Purified by Trials

Living Stones

1 Peter 2:4-12. Christians are persecuted across the globe on a regular basis. On average, 13 people are killed every day because of their allegiance to Jesus Christ. According to Open Doors, 5,898 Christians were murdered in 2022. The ministry has also tracked a vast increase in violent persecution in 2023. They anticipate an enormous rise in persecution in 2024. How shall believers respond? In this episode, Dr. Michael Wright explains a sound strategy for living in dangerous times. The apostle Peter encouraged first-century followers of Christ by reminding them that they are selected by God to be living stones and are securely placed next to the living cornerstone, Jesus Christ. Dr. Wright closes this episode with a song sung by Twila Paris. Give it listen and be encouraged. God is working through his church in perilous times. For more information: drmichaelwright.com/podcasts, michael@gospelinreallife.org Copyright 1990, Capitol Cmg Genesis o/b/o Ariose Music and Capitol Cmg Genesis o/b/o Mountain Spring Music How beautiful the hands that served The wine and the bread and the sons of the earth How beautiful the feet that walked The long dusty roads and the hill to the cross How beautiful, how beautiful, how beautiful Is the body of Christ How beautiful the heart that bled That took all my sin and bore it instead How beautiful the tender eyes That choose to forgive and never despise How beautiful, how beautiful, how beautiful Is the body of Christ And as he lay down his life We offer this sacrifice That we will live just as he died Willing to pay the price Willing to pay the price How beautiful the radiant bride Who waits for her groom with his light in her eyes How beautiful when humble hearts give The fruit of pure lives so that others may live How beautiful, how beautiful, how beautiful Is the body of Christ How beautiful the feet that bring The sound of good news and the love of the King How beautiful the hands that serve The wine and the bread and the sons of the Earth How beautiful, how beautiful, how beautiful Is the body of Christ

Prepare for Action

1 Peter 1:13-25. The first-century Church in Asia Minor lived in perilous times. The twenty-first century church around the world exists in dangerous times as well. It is a quagmire. How are Christians to respond when faced with hard trails? In this episode Dr. Michael Wright, President of Gospel in Real Life, will explain how believers in every age are instructed to live even in difficult circumstances. While the lost seek evil pleasures, Christians are to live in ways which give Christ Jesus honor, glory, and praise today and forever. Comments or questions? Reach out. Dr. Michael Wright Gospel in Real Life michael@gospelinreallife.org [michael@gospelinreallife.org] gospelinreallife.org

Purified by Trials

1 Peter 1:1-12. Faith is precious to God, more precious than silver or gold. Our faith is important to God because he created faith. (Hebrews 12:1-3) Faith saves us but, like silver and gold, faith must be purified so that we may live transformed lives and give the author of faith, Jesus Christ, all the praise, glory, and honor. In this episode Dr. Michael Wright, President of Gospel in Real Life, will explain the first twelve verses of 1 Peter. We will learn how God saves the elect and also secures believers for eternity. We will also learn how God secures salvation via the Trinity and uses trials to grow believers into great men and women of God. Comments or questions? Reach out. Dr. Michael Wright Gospel in Real Life michael@gospelinreallife.org [michael@gospelinreallife.org] gospelinreallife.org

Suffering

1 Peter 1:1-2. As believers, we are sure to encounter trials of all colors. Some will be soft yellow and will be not too hard to manage. Other trials will be white hot and cause us to think we will not survive. The apostle Peter wrote to people who lived in very difficult circumstances, to those who may be killed at any moment simply because they claim allegiance to Jesus Christ. In this episode, Dr. Michael Wright, President of GRL, explains that trials will always be the natural part of being a Christian, but that we have hope in Jesus. Also in this episode, Dr. Wright sat down with Jim Cox, a 30-year friend who was recently diagnosed with ALS. Jim speaks candidly of his "death sentence" but also his hope in the Lord. Jim explains how his church Life Group rushed to his side and have given he and his wife, Melonie, much love and support. You will not want to miss listening to this episode. Comments or questions? Reach out. Dr. Michael Wright Gospel in Real Life michael@gospelinreallife.org gospelinreallife.org

The Cup

Luke 22:14-20. The Passion Week of Jesus Christ was divinely planned. Nothing happened by chance. When Jesus reclined at the table with his disciples, on the night of Passover, he took the cup and announced a new covenant in his blood. He provided a deeper meaning to the Seder Supper. When he died, the work of salvation was finished. When Jesus rose from the grave, God made possible for sinners to experience a saving and sanctifying relationship with the resurrected Son of God. It was God's perfect plan that could not be thwarted.In this episode, Dr. Michael Wright goes into depth about cup Jesus shared with his disciples and why it is very important for believers today to not only understand Passover, but to partake of it with a new commitment to die to self and serve the world of people all around the globe.Dr. Michael Wright President of Gospel in Real Life [https://gospelinreallife.org/] michael@gospelinreallife.org [michael@gospelinreallife.org]