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Living Free in A Captive World

Article Pic A five part series from the book of 1 Peter, with a supplement by Tom Long.

Introduction

by Dan Houze, October 1, 2006

Click here for audio recording.

 

New Birth Gives New Perspective

by Dan Houze, October 8, 2006

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1 Peter 1:3 - 2:10

A. We live with a new hope (1:3-12)

  1. Hope in a future inheritance (1:3-5)
  2. Hope in a present joy (1:6-9)
  3. Hope that yesterday’s revelation is today’s realization (1:10-12)

B. We live a new holiness (1:13-2:10)

  1. Our preparation (1:13-16)
  2. Our price (1:17-21)
  3. Our purification (1:22-2:3)
  4. Our practice (2:4-10)

 

New Birth Results in a New Behavior

by Dan Houze, October 15, 2006

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1 Peter 2:11 - 3:7

New behavior impacts our relationships in two areas:

A. Our relationship with an unbelieving world. (2:11-25)

  1. Our conduct as models. (2:11-12)
  2. Our conduct as citizens. (2:13-17)
  3. Our conduct to those in authority. (2:18-25)

B. Our relationship with marriage. (3:1-7)

  1. Wives with disobedient husbands. (3:1-6)
  2. Husbands with wives and the Lord. (3:7)

Application:

  • Identify 4 things you appreciate about your mate.
  • Identify 1 thing about yourself that you'd like to change.

 

Unjustly Treated

by Tom Long, October 22, 2006

Click here for the audio recording.

1 Peter 2:18 - 21

How to respond when you are unjustly treated.

  1. Submit yourselves to your masters (v18)
  2. Be conscious of God as you do this (v19)
  3. True suffering is undeserved (v20)
  4. We are called to suffering (v21)



New Birth Results in a New Challenge

by Dan Houze, October 29, 2006

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1 Peter 3:8 - 4:19

Life's challenges are our maturity checkpoints.

A. Maturity checkpoints in an unjust world (3:8-22)

  1. Gracious conduct (3:8-12)
  2. Clear conscience (3:12-22)

B. Maturity checkpoints through suffering (4:1-19)

  1. Christ-like attitude (4:1-6)
  2. Christ-like service (4:7-11)
  3. Christ-like faith. (4:12-19)

Application:

  • Do you have a vision for the type of character you'd like to have in 5 years? (Ways you could better emulate Christ)
  • Do you have an expanding heart? Are you growing more generous?

 

New Birth Results in a New Responsibility

by Dan Houze, November 5, 2006

Click here for the audio recording.

1 Peter 5:1-11
How does a family measure success?
By healthy relationships that allow, encourage, and celebrate maximum potential.

1 Peter 5:1-4
A church family is most healthy when leaders:
1. Lead rather than drive.
2. Release rather than control.
3. Love rather than shame.
Practical insights for church leaders:
  • If you teach, be teachable
  • Admit when you're wrong
  • Stand firm for what is right
  • You are a servant of God, not a slave to the flock
  • To be a good leader you must be a good follower
  • Invite others to help you, then give them the credit
  • Laugh often and loudly!
1 Peter 5:5
A church family is most healthy when followers:
1. Pray for direction before submitting to a leadership.
2. Are intentional about submitting.
3. Are the reason for a leader's joy.
"Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you." --Hebrew 13:17
Application
3 questions to consider this week...
  1. In what area of your life would you like God to give you strength to stand firm?
  2. Throughout the letter, Peter has given us different pictures of Christ. How do those pictures bring "peace to you" (5:14)?
  3. Based on the following definition, what could you personally contribute to the success of our church family? A family measures success with healthy relationships that allow, encourage and celebrate maximum potential.


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