In Romans 1:16-17 I believe Paul lays out his thesis, or his main idea for his letter to the Roman church;
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.  For in it […]

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Paul’s love for the church is phenomenal. I pray that we would love the church like Paul loved her, better yet, like Christ loves her.
Romans 1:7-12 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. […]

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I love Paul’s focus upon Jesus Christ here in Romans 1:1-6, it is as if he is providing a mini-history in six verses and it is all about Christ!
 Paul, a slave of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy […]

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Peter’s instructions for defense against Satan are quite interesting.
1 Peter 5:5-11 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders.  Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”  Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that […]

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Peter’s words here are invaluable for our understanding of church leadership.
1 Peter 5:1-4 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, […]

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Peter here addresses the subject of a final judgment for believers so that they can encounter the trials such as the above coliseum.
1 Peter 4:17-19 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do […]

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Is it possible that we have missed the source of true joy completely as we search for a Christianity that gives us prosperity and health? I think Peter would have a telling answer to this question.

1 Peter 4:12-16 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try […]

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Peter here connects the end times and church practice through a stunning association.
1 Peter 4:7-11 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” Be hospitable to […]

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Peter is here building a case for a life lived to accomplish the will of God.
1 Peter 4:1-6 Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for He who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that He should no longer live the rest of […]

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Just a quick note on the above picture, it reminds me of “The Voyage of the Dawntreader” by C.S. Lewis when Repicheep sets off in his little boat to travel east, east, east until he finds the end of the world a.k.a. Aslan’s country.
 
This text I am about to discuss perplexed both […]

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