Praying with Your Eyes Open

Holy Humility

1 Peter 5:1-11

Praying with Your Eyes Open

1 Peter 4:1-11 Our world is filled with competing visions of the “good life,” but following Jesus invites us to live with our eyes open, aware of God’s vision for who we are to be and what we are to do. Life is too short to spend our days living for temporary pleasure or chasing the next fad. Prayer connects us to our Creator and opens our eyes to who God is and what he is calling us to do.

Holy R-E-S-P-E-C-T

1 Peter 2:13-3:7  Peter describes the church as "exiles and foreigners." It's a reminder that this world and its ways are not our true home. While we live in it, however, we are to live with respect towards everyone. From the highest levels of power to the lowest in society, the people of God distinguish themselves in how they show respect to everyone. The bridge between doubt and faith begins with respect.

The Overflow

1 Peter 2:11-12; 3:15 Are you a bucket filler or a bucket dumper? Peter recognizes that all of us are vessels that can be filled through encouragement and kindness or emptied by insult and slander. When we are going through difficult times that leave us empty, Peter points us to Jesus who emptied himself so that we might be filled. As God’s holy people, the unlimited love of Jesus overflows into our lives so that we can fill the lives of others.

Pentecost Sunday: Holy God, Holy People

1 Peter 2:9-10 Pastor Howie Tempel calls our congregation to be a holy people based on 1 Peter 2:9-10. Because we are a "royal priesthood and holy nation," we live in a way that invites others out of darkness and into the wonderful light of a relationship with Jesus. Only the power and presence of the Holy Spirit makes this possible.