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SUFFERING AS A WITNESS TO JESUS 3:13-15 - - Suffering for doing good is part of being a Christian 3:15-17 - - Doing good through suffering opens doors to share hope in Christ 3:18-4:1 - - Christ also suffered for doing God's will 4:2-6 - Suffering can positively impact behavior 4:7-12 - - The end is near: pray, love, serve

Ways we are tempted to live in the world: Conformity, antagonism, withdrawal Biblical Submission: following Jesus’ example in choosing to elevate God’s will and others' needs above my own rights, desires, and freedoms. -When we are tempted to conform, the invitation is to trust and follow Jesus, not the world. -When we are tempted to antagonize, the invitation is to walk in truth and grace. -When we are tempted to withdraw, the invitation is to engage intentionally and meaningfully with the world around us.

“Our text speaks, perhaps as much as any text, about Christians in society. The Christian is the one who is countercultural because he or she is out of step with trends and passions in culture. It is not this way because we are trying to be odd; we are odd because we are trying to be godly. Again, countercultural living is not the goal of the Christian; rather, countercultural living is the result of following Jesus Christ.” - Scot McKnight

Biblical Themes of Temple & Priest Genesis: Temple (Eden)/ priestly service Exodus: Kingdom of Priests Leviticus: Moral integrity/ ritual purity Numbers: Moses enters tabernacle King David: Royal (imperfect) priesthood Jesus: Cornerstone & Great High Priest Church: Living stones & royal priesthood Our role as priests still matters today: -We get to be in God’s presence -We are still asked to offer sacrifices -We are called to make disciples -We are called to reflect His GLORY

Getting Our Bearings: A challenge to grow up in salvation Peter includes many allusions to the Exodus story. Core identity: Children of God, brothers and sisters to all believers Live as God’s children: Set your hope on Jesus’ return (1:13) Be holy in all you do (1:14-16) Live in reverent fear of God (1:17-21) Love one another deeply (1:22-25) Crave spiritual nourishment (2:1-3)

Introduction: -Author: Peter -Audience: scattered house churches -Purpose: offer hope in the midst of suffering 1 Peter 1:1-12 In the shadowlands, Jesus offers us -A sure hope for the future -Confidence that God is working right now

After finishing 2 Samuel and before we start 1 Peter this fall, we are going to pause and listen to some of our brothers and sisters share about what God is doing in their lives and how they see Him working in the world around them. Luke 24 tells the story of two disciples walking along the road to the village of Emmaus. This happened the same day that Jesus was raised from the dead. As they walked and talked, Jesus joined them. Scripture says the disciples were kept from recognizing him. Jesus walked and talked with them for 7 miles. When they arrived at the village, the disciples urged Jesus to stay, and he did. When Jesus broke bread with them, the disciples’ eyes were opened, and they recognized that it was Jesus. And then Jesus vanished. Like the two disciples in the story, sometimes we don’t see where God is working around us. Sometimes Jesus is teaching us things, and we don’t realize it. We don’t always recognize when the Lord is speaking to us. Sometimes we go about our lives and easily miss what God is doing. Stories are one of the best teachers. It’s no coincidence that the Bible’s primary style is narrative – telling the stories of people who have gone before us. We learn from their successes and failures. We learn about their experience with God. Similarly, when we hear each other's stories of triumph, struggle, and God’s goodness, it draws us together. It grows our collective faith and reminds us that we are all walking this same road together with Jesus. So, this morning we'll hear several stories that are different from each other, but at the core is the same story: God’s people walking with Jesus. Each of these stories is a part of OUR story as WE all walk through life with Jesus together.  This is important, so we are taking time in our Sunday gathering to do this now, which is great. But I want to encourage us to do this more often, wherever we are. We need to build the habit of sharing our stories and experiences about Jesus with each other.

In 2 samuel 24, King David predifully leans on his own understanding, looking to his own strength to prevail, instead of depending on the Lord to guard him. As a result, Israel pays a hefty price, and though we are left with yet another story of David’s failure, God’s mercy shines through as god continues to make a way to be with his people.  King Jesus is… -A perfect King -An all-powerful King -A merciful King 2 Samuel 24 -1-9: David sinfully counts his fighting men, against the counsel of Joab.  -10-14: David repents of his sin, ultimately depending on the Lord’s mercy as he chooses between three consequences. -15-17: 70,000 people die of the plague, as the angel of the Lord enters Jerusalem, David asks God to spare his people. -18-25: The Lord tells David to build an altar on what would later become the temple mount; David offers costly sacrifices, and the Lord stops the plague  Principles for interpreting, and applying the Bible: -Approach the Bible on its own terms -Context is key  -Use what’s clear to interpret what’s unclear

1. God is faithful 2. Community is necessary Three Themes of Samuel: 1. God opposes the proud and exalts the humble 2. Despite human evil, God is at work 3. God will raise up a Messianic King