Hope in Everyday Life
For Meditation
We often think of “mission” as what we do in special times and occasions — perhaps a short-term trip or a service weekend. But according to the apostle Peter, “mission” is not an episodic activity but an everyday identity. He is building a case that as Christians we are a missionary people living as exiles in a foreign land. We are not called to disengage, separate or attack; instead, his vision is “engaged difference”—that we would live distinct lives yet remain engaged in the people and communities around us. In this section, Peter turns to some very practical details of our every day life: how we should engage in the public square, how we should engage at work, and how we should engage at home. It’s a “missionary handbook” of sorts for every day life. In instructing us in this way, he is opening our eyes to see the amazing missionary opportunities around us every day, calling us to be vessels of hope in the ordinary.
Worship Guides for Sunday's Services can be viewed by clicking the service names, below:
9:00 AM Convergent Service in the Sanctuary
11:15 AM Traditional Service in the Sanctuary
11:15 Contemporary Service in the Fellowship Hall
For Reflection and Study
1 Peter 2:13-3:2, 3:7, 3:15-16 (ESV)
13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. 18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. 19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffer- ing unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
1 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct.
7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.
