Sermons - WEST ROME BAPTIST CHURCH

Featured

A Welcome from Pastor Jeff

I want to welcome you to the new website for West Rome Baptist Church. I trust that as you explore the site you will get a true feel for what you can expect when you step inside the doors of West Rome. We’ve sought to make our website not only more informative, but also more interactive and helpful, both for guests and regular attenders. Our goal is always to keep our Lord Jesus Christ central. Therefore, I extend to you an invitation to trust our Savior and Lord if you have not yet done so. I firmly believe that when you turn from your sin and trust the Lord for forgiveness and eternal life that you will taste and see that He is good. Here is the Good News:

…that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.

If you have any questions about how to begin a relationship with Christ and have your sins forgiven, I’d love to speak with you. You can email or call to connect.

At West Rome we are striving to be a community growing in our faith together and then living out that faith everywhere we go. We desire for this to be the heartbeat of our church. We’d love to have you to join us.

God bless you,

Pastor Jeff

About Us

Our Beliefs

Sermons

Sundays

Live at 10:15am | Available on YouTube

Sunday School every Sunday at 9am

While We’re Waiting

2 Peter 3:11–1 8

The depths of our desires, expectations, and anticipation for what we’re waiting for determines how we wait.

If we’re waiting for a root canal, or surgery, or a dreaded conversation we will most definitely wait in a vastly different way than we would if we’re waiting for a Christmas bonus, an extended vacation, or a reunion with a loved one we haven’t seen in a long time.

How then should we wait for Christ so that we might hasten his coming? Here are 3 actions every believer ought to continue in as we wait on the Lord.

**Action #1: We should wait on the Lord with continued spiritual diligence (14-15).**

First, we are diligent in our pursuit of practical holiness (14).
Second, we are diligent in our compassion for the lost (15-16a).
Action #2: We should wait on the Lord with continued spiritual watchfulness (16-17).

We are to watch our doctrine closely (16).
Watching our doctrine closely will stabilize us in the truth of Christ (17).
Action #3: We should wait on the Lord with continued spiritual growth (18).

We are to grow in the school of the grace of Jesus.
- Growing in the grace of Jesus means supplementing our faith with the qualities of 2 Peter 1:5-7
- Growing in the grace of Jesus means yielding in greater increase the fruit of the Spirit inGalatians 5:22-23
- Growing in grace means being strengthened by grace, 2 Tim.2:1-4
- Growing in grace means grace is our instructor, Titus 2:11-14
- Growing in grace means tapping into grace for endurance in times of suffering, 2 Cor. 12:7-12
- Growing in grace means being moved by generosity when times are tight, 2 Cor. 8:1-5
- Growing in grace means singing in every season of life, Col. 3:16
We are to grow in the school of the knowledge of Jesus

While we wait, we are to hasten the day by working the works of Christ. By his grace we are to live with diligence, watchfulness, and growth for the glory of Jesus.

Application Questions

How deeply are you longing for and anticipating the return of Christ? How can you deepen your longing and anticipation for his return?
What are some of the subtle spiritual errors of our day that we need to be on guard against?
How can we know if we’re growing spiritually? What are some biblical tests for growth?
Many today confuse grace with being tolerant of sin. What biblical texts refute this? What does grace really mean?
What is the difference between knowing about Christ and knowing Christ? Can you have one without the other?
How can a Christian who has lost his/her motivation to persevere regain it? What should he/she do?
How can we know if our conscience is overly sensitive or too insensitive? What guidelines apply?
How can we develop a heart for the lost? What steps should we take?
Since we all tend to be blind to our faults, how can we know if we’re using the Scriptures wrongly to justify ourselves?

This Week at WRBC-July 24, 2023

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever!

Psalm 107:1

This Week’s Events

-Wednesday Evening Service
Church Fellowship from 6-8pm. The Church will provide hotdogs and drinks. If your last name begins with A-L, please bring a side dish. If you last name begins with M-Z, please bring a dessert.

-Sunday Morning Service
Join us as we exalt our Savior and Lord this coming Sunday, July 30th. Sunday school begins at 9:15 a.m. followed by our morning worship service at 10:15. We will continue our study of 2 Peter with a message from 2 Peter 1:5-11.

