1 Peter

Our Flesh Wants a Different Jesus | Matthew 4:1-11 | Pastor Joe Roach

Wednesday March 13th, 2024

Sermon Title: "Our Flesh Wants A Different Jesus"

(Matthew 4:1-11)

Sermon Outline:

  1. Do we want a Jesus that can turn stones into bread?

  2. Do we want a Jesus who would do something spectacular, to make it easier for all our friends, families, and colleagues to believe in Him?

  3. Have you ever prayed, "Jesus, if you are the Son of God, straighten out this mess?"

  4. Would it be better to have a Jesus who would just take charge, and sort out the gov't, bring peace to Ukraine, make Covid go away for good, overcome all injustice?

  5. True or False: Jesus doesn't acquiesce to our desires, because He knows the greater truth that He is, to obey the one who sent Him?

We're Not Blind, But Has Our Sight Evolved? | 1 Peter 5:12-14 | Pastor Joe Roac

Sunday March 3rd, 2024

Sermon Title: "We're Not Blind, But Has Our Sight Evolved?" (1 Peter 5:12-14)

Sermon Outline:

1. In the story of Jesus healing, the blind man, which is more important, the cause of the man's blindness, or the purpose?

2. Did you ever feel ... when I am good, things are good!

When I am bad, things are bad!

3. Have you experienced laws, traditions, or mandatory church rules that might be over and above God's desire to build a personal relationship with you? Have you ever been caught up in obedience to rules, instead of obedience to God's calling?

4. How many of you think it is hard to trust, wait, and watch when you are in it up to your elbows?

5. Why was it a good thing for the blind man to be kicked out of the temple after he was healed?

"There Is No Such Thing As A Casual Christianity"| 1 Peter 5:112-14 | Pastor Joe Roach

Sunday February 25th, 2024

Sermon Title: "There Is No Such Thing As A Casual

Christianity" (1 Peter 5:12-14)

Sermon Outline:

1. True or False: The visible church is a story where branches that were once healthy, which once bore glorious and abundant fruit, grew diseased and withered — branches that the Lord ultimately cut off in judgment, and cast aside to be burned?

2. Is casual Christianity responsible for this slow drift of individuals, families, communities, churches, and nations away from God?

3. In 1 Peter 5, our final instruction from Peter is to stand firm in the true grace of God to prevent drifting. What does that mean to you?

4. The grace that bought you, bought you. It doesn't lay claim to mere religious or spiritual you, but total you. Is there any part of you that was held back in that deal?

5. Do we sometimes try to atone and justify ourselves instead of resting in God's grace?

"You Will Need To Say "No" To Some Things To Say "Yes" To God" | 1 Peter 5:1-11 | Pastor Joe Roach

Sunday February 18th, 2024

Sermon Title: "You Will Need To Say "No" To Some Things To Say "Yes" To God"

(1 Peter 5:1-11)

Sermon Outline:

  1. Lent is a time of going very deeply into ourselves — to find what it is, that stands between us and God. If you were to find it, how likely would you be to tear it out?

  2. True or False: You will have to say NO to things in order to say YES to what God calls you to do?

  3. Name 5 adjectives that you would hope people would use to describe you. Are you any of those things when you are under pressure, tension, stress, or fatigue?

  4. Do you think the Bible gives us a congregational code by which all leaders and congregates need to align their actions?

  5. Do you agree with the curious assumption that while leaders need special instruction for exercising their role, followers need no such instruction?

5 Ways We Can Rejoice In Suffering | 1 Peter 4:12-19 | Pastor Joe Roach

Sunday February 11th, 2024

Sermon Title: "5 Ways We Can Rejoice In Suffering"

(1 Peter 4:12-19)

Sermon Outline:

  1. Have you ever asked yourself that if God loves us so much, why does he allow us to suffer?

  2. Do you agree with the words of William Buckley where he said, "As an old man, looking back on one's life, it's one of the things that strikes you most forcibly - that the only thing that's taught one anything is suffering. Not success, not happiness, not anything like that. The only thing that really teaches one what life's about ... is suffering"?

