New Life Community Church, Atwater, CA

“Pandemic Re-Set” 1 Peter 4:7-11

Living through such weird times is a challenge, thriving amidst the constant changes seems impossible. We are befuddled by the conflicted information all around us, often to the point we’d rather just sit this one out, but we can’t. Because both of the following are true: you are not an accident; and our present circumstance has not taken God by surprise; we can be assured that we were created for just such a time as this! Perhaps we simply need to re-set and be the church that the world needs now. 

“The Latest Update” Revelation 1:7-8 Matthew 24:36-44

The latest news has us in belief to believe, all that is said and we hear. There is so much said, I believe we struggle, “with what to believe.” The Bible tells us that “Jesus is coming!” Do your hearts and lives align with what God has put into the scriptures? We need to be mindful that not one of us knows the day, nor the hour, when to expect Him. We need to learn to trust Him and put it all in His hands! 

“How to Save the World” 1 Peter 3:8-15

The world is a crazy place to live! It often feels like the opposition that the world throws at you is too much to bear. Yet, we have hope and must share a hope that can fix our broken world with 2 key ingredients.

"Who's the Boss?" 1 Peter 2:11-17

Freedom, it's that what we celebrate on Independence Day? What does it mean to be free?  And what do we do with the privilege of being free?   1st Peter offers a plan to be free even while living under outside authority. 

“Order in the House” 1 Peter 3:1-9

When something runs across our grain, our first impulse is to argue. We are quick to find fault, to draw lines and take sides. It seems that just about every thought has the potential to divide us, even something intended to build unity. As Peter addresses order in the family, and the first thing we do is stumble on the parts we don’t like, but in doing so, we may miss the chance to grow closer. 

“Family Resemblance” 1 Peter 1:13-23

It’s often easy to pick out family traits that are passed down from generation to generation. Peter notes that as “children of God” we also ought to have some defining features. There are two primary traits he notes in the text today that allow us to do a reality check to see how our family resemblance is showing. 

“What Should I Do? 1 Peter 1:1-2, Micah 6:8

We are sailing on uncharted waters. From the pandemic and shutdown, to the murder of George Floyd and the ensuing protests across the nation, we continue to be confronted with the question of “how am I to respond?” As we open the letter of 1st Peter today, we’ll see that this is a timeless question. Peter addresses believers of every generation to start at the point of identity, for if we remember who we are, we will know what to do. 

“Rejoicing in the Face of Uncertainty” 1 Peter 1:8 , Psalm 13:5-6

We are sailing on uncharted waters. With so much uncertainty, it is easy to be overwhelmed and dismayed by the fears of the unknown. Today we’ll open the letter of 1st Peter, a letter written to the (1st century) church facing difficulty and insecurity. The encouragement from Peter is to find joy in what is certain in the face of uncertainty that surrounds us. 

“The Seen & Unseen” 2 Kings 6:8-23

Walking through times of crisis, it is easy to be overwhelmed and dismayed by the challenges we face. Today in the story of Elisha we see an example of one who could see not just the threat surrounding him, but also God’s help at work. How we recognize the “unseen” hand of God in the midst of our predicament builds our faith and guides us through the crisis. 

“A Time to Pivot” Psalm 42

In every crisis, there are stages that must be walked through. As difficult as the path may be, we are reminded that God walks with us, even guiding our uncertain steps along the way. First we panic, next we pause, then the awkward time of being perplexed which ultimately leads to the pivot. The Psalmist records the pattern for us of moving from times of distress and uncertainty, with God’s help, into a new balance of faith (the path of peace).