-Sunday Evening Service
NO evening services or Youth Group on July 30th. We want to encourage you to open your homes and invite others in the church over for fellowship and a meal or dessert. This will be at your discretion and you may also be invited over to another’s home.

Upcoming Events

-Sunday Evening Service schedule for August
We will have Sunday evening service on August 20th at 5:30 p.m. at the Church. All are welcome to attend. The Youth Group will meet on this same night from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Sunday August 27th we will have another Sunday Supper. We want to encourage you to open your homes and invite others in the church over for fellowship and a meal or dessert. This will be at your discretion and you may also be invited over to another’s home.

-Church Fellowship & Game Night
Mark your calendar for Wednesday evening, August 23rd from 6 – 8 p.m. for a night of fellowship together as a church family. We will provide food to enjoy along with lots of fun.

-Church Family Camp
Calling all campers! West Rome will be having a “Family Camp” (as in the entire family of West Rome). Come camp with us at Somerset Beach Campground Aug.11th-13th. Reserve your spot today! When registering you only need to register 1 adult. Cost is $70 for the weekend. You will pay when you check-in at the campground.

Non-Campers: Feel free to join us anytime during the weekend. No need to register. Just come out as a “day visitor” Friday, Saturday and especially Sunday for our church service! We will meet at the church at 10:15. No Sunday School.

This Month’s Memory Verse

“but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us..”
romans 5:8

View Past Sermons here

About Us

Our Beliefs

Sermons

Sundays

Live at 10:15am | Available on YouTube

Sunday School every Sunday at 9am

A Gracious and Blessed Endurance

1 Peter 5:5–14

The prize of our share in Christ’s eternal glory is the finish line for our spiritual endurance on this side of heaven. Therefore, do not lose sight of your prize!

What are the spiritual keys to our endurance in the marathon of life that we must obey to reach our happy prize?

I. The first spiritual key for endurance is grace to be humble (5-7).

• Here is quite possibly the most uncelebrated character quality in all of scripture. To some it is a sign of utter weakness and incompetence.

How has your life, to this point, been impacted by this character quality of humility? Where do you sense the battle for humility being fought in your life against your pride? Will you commit to confessing and praying about it?
How do you suppose your own humble approach to circumstances in your life might quench some of the fires of hostility that you face in relationships? Where does surrender and submission come into play?

Isaiah 57:15 “For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.”

What strikes you about the paradox of this verse: our God who is high and holy dwelling with those who are contrite and lowly? What does it mean for God to stoop down to minister to the lowly?

Psalm 89:13 “You have a mighty arm; strong is your hand, high your right hand.”

Exodus 3:19-20 “But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand. So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt with all the wonders that I will do in it; after that he will let you go.”

What has been your experience “under the mighty hand of God”? In what ways has His mighty hand brought correction and restoration? In what ways has His mighty hand delivered and rescued you? How have you down the care of the God under His mighty hand?

• What is the value of God’s presence to you? Is the cost of your humility before God and others worth the blessings of God’s presence, care, and strengthening hand both now and in your future? Why or why not?

II. The second spiritual key for endurance is grace to be Vigilant (8-11).

• This is the third time that Peter has commanded us to be sober-minded (see 1 Peter 1:13, 4:7). It is instructional to notice that in all 3 cases Peter commands our sober mindedness in light of the eternal glory of Christ.

• The vigilant person recognizes their adversary.

How have you perceived Satan’s adversarial work in your own life? What disguises does he wear? What is he counterfeiting?

• The vigilant person resists their adversary.

• Resist can be understood as applying hostile rebellious opposition towards one’s opponent. Notice the instructions carefully: believers are to live in humble submission to God and to others, while rebelliously opposing their true adversary who is behind every cause and form of unjust suffering we face for the cause of Christ.

How do we resist this adversary?

• First, stand firm in your faith. To resist the onslaught of the devil we will need the feet of our faith firmly entrenched down into Christ.

• Second, know that you are not alone. Our faith is firmed up by the company we know we keep.

• Third, press into the gracious promises of God’s all-sufficient and sustaining grace.

