Untitled Sermon

Passage: 1 Peter 2:21-25

Title: Easter Through the Eyes of Peter

Summary: All scripture has been given and inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16), yet something remarkable in what we read here before us today is Peter walked with Jesus, and was eyewitness, to the things we read in our passage. When he writes these things there is a personal recollecting, an inspiration that has direct heart-strings attached to them.

1 Peter 2:21–25 (NKJV) 21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22 “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; 23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Peter Eyewitness & Ear-witness

All scripture has been given and inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16), yet something remarkable in what we read here before us today is Peter walked with, was eyewitness, and earwitness to the things we read. When he writes these things there is a personal recollecting, an inspiration that has direct heart-strings attached to them. As John the Apostle would say, so too can Peter, we didn’t just look upon, we didn’t just hear, we touched Him, we handled Him, we didn’t just behold Him, we held Him. And Peter writes to us this epistle, and today as we look at these verses there are heart-strings attached to what we read. A wonderful and perfect passage for us to read and have devotional with on this Easter Sunday 2023.

1 John 1:1–4 (NKJV) 1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life—2 the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.

(1 Peter 2:21 NKJV) For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

Peter First Called

Verse 21 – For to this you were called- Peter first called:

Matthew 4:18–20 (NKJV) 18 And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 They immediately left their nets and followed Him.

Do You Remember the Day Jesus 1st Called You

Do you remember the day, the day Jesus first called you, invited you into a personal relationship with Him? Easter is a good day to remember that day. My day was 32 years ago it was a day somewhere in February 1991 that I knew the Lord had invited me into a personal relationship with Him to follow Him and a life of intimacy with Him.

This word “follow”, has been used so rightly, “as a small child endeavors to walk in the footprints made by his father’s feet in the snow”; but not me, I remember it as if it was yesterday, those weeks after receiving Him as my Savior, the invitation to intimacy, if there were snow prints I would not have been able to walk in them for I felt as if I was walking ten-feet off the ground, not sure when my feet ever touched the ground again. I know when I reflect on this sweet invitation to follow Him, my heart is lifted again, walking 10-feet off the ground, why do you love a sinner like me…… but You do, and He does.

I pray an Easter remembrance for you, like Peter, as we look back and remember when He first called us.

Peter Walking in His Footsteps

Peter’s footsteps?

John 13:36–37 (NKJV) 36 Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward.” 37 Peter said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake.”

Matthew 26:57–58 (NKJV) 57 And those who had laid hold of Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. 58 But Peter followed Him at a distance to the high priest’s courtyard. And he went in and sat with the servants to see the end.

Matthew 26:73–74 (NKJV) 73 And a little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, “Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you.” 74 Then he began to curse and swear, saying, “I do not know the Man!” Immediately a rooster crowed.

“Which hour do you think of the sufferings of the Lord, from Gethsemane to Golgotha, would be most deeply engraved upon the memory of Peter? Surely it would be that space of time in which he was mocked and buffeted in the hall of the high priest, when Peter sat and warmed his hands at the fire, when he saw his Lord abused, and was afraid to own that he was his disciple, and by-and-by became so terrified that, with profane language, he declared ‘I know not the man.’ So long as life lingered, the apostle would remember the meek and quiet bearing of his suffering Lord.” (Spurgeon)

1st – An Empty Tomb

But now there is not only an empty cross….. but now an empty tomb. Christ suffered on the cross, buried in a tomb, three days of agony for Peter, and now a knock (pounding no doubt) on the door of his home, which again no doubt pounded through his heart that it was the Romans, escorted by the Jewish leaders, rounding up the followers to put this to an end so it goes no further. But it is Mary saying go to the tomb, it is empty, the stone has been rolled away, and I have held him and spoken to him, and He says come and see….. and Peter He called you out by name! Peter runs to an empty tomb, but the voice of He who spoke, was not there.

Mark 16:1–8 (NKJV) 1 Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. 2 Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. 3 And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. 6 But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. 7 But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.” 8So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

John 20:1–10 (NKJV) 1 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.” 3 Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. 4 So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. 5 And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. 9 For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went away again to their own homes.

(1 Peter 2:22 NKJV) "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth";

2nd – A Lonely Walk Back

Empty tomb, but He who spoke is gone, what does all this mean as Peter starts His long walk back home.

