Sermon Central
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First Peter, Aka, "Rocky I"
Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Mar 27, 2006 (message contributor)
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1. God's Agenda For Us
Contributed on Mar 27, 2006
If we fail at the basics, we have no solid foundation; Peter gives us that foundation by proposing two truths.
God’s Agenda For Us (I Peter 1:1-5) 1. Sometimes we are like the little boy who was overheard talking to himself as he strutted through the backyard, wearing his baseball cap and toting a ball & bat. "I’m the greatest hitter in the world," he announced. Then he tossed the ball into the air, ...read more
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2. The Purifying Fire Of Trials
Contributed on Apr 19, 2006
Our lives are orchestrated by God to refine us.
The Purifying Fire of Trials (I Peter 1:6-9) 1. Life is filled with difficult to answer questions. Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat? If the professor on Gilligan’s Island can make a radio out of coconut, ...read more
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3. Has It Hit You Yet?
Contributed on Apr 19, 2006
If you truly know Christ, you have it good –real good. Do you realize how good you have it?
Note: When I preached this (I preach 30 minutes), I only got through the frist point. I took the second point and then used it for the first point in a topical sermon called, "Easter Angels." Eddie Has It Hit You Yet? (I Peter 1:10-12) 1. "Celebrities tend to misbehave in tiresome and ...read more
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4. Prepare For Impact
Contributed on May 8, 2006
Moving from being a tagalong Christian to one who makes an impact is a simple process to understand.
Prepare for Impact (I Peter 1:13-16) 1. Have you heard of the new scientific theory? "When a cat is dropped, it always lands on its feet, and when toast is dropped, it always lands buttered side down. Therefore, if a slice of toast is strapped to a cat’s back, buttered side up, and the animal ...read more
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5. Boundary Markers: Noble Truths That Set Us Apart
Contributed on May 8, 2006
True Christians do not always see everything the same way, but we stand up for certain non-negotiable truths.
Boundary Markers: Noble Truths That Set Us Apart (I Peter 1:17-21) 1. Sometimes people who do not know the Lord appoint themselves as spokesman for us. 2. Have you ever heard a lost person accuse you of being unChristlike because you would not give them their way? 3. Or have you heard ...read more
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6. Born To Grow
Contributed on May 8, 2006
Christian maturity shows itself in Christian love.
Born To Grow (I Peter 1:22-2:3) 1. After a very difficult day at the office, a psychologist walked through his front door and said, "Honey, I’ve had a terrible day. All I did was listen to one problem after another. So, please, don’t tell me about any more problems. Talk to me, but just give me ...read more
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7. The Rock That Doesn't Roll
Contributed on Jun 19, 2006
The Christian has decided to build his life on Christ, the Corner Stone.
The Rock that Doesn’t Roll (I Peter 2:4-10) 1. "Children’s Letters to God" series, actual authentic letters written by kids to God: "Dear God, I read the Bible. What does ’begat’ mean? Nobody will tell me. Love, Alison." "Dear God, did you mean for the giraffe to look like that or was ...read more
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8. I Can't Get Any Respect
Contributed on Jun 19, 2006
How can we get a hearing in lost society? How can we create in environment for effective evangelism? How can we project a true image of ourselves, and, more importantly, the God we serve? How can we defuse and influence a hostile society, family member
I Can’t Get Any Respect (I Peter 2:11-12) 1. Take a minute and think about the answer to this question. 2. Can you think of two people who have significantly influenced Your growth in the Lord? 3. Take a moment to think. What was it about them that influenced you? 4. Did those ...read more
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9. Respect Ii
Contributed on Jun 19, 2006
How can we get a hearing in lost society? How can we influence our world for Christ?
Respect II (1 Peter 2:13-17) 1. What a week: last week’s sermon three thumbs down. 2. Tribune call: a man was fishing….took photo…shadows looked like Jesus; they called me for my comments. 3. Highland Park Christian (?) Church… a catch 22… We are just Highland Park Church, but if I see ...read more
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10. Christ The Strong
Contributed on Jun 19, 2006
Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of what it means to be strong.
Christ The Strong (I Peter 2:18-25) A Father’s Day Top Ten #10 Whenever possible, please say whatever you have to say during commercials. #9 Shopping is NOT a sport, and no, we are never going to think of it that way. #8 Sunday afternoon = sports. It’s like the full moon or the ...read more
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11. Man And Wife Or Spouse And Strife?
Contributed on Jul 24, 2006
God wants Christian husbands to be gentle initiators and Christian wives to be confident responders. Yes, this often – though not always -- makes for a better marriage; but it is first and foremost God’s revealed will.
Man and Wife or Spouse and Strife? (I Peter 3:1-7) 1. Marriage bears the brunt of a lot of humor. 2. Attending a wedding for the first time, a little girl whispered to her mother, "Why is the bride dressed in white?" ? "Because white is the color of happiness, and today is the ...read more
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12. Harmony In The Local Church
Contributed on Jul 24, 2006
God’s will for us is not only relevant when we are at peace, but it is also relevant during conflict.