Compare the beginning of verse 10 with 1 Peter 1:6-7. In what way has Peter come full circle from where he began his letter? What is the spiritual importance of this practically to your life as you reflect back on what we’ve studied in 1 Peter?
- The 4 verbs presented in verse 10 are not commands to us but promises to us from God. What is the practical significance of the following promise: “…the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself…”?

• Note the promises of God and consider how God has and is working these graces in your own experience.

• Restore – This is the promise of God to put in order what has gone wrong. It means to untangle and refit for proper usefulness. In Matthew 4:21 it is translated ‘mending the nets’.

• Confirm – This speaks of God’s work to settle the believer who is unsettled. God’s grace to uphold.

• Strengthen – this word means to firm up. This is strength in the inner man.

• Establish – Sometimes its translated steadfast. It refers to the foundation of one’s life. God must take us deep in our spiritual experience and walk with Him.

• The care of God is shown in the fact that He has promised to do all of this in us and for us, Himself! Only Christ has the eternal dominion to do this work in any and every believer (1 Pet. 5:11)!

III. The third spiritual key for endurance is grace to Stand Firm in grace (12-14).

• If it were not for the power of grace to establish us in grace itself we would all plunge ourselves back into our own self-righteousness and be lost forever.

• Peter uses the word ‘grace’ 8 times in this letter. A study on the grace of God will do us well to broaden our understanding of the work of grace in the life of the believer.

• In 1 Peter alone we have multiplying grace (1 Peter 1:2), grace for salvation (1 Pet. 1:10), future grace (1 Pet. 1:13), common grace (1 Peter 3:7), enabling grace (1 Pet. 4:10), sustaining grace (1 Pet. 5:5), all-sufficient grace (1 Pet. 5:10), and reliable grace (1 Pet. 5:12).

• If it weren’t for every form and function of the grace of God at work in the believer’s life, we could be nothing and we could do nothing for the glory of God. We would be hapless, helpless, and hopeless in relation to God and eternity.

Consider doing a broader study of the New Testament on the workings of grace in the believer’s life. How have you understood and thought about God’s grace in your life? In what ways does this help you to broaden your understanding? Can you see the ways of grace at work in your past and/or present? How might this change how you pray for grace?
How have relationships with other believers strengthened you to stand firm in grace? How might you strengthen others around you to stand firm in grace?
Where do you need to relinquish the god of self today and take that humble and faithful plunge into the depths of the riches of God’s grace to you that is found through faith in Jesus Christ?

An Exhortation to Elders/Pastors

1 Peter 5:1–4

Consider these expressed desires from the biography of one prominent pastor to his fellow elders…

“I want to be a pastor who prays.

I want to be a pastor who reads and studies.

I want to be a pastor who has the time to be with you in leisurely, unhurried conversations.

I want to be a pastor who leads you in worship.

I want to be a pastor who preaches sermons that make scripture accessible and present and alive.

I want to be a pastor who is able to give you a language and imagination that restores in you a sense of dignity as a Christian in your homes and workplaces.

I want to be an unbusy pastor.”

Of these expressed desires which one(s) resonate(s) most in your heart regarding your pastors/elders? Why? How would it benefit our congregation if your pastors were “unbusy”?

Christ-centered relational shepherding that mirrors the shepherding of Christ while anticipating the glory of Christ promotes a joyful healthy church life, even when under trial.

What kind of shepherding promotes a healthy church?

I. The kind of shepherding that happens in relationship with Christ promotes a healthy church (1).

• It’s significant to see how Peter and Paul use their apostolic authority. Consider 1 Peter 5:1 and the word ‘exhort’ along with Philemon 1:8-9, and 14. What can we learn from the apostles about how we use whatever spiritual authority we have in life? How might these lessons apply to you?

• Peter writes from a relational position.

• As a fellow elder

• Review John 21:15-17. Consider Peter’s life and spiritual growth. What do you learn about his calling and growth that can be related to yours and your fellow believers and your elders/pastors?

• As a witness of the sufferings of Christ

• Read 2 Corinthians 4:1-16. What are some of the pitfalls and challenges that pastors face in ministry? What are some of the blessings they experience? How does Paul help us find encouragement so that we do not faint or despair in our hearts?

• As a fellow partaker of the glory that is to be revealed

• How can you help your pastors maintain a healthy spiritual relationship with Christ? How can you do this for yourself and your family and other believers?

