Weekly Bible teaching from Pastor Jim Thomas at Holly Springs Bible Fellowship in Hornick, Iowa.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - Paul writes to help these people develop a deep inner strength that helps in times of difficulty. We must possess a heart of gratitude. Prayer needs to be as natural as breathing. Every day, we must rejoice in who God is and what He has done in our lives. These three elements are essential to Christian growth.
Romans 13 / Titus 3 We are incredibly privileged to live in a democracy where we are allowed a voice in our Government. To represent our heavenly citizenship well, we must actively pray and support our Government in embracing Biblical values. We must teach our children honor and respect for authority by modeling a life that practices honor.
Jeremiah 29:7 - Jesus was incredibly political, but He focused on the Kingdom of Heaven and not the cities of men. God calls us to be ambassadors of His Kingdom in the world. His Kingdom is one of unity, love, and obedience to God. Represent Jesus well during this election. Vote this week to help God’s Kingdom and your country prosper.
Jimmy Cockburn - Resurrection of Christ
1 Peter 5:12-14 – Peter focuses on 3 things essential to a life of peace when faced with hardship and persecution. He reminds us to surround ourselves with a community of believers. Peter wants us to treasure the grace that God has shown us. He challenges us to love and focus on the needs of others. As you leave this morning, I pray that you experience the peace of God this week.
1 Peter 5:8-11 – Peter commands us to be self-controlled and alert. He does not want us to focus on the noise and fear that Satan tries to create in our lives. Peter wants us to stop fighting against God's plan and respond appropriately to our difficulties.
Jimmy Cockburn - 1 Peter 5:5,6
1 Peter 5:5,6 – Peter reminds us that a servant's heart is one of the keys to enduring difficult times. Gratitude guides our focus and is essential for our mental well-being. Humility builds a foundation to see difficult situations from a proper perspective. He challenges everyone to clothe themselves in humility and serve someone this week. Go and do that this week.
Jimmy Cockburn - 1 Peter 5a - 2024 0922
1 Peter 4:12-19 = Don't be surprised when difficulty or testing comes. It is an opportunity to draw closer to the heart of God, and He is suffering with you. It is easy to want to retaliate when wronged, but our response should reflect the character of Christ and glorify Him. Let's trust Him with everything this week.
1 Peter 4:7-11 = Peter challenges people to implement 6 attitudes reflecting Christ. A balanced life does not react; it is spirit-controlled and involves serving and loving others. The life that Peter describes honors & glorifies God. It is a life that allows people to see God in us. I pray that we each live that type of life this week.
1 Peter 4:1-6 = Peter reminds us that this world is not home. We are visitors in a foreign country. Our job is to live for God in such a way that people see a difference. Difficulty, hardship, and persecution is to be expected.
1 Peter 3:18-22 = Peter reminds us that death does not win. The resurrection of Jesus Christ demonstrates and guarantees a future with Christ for believers. We can live because we are also made alive in the Spirit of God
1 Peter 3:13-17 = Peter challenges us to reshape our hearts to focus on Christ rather than our fears, concerns, and circumstances. As you have opportunity, share with others the hope that you have Christ. When people see our walk, may it be filled with a gentle firmness that our lives are centered and sourced in something other than the events of this world.
1 Peter 3:8-12 – Peter challenges us to be honest and look at our hearts. God can help us develop compassion, love, sympathy, and humility. May each of us bring our lives into harmony with God's plan. Let us pursue peace this week while living in a hostile world.
John 21 = We need to learn that we are not walking this journey alone. Jesus is on the shore, watching and desiring for us to look to Him. He is patient, loving, and forgiving. He offers hope when you see hopelessness. He focuses on your future, not your failure. Follow Him with your whole heart.
1 Peter 03:7 – Peter challenges husbands to know and honor their wives. God commands us to treat them as valuable and vital in our spiritual growth. Failure to obey this command comes at a high price in the life of a Christian Husband. God refuses to hear the prayers of a husband who does not honor his wife.
1 Peter 03:1-6 – Peter explains what a woman of faith and character looks like. They possess a submissive heart to Christ. They focus more on their inward character than outward beauty. These are characteristics we all need to implement in our lives this week.
2nd Peter 1:8, 9 = Growth is essential to the Christian life. Peter ends the book with this simple admonition – But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
2nd Peter 1:6,7 = As we become aware of God at work in our lives, we focus on God around us. An awareness of God allows us to love and serve the people God puts in our lives. Serving people also draws us closer to loving and serving God. Doing the things Peter encourages us to do is how we grow in the Christian life. Go and grow this week.
2nd Peter 1:6b – Perseverance is mandatory in the Christian life. Everyone will be tested because God is interested in developing our character. He has a purpose and a plan for your life. Your challenge will be never to quit but to finish strong regardless of life's circumstances. Serve Him this week with your whole heart.
2nd Peter 1:6a – You will be controlled this week - by God's spirit or the world's. Self-control is deciding you will choose God's ways over your own. It is the power to allow God to be in control. Self-control is mandatory for Christian growth. It is my prayer that we will each lead a spirit-directed life this week.
2nd Peter 1:5 – Faith, Virtue, and Goodness are the first steps to genuine Christian growth. Peter reminds us that the journey begins with our faith (a personal relationship with Christ). Our next step is determining that we want to pursue the life of excellence that God wants for us. A life of knowing what God wants for us is established and sourced in the Word of God. As we discern and apply God's plan, we can begin to be the people God designed for us to be.
2 Peter 01:3-5a—Diligence—Peter explains that Christian growth requires effort. We have to be diligent if we intend to grow. How much effort are you putting into your growth? Real Christian growth does not happen without diligence.
1 Peter 02:23-25 – The Christian life is all about life and death: death to self and life to God. We do not focus on the world around us but on God using us. An attitude of revenge is not the way of Christ and should not be a part of how we live our lives.
1 Peter 02:18-22 – Peter reminds people that life will not be fair, but life is not about them or their “rights.” Life is about serving God faithfully regardless of our circumstances. Most of the time that will involve being mistreated. God calls us to represent Him and not us. Submitting our lives to God’s hand is not optional for the believer but rather a way of life.
Mothers Day 2024 - Proverbs 31 1-10 = Lemuel’s mom offers some great real world advice to her son. She reminds him to develop a servant’s heart. She challenges him to set healthy boundaries and to have a compassionate heart to the less fortunate. These 3 characteristics are foundational to raising the next generation.
Jimmy Cockburn - Peter reminds us that cleverness will never get you as far as submission.
1 Peter 02:9-12 – We belong to God; therefore, He can do whatever He wants with our lives. He wants to use us as a light in a very dark world. We have to stay away from things that hurt our souls. Our lives should reflect God in such a way that it is beautiful and appealing to people who live in a dark, messed up world.
1 Peter 02:4-8 – We all center our lives around something or someone. Peter reminds us that Jesus Christ must be that center if we are going to survive difficult times. God is working to make us the people He wants us to be. Allow God to do what He wants because He knows what is best.
