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 3:1-6Throughout history, God has grown and moved his church as his people scattered to diverse locations geographically. This pattern has not changed and believers are still called to grow and expand as a church today, whether we move across national boundaries, ethnic and cultural boundaries, or do church planting in our immediate communities. Beginning with the first generation of believers in the book of Acts, we hear of Phillip, who was emboldened and changed by the power of God as he moved out in obedience to spread the Gospel. Despite severe persecution, great joy descended on those who received the truth that came with power. In this present age, we have the account of the phenomenal growth of the church in China. In 1949 all Christian missionaries were evicted leaving less than one million indigenous believers behind. They faced relentless bloodbaths and eradication. Yet the church grew in the midst of that persecution when determined believers scattered and went underground. The challenge to believers today remains the same—to be willing to be moved out of our personal comfort zones, to walk in faith, to make personal sacrifices, and most importantly, to trust God for our personal well-being and needs.
Text: Acts 8:4-8“Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against […]
Text: 1 Peter 2:11-12After 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(This particular sermon was a “tag team” effort where I preached the first part, and Pastor Bob Boerman preached the […]
Text: VariousSince this is the first sermon in the God Speaks Today series, I thought we should answer a few key […]
Text: Genesis 2:18-25; Hebrews 13:4“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe […]
Text: 1 Peter 1:8-9Today we are beginning a journey through I Peter. I encourage you to crease your Bible open to this little […]
Text: 1 Peter 1:1-2John Ortberg tells the story about a man who wanders into a small and cluttered antique shop. In the midst […]
Text: Ephesians 6:18-20But whether we are on earth today or in heaven tomorrow, we are still part of the church of Jesus Christ.
Text: Hebrews 12:1