Sermon

Inner Beauty
by Ray Pritchard

What is inner beauty that lasts and how do we get it? In today’s quest for physical beauty amidst a burgeoning population of aging Boomers who are finding it difficult to reconcile the ravages of time on their bodies, surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures are seeing explosive growth in this country. This craze is not particular only to celebrities and socialites but now includes the rest of society who can afford the cost of the procedures. We all want to look good, but all external and applied adornments will fail sooner or later. The Bible puts forth a better goal of the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. There is power and value in this inner beauty that all women can acquire. Scripture gives us a solid example of such beauty in the Old Testament character of Sarah. She was a woman of recognized great beauty in her society but Scripture credits her with a greater inner beauty of character that was more commendable and precious to God, described in First Peter, chapter three. Here, all Christian women are called to be “daughters of Sarah,” to emulate her lasting beauty of character quality and attitude. Ultimately for women, the beauty of eternal value is like that which Jesus demonstrated in his submission to and hope in God, in doing what is right without giving way to fear. This is true beauty in God’s sight.

Text: 1 Peter 3:1-6
Sermon Series: Strangers in a Strange Land (1 Peter)
Sermon

In His Steps
by Ray Pritchard

The Christian walk is synonymous with innocent suffering and pain, through which Christ our Lord suffered and died. He left us all an example of how to follow him in this. A Christian’s call to this behavior goes against the grain of his human tendencies: to suffer unjust treatment without retaliation, trusting only that God would be the judge of things ultimately. Jesus lived the sacrificial life to which he calls all his believers. It is a life that leads to the cross, and he has modeled how to live this sacrificial life for us. When we suffer unjustly, we share in a tiny portion of what happened to him. When we are mistreated, we are to turn the other check, bless those who curse us, and return good for evil. We are not to retaliate, not to threaten, not to get even. Jesus showed us how to live, and he showed us how to die. This response is a miracle in itself and is under girded and made possible only by the gift of grace from God.

Text: 1 Peter 2:21-25
Sermon Series: Strangers in a Strange Land (1 Peter)
Sermon

When Doing Right Gets You in Trouble
by Ray Pritchard

“Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also […]

Text: 1 Peter 2:18-20
Sermon Series: Strangers in a Strange Land (1 Peter)
Sermon

Serving God in an Unbelieving World
by Ray Pritchard

We are to submit to all those in authority over us. As Americans, when we read that we are to submit to the king, we tend to dismiss that thought since we haven’t had a king since 1776. What does Peter mean when he says we are to submit “for the Lord’s sake"? It means that there is a direct connection between the people in authority over us, and God who is the Ultimate Authority.

Text: 1 Peter 2:13-17
Sermon Series: Strangers in a Strange Land (1 Peter)
Sermon

How Your Life Can Change Those Around You
by Ray Pritchard

“Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against […]

Text: 1 Peter 2:11-12
Sermon Series: Strangers in a Strange Land (1 Peter)
Sermon

Welcome to the Priesthood
by Ray Pritchard

As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him—you also, like […]

Text: 1 Peter 2:4-10
Sermon Series: Strangers in a Strange Land (1 Peter)
Sermon

Got Milk?
by Ray Pritchard

“Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave […]

Text: 1 Peter 2:1-3
Sermon Series: Strangers in a Strange Land (1 Peter)
Sermon

Love One Another Deeply
by Ray Pritchard

I have three things on my mind that I want to talk to you about. These are really three different […]

Text: 1 Peter 1:22-25
Sermon Series: Strangers in a Strange Land (1 Peter)
Sermon

Living in the Fear of God
by Ray Pritchard

After a six-week break, we are returning to our study of I Peter. I want to begin by reminding you […]

Text: 1 Peter 1:17-21
Sermon Series: Strangers in a Strange Land (1 Peter)
Sermon

Get Your Mind in Gear
by Ray Pritchard

“Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when […]

Text: 1 Peter 1:13-16
Sermon Series: Strangers in a Strange Land (1 Peter)