  3. True or False: Every trial, you face has to first pass by God, and has a divine purpose that is for your good?

  4. Have you ever said to yourself "I am suffering right now. God could have stopped it, but chose not to. Therefore, God must be against me?"

  5. True or False: All who share in Jesus suffering share in Jesus' glory?

Living Like The End Is Near | 1 Peter 4:7-11 | Pastor Joe Roach

Sunday February 4th, 2024

Sermon Title: "Living Like The End Is Near"

(1 Peter 4:7-11)

Sermon Outline:

1. What things would you need to do to get prepared if Jesus were coming back imminently?

2. It is said that "The first time Christ came to slay sin in men. The second time He will come to slay men in sin." Does that concern you?

3. Since most people in the world today seem to be busy pursuing a lifestyle with no regard to the fact that the end of all things could be near, where is preparation for the second coming of Christ on your priority list?

4. Would you call yourself a watchful and wise servant, who will be found faithfully doing their Master's will when He returns?

5. What one thing could you change today to be more prepared for Christ return?

Leaving Certain Things Behind | 1 Peter 4:1-6 | Pastor Joe Roach

Sunday January 28th 2024

Sermon Title: "Leaving Certain Things Behind"

(1 Peter 4:1-6)

Sermon Outline:

  1. Is there a way to follow Jesus and also fit in with the world?

  2. Author Dietrich Bonhoeffer once said, "When Christ calls, a man, He bids him come and die." What does that mean?

  3. What does it mean that "Christ suffering was His pathway to glory?"

  4. Why must we suffer as He did?

  5. True or False: There is no resurrection without death, and there is no death without suffering, so that is why we need to suffer well?

  6. What does it mean that once we decide to follow Christ, Jesus will change us from the inside out?

How Should Husbands Be | 1 Peter 3:7-12 | Pastor Joe Roach

Sunday January 14th, 2024

Sermon Title: "How Should Husbands Be?"

(1 Peter 3:7-12)

Sermon Outline:

  1. Do you believe that the only way for you to obey scriptural commands for how a husband should be, is if your wife agrees to her Biblical role as well?

  2. Do you think it is impossible to love your wife as Jesus loves the church?

  3. What can a husband do if he can't effectively lead his family because his wife challenges, his authority, repeatedly?

  4. What would happen if Jesus knocked on your door to address some concerns about your family? Who would he ask to speak with?

  5. Why has God designed the biblical roles for the husband and wife the way He has?

Starting 2024 Off With 'Don't GoThere' Passages | 1 Peter 3:1-6 | Pastor Joe Roach

Sunday January 7th, 2024

Sermon Title: "Starting 2024 Off With 'Don't GoThere'

Passages" (1 Peter 3:1-6)

Sermon Outline:

  1. Do you have problem passages of scripture?

  2. True or False: Christians don't get to have problem passages?

  3. Should a wife submit to her husband if he isn't even a follower of Jesus?

  4. What would happen if the roles of headship were reversed in the home and in Church?

  5. What is a wife to do when she serves her husband as the leader in their home, but he does not lead?

Walk Like A Christian | 1 Peter 2 | Pastor Joe Roach

Sunday December 17th, 2023

Sermon Title: "Walk Like A Christian" (1 Peter 2:1-25)

Sermon Outline:

1. Do you consider yourself to be a walking advertisement for Jesus?

2. Or do you think you are closer to a Sunday - only Christian?

3. What does the instruction to "put off your old self" mean to you?

4. Are you tolerating anything in your life today that the Bible says you shouldn't?

5. If becoming a billboard, for Jesus is impossible on your own, how can it be done?

How Are We To Live While Waiting For Jesus To Come | 1 Peter 1:3-16 | Pastor Joe Roach

Sunday December 3rd, 2023

Sermon Title: "How Are We To Live While Waiting For Jesus To Come" (1Peter 13-16)

Sermon Outline:

1. Why do you think there is such a shortage of Hope in our world today?

2. Why has this hopelessness crept into our churches as well?

3. True or False: Most people react negatively to God's command in 1Peter 1:14-16 to "But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct?

