The Really Good News of Suffering

July 30, 2014

Dear City Calvary,

It is so great to be back from our family trip to Europe.  We had a wonderful time but as Dorothy once said, "There's no place like home." 

This past Sunday, we jumped back into 1 Peter and looked at chapter 4:12-19, where the main theme was suffering.  It seemed strange to preach about suffering after returning from the south of France, but just try traveling in a van with four teenagers - through three different countries in three weeks.  All kidding aside, suffering is a real part of life for everyone.  It comes in different ways at different times, in different degrees but our Lord won't shelter any us from it.  We may be surprised and even question why, but it is for our good.  Peter gives us a couple examples.

1 - Our relationship with Jesus is taken to a deeper level.  In verse 13, Peter tells us to "rejoice the you participate in the sufferings of Christ.."  The Greek word for "participate" is koinonia which speaks of fellowship, relationship, partnering.  I don't know about you but the times of suffering in my life always drive me to a closer relationship with Christ and a greater dependance on Him.  The end result is verse 13 "that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed."

2 - Peter writes that we are "blessed" (verse 14) because the "Spirit of the glory of God rests on you".  It is a time for the believer to radiate the glory of God as we are filled with and encouraged by the Holy Spirit.

What do we do when we are in it?  Verse 19 - "Commit" yourself to your "faithful Creator" and "continue to do good".  Commit yourself to Jesus and live for His glory. 

This Sunday, we are in 1 Peter 5.  As one pastor once said "The church needs leaders who serve and servants who lead."  Peter addresses the leadership with some encouraging words. 

It's good to be home, God bless you, and see you Sunday.

In Jesus love,

Pastor John

Good Days

June 4, 2014
Dear City Calvary,

Do you remember the show "Happy Days" - with Richie, Potsy, the Fonz and the rest of the cast?  It was a good TV program and all but why did they call the show "Happy Days"?  Was it because life in the 1950s was happier - or - the teenage years (age of the main characters) are most happy?  Maybe happiness was found at "Arnold's Drive In".  What about other decades or the other stages of life, are they less happy?  What decade would the show "Sad Days" be about?  Would it be filmed at Leroy's Lounge?

The Bible doesn't talk about "happy days" but it does talk about good days.  In 1 Peter 3:10-11, Peter quotes David (Psalm 34) "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil, and his lips from deceitful speech.  He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it."  What makes this Psalm interesting is the timing of when David wrote it.  David is homeless and on the run for his life - being chased by King Saul.  He is alone in Gath (Goliath's home town) and having to pretend he is mentally insane in order to spare his life from the king there.  Those weren't happy days for David - but he calls them "good days" and writes about what it is to "love life".  Good days and loving life are not tied to a decade, age group, location, circumstances, or even our own personal happiness.  To love life and see good days comes from Jesus and having His character lived out in our lives.  Praise God for the wonderful hope we have in Jesus.  Be sure to re-read 1 Peter 3:8-12 as we see how to treat one another in the Body of Christ.

This Sunday, we will be talking about missions.  It's an important topic, seeing as all of us are called to full time mission work - wherever we go in our daily lives.

Blessings in Jesus,

Pastor John

Living Stones

May 7, 2014

Dear City Calvary,

Last Sunday, in 1 Peter 2:4-12, we talked about the greatest building project of all time, which Peter refers to as the "spiritual house."  

 * The foundation is Jesus - the "living", "chosen and precious cornerstone".  

 * The spiritual house is made of believers - the "living stones" that "are being built into a spiritual house".  

 * Those serving in the house are also believers -  the "holy, royal priesthood".

This means you are a vital and needed part of His house.  Jesus has created you, formed you, and shaped you into the living stone that is needed to fit in that exact location designed for His house.  You are the perfect fit for that spot.  You are also a needed servant, a holy and royal priest in the House of God.  Our job is to offer "spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ".  What are those sacrifices?  Living sacrifices - our obedience, our praise, our service, our things, our time, our love.

This Sunday, we look at 1 Peter 2:13-25.  The topic is submitting to people that are sometimes not so easy to submit to - like rulers, politicians, bosses, and so on.  Read ahead and see you Sunday.  

Blessing in Jesus,

Pastor John