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What lesson has meant the most....well, that would be easy given the last year at our church. It was lesson #3, UNITY. Since loosing our pastor a year ago and going through a church split as a result, this has been a very trying year. Not just because of the pain of seeing those I loved so much leave angry, but because those of us left behind struggled with what to do and where to go. Near the first of the year, we were at each others throats. Instead of pulling together, the trauma of the split nearly tore us apart. Much love, great forgiveness, and constant prayer by many of the remaining members has allowed us to really begin the healing process, seek forgiveness with each other, and begin to pull together. There is still a long way to go, but the lessons from this passage ha already began to be a heartbeat of our church. For a long time to come, having gone through this last year, the lessons we hav learned, and the truths of this passage will ring true for all of us.

How does Christ's example speak to your situation? How is your behavior going to be different because of what you see in Jesus' character in this passage? "I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live. Yet not I, but Christ who lives in me." That is the heartbeat and passion for my life. That others wold see Christ living in me. We see the great love and compassion of the Father lived out through the Son, and we should live by that example. Those around us should see and be impacted by the great love and grace of our Heavenly Father as we submit our lives to Him and are used by Him to touch the world around us. Do I always succeed, of course not, but then I know I have a heavenly Father that is loving and gracious and will forgive and accept me as His son. Just as the Prodigal Son crawled back to the Father begging him to just amke him a lowly servant, so at times, I find myself crawling back to the presence of the Father, begging and pleading for His forgiveness. Each and everytime, my "Daddy" shows me His amazing and wonderful love, wipes away the dirt of my actions, clothes me in the richness of His holiness and love, and welcomes me back. What a great and awesome God we serve.

How does being an employee "conscious of God" affect the way we act and react to injustice in the workplace? Can a conscientious Christian be a complainer? Why or why not? How do you usually react to prolonged, unfair treatment at your work? If we react to injustice at the workplace it should 1) never damage our Christian witness, 2) be an act of genuine love and/or concern, 3) not be self-seeking, and 4) always done with the utmost respect for those in authority. We should not be "complainers", constanstantly seen as negative to the plans and objectives of the department. if that is the case, we need to look very carefully at our lives, and the current position we serve in. it could be time to move on to another position or place of employment, or could be time for some "house cleaning: of the soul. God wants us to be salt and light, not spoiled milk and dreariness. I try to speak up in the face of the treatment, but always out of respect. if it does not go anywhere it may again be time to move on to another place of employment. I am cogniscent of my Christian witness and do all I can to protect the integrity of it. yes, sometimes I have gone to seek forgiveness when I have blown it, but that provides another opportunity to show th Christlike life, and the grace and forgiveness of our Lord to those around us...another opportunity to be submissive and obedient to those God has placed over us.

If we are to submit to our employers and respect them, what is that saying about God's expectation that we do a good job? In what sense do we dishonor God when we don't give our full effort to our jobs? "WHATEVER YOU DO IN WORD OR DEED, DO AS UNTO THE LORD!" is the command of scripture. In truth, we do not work for our employers, but the Lord through our employers. a saying that is often convicting is the one that states, "we play to an audience of one." Regardless of whether we are working on our jobs, serving in our communities, living at home, shopping, driving, walking, WHATEVER WE DO, we are to do it as if we are doing it for Christ. With our whole heart, at the utmost level of excellence, as if Christ, Himself, were the one watching over us...For in truth...isn't He?

In what way is God's glory dependent upon us living submissive, obedient lives? How is God hurt when we get rebellious? As we live submissive, obedient lives in society, it gives no ground for the foolish arguments and accusations of the lost. We silence their critisims by living Godly, holy lives. When we rebel, it provides easy ammunition for which to shot at our credibility to the lost, discredit our witness and testimony, and destroy our integrity. Unbelievers looking at the rebellious chirsitan would experience no hunger fo the things of God, and be justified to never surrender their lives to Jesus Christ.

How can the good deeds we commit by living openly as Christians increase God's praise. How does our "blending in" detract from God's praise? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Good deeds increase God's praise because other can see the affect God has on our lives. They can see the hope and joy He brings--the hope of eternal life and the joy of the abundanat life He brings us now. It should make others "hungry" to know what that difference is in our lves, and make them desire to surrender their lives to Him. Once they have, there is great rejoicing as souls are added to the Kingdom, wayward children come home, and the family of God is grown. "blending in" causes none of this to happen. There is no need for a Savior if you can continue to act as if you had not given your life to Christ. If He makes no difference in a person's life, there is no need to "waste" ones tie with the things fo God. When we act in unholy ways. in affected lives, with the same actions and attitudes of the world, then they see themselves as "OK" when in fact they are on a road to eternal destruction. I told my youth this past weekend that if they are going to claim Christ and act as the world then I would ask that they quit claiming to be a Christian as they are doing the lost more harm than good. Although I really want them to line up their lives with God's Word, the point has to be made that the Christian life is a call to holiness...a seperateness from the world's sinful desires. To set yourself apart for acts of righteousness and godliness...to be a slave to Christ (Romans 6). Only by living a seperate and victorious life will other see the Christ we claim to hav accepted, and be DRAWN to Him--to not live that way, cheapens the price our Lord paid for us, and DRIVES other away.