Harmony in the Local Church (I Peter 3:8-12) 1. When conflict arises, some Christians throw out all or many of the rules. Robert Louis Stevenson wrote, Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde "Stevenson’s man found a trick by which he could change himself into the person of another man, make an actual ...read more
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13. The Infernal Jailhouse Rock
Contributed on Jul 24, 2006
God’s plan of redemption cannot be thwarted.
The Infernal Jailhouse Rock I Peter 3:18-20 1. A children’s Sunday School class was learning the Apostles Creed. Each child had been assigned a sentence to repeat. The first one said, “I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.” The second child said, “I believe in Jesus ...read more
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14. Ark Baptism
Contributed on Jul 24, 2006
Baptism is a ritual that points in several directions.
Ark Baptism (I Peter 3:20b-22) 1. When it comes to church, some people cannot stay put. One balmy day in the South Pacific, a navy ship espied smoke coming from one of three huts on an uncharted island. ?Upon arriving at the shore they were met by a shipwreck survivor. He said, "I’m ...read more
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15. The Intimidated Christian
Contributed on Aug 25, 2006
Our three enemies -- the world, the flesh, and the devil – work together to intimidate us, often successfully.
The Intimidated Christian (I Peter 3:13-17) 1. By ANICK JESDANUN, AP Internet Writer Fri Jul 7, 2006 6:28 PM ET NEW YORK - Some questions even stump Stephen Hawking. The famed British astrophysicist and best-selling author has turned to Yahoo Answers, a new feature in which anyone can pose ...read more
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16. Is The Price Really Right?
Contributed on Aug 25, 2006
When it comes to marketing Christianity, Peter had it all wrong. But he tells it as it is, and maybe we need to refresh our memories: Christianity is not a bed of roses –not yet.
Is the Price Really Right? (I Peter 4:1-6) 1. Back in 1889, Sid and Leah’s bull took sick and died, so they needed to go to the auction to buy a new one. Sid couldn’t leave the farm because he was busy starting a farming equipment business, so Leah took the train to the city to buy a bull. If ...read more
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17. The End Is Near
Contributed on Aug 25, 2006
Like paratroopers who have been dropped behind enemy lines, Christians have a job to do in sometimes-unfriendly territory.
The End is Near (I Peter 4:7-11) 1. AT&T fired President John Walter after nine months, saying he lacked intellectual leadership. He received a $26 million severance package. Perhaps it’s not Walter who’s lacking intelligence. Police in Oakland, California spent two hours attempting to ...read more
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18. Being A Christian Can Be Painful!
Contributed on Aug 25, 2006
We should invest ourselves in the Lord, even while suffering.
Being A Christian Can Be Painful! (I Peter 4:12-19) 1. C. S. Lewis once remarked that “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts in our pain; it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” Today’s sermon is about suffering, trials, and stressful ...read more
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19. The Ancient Office
Contributed on Aug 25, 2006
The one office we see early in the book of Genesis that continues through eternity in the Book of Revelation is the office of elder! This office is so important that every Christian should understand and support it.
The Ancient Office (I Peter 5:1-4) 1. A pastor thought God gave Him an idea, and he presented it in the monthly elders meeting. After giving his most impassioned plea and really “selling” the idea to the elder board, the board voted and voted down the pastors proposed changes 12-1. The head ...read more
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20. Humility Is A Virtue, Not A Vice
Contributed on Aug 28, 2006
Everyday and throughout the day, we choose between humility and pride. But how important is this choice? According to Peter, very important.
HUMILITY IS A VIRTUE, NOT A VICE (I Peter 5:5-6) 1. Humility can be one of the toughest challenges of the Christian life. 2. Leonard Bernstein was once asked which instrument was the most difficult to play. He thought for a moment and then replied, "The second fiddle. I can get plenty of first ...read more
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21. The Anxiety Battle
Contributed on Sep 11, 2006
Adding guilt to anxiety makes nothing better; instead, we need to have a positive spiritual approach toward dealing with surplus anxiety.
The Anxiety Battle (I Peter 5:7) 1. Webster defines anxiety as a painful or apprehensive uneasiness of mind usually over an anticipated or impending situation or a strong fearful concern 2. Supposedly the average person’s anxiety is about… 40% on things that will never happen 30% on things ...read more
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22. Maneuvering Spiritual Warfare
Contributed on Sep 11, 2006
Satan and his demons may appear to be gentle, but they are out to destroy your effectiveness in the Kingdom of God.
Maneuvering Spiritual Warfare (I Peter 5:8-9) 1. We were shocked by the tragic death of Steve Irwin. 2. Stingrays, normally friendly, bear a deadly sting. 3. We have an enemy that can appear graceful and good, Satan. 4. 2 Corinthians 11:13-14 reads, "…. For such men are false ...read more
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23. Rugged Individualism And Faith
Contributed on Sep 18, 2006
Human arrogance and demonic spirits ally themselves in opposition to even the most elementary spiritual truths. WE NEED GOD AND WE NEED OTHER BELIEVERS
Rugged Individualism and Faith (I Peter 5:10-14) 1. A man came up with a great list of titles for future country music songs. Country Music Song Titles: 1. If You Can’t Live Without Me, Why Aren’t You Dead? 2. I Went Back to My Fourth Wife for the Third Time and Gave Her a Second Chance to ...read more