II. The kind of shepherding that mirrors Christ’s shepherding promotes a healthy church (2-3).

• Shepherd the flock of God that is among you.

• Two implications for the words ‘among you’ in our text. The first implication is for the elders – shepherd the sheep that are among you, in your pasture, not the pasture of other shepherds. The second implication is for the sheep – God intends for every sheep of His to live in the flock of God under present shepherding.

What’s the difference between listening to sermons of other pastors online versus living under the personal and present ministry of your own pastor?
How are you living under the biblical expectation of submission to the shepherding of your local church? How might your commitment need to grow in this area?

• Shepherding is primarily feeding and caring for the spiritual needs of believers.

What are the biblical expectations of shepherding brought out in the message?
What expectation do you have of your elders/pastors and how do they align with scripture?

• Peter gives 3 contrasting elements in the text that draw out the way elders are supposed to mirror the shepherding qualities of Jesus.

• Not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you.

• Not for shameful gain, but eagerly.

• Not domineering over those in your charge but being examples to the flock.

• Why are these elements important in the context of Church life? (Consider 1 Peter 1:14-15; 2:11-12; Hebrews 13:17).

III. The kind of shepherding that anticipates the glory of Christ promotes a healthy church (4).

• There are two reminders here for pastors specifically and all of us generally.

• First, every sheep and every under-shepherd needs the Chief Shepherd.

• Second, the Chief Shepherd is returning soon, so elders and sheep ought to look to the reward and be motivated by Christ’s beauty (glory), in which each of us share.

Matthew 5:11-12 ““Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Does the motivation to receive a reward ruin the motivation of love? Love should be the driving force of the shepherd’s heart. Does reward ruin that? Explain your answer.
In preparation for our final message in 1 Peter, read 1 Peter 5:5-14 this week. From the chapter, what do you perceive to be your spiritual responsibilities in the Church and to others in the Church?

This Week at WRBC – June 26, 2023

God shall arise, his enemies shall be scattered; and those who hate him shall flee before him! As smoke is driven away, so you shall drive them away; as wax melts before fire, so the wicked shall perish before God! But the righteous shall be glad; they shall exult before God; they shall be jubilant with joy! Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts; his name is the LORD; exult before him!

Psalm 68:1-4

This Week’s Events

–Blood Drive at West Rome

Once again, West Rome is hosting a RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE on June 27, 2023 from 10:00am -3:45pm. Perks for donating: $10 gift card (e-mail); Chance to win a Home Theater Pkg. All donors will receive a FREE ticket to Cedar Point!!

Please join us in this life-saving mission and schedule an appointment for your donation!! Go to RedCrossBlood.org (Sponsor code: WESTROME) or call 1-800-RED CROSS. Drop ins are welcome.

-Wednesday Evening Service
NO midweek services on June 28th.

-Sunday Morning Service
Join us as we exalt our Savior and Lord this coming Sunday, July 2nd. Sunday school begins at 9:15 a.m. followed by our morning worship service at 10:15. We will continue our study of 1 Peter with a message from 1 Peter 5:1-4. We will be observing communion together.

-Sunday Evening Service
NO evening services or Youth Group on July 2nd.

Upcoming Events

-Sunday Evening Service schedule for July
We will have Sunday evening services on July 9th and July 23rd at 5:30 p.m. at the Church. All are welcome to attend. The Youth Group will meet on these same nights from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Sunday evening, July 16th we will have a Church Members meeting at 5:30 in the auditorium for all church members. No youth group meeting on this night.

-Worship Night
Plan to join us at 8 p.m. on Saturday, July 15th at the Powers’ home for a night of worship around the bonfire.

-WRBC Basketball Camp is open for registration!
The West Rome Basketball Camp is ready to GO! Have fun and hone your basketball skills this summer with this fundamentals focused basketball camp! This camp is for all experience levels! Learn from past and present area coaches and players! Cost is only $20 (each pre-registered participant will receive a ball and t-shirt). July 19th-22nd. Ages 7-12. Limited to the first 100 to register. Pre-registration closes July 1st.

-Church Fellowship & Game Night
Mark your calendar for Wednesday evening, July 26th from 6 – 8 p.m. for a night of fun together as a church family. We will food to enjoy along with lots of fun.

