Categories: Preparing for Sunday

Becoming Rock

Suffering seems to be the universal language. You most likely have already experienced some pain and if you have not it’s only a matter of time. Christians have always had troubles but how we handle them will determine our growth. Aren’t you glad God only chooses people who know they need help. God has a way of choosing people who have ups and downs. God chooses people prone to fail so He can transform them. God choses the unstable and sets about to turn them into rocks of stability.

Simeon was a man who thought he was stronger than he was. He was impulsive and opinionated. Jesus chose to turn his life around and make him into a rock of stability. Jesus changed his name to Peter [rock], he wants to do that in you as well.

1 Peter 2:5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

This Sunday I will begin teaching the lessons Peter learned on his journey to “BECOMING ROCK”. Over the coming weeks we can learn together as we read and study though the book of 1 Peter.

Each week you will receive part of the letter to read and ponder together. Each message will explain and apply the verses. Each small group will pray and discuss the verses as we gather over Gods word. If you know anyone who needs to become hopeful and stable make sure you bring them.

Don’t miss this new time in God’s word.

Blessings,
Joe

PREPARING FOR SUNDAY: SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS

 Please prayerfully read the following verses and consider the questions:

1 Peter 1:1-6 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen; according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials.

  • Why is being stable important?

James 1:6-8 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Eph 4:13-14 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming.

  • What do you know about the apostle Peter and how he got his name?

    Matthew 16:16-18 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.

    “I also say to you that you are Peter, [A LITTLE ROCK]and upon this rock [BED ROCK] I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.

  • Was Simon a rock when he started?

    Mat 16:23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.”

  • Why is eternal security central to becoming stable?

    1 Peter 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

  • What convinced Peter of the unconditional grip of Christ?

    Luke 22:33-34-But he said to Him, “Lord, with You I am ready to go both to prison and to death!” And He said, “I say to you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know Me.”

    Joh 21:1-17-After these things Jesus manifested Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberius, and He manifested Himself in this way. Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymium, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together.  Simon Peter *said to them, “I am going fishing.” They *said to him, “We will also come with you.” They went out and got into the boat; and that night they caught nothing. But when the day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. So Jesus *said to them, “Children, you do not have any fish, do you?” They answered Him, “No.” And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat and you will find a catch.” So they cast, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish. Therefore, that disciple whom Jesus loved *said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put his outer garment on (for he was stripped for work), and threw himself into the sea. But the other disciples came in the little boat, for they were not far from the land, but about one hundred yards away, dragging the net full of fish.  So when they got out on the land, they *saw a charcoal fire already laid and fish placed on it, and bread. Jesus *said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have now caught.” Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus *said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples ventured to question Him, “Who are You?” knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus *came and *took the bread and *gave it to them, and the fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after He was raised from the dead. So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus *said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He *said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He *said to him, “Tend My lambs.” He *said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He *said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He *said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.” He *said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, you know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus *said to him, “Tend My sheep.

  • Describe an experience where Christ came after you to restore your love relationship?
  • How can we pray for you?
Joe Martin

Senior Pastor - Click Here for full profile