John 20:9–10 (NKJV) 9 For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went away again to their own homes.

Reflecting back, Simon Satan has asked for you that he might sift you, but when you return strengthen your brethren…..could this mean what He said it meant, that He will take me back?

Luke 22:31–34 (NKJV) 31 And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” 33 But he said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.” 34 Then He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.”

Sinless – Perfect Lamb

As prophesied in Isaiah 53:9, Christ “did no sin.” Peter had already pointed to His sinlessness in 1 Peter 1:19. He also says in (v.22). Jesus was perfect and sinless and therefore He not only qualified to be the Passover Lamb, but His perfection makes His Words perfect as well (did you ever consider that Christian?).

Isaiah 53:9 (NKJV) 9 And they made His grave with the wicked— But with the rich at His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was any deceit in His mouth.

1 Peter 1:19 (NKJV) 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

John 1:29 (NKJV) 29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

Suffering – Sinless – No Fraud

Peter is recounting (as he pulls pieces here and there from Isaiah 53., back in verse 21 that Jesus suffered for him (us), Jesus was sinless (v.22), and he says (v.22) there was no deceit in His mouth, which means “no fraud”, and thus it is that Jesus was the real deal, His words were truth, His actions were in response to His truthful words

Satan has asked for you that he might sift you, but when you return strengthen your brethren…..could this mean what He said it meant, that He will take me back?

Luke 22:31–34 (NKJV) 31 And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” 33 But he said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.” 34 Then He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.”

An empty tomb, the resurrection, confirms….. I am who I say I am! (NO FRAUD)

Exodus 3:13–15 (NKJV) 13 Then Moses said to God, “Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is His name?’ what shall I say to them?” 14 And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ” 15 Moreover God said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: ‘The LordGod of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever, and this isMy memorial to all generations.’

Peter’s Easter began with a startling, then confusion and questioning, and a lonely walk to ponder all things…… but then Jesus will show up personally before him.

(1 Peter 2:23 NKJV) who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;

Jesus Remained Quiet – Not Dime-us-Out

Jesus had to remain quiet, for Him to speak either in Gethsemane, or the Courtyard of the high priest, or at the scourging, or at the cross…… would have meant He would have had to dime-us-out, tell who really was and is the guilty party (Peter, you, and me). Before Rome would crucify someone, they would scourge them (using a leather whip that had shards of pottery and broken bones imbedded into the leather – so to literally shred the back of the accused), and they would have a Roman scribe sitting at a table next to the accused and write down all the crimes they would confess to (those close out cold cases), and the idea was if the person confessed the lashes would get lighter, if they remained silent the lashes would get harder and harder. Jesus would remain silent, not dime-us-out, thus all the lashes would get harder and harder. History says 40 lashes was the legal limit, but Rome would stop at 39, so to declare they were gracious; but you can be sure Jesus got all 40, because Jesus would receive no grace, as the guilt/sin of the world was placed on His back.

Mark 15:15 (NKJV) 15 So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged Him, to be crucified.

Jesus remained silent, not to protect the innocent, but to protect the guilty.

3rd – A Private Meeting

Private Meeting / Tell Peter Specifically – Love of Jesus Never Fail / Boys will be Boys /

Jesus appears to Peter, in a private meeting we are told in Luke’s Gospel. Now Mark tells us the angel instructed them (the woman who first came to the tomb at dawn, right after the earthquake) to return to the rest of the disciples and let them know Jesus had risen! I love Mark’s account, where the angel says to these ladies, “But go, tell His disciples - and Peter...” Check that out... “And Peter!” Jesus plans to reach out especially to Peter and reassure him that he’s forgiven. The love of Jesus never fails - even when we do! The Lord’s pardon is always available if we’re humble and willing to change. Peter and John ran to the tomb - along with Mary Magdalene. John 20:4, “They both ran together, and the other disciple (John) outran Peter and came to the tomb first.” Notice, John has to mention he outran Peter. Even at such a holy moment, boys will be boys... It also shows how much they wanted to believe! Imagine, their return conversation, “Could it be? After all that’s happened?” Peter had to wonder, “How will He ever forgive me, after I failed Him three times?” So it appears that as Peter leaves the garden to return home, Jesus appears to Him personally. What a moment that must’ve been!