-Sunday Suppers
On July 30th we want to encourage you to open your homes and invite others in the church over for fellowship and a meal or dessert. This will be at your discretion and you may also be invited over to another’s home.

This Month’s Memory Verse

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
John 3:16-17

View Past Sermons here

About Us

Our Beliefs

Sermons

Sundays

Live at 10:15am | Available on YouTube

Sunday School every Sunday at 9am

A Glory Ready to be Revealed

1 Peter 4:12–1 9

As we come close to completing our study of 1 Peter, I want to tie together three chief concerns of Peter in his letter. Those three chief concerns are these: 1) the believer’s doing good; 2) the glory of Christ that is ready to be revealed; and 3) the believer’s suffering.

Survey:

The believer’s doing good: 1 Peter 2:12, 15, 20; 3:11, 17; 4:4-6, 19.

The glory of Christ ready to be revealed: 1 Peter 1:5, 7, 13; 2:12; 4:11, 13; 5:1, 11.

The believer’s suffering: 1 Peter 1:6-7; 2:12, 15, 19-21; 3:14-17; 4:3-5, 12-19.

How does Peter tie these three chief concerns together? That’s what our study is about today.

While doing good in this life holds the promise of unjust suffering (“fiery trials”), it leads to the revelation of a greater gladness and glory that is coming soon.

Suffering in any shape is not something that any of us normally seek after, let alone unjust suffering. Peter’s intent is to prepare his readers for a coming fiery ordeal and to bolster them in their faith to hold fast to Christ. Holding fast under trials is not a natural human response, so Peter gives us compelling reasons for believers to remain in the faith…

I. Reason #1: God is in the Fiery Trial (12).

• You may consider Joseph in Genesis 37-50, Daniel 3 and 6, and Hebrews 11 for examples of believers enduring under fiery trials. Just as God was with them, He is with us in the furnace! Don’t melt, hold fast!

What are the severest trials you’ve faced as a believer for your faith in Christ?
How have you responded? How might you have lost your footing?
Consider formulating a spiritual battle plan using God’s Word and prayer to bolster your faith in preparation for more trials.

II. Reason #2: God has promised future gladness (13-14).

Purposeful suffering now in this life: Gladness and Glory later in the next life. (1 Peter 1:10-11, 5:1)

See God’s glory as real and more valuable than all we stand to lose under present pressures
Taste God’s glory as more satisfying than peace and comfort of this life. And,
Feel with great assurance that we will rejoice in Christ forever!
Review Ephesians 1:15-23. Add this prayer to your prayer list for yourself and other believers.
What are some other scriptures that point us to our future hope as being greater treasure than our present sufferings and trials? Build a catalogue of 3×5 cards and review them and pray them regularly.

III. Reason #3: God’s Refining Fires are more profitable than His fires of justice (15).

Throughout his letter Peter makes it known that it matters why the believer suffers (1 Peter 2:19-20; 3:16-17). Be sure we suffer for doing good and not for sinning. Verse 15 is another instance. Why does Peter care so much about the reason we suffer?
We might ask: why does Peter mention these particular sins: murder, thievery, evildoing, and meddling? And is there significance to their order?
Review Romans 5:1-11, 8:18-39; and James 1:1-18. Make a list of God’s promised purposes for the refining fires that believers face. How has God worked in your life through trials? What has He taught you? How has He conformed you to Christ?

IV. Reason #4: God’s Glory is greater than human approval (16).

How can Christians fight off shame in unjust suffering and glorify God in that name? Let me touch on two ways:

• First, fight against shame by remembering your identity in Christ. See 1 Peter 2:9.

• Second, fight against shame by living with a good conscience. See 1 Peter 3:16, 21. Appeal to Christ as your only hope!

Spend time reflecting on what God says about believers from 1 Peter 2:1-12 and Ephesians 1:1-14. How does your identity in Christ shape your perspective on trials?
Do you have a healthy and good conscience before God? Are you teachable? Do you practice repentance on a regular basis? How might a good conscience empower you to persevere?

V. Reason #5: God’s Purpose is worked out in the fiery trials (17-18).

Why does Peter include two rhetorical questions in the text? (see end of verse 17 and 18) The answer to these questions seems obvious: The outcome of those who don’t obey the gospel will be eternal judgment.

