Here’s an 8-part video series on selected passages from the book of James, filmed this past fall and now available as a youtube playlist for viewing online.

“Depths of our sin, Heights of His Mercy” – A message from Psalms 36, which looks at the depths of wickedness to which men’s hearts can sink, and the great heights of mercy the Lord shows to those who come to Him.

Psalms 15 raises the question of who may have close fellowship with the Lord. Then it describes the high level of righteous character that is necessary in the way we live. And we learn what we as Christians should be like, and can be, in Christ, since we also see how He passed that test with flying colors, on our behalf. In the end you will worship Him and call upon His name to become more like Him than before. So His promise of close fellowship with Him is kept, right here and now.

1 Peter 4:1-11 helps us a Christians born again to a living hope to know how to stand in righteousness in our behavior, even against great pressure from the world. We learn to stand together in the strength the Lord provides. He is glorified, and our future rewards are secured.

Living Hope III: Love one another, Love the word

1 Peter 1:22-2:3 shows us how those born again to a living hope need to grow up in our salvation through feeding on the word of God and loving each other fervently. We were born not to stay infants but to become what God made us to be. This passage teaches us how.

In Part 2 of “Living Hope” we look at “Holiness Now,” from 1 Peter 1:13-21. Since God is our Father now on the basis of His Son’s perfect sacrifice for us, we now have both motivation and enabling to submit to Him and become holy in our conduct because of Him.

Politicians in America are saying we need to protect abortion rights “for our daughters.”

No.

My daughter needs her gym locker room protected from perverted men entering it.

My daughter needs the floodgates of porn closed, so that she can find a husband of clean mind and heart.

My daughter needs violent criminals dealt with, not defended.

My daughter needs to be protected from the prospect of being drafted into the military.

My daughter needs all of her first and second amendment rights secured for her safety, her faith, and her right to say what she wills.

My daughter does not need to have the opportunity to kill my granddaughter.

1 Peter 1:1-9 is a beautiful exposition of the greatness of our security once our faith is in Christ, and teaches us how wonderful our future shall be, even if, when necessary God puts us through trying circumstances for our benefit.

Peter’s Triumph – In Acts 15, we read the last words Peter says to us in the book of Acts, and it is a simple yet very profound examination of the gospel and the perfection of salvation by grace alone received by faith alone in Christ alone, for everyone no matter what they have done. This truth is one to rest in, find unity in the body of Christ in, and to defend strongly and publicly, even in the presence of church leaders who challenge it and want to add a work or two or a ritual to the pure gospel. On that note, our study of the life of the apostle Peter comes to a close.

Peter’s Second Prison Break – in Acts 12, incidents in the life of Peter and the church teach us about prayer, faith, and trusting God in the world eager to mock Him and persecute His followers.