Today’s gathering began with joyful worship, reminding us of the deep gladness and peace that comes from having the love of Jesus in our hearts. We celebrated the blessing of being together as a church family—laughing, crying, and sharing life’s burdens and joys. Announcements highlighted opportunities to serve, emphasizing that we are “saved to serve, not saved to sit.” The invitation to participate in ministry, fellowship events, and support for sister churches underscored the importance of community and generosity.
Turning to 1 Peter 2, we reflected on the identity and calling of God’s people living in a world that often does not know or honor Him. Once, we were far from God—rejected, miserable, and rebellious—but through Christ, we have been brought near, received mercy, and called to reverence. The story of the pauper adopted by the king illustrated the humility and gratitude we should carry, never forgetting what God has done for us.
We are reminded that as believers, we are strangers and pilgrims in this world. Our true home is not here, and we should not anchor our hopes in temporary things. Instead, we are called to live with integrity, abstaining from fleshly desires and maintaining honest conduct, so that even those who oppose us may see our good works and glorify God. The internal battle between the old and new nature is real, but the one we “feed” most will prevail. Our lives should be thermostats, not thermometers—changing the environment around us rather than simply adapting to it.
Submission to authority, even when it is difficult or unjust, is a mark of Christian maturity. We are called to honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, and honor the king. Patient endurance in suffering, especially when it is undeserved, is precious in God’s sight. The example of Christ—who suffered without retaliation, bore our sins, and became the Shepherd of our souls—sets the pattern for our own lives. We are to strive to become more like Him, knowing that our suffering is not wasted and that our ultimate reward is with Him.
1 Peter 2:9-25 (ESV) —
> 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
> 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
> 11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.
> 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
> 13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme,
> 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.
> 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.
> 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.
> 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
> 18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.
> 19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.
> 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.
> 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
> 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.
> 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.
> 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
> 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
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