Read 1 Peter 2:11 carefully. The world tells us (1) to conform and (2) that sin won't hurt us. What does Peter tell us to combat these lies? How can this reminder help us? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Paul tells us that they WAR aginast our sould--that they seek todestroy or at least tear us down in defeat. He also tells us that since this is not our true or final home that we should stay clear of these things. We should seperate ourselves from the desires that will lead to sin, and defeat us. When tempted we need to remember where our REAL home is, WHOM we serve and WHOSE we are. We should remember that we are to remain seperate and holy for our bridegroom. We also need to rmember that sin ALWAYS hurts...always defeats...always is destructive. There is NO innocent sin. That it was only 1 sin that would have sent Christ to the cross. To think each time I sin that Christ had to die on the cross for that actually sickens me. makes me fall on my knees in repentence and humility to know what He had to pay for my sins...each one of them.

What actions and attitudes should this idea of being part of God's own people inspire in us? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To know we are chosen and loved by our Father. To knwo that no matter what happens, He will remain faithful to us and His Word. To know He accepts us as His own dearly loved, and precious children. I am special because my "Daddy" says I am. Total humility in knowing that the God that created this vastness of the entire universe whose measure we cannot even begin to fully comprehend or imagine, who numbered and anmed all of the stars in that universe and placed them in the ehavens for us to behold, looks down through all the vastness fo that space, to me as an individual, knows each and every minute detail of my life and me as a person (hairs on my head, each word I will speak, the number of my days, that direction He has set for my life, and my name) and loves me, cares for me, protects me, and cherishs me. Gratitude. Thanksgiving. Praise. Worship. A desire to share that fact with everyone we come in contact with and not hide it under a basket for just me.

If your praise is primarily for God's benefit, not your own, how should you be offering praise? --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regardless of how I feel. Continually. In ways that are pleasing to Him. With my whole heart. Not out of necessity or compulsion, but out of an overflowing love for Him, for what He has done for me, and most importantly, simply who He is. As much as I know these things, this is a difficult time for this. I confess, that I have not done this recently. The cituations I find myself in at the church I serve at, the demand of my full time vocation, the demands of my family, and other obligations have stolen the joy I once knew. I know recently I has only offered praise because I know I should do it...out of compulsion...believeing the Father knew my heart, knew the situations that had drug me down, and knew my inmost hart was truly to praise Him out of a Joy-filled heart. Father, pelase restore to me the joy of my salvation. Restore the joy that once burned bright and clear in my heart. Rekindle the fire that has grown cold by the distractions of this world. Focus my heart and my eyes on You alone. Father, please give me backa tender heart, a worshipful, and praise filed heart. Restore what has seemingly fled away. Dear Father, with all my heart...with all that is left, I beg this of You, and plead with You to help me in this time. As you did for the psalmist, please, dear Lord, do for me. hear my cry from this deep dark pit. Lift me up out of the miry clay that my feet have sunken into. Set my feet firmly on the rock of Christ Jesus once again, and direct my paths. Then Father, my lips will sing out Your praise once again.

Christians often look at their relation to God as consumers, delighting in what God does for them. What is the mindset of a priest towards God? What actions does this mindset inspire in you? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Humilty. Holy Fear. Submissive service. To be alert and attentive to my Lord and Savior. To listen for His voice and follow where He leads. I know that my Lord is watching out for me, protecting me, guiding and directing me. My mindset should be on learning to follow in His footsteps, serve out of obedience and love, and learn to imitate the example of love He was to others. To dig into His Word. To be in a constant attitude of prayer and communication with Him. To listen intently as the day goes on so that I will not miss His voice. Once heard to follow where He leads, and do what He has directed. To be attentive to the opportunities He provides to minsiter to others, and do so out of an overflowing love for them because of my Lord's love for them.

Have you ever felt you were of no worth or of no value? What does 1 Peter 1:18-19 say about your worth? What does it say about God's love for you? What does it indicate about the long-term value of your balance sheet and financial assets? What are your true long-term investments? Why? 4:1 ABSOLUTELY! This is a struggle for me when I take my eyes of Christ and focus on my circumstances and failures. Those times I begin to see the mess I woud be in were it not for Chirst's work in my life. When I get my eyes back on what is to be my focus, I see how precious I am to Christ. 4:2 Just that I am more precious than the most precious things here on earth...and so much more. Chirst gave His life for me LONG before I stepped foot on this planet so that when I did I cold know God personally. He cared enough to die for me when He could have walked away. 4:3 That is it PURE, that it is PERFECT, that it is LONGSUFFEREING, that it is UNCONDITIONAL, that it is EVERLASTING, that it is something I thank God for every day I live, and pray my life will reflect the great price that was paid for it. 4:4 A youth pastor friend once told me there are only two things that we can "take with us" when we pass from this life to glory: God's Words and men's souls. That is where my long term investments lie. To learn God's Word and place it in my heart. Why? Because "I have hidden God's Word in my heart that I might not sin against You." And work to share the truth of God's salvation and love with each person I meet. To make them hungery and thirsty for the change God has made in my life. 4:4 My earthly wealth is for work here. To invest in the kingdom, to be a good steward, and to be used to further God's work here on earth...but it is of no value beyond this life, and definately nothing in the scope of ehaven and eternity.

