Blog - Good News
There is good news! Even if situations around you have been heavy or confusing, the good news of the Gospel stands strong. In fact, in the midst of our earthly trials and tribulations, the good news of the Gospel is the BEST NEWS. Jesus gave Himself up as a perfect sacrifice, was raised from the dead, and reconciled us to the Father. We have a living hope and a belonging to the never-ending perfect kingdom.
See what the apostle Peter says:
1 Peter 1:18-25 NIV
18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
Now that this great truth has been made plain, what is our part in living in this truth?
22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. 23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For,
“All people are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
25 but the word of the Lord endures forever.”
And this is the word that was preached to you.
How do we live as people who love one another deeply?
Peter continues:
1 Peter 2:1-7 NIV
2 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
The Living Stone and a Chosen People
4 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house[a] to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For in Scripture it says:
“See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
will never be put to shame.”
7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,
“The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.”
As we approach this Holy Week, we have the opportunity to set our minds on the great and perfect sacrifice of Christ and His glorious resurrection. Join us as we ponder and celebrate Jesus our Messiah.
Q: Where can you make time to remember and honor Jesus this coming week in your quiet time and in our gathering times?
Q: What does Jesus’s death and resurrection mean to you? How have these truths guided your life?
Prayer:
Father, we thank You for your perfect plan to redeem all people to Yourself. Thank You for your grace and mercy toward us by making a way through your perfect Son Jesus. Please stir up your Holy Spirit in us so that we would read your Word with understanding. Draw us into worship and prayer. We lift grateful hearts to You for all You are and all You have done for us. Amen.
See what the apostle Peter says:
1 Peter 1:18-25 NIV
18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
Now that this great truth has been made plain, what is our part in living in this truth?
22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. 23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For,
“All people are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
25 but the word of the Lord endures forever.”
And this is the word that was preached to you.
How do we live as people who love one another deeply?
Peter continues:
1 Peter 2:1-7 NIV
2 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
The Living Stone and a Chosen People
4 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house[a] to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For in Scripture it says:
“See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
will never be put to shame.”
7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,
“The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.”
As we approach this Holy Week, we have the opportunity to set our minds on the great and perfect sacrifice of Christ and His glorious resurrection. Join us as we ponder and celebrate Jesus our Messiah.
Q: Where can you make time to remember and honor Jesus this coming week in your quiet time and in our gathering times?
Q: What does Jesus’s death and resurrection mean to you? How have these truths guided your life?
Prayer:
Father, we thank You for your perfect plan to redeem all people to Yourself. Thank You for your grace and mercy toward us by making a way through your perfect Son Jesus. Please stir up your Holy Spirit in us so that we would read your Word with understanding. Draw us into worship and prayer. We lift grateful hearts to You for all You are and all You have done for us. Amen.