In His Steps

Good morning Church!

I consider it an honor to be back in the pulpit here with you guys, and I look forward to seeing what God will do here today!

Would you be finding in your Bibles: 1 Peter 2:21

While everyone is finding the passage, I will give a little history to this message.

I had called my ant a few weeks. While we were talking, she told me she had been reading this amazing book. She said, “It is so good. I don’t want to put it down!”

She asked me if i would like to read it when she got done. I told her i would and she sent it my way.

As she described, the book was amazing. The title of the book was: “In His Steps”

The main idea of the book went back to WWJD movement and encouraged everyone to ask that question throughout their normal day. “What would Jesus do?”

“If Jesus were running this business, how would He do it?”

“If Jesus were in this situation, what would He do?”

“If Jesus were faced with this trial, how would He handle it?”

“If Jesus were raising these kids, how would He do it?”

And so on.....

I began searching the scriptures and came across this verse. I have been studying it ever since and want to share with you a message today titled: “In His Steps”

1 Peter 2:21 NKJV

21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

Context

Peter is writing to those who are in the faith. More specifically, he is writing to those of faith who have been scattered abroad through the Dispersion.

Because of the heavy persecution of Christians, many had to flee their homes and find shelter elsewhere. Their lives have been turned upside down because of those who do not share in their faith.

Peter is writing to give encouragement. He starts his letter unto them by bringing focus unto the spiritual realm. He brings attention to the coming return of Christ and explains that their current suffering will be rewarded in the end.

1 Peter 1:13 NKJV

13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

He stresses the importance of their calling. It is termed a calling because as they heard the Word of God, the God of the Word called unto them through His Word and opened their understanding to a greater truth. That truth was named Jesus, and through Jesus, they were called unto a different life, a better life, a more-fulfilling life, an eternal life.

It was a calling unto righteousness:

1 Peter 1:15–16 NKJV

15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

At this point I have to stop and ask a very serious question. Do you really believe that you can live up to the calling that God has placed on your life?

Now I am not talking about your special calling: a preacher, a song leader, a Sunday School teacher.

I am talking of the general calling upon your life. The calling that Peter speaks of here. It is the same calling that is upon every Christians life. It is a calling to imitate Christ.

Content

Commitment