Luke 24:33–35 (NKJV) 33 So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 And they told about the things that had happenedon the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of bread.

Aren’t you glad this Easter that Jesus meets us privately, that the world doesn’t need to know our private moments with the Lord, our private times of restoration, that He doesn’t dime-us-out on all our faults.

(1 Peter 2:24 NKJV) who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed.

Christ Himself – All By Himself

Christ himself “bare” (anēnenken, carry, offer up, a verb commonly used of bringing sacrifices to an altar, as in 1 Peter 2:5) their sins in His own “body” (sōmati, as Isaiah 53:12 states, “He bare the sin of many”) on the “tree” (xulon, timber, not a live tree). The cross became the altar, and Jesus became the perfect sin offering (Hebrews 9:28).

Harris, R. W., ed. (1989). Hebrews–Jude (p. 283). World Library Press.

By One Mighty Blow

The Greek word translated “stripes” refers to a bloody wale trickling with blood that arises under a blow. The word is singular, not plural. Peter remembered the body of our Lord after the scourging, the flesh so dreadfully mangled that the disfigured form appeared in his eyes as one single bruise. (Wuest)

4th - A Corporate Gathering

The Upper Room

This is the last of the appearances of Jesus on Easter Sunday. It took place in the evening, probably in the upper room in which Jesus had instituted the Lord's Supper. He comes and He offers them peace, and he proves that man can have peace with God through two things, the Cross (nail pierced hands), and the resurrection, the death, hell, and sin have been defeated!

Luke 24:33–40 (NKJV) 33 So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 And they told about the things that had happenedon the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of bread. 36Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.” 37 But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. 38 And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.” 40 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet.

Quoting Isaiah

Peter in verses 21-25, will be quoting here and there from the Messianic prophecy of Isaiah 53 (written about 740-700BC).

Isaiah 53:1–12 (NKJV) 1 Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 2 For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, And as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; And when we see Him, There is no beauty that we should desire Him. 3 He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. 4 Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lordhas laid on Him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth. 8 He was taken from prison and from judgment, And who will declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; For the transgressions of My people He was stricken. 9 And they made His grave with the wicked— But with the rich at His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was any deceit in His mouth. 10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the Lordshall prosper in His hand. 11 He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors.

Isaiah 53 – Not Perfect Translating

These verses contain an appeal to the example of Christ in his attitude toward undeserved suffering. Verses 21–25 are based on Isaiah 53, with certain modifications. These differences may be due to different factors:

· Peter may have been quoting from memory and thus does not reproduce the quotation word-for-word.

· (2) he may have been using a manuscript with these variations.

· (3) these modifications may have been due to the use of these quotations in the ministry of the church. Some interpreters, for instance, take verses 22–24 as based on an early church hymn, and the variations may have been due to this liturgical usage.

Arichea, D. C., & Nida, E. A. (1980). A handbook on the first letter from Peter (p. 81). United Bible Societies.

Peter Singing a Poem from His Heart / Audience of One

Peter is writing this passage almost 30 years after that night, and he writes not in a poem of sorrow and defeat, but he writes as a song of praise and worship…. The audience of one, the audience of “THE ONE”.

Peter’s Easter, through his eyes, turned into his lips, as praise arises to the Audience of One….. He is Alive, and I am forgiven!

(1 Peter 2:25 NKJV) For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

The Shepherd’s Poem

We are His “workmanship”, and the word in the Greek is “poiema”, it is where we get our English word “poem”. We are God’s love poem.

Ephesians 2:8–10 (NKJV) 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

So interesting to me, as I look at this word “poiema”, how closely (related) that word is in the original language (Greek) to the word for “Shepherd” in our verse 25.

Ephesians 2:10:

4161 ποίημα [poiema /poy·ay·mah/] n n. From 4160; TDNT 6:458; TDNTA 895; GK 4473; Two occurrences; AV translates as “thing that is made” once, and “workmanship” once. 1 that which has been made. 2 a work. 2A of the works of God as creator.

· Strong, J. (1995). In Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship.

