eternal life begin now.

Sadly, many believers are not enjoying the gift of eternal life that we have been given. They are not accessing the fullness of the life God has given them through Jesus. 

There are many different reasons why people are not living life to the full: emotional trauma, sickness, depression or even apathy. As followers of Jesus, we are invited to live full and rich lives. 

How do we do this? The Bible gives us three keys for this kind of life. 

Speak Positively

“Let him keep his tongue from evil
    and his lips from speaking deceit,” 1 Peter 3:10b.

If you want to enjoy life, watch your tongue. Ceasing from gossip, criticism, and lies. 

Occasionally you will meet truly happy people, and one thing you might notice about them is that they never speak ill of anyone. 

So, if you want to enjoy life, speak only about the positive attributes of others and control your tongue (see James 3). 

Do Good

Verse 11 continues, “Let him turn away from evil and do good,” 1 Peter 3:11a.

This is both a turning away and a turning towards. This is not doing good things and hoping to balance out the bad things we do; that is not the Gospel. We must hate sin; it is our sin that took Jesus to the cross where he completely atoned for it. Then we must pursue good as a response to his goodness.

Seek Peace

The final key is also found in verse 11, “Let him seek peace and pursue it,” 1 Peter 3:11b.

As followers of Jesus, we are to exercise wisdom as we relate to others.  Humility leads us to seek peace rather than our own way, preferring others in love. 

Now, this is not always possible; life without conflict is never possible. Rather we have the opportunity to grow closer as believers, through handling conflict with grace and humility.

Live Your Best Life Now 

You may question whether living by these keys will lead to others taking advantage of you?

Peter quotes an amazing assurance in verse 12. 

“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
    and his ears are open to their prayer.
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

It takes faith to trust the Lord in every circumstance (see Romans 12:19). He alone can bring about justice for us. 

Follow these principles and live your best life now.

Uncategorized

The Glory of Marriage

Click on the camera to view the full message

The Apostle Peter writes in 1 Peter 3:1, “…wives, be subject to your own husbands.” This is a topic that most people in Western culture would say is irrelevant and out of touch.

But this verse is only contentious because the more we drift from Biblical morality and authority, the more foreign and out of date the Bible seems to be.

God designed marriage for healthy families and society.

Another similar passage relating to marriage is found in Ephesians 5, where Paul writes that the real purpose of marriage is to reflect the relationship between Christ and the Church (see Ephesians 5:32).

The Pattern of Marriage

In the Bible, headship or rulership is not defined by authoritarian style leadership, but rather by Christlike sacrifice (see Ephesians 5:25).

In the Garden of Eden, men and women were given dominion over the animals, but they were never given dominion over each other. Headship in a marriage does not refer to power, but rather responsibility – responsibility to lead and be accountable for the spiritual direction of the family.

Wives are called to submit to their husband’s leadership, but husbands are called to daily give their lives for their wives, preferring them over themselves.

“Headship is not dictatorship, but the loving exercise of divine authority under the lordship of Jesus Christ” – Warren Wiersbe.

It is important to point out that for a wife to submit to the authority of her husband does not mean that she must submit to abuse. Abuse of any kind has no place in marriage or society. The Bible does not encourage us to ignore or cover over abuse.

But healthy submission to godly leadership is God’s design for a healthy marriage. It does not mean that the wife is inferior to the husband (see 1 Peter 3:7). Husbands and wives are called to be partners, not competitors.

The Unbelieving Spouse

In verse 1, Peter encourages women who are married to unbelievers to conduct their lives in a manner that would win their husbands to Christ.

In the Roman empire, women had a very low position, but the church was growing, and many women were beginning to understand their value in the kingdom of God. 

Many of these women were married to unbelievers, and they were trying to figure out how to live with their unbelieving husband. The Bible clearly states that a believer should not marry an unbeliever (see 2 Corinthians 6:14). As a follower of Jesus, he is the most important relationship in your life. To marry an unbeliever will lead to pain and heartache. 

However, if you are married to an unbeliever, Peter writes that you have an opportunity to win over your spouse to Christ, not by preaching or arguing, but by your lifestyle. The character of the believing wife will win her husband over, and the qualities of her character must be the fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23).

This applies to all our witnessing for Christ. People are not brought to the point of conversion because of our good arguments; rather, as we proclaim the Gospel and live a lifestyle that displays the fruit of the Spirit, the Holy Spirit draws the unbeliever to salvation.

The Beauty of the Heart

In verses 3 to 5, Peter writes about the way women were relying on external adorning, such as jewelry and fine clothing, to look beautiful. Peter warns the Christian wives to not be too focused on external decorations, but rather on internal character (see 1 Peter 3:4). 

The Bible says internal beauty is imperishable. Some of the most beautiful people in the world are the elderly who poignantly exhibit the beauty and the character of Christ. That is precious in God’s sight. 

In verse 5, Peter writes that this inner adorning is part of submitting to one’s husband.  Things that align with God’s original design are beautiful. 

The Fearlessness of Submission

The submission Peter calls wives to is willing submission, not unhealthy subjection out of fear of punishment or abuse. A woman who is subjected to an unhealthy relationship, who walks in fear, loses some of her inner beauty and joy. 

In a healthy God-honoring marriage, the wife should not need to walk in fear of abuse in the marriage or fear of external threats to the home. God calls men to protect and lead their families in such a way that their wives do not fear such threats. 

The Godly Husband

In verse 7, Peter addresses believing husbands and gives them three instructions; 

1: Live with your wives in an understanding way 

This is more than simply sharing the same address; it is being present at home, spending quality time as a couple, “in an understanding way”. 

There was a recent survey that revealed that the average American couple spends 37 minutes a week in actual communication. No wonder so many marriages are in trouble. 

You can never understand someone unless you make the effort to spend time with them and even disagree with them at times. Marriages will not grow without wrestling through what makes us different. 

2: Show honor to the weaker vessel

Chivalry is not outdated. Women are usually weaker physically, but not in any way inferior mentally, morally, and spiritually. 

Giving honor is showing respect, preferring your wife. This does not mean you have to always agree, but you must listen to and respect her opinion. 

3: Unhindered prayers 

Peter assumes that men are praying. Men, your primary responsibility in the home is to lead and to shepherd your home in the ways of the Lord. 

If you are not praying together as a family, it is your responsibility. If you are not leading your family to pray, you are neglecting your duty. This is critical and probably the primary reason why Christian marriages are struggling. 

The Mystery of Marriage

Marriage is designed to proclaim the Gospel. It is a mystery. God ordained marriage, and He desires for us to proclaim the beauty of the Gospel through our marriage.