3-1 Why are people in our culture so upset when they sense they are being judged by someone else? What can I add that has been said already. PRIDE! People have forgotten Psalm 51:17 "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart

2-1 In your own words, how would you define "holiness"? Pure without spot or blemish, absolute truth, set apart for God's use and God's purposes, complete light where there is no darkness at all. In what sense are you (by definition) holy now? I am holy only by the work of the cross. Only by the covering of Christ's blood over my life can I be holy practically. I can for a time act righteouslessly, but because I am weak in my sinful nature, and hav not yet attained a full measure of maturity, I fail the Lord. In what sense must you be obedient in order to become holy? I must be obedient to the Word and to Christ at all times. My holiness comes from Him. If I am completely obedient to Christ, holines will come from it. For to be obedient to Christ is to be holy. What is your biggest struggle with holiness? Pride. Pride that somehoe within my own trength, will, or power, I can somehow attain the holiness God desires in me. It is like the story of the man that drowned. That sad part is not that he drowned (well okay, yes, that is sad, but...), but that he drowned during a lifegaurd convention. It is when we feel we have acheived some great work for God that we are potentially our most vulnerable. My deepest prayer is that God will keep my humble and broken before him...clay in the hands of tthe potter...an instrument in the hands of a great musician. That I am only what He makes of me, and am that only by His work, and not of my own.

What about Christ's coming should get our undivided attention? Why should it inspire hope? Why should it inspire self-control and soberness? What happens in our lives when we don't really expect Christ to come soon? 1:1 - First it is soon...Second it is sure...Third, we will stand before the High King of Heaven and give an account for the actions we lived out on this earth. The one who gave His life for me and paid my debt wil ask me to give an acocunt for my life. If that don't get your attention...you must alrady be dead.....or lost! 1:2 - Mainly because it is sure. If He came the first time, and left, He will come again. HE IS COMING...HALLELUJAH! If He is coming, what have I to fear? If He is coming, and it is soon? Why should I be afraid? If He is coming to take me to home for all eternity, what should cause me to tremble? Nothing. That is why we can "...set our hope fully on the grace to be given to you when Jesus Christ is revealed." 1:3 - Matthew 12:36-37: "But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." or Matthew 25:40 "Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me." There are others. These speak of things that we make lite of today, or think are only jokes. But the Father takes them seriously. We have become lax in our faith, lax in our living, lax in our holiness before a holy God. 1:4 - What happens??? We take for granted the awesome and measurless price that was paid for us to redeem us. We take for granted the life that Chirst dies to save. Wew get "lazy" in gaurding our hearts and minds. We give the enemy a perfect landing place from which to spread chaos and destruction...or simply defeat in some area of sin in our lives...we give him a "foot in the door". Once he has that, he is relentless to defeat and destroy us.

HEY FAMILY! 5:1 What is the basis of Christian joy that is "inexpressible and glorious"? Hmmm...I get to express what is described as inexpressable...interesting. Maybe the closest I could explain it is the faith I have in God. I heard Adrian Rogers speak of faith tonight on the radio and things really clicked based on what we have been studying. I can have solid, unshakable faith becuase of the way my faith is based on...the solid unshakable rock of Jesus Christ. 5:2 How does this joy interplay with human emotions? basically, it doesn't. Emotions are fickle and can betray us. For instance "falling out of love" with someone, or even "they MADE me mad". All are emotions that ebb and flow (to some extent) just like the ocean tide. I can wake up in a good mood...or a not so good mood. However, I am always filled with the joy of God...again, it is unshakable. I can be sad, or upset for a miriad of reasons or I can be happy for a totally different set of reasons, but my joy is not based on circumstances, but the truth of God...who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 5:3 Is it essentially emotional? I think it transcends emotion. it is truth. It is a natural result of faith, much like good works are a naturla result of salvation. 5:4 How is it different from what is generally regarded as the pursuit of "happiness"? Becuae the source of joy is different that the sourse coming from the "pursuit of happiness". The pursuit and the happiness it can bring is what I DO. My joy comes instead from what God has done, and what He has promised. The truth of God that never changes. True joy does not go up and down based ona whim or circumstance, but stands strong in good times and bad, sunshine or rain, because or God in whom we trust, and His Word, never, ever change. 5:5 How can you tell the genuine article of joy from the counterfeit? Test it. If it remians strong in light of difficulties and trials, then you would have a strong case for real joy. if ti constantatly ebbs and flows from happy to depressed based on the set of circumstances you are in...better do a heart check! May God richly bless each one of you!