Peter does this to awaken compassion and pity in our hearts for those who remain lost in their sin.
Peter does this to warn us that sin is not to be taken lightly and neither is God.
Peter does this also to encourage us that we will ultimately be saved and that our suffering is very short compared to those who die in their sins.

So, Hold Fast in suffering!

What is your attitude toward sin in your own heart? Are you actively seeking to abstain from the passions of your flesh?
Do you live with compassion for unbelievers? Are you compelled to evangelize and share Christ with them? What might hold you back from doing so? Commit these issues to God in prayer.

VI. Reason #6: God’s Dominion and glory will be known in our doing good (19).

How do we know that the soul that trusts God will be saved?

First, Jesus entrusted himself to God the Father and the Father raised Jesus from the dead and received Him into glory and gave Him all authority!
Second, “the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer.” 1 Peter 3:12.
Third, To God belongs glory and dominion forever and ever (1 Peter 4:11, 5:11). Pray regularly, entrusting your life into the hands of our faithful Creator.

Applying the Mind of Christ

1 Peter 4:7–11

Applying the mind of Christ takes us back to review our key thought from verses 1-6: “Christlike thinking is essential for Christlike living. Weaponized thoughts are a prerequisite for a victorious life in this present darkness.” I want to take this thought and build on it today in our study of verses 7-11.

One key command: “Be self-controlled and sober-minded…” In verses 1-6 Peter supplies us with defensive measures to win our minds and to give the Holy Spirit ownership of the space between our ears. That victory shapes us to go on the offensive with the weapons Peter gives us now in verses 7-11.

Having properly armed ourselves with the mind of Christ regarding suffering, sin, and salvation, we are, in God’s strength, now able to relate to one another with a Christ-honoring way of life.

It is imperative for Christ to control the airwaves of our minds. We must think like Christ. If we fail there, we fail everywhere. I want to show you from our text today 5 compelling ways to live with the mind of Christ in these last days.

I. The first way to live with the mind of Christ is to live with an Urgency to Pray (7).

Peter is pressing on us something that we so desperately need today in our cultural context and something that we, by-and-large, are so contrary towards. What is this something? It is an urgent prayerfulness (stillness).

“I find that I live in urgency about many things today, but sadly prayer is often not one of them.” What are the most urgent matters that occupy your thinking and priorities? How do they line up with Biblical priorities and how might you begin to make changes wherever necessary?
“We must walk in deep communion with Jesus. That’s what an urgent, sober-minded, and prayerful lifestyle looks like.” List some practical ways you can go deeper in communion with Jesus. Pray over them and share them with someone who will encourage you to follow through.
“Part of our struggle is that often we live as though nothing at all were at stake with how we live our lives now that we know Christ. We have our fire insurance…we’re going to heaven…what else is there to be concerned about?” Is this how you tend to think regarding your salvation? Considering reading through 1 Peter and noting the privileges of being a believer and the call to faithfulness that comes with it.
Consider Matthew 26:36-46 and 69-75. What do you learn about a contemplative prayerful life from Peter’s failure?

II. The second way to live with the mind of Christ is to live with an Eagerness to love (8).

“Do you know that how believer’s love each other is our primary witness to our community (See John 13:34-35)?” Spend time prayerfully assessing your own love for other believers. What is the Holy Spirit saying to you? Is repentance required? Are relationships in need of mending?

Proverbs 10:11-14 “The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses. On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense. The wise lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.”

The context of 1 Peter deals heavily with reviling and threats as forms of persecution believers will face. What does “hatred” look like in a church setting? What does love look like in relationship to forgiveness of an offending brother or sister in Christ? What does the Bible say?
“Love is required to be applied by each one of us to each other in order to cover (veil, tent, canopy) the offenses of others.” How wide do you perceive your canopy of love to be in relationship with others? How can you stretch it?

III. The third way to live with the mind of Christ is to live with a Joy of Hospitality (9).

“Hospitality is a way in which we can demonstrate our obedience to the command to love one another. Hospitality means ‘a kindness paid to strangers.’” Consider Acts 2:42-47 and 4:32-47. What do you suppose hospitality looked like in the early church?

