Sunday Words of Encouragement August 5, 2018

We had a good Sunday school lesson and then shared in worship and communion before Pastor continued his series, The Strong, founded on 1 Peter. The theme has been that Christ followers are to be strong. We've been created to be more than we can imagine. We are to be using our spiritual gifts well and we are to keep the main thing the main thing.

Our lives are full of many distractions in work, play, computer, phones and even digital phone-watches. When we give our life to Christ, He should become our main thing.
1 Peter:5 addresses the elders (verse 1) to be an example and he addresses the younger to submit to the example (verse 5). Followers will share in God’s glory (verses 2 and 4).

Point: The imminence of eternity focuses the strong on what matters most - loving God and loving people.

When we Love God it changes our purpose for living. Peter instructs the followers to ‘care for the flock, watch over them, lead them’. Christ followers are to be tethered together -- a team with a guide. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15: 13.

There is a death zone on Mt Everest where a guide must lead through the dangerous trail. We will face challenges when we cross the ‘death zone’ line from church to community. We must be strong to take the offense for Christ, not remain always on the defense. Humble yourselves and cast your cares on Him. 1 Peter 5:6-7.

Allow the imminence of eternity to focus your attention on what matters most.

I looked at numerous videos and chose this one.

Verses for Today:
1 Peter 5:6-7 (NIV)
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.