4. Do you take the call to holiness as a burdensome command, or "To be who we truly are"?

5. Does the Bible say whether Christian perfection, or perfect holiness, is possible on the side of eternity?

You Have Privileges Greater Than The The Prophets & The Angel | 1 Peter 1:10-12 | Pastor Joe Roach

Sunday November 26th, 2023

Sermon Title: "You Have Privileges Greater Than The Prophets & The Angels" (1Peter 10-12)

Sermon Outline:

  1. Do you ever wish you had the inside track to God's doings, like the prophets and the angels?

  2. What advantage does 2000 years after the resurrection, and the written Bible give you in your walk?

  3. True or False: You have more knowledge and the potential for greater faith than the Apostles and all the Prophets?

  4. Is it possible to know more about God's plan then the angels?

  5. Name two huge advantages that being on this side of the Cross two thousand years gives you in your faith walk!

How Can We Experience Joy In The Midst Of Pain | 1 Peter 1:1-5 | Pastor Joe Roach

Sunday November 12th, 2023

Sermon Title: "How Can We Experience Joy In The Midst Of Pain?" (1 Peter 1:1-5)

Sermon Outline:

  1. Someone in a terrible trial says, "How can a loving God allow this to happen?" How would you respond?

  2. Should we express anger toward God? Defend biblically?

  3. Is it sin to be depressed. Defend biblically?

  4. True or False: all who desire to live, Godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted?

  5. True or False: Some say that if we suffer, it's because we lack faith. We're supposed to claim healing by faith and deny all negative thoughts?

Are You In The Will | 1 Peter 1:1-5 | Pastor Joe Roach

Sunday November 5th, 2023

Sermon Title: "Are You In The Will?" (1 Peter 1:1-5)

Sermon Outline:

1. What do you think of when you think of an inheritance?

2. When you are facing what seems to be a hopeless situation what is it that keeps you going?

3. How often do you think about spending ALL eternity in Heaven? Do you wonder what it will be like?

4. Have you ever thought of your time here on Earth as temporary residency?

5. Do you fit in wherever you go, or do you stand out?

Live God-Honoring Lives In A Hostile World | 1 Peter Overview | Pastor Joe Roach

Sunday October 29th, 2023

Sermon Title: "Live God-Honoring Lives In A Hostile World" (Overview Of 1 Peter)

Sermon Outline:

1. Is it possible to live God-Honoring lives in this hostile world?

2. Where can we find encouragement to stand firm in the face of misunderstanding, ridicule, slander, and harsh treatment?

3. Does the Bible warn Christians that they will experience varying degrees of discrimination, marginalization, and social hardship, because of their faith in Jesus?

4. How does the Apostle Peter suggest Christians respond to such mistreatment?

5. We need to keep on rejoicing, even as we share in the sufferings of Christ. How does the Bible suggest we do that?

How Does Hope Arise In Our Hearts

Sermon Text: 1 Peter 1:3-9

Sermon Outline Questions:

  1. How can someone spend themselves in love to others when their own life is falling apart? Is it possible?

  2. How can we have the power of soul in times of great stress and anxiety not just to endure the evil day, but to be joyful and to fill our lives with the fruits of righteousness?

  3. To busy yourself for love's sake takes power in the very best of circumstances ... where does this power come from?

  4. What is living hope? Where do we get it from?

  5. How exactly does hope arise in our hearts?

What Is Your Daily Living Hope

Sermon Text: 1 Peter 1:3

Sermon Outline Questions:

1. Where do you get your Hope from?

2. What is your strategy for keeping from sinning each day?

3. What's your strategy for day by day maintaining a living passion for Jesus?

4. If a terrorist held a gun to your head and told you to renounce your Christianity, what would you do? What if they threatened to kill a loved one if you didn't renounce your beliefs?

5. How would your life be different if Jesus wasn't resurrected?