An Atypical Meal

Introduction

So as you guys already know, I have been married for a little more than 5 months now and as time keeps passing by you start to see your little traditions or tendencies takes place which is really awesome to see. Samantha and I are pretty busy people and one of our busiest days is Wednesday. She works all day, I go to school and work all day and its just tiring. But its also one of my favorite days because normally because we are so tired she says these amazing words, “Want me to get in n out on my way home”

When she says that man I'm excited because I love in N out, but the taste isn’t the only thing I have in mind its the fact that neither of us have to cook when we get home.

Guys cooking is work and its the last thing you want to do after a long day. Trust me, just ask your parents and maybe if you're brave enough cook a meal for your parents.

However, one of our favorite nights are looking up a recipe and cooking it because it is rewarding. After doing all the preparation the waiting the watching when you finally eat it and hopefully it tastes good, that's a great feeling. But honestly the reason we cook is because we need to! Food is not only a recreational thing but it is something that we need and it takes work it takes time but it can also be rewarding because God gives us taste to enjoy it.

What I'm trying to say is that for the Christian, tangible food isn't our only source of joy and life that we need.

John 6:35 ESV

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.

Jesus says to them, if you desire life an eternal life an imperishable life I am the food source. Be dependent upon me. This theme of food as a spiritual life source is what a Christian needs.

Turn with me to

Put Away Sin-Verse 1

Context

Peter is speaking to Christians who are living hard lives

His encouragement is reminding them of a living hope that they have in Jesus because they are children of God and God will exalt them in the future

Peter’s Burden throughout the whole book is so that Christian’s would live Holy Lives even when life is hard and the reason

Christians live holy lives is because our lives reflects our faith in Jesus

V.22 Peter points us to the fact that the faith that we have is a 100 percent guarantee, it is not like our bodies that will eventually whither and die or any physical thing. God’s Word, his promises will never fade away- its eternal!

Putting away wickedness

Because that word is eternal and 100 percent guaranteed, Peter says Christian’s must live like it- How do we do that?

Malice- General term for wicknedness that is within everybody

Deceit- a form of trickery for selfish gain

Hypocrisy- condemning others for things they do even though you do it to. This is a Christian testimony killer. I know ive been there, claiming to believe in God and how he is the only thing that keeps me going and yet I am out doing things with my friends that I shouldn't be doing..

Envy- an unhealthy jealous desire for things others are in possession of-Ive been there, seeing my friends with nice cars that mom and dad bought them and I don't have those things

Slander- telling a rumor about someone that isn't true, I know you guys go through

If you are obeying the truth, these things should be put away because what Peter tells Christians to do, that is, love your brother. You can never do that if you commit these sins. Honestly, the point though is that if you do this to your brother who do you have to have your back? The Church is supposed to be a family and we are supposed to suffer together and have each other’s backs. Its intentional and sincere.

The Believer’s Heart for Truth-v2

Like New Born Infants

want to know the most dependent thing in the world is at this moment?

A Baby-A baby has 3 functions: sleep, eat and drink. They need their parents to care for them. Basically, their life is dependent upon their parents to feed them-some of you are still in this state because you cant cook

Like a baby in need of milk, a Christian needs God’s Word, the Gospel, the Bible where we put together our belief system, Peter says depend upon it and desire it like a baby-The Bible is our Spiritual food.

Now some of you may are probably skeptical about the Bible. One of the most baffling statements is when people say “at least I dont believe in a book”

Two Types of Knowledge: Experiential and Things past down

Think about it, you wouldn't know a guy named George Washington existed if he didn't sign things and write letters. You wouldn't know that the body is made up of cells unless someone did research write it down and put it together in a book.

The Truth is people depend upon books regardless if you believe the bible or not, students are in school right now because they believe reading books can give them a better future!

The most important thing however, is that we don't believe in “the bible” We believe in the God of the Bible and what he has spoken is true. It is applicable to every area of our lives and it tells us who we are as human beings. It tells us to live holy lives and do things that are good to love and to care for others.

If you want evidence that it really does change lives one of your leaders. Talk to someone who you think evidences this. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the gospel and Jesus word changing my life. Trust me I hated reading and I thought it was boring, there is better things to do like video games and parties and drugs. If you want that though, trust me when I say this, it will never satisfy you. If you do, you are just believing in the book of High School or Jr High culture.

V.3- Our faithful God

One more thing. God’s word aka the Bible is evidence of God’s blessing in the past and a reminder in the present.

Taste that the Lord is good is a reference to of King David’s trial when Saul was trying to find him and kill him. However, God time after time kept sparing his life because he promised that one day he will be King! David’s message is simply, count your blessings and trust in God’s promises because His promises are whats 100 percent guaranteed. Like food, when you witness and experience His promises it is tastefully rewarding. But here is Peters point, the Bible will remind you of God’s promises and if you apply it to your life you will experience God’s promises and it will be rewarding because you will continually grow and have faith and you are not condemned.

Application

Do you see how this is our spiritual food?

Depending upon Gods word may be hard at times, it takes work it takes time it takes patience.

People may even hate you for it, you may doubt it at times when you're suffering.

You may even make mistakes in the process but that is what makes God’s word so encouraging. Guys what makes having in faith in Jesus so amazing is that we can mess up but always come to God in faith if we are genuine about it. No one is perfect, you are going to fail to love your Church members and fail to do what the bible says.

But listen to what Peter says, If you depend upon it like a Child you WILL 100 percent guarantee grow in faith until you meet Jesus.

Also, YOU WILL make it to the end and YOU WILL LIVE HOLY LIVES even when life is hard. When life is especially hard it is almost darn impossible to have faith in the Bible but that is when you are going to grow the strongest because guess what, its not only you that's going through it. the encouraging thing is that you have the Church to have your back and walk through it with you. So long for it like a child and reap its rewards because it is the 1) the only food you need and 2) the most tasteful source of life