…but god… Episode 145

May 18

1 Peter 1: 1-2

Transcript

“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as strangers, 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 multiplied to you.”

1 Peter 1:1-2 NASB2020

As I have discussed in the past two months God has put on my heart to be more than just a believer of Christ. I must do better! Therefore, we looked at the sermon on the Mount and discussed how Jesus tells us to be His followers. Now we will look specifically at the letters from His three most trusted followers. Peter, James and John.

Peter begins this letter with salutations, but He gets right to encouragement.

Peter knows the sacrifice that it takes to follow Jesus. He wants to make sure we who follow Him know that the Holy Spirit’s grace and peace is not only with us but is multiplied through us as we share the gospel message. Peter knew the cost. He wanted to encourage His brothers and sisters. Because He was with Jesus when He said; “You cannot be my disciple, unless you love me more than you love your father and mother, your wife and children, and your brothers and sisters. You cannot follow me unless you love me more than you love your own life. You cannot be my disciple unless you carry your own cross and follow me.”

Luke 14:26-27 CEV

These are difficult words and some who were “following” Christ stopped being “followers” because it was too difficult for them. They wanted to witness miracles and be filled with joy at the work of His hands. It was all about what Jesus could do for them.

BUT GOD! He calls us to a higher purpose! He calls us to serve, to preach His gospel to spread His message. It’s not easy and Peter knows first hand how hard it is! He has been discouraged and knows that his fellow followers need encouragement. He will spend most of chapter 1 giving us encouragement, comfort and reassurance that the cost of following Jesus is more than worth it!

Lord, we thank you for your encouragement. We thank you for Peter’s words. Help us to follow like Peter, James and John. Help us to be like them to be all in!

We pray all this in Jesus name Amen!

Hosted by Chad McBeam

Aaron Marcarelli

After getting his under-graduate degree from Cal State University San Bernardino where he played college baseball and received all American honors. he was a graduate assistant baseball coach at both Trevecca Nazarene College in Nashville, Tennessee, and at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington. He received his master’s degree in Teaching from Whitworth, with plans to someday be a head baseball coach at a university. However, God had other plans. Aaron started teaching English and History and coaching baseball and other sports at the high school level and found out how much he loves high school kids, and he has been doing that for the past 27 years. Personally, heI has been married to his wife Sharon for 32 years, they have one daughter, Amanda Parrish, who has been married to Austin Parrish for 2 years. Aaron also has two grandsons Travis age 2 ½ and Aden who is 13 months and are blessed to have another on the way due in May. Aaron loves reading, golfing, and spending time with his wife and grandkids.

…but god… Episode 145

…but god… Episode 146

…but god… Episode 144