Weekend Prayers, A New Sermon Series, And Gratitude – 1 Peter 1:1-2 – January 13, 2023

Weekend Prayers, A New Sermon Series, And Gratitude – 1 Peter 1:1-2 – January 13, 2023

“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” -Ephesians 6:18, NLT

That’s the way Paul concludes his teaching on how Christians engage in the spiritual battle that rages on until Christ returns. He wraps every piece of the armor of God (truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, the word of God) in prayer, making it one big weapon in the war against the devil.

Brothers and sisters of Grace Community Church, this is real and serious business. Let’s not let our guard down. Let’s be constant in prayer while remaining restful in the sovereign God who hears and responds to us.

If you haven’t yet joined us in the Devoted to Prayer season at Grace, do so this weekend. We began this prayer season this week, so there is plenty of time to pray with our congregation for God’s grace and work among us in 2023. You can find a prayer guide here.

Speaking of prayer, pray with me as we start the new sermon series in 1 Peter this Sunday.

1 Peter is a letter to Christian churches in the first century that were scattered throughout the area that we now know as Turkey. Peter called these people elect exiles (chosen sojourners, temporary resides in a foreign land). He was addressing their spiritual status while living on this physical earth in this human world. His main message was the true grace of God that would keep them faithful and obedient in the difficult times and places in which they live.

1 Peter is for us. Our doctrine of Scripture is that Jesus Christ chose apostles who would receive his word by the activity of the Holy Spirit inspiring, revealing, and guiding what they would write. What they wrote is preserved for us in the New Testament. It, along with the writings of the prophets in the Old Testament, is the word of God to us.

The letter called 1 Peter is the word of God for all time, in all places, to all who follow Jesus Christ. It is exactly the truth and encouragement we need to live as sojourners today who are called to remain faithful to Christ and proclaim his excellencies to our neighbors, our city, and our world.

The beginning of a sermon series always comes with vision and hope. Christ envisions us restored, confirmed, strengthened, and established in him. Our hope is that the months ahead in 1 Peter will be unto that end.

Will you join me this weekend praying from the Devoted to Prayer Guide, and praying for our first Sunday in 1 Peter?

We are grateful to God for those who gathered 30 years ago for the first Sunday worship service of Grace Community Church. This weekend is our anniversary. We will say more about this and celebrate together in the month of March. But I didn’t want the weekend to pass without giving glory of God.

I look forward to seeing you Sunday.

-Scott