Rev. Brent L. White

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:1-10

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, or at least haven’t been to church in the past month, you probably know our church’s vision statement by now: “Treasuring Christ above all and helping others do the same.” It’s on the front of your bulletin.

I want to answer three questions in today’s sermon: Number One, what does “treasuring Christ above all” have to do with loving others? Number Two, how hard is it to love like this? Number Three, how does “treasuring Christ above all” enable us to love?

But first, what does “treasuring Christ above all” have to do with loving others?

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-21

Today, we continue with our sermon series on 1 Peter, “Upon This Rock.” Today’s sermon is all about living as an exile through faith in Christ. And I want to answer three questions in this sermon: First, what does it mean to be holy? Second, what does it mean to be an exile? And third, how does it relate to our church’s vision statement.

But first, what does it mean to be holy…

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:1-9

Today and for the next six Sundays, I’ll be preaching a sermon series on 1 Peter I’m calling “Upon This Rock.” The title comes from Peter’s great confession of faith at Caesarea Philippi, and it’s one reason Simon has the nickname Peter, which simply means “Rocky” in English.

In addition to looking at the letter at 1 Peter, I hope to tie-in experiences in Peter’s own life from the gospel stories that feature him.

But it is especially fitting that today is Confirmation Sunday—and that three of our church’s young people are making public their decision to receive Christ as their Savior and by God’s grace to follow him as disciples for the rest of their earthly lives. It’s fitting because here at the beginning of Peter’s first letter, in verses 1 and 2, we have what is practically a purpose statement for living a Christian life.