Pastor's Corner: WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA?

  Pilgrim Living in a Fallen World: Being a Blessing in the Desert I Peter 3:9-12 Introduction: The snow storm and the delay in plowing has led us to offer our Sunday service at Lawndale Baptist Church in Philadelphia this week virtually. Whether you watch the live stream, or later at your convenience on YouTube, or read this version on the blog, I hope you are able to take the time in the Word and Worship and meet with the Lord today. It may be a good day to check in on a neighbor to see if there is a need that you can help with.         If our purpose in life is to know and love God and to do our part in spreading the fame of Jesus in the world, how should we then live? Peter has been urging his readers, who are experiencing trials as they live “ scattered among the nations ,” to endure hardship for the sake of the gospel, to be willing to have the attitude of a servant, as did Jesus, and by so doing to be light in the world. There is a saying in medical ethics, “Above all, do no

  Pilgrim Living: Emotionally Healthy Discipleship I Peter 3:8,9 Introduction : In a Peanuts cartoon, Lucy demands that Linus change TV channels and then threatens him if he doesn’t. Linus asks,   "What makes you think you can walk right in here and take over?" "These five fingers," says Lucy. "Individually they are nothing, but when I curl them together like this into a single unit, they form a weapon that is terrible to behold." "What channel do you want?" asks Linus.  Then, turning away, he looks at his fingers and says, "Why can’t you guys get organized like that?"         There is power in coming together! God has designed the church to work together. We are stronger together than any of us could be alone. The Great Commission is our mission and as we serve together we all have a part in it. What is our “focus” in the Christian life ? The big idea in these two verses is to be focused outwardly , focused on others. As we

                       Pilgrim Living in a Fallen World:  Gospel-Centered Marriages I Peter 3:1-7 Introduction : Dr. Edmund Clowney said, “ Marriage is not a sacrament conveying divine grace, but it is the human relationship that God has designed to mirror the love of Christ for the church, and of the church for Christ .”  Remember the context in this letter: I Pet 2:9-12 talked about our lives as “pilgrims” and our calling to be a witness to the world .  Do we “… live such good lives among the pagans …” that God is glorified?  Submission to authority is an aspect of pilgrim-living in a fallen world. Peter has talked about government and the workplace, and how our respect for authority is an aspect of our witness to the Gospel. Here he talks about how our life of faith can impact our family, starting with our spouse.         With all the uncertainties of living in a fallen world, we can influence our spouse, our children, and others in our sphere of influence toward coming to th

  Pilgrims in a Fallen World:  Pilgrims in the Workplace I Peter 2:18-23 Introduction : Peter is writing to pilgrims, to “exiles” scattered among the nations, and encouraging them (and us!) to persevere and to stay “on mission” despite the trials they are encountering.  In this section of his letter, he has been urging his readers, for the sake of the Gospel, to submit to the authorities that God has placed in their lives: Government, the workplace, he’ll even talk next about the family. He says that there is motivation to accept authorities, despite that fact that we may not be treated fairly.   1) God is sovereign , He is the ultimate authority, and He has arranged the circumstances of our life. Jesus said, “ All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth .” We can trust him, as we entrust ourselves to him. 2) We are pilgrims , passing through the world, we are here, on assignment, for just a little while, but we were created for eternity.  3) Because we are in