1 Peter 2:25:

4166 ποιμήν [poimen /poy·mane/] n m. Of uncertain affinity; TDNT 6:485; TDNTA 901; GK 4478; 18 occurrences; AV translates as “shepherd” 15 times, “Shepherd” twice, and “pastor” once. 1 a herdsman, esp. a shepherd. 1A in the parable, he to whose care and control others have committed themselves, and whose precepts they follow. 2 metaph. 2A the presiding officer, manager, director, of any assembly: so of Christ the Head of the church. 2A1 of the overseers of the Christian assemblies. 2A2 of kings and princes. Additional Information: The tasks of a Near Eastern shepherd were: 1) to watch for enemies trying to attack the sheep; 2) to defend the sheep from attackers; 3) to heal the wounded and sick sheep; 4) to find and save lost or trapped sheep; 5) to love them, sharing their lives and so earning their trust. During World War II, a shepherd was a pilot who guided another pilot whose plane was partially disabled back to the base or carrier by flying alongside him to maintain visual contact.

· Strong, J. (1995). In Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship.

Peter Tell Them My Love Poem

Of course, the love poem of God to His children, the Shepherd to His sheep…. Peter tell them my love poem to them, I Love Them!

John 21:15–17 (NKJV) 15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” 16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.

Thrown Away / Bollas Brothers – The Great Treasure Hunters

Oh I remember it like yesterday, it was always one of the most exciting times of the year for me and my brother, “spring pickup” on the little rural road we lived on in Western Pennsylvania outside of Pittsburgh. Spring Pickup was one day out of the year, and you could place anything you could get to the curb out in front of your house, and the County would pick it up for you and take it to the dump. If you could drag it, if you could muscle it, push-pull-shove it, they would take it. People loved it of course because this was there opportunity to get rid of their junk, their trash, their broken things, things that they felt had no use to them anymore. But for me and my brother, oh it was treasure hunting day. In fact, we would start walking up and down our street every day for the whole week leading up to collection day, just hunting through each pile. Every day we would go back out to see if there was something new thrown away. We just couldn’t believe what people would throw away, toss aside, abandon, consider junk, unusable, broken beyond repair, or just not worth their time to try to fix. But to me and my brother, we would hunt through a pile and pull stuff out and say jackpot, can you believe they through this away, why with a little work we can make this brand-new. We would pull old bicycles out and say all this needs is a new chain and a fresh coat of paint and this bike is brand new again ready to ridden and enjoyed again. We built a fort out in the woods, it was actually an underground fort (that was totally cool), and we would find stuff and go jackpot, we got carpeting, we got lights now, we are water proof. It was always amazing to us what people would throw away, push aside, toss aside and say this is broken, can’t be fixed, it isn’t worth the effort. To me and my brother we were not junk collectors, we were treasure hunters.

Jesus the Greatest Treasure Hunter / He Pulled Me from the Pile - Jackpot

We thought we were the great treasure hunters, but later in my young adult life, I would find there was a greater treasure hunter, Jesus Christ, and he would actually consider me a treasure. I would at a young adult age feel broken, tossed aside, unfixable, just another thing eventually for collection day, no purpose, little value. But the Great Treasure Hunter, Jesus Christ, came and hunted through the pile, pulled me out, and said “jackpot”, oh I can make this new, not just repaired but brand new, something that He could enjoy and have great pleasure in, and use for His purposes, thus giving me a purpose.

His Words are True! Thus these words are true, we are new creations!

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV) 17 Therefore, if anyone isin Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Metamorphous – Same Word used of Butterfly

The word that best describes what happens is the word “metamorphous”, the same word we use regarding the metamorphous of the butterfly.

3339 μεταμορφόω [metamorphoo /met·am·or·fo·o/] v. From 3326 and 3445; TDNT 4:755; TDNTA 607; GK 3565; Four occurrences; AV translates as “transfigure” twice, “transform” once, and “change” once. 1 to change into another form, to transform, to transfigure.

Communion – A Love Poem

There is a beautiful poem, a love poem, written of God to you that you hold in your hand.

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 (NKJV) 23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.

Prayer

The Word of God is Living and Powerful, and is ready, and will do a mighty work in our lives.

Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV) 12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

In Every Study

· Who Is God? (How Great is He?)

· What Does He Think of Me? (How Wonderful Are His Thoughts Towards Me?)

· What Does He Want Me to Do?

· What Can I Boldly Request of Him?

· What Do I Need to Be on Guard of When I Leave Here Today?

Boldly come to the throne of grace, ask God to reveal Himself in a mighty way to you, and to do I might work in you, and through you.

Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV) 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need