CenterPoint Church

The Role of Suffering in the Christian Pilgrimage

Set Christ Apart As Lord

As we live out this Christian life in the world, we need a family to encouage us and to exhort us along the way.

Aliens and Exiles Living in Community

This is a message from John Piper (Bethlehem Baptist, Minneapolis).  Pastor Dick was not feeling well on this day, so a great video recording of this message from Dr. Piper was shown.  It's definitely worth listening to!

A Passon for God's Holiness

Biblical Authority in the Church

Biblical Authority in the Home

Obeying the Lord Even When It is Costly

Beginning in these verses, Peter begins to make a practical application to the Gospel he has been talking about.  Immediately after exhorting the Christians to abstain from the passions of the flesh that wage war against their souls, Peter takes up the topic of authority.  The implication of this is that one of the greatest struggles we have with our old nature is our rebellion against authority.  Peter begins this section on authority with the command to honor our governmental officials, and that they are appointed by God as His agents.

All Authority is God's Authority

Of the American religious populations, only a very small minority actually understand anything about the Bible and lives accordingly.  God is glorified when our life and actions accord with our stated beliefs.  Jesus says if we do live authentic Christian lives for the glory of God, we will face persecutions. 

Alien Priorities

In this passage, Peter uses two illustrations to draw our attention to Christ.  The first illustration is that of a cornerstone and how all of the other stones/blocks relate to the cornerstone.  The second illustration is of a family and how they all descend from one Head.

Treasuring Christ Together

A half-hearted hoper is someone who has one foot in the world and one foot in heaven. Don't be a half-hearted hoper!

Don't be a Half-Hearted Hoper

When God gives us a new heart in Christ, growing in holiness brings us more joy.  Sin brings us discouragement and sorrow.  Therefore, we should pursue joy through growing in holiness.

The Joy of Holiness

The Apostle Peter, after beginning his book by explaining the great salvation that God has given us, now in verse 13 moves on to "How do we live this Christian life?".  In the remainder of the book, Peter is very realistic about the challenges (difficulties) of living the Christian life.  So, he begins this section with three exhortations.  The first two exhortations are to prepare us for the journey, and the third is to give us strength for the journey. 

Hope Fully in Grace

In these verses, Peter concludes the first secion of his book where he talks about the salvation we have in Christ.  He calls us to treasure this salvation that was prophesied for thousands of years. Before Christ came, godly men and angels longed to understand it better.  Peter's point being to exhort us not to neglect this great salvation that has come to us in Christ. 

This Great Salvation

At this time of year when our thoughts turn to new year resolutions, let's plan on making it a priority to spend time in God's Word.  As it says in 1 Peter 2:2, we should "crave pur spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation."  Let's follow the example of Jesus, though he was the Word of God, as a man he diligently studied God's written word in order to grow in wisdom, and to have tools to fight against Satan when he was tempted.

Long for Spiritual Food So You May Grow

As we walk the path of maturity, God mingles together joy and pain to purify our faith.  Far from being exempt from difficulties in this life, God brings trials into our lives to refine our faith so that ultimately it leads to praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ returns. 

Joy and Pain as we grow to maturity

With all the trials that our faith goes through, do you ever wonder if you'll persevere to the end?  In this message from 1 Peter 1:5, we learn that if our faith in Christ is authentic, we WILL persevere to the end because we are kept by God's power.

Kept by God's Power Through Faith

This message is all about blessed be God.  As we learn from Scripture what God has done for His children, it should turn our hearts in praise back to God.  Listen as Dick walks us through 1 Peter 1:3-5.

Blessed Be God

Dick asks and answers the question, "Why is the doctrine of Election important?"  Why was it the first thing Peter says as he addresses the followers of Christ?  What does it mean when he says, "To God's elect...who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father...?  Listen to this powerful message on 1 Peter 1:1,2.

1 Peter 1:1,2

This is the first message in a series of messages that will be from the book of 1 Peter.  Dick explains the parallel between the book of 1 Peter and the book, Pilgrim's Progress, written by John Bunyan in 1678.  Listen to this introductory message to the series that will be about a 20-message series.

1 Peter Introduction