Preparing for the Lord's Day
EXILES IN A FOREIGN LAND
1 Peter Sermon Series
In our passage for this week, the Apostle Peter presents us with the question, "Who desires to love life and see good days?" Which of us does not want such a blessing? Who doesn’t want to love life? Who doesn’t want to see good days? It is human nature to desire such blessings. How then might we gain such a blessing of life? Peter teaches that if we desire such life then we must be willing to give our lives away. He teaches that to know blessing we must begin by blessing others. To use the words of the Lord Jesus in Mark 8:35, "...whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it." Do you desire to love life? Then give your life away to others. To come prepared for the sermon, take time this week to read and to meditate upon 1 Peter 3:8-12, Psalm 34, Proverbs 25:21-22, Mark 8:35, 2 Corinthians 8:9, Philippians 2:1-11, and Westminster Shorter Catechism 27 and 28.
This week we will celebrate that sacrament of the Lord’s Supper during our worship service. As we receive the elements of bread and wine, we look in faith to the Lord Jesus Christ. For as we physically receive the signs of the Lord’s body and blood, spiritually we feed upon Him and all His benefits. Our hymns for this week include "Crown Him with Many Crowns," "Jesus, What a Friend for Sinners," and "How Firm a Foundation."
If you’re going to be out of town this Sunday, let me encourage you to listen to the sermon online (usually posted by Monday afternoon) or you can download the REPC podcast, which will be delivered to your mobile device.
Sermon Outline
Text: 1 Peter 3:8-12
Title: To Love Life
1. You must give your life to the church. (v. 8)
2. You must give your life to your enemies. (v. 9a)
3. You must receive your life from the Lord. (vv. 9b-12)
Liturgical Note
This Sunday is the first Sunday following the day of Ascension (Thursday, May 30). On this day we commemorate the bodily ascension of Jesus Christ to the right hand of the Father forty days following His resurrection. Note in the worship service the white paraments with the golden crown above the cross, the silent prayer’s focus on the theme of ascension, and the hymn of praise – "Crown Him with Many Crowns." Each of these elements reflect Christ’s ascension to the heavenly throne. You may want to meditate on the following verses: Psalm 2, Mark 16:19-20, Luke 24:50-53, Acts 1:9-11, Ephesians 4:8-11, Philippians 2:1-11, 1 Timothy 3:16, and 1 Peter 3:21-22.