The believers Peter is addressing were living under the reviling and threats of unbelievers in their community and Peter saw a great and vital benefit in them bonding together and doing good (1 Peter 2:12, 15, 20; 3:6, 11, 17; 4:19). In doing good we are living out the gospel. By our good deeds we show unbelievers the worth of Christ (1 Peter 2:12). We put to silence the ignorance of foolish people (1 Peter 2:15). We follow Christ’s steps (1 Peter 2:20).

“Opportunities to show hospitality: small group ministry, prayer cottages, hosting missionaries, Sunday Suppers. Create your own opportunities. Hospitality is not a program, it’s a way of life together in community.” What are some ways you might show hospitality to others in the Church?

IV. The fourth way to live with the mind of Christ is to live with a Stewardship of Grace (10).

“You’ve received a gift from God’s variety of grace, so now use it to serve one another. With the gift comes the responsibility to manage the gift for the glory of God and the benefit of others.” What is your spiritual gift? How do you believe it can and does benefit your local church?

Sealed orders are those orders specifically given to each believer, depending on our giftedness by the Holy Spirit (See Ephesians 2:10). Our sealed orders are meant to give us guidance on where we apply our spiritual giftedness in the body of Christ.

When it comes to discerning our spiritual giftedness, we must discern our gift in order to apply our “yes”, and our “no” to the ministries and opportunities that we encounter in life. This is where we need to recognize our limits. Jesus didn’t minister to everyone the same way, to the same extent. When applying our spiritual gifts, we will disappoint some people while we meet the needs of others.

How does your closeness (or lack thereof) with Christ help (or hinder) you in determining how you apply your spiritual giftedness to serve your brothers and sisters in Christ? What needs to change? Who might you look to for help in this area?

V. The fifth way to live with the mind of Christ is to live with a Means and an End (11).

The means of living out the mind of Christ: do it with the strength God supplies. When God gives gifts, He gives with the gift the strength for us to use it. How does this truth free you to follow Jesus, even into difficult or uncomfortable situations and relationships?

The end of living out the mind of Christ: “in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.” God supplies the strength we need, and he gives us the purpose for which we are to live with the mind of Christ: his glory. How might your life – in heart, thought, word, and action – make much of the reputation of Jesus in our church and community?

What one practical change is the Holy Spirit calling you to make because of studying this passage?

This Week at WRBC – June 12, 2023

“Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!"

Psalm 100:1-2

This Week’s Events

–WRBC Secret Agent Vacation Bible School
Join us for “Secret Agent School” VBS!!! A fun time of Worship, Bible Lessons, Games, and Crafts!!! Sunday through Wednesday nights this week from 6pm-8pm. Grades Pre K-5th (Registration based on 2022-2023 Grade). Register below.

-Sunday Morning Service
Join us as we exalt our Savior and Lord this coming Sunday, June 18th. Sunday school begins at 9:15 a.m. followed by our morning worship service at 10:15. We will continue our study of 1 Peter with a message from 1 Peter 4:7-11.

-Sunday Evening Service
NO evening services. Enjoy Father’s Day with family.

Upcoming Events

-Church Fellowship & Game Night
Mark your calendar for Wednesday evening, June 21st from 6 – 8 p.m. for a night of fun together as a church family. We will grill hot dogs and have chips, drinks, and desserts to enjoy along with lots of fun.

-Co-Ed Softball
Starting the week of June 10th and running through August 5th, our Co-ed Softball league is kicking off! See Pastor Jason for more information or register using the link below.

-Boy’s Camp (Father/Son Camping Trip)
Come and make memories with your son(s) as well as fellowship with other father’s on this West Rome tradition! Bring your own food, drinks and camping equipment. Cost is $50. When registering you only need to register the “dad”. June 23rd-25th! Register below.

This Month’s Memory Verse

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
John 3:16-17

View Past Sermons here

About Us

Our Beliefs

Sermons

Sundays

Live at 10:15am | Available on YouTube

Sunday School every Sunday at 9am

Weaponize Your Mind

1 Peter 4:1–6

Christlike thinking is essential for Christlike living. To weaponize our thoughts is a prerequisite for a victorious life in this present darkness.

In the 1991 Gulf War Saddam Hussein, the then Leader of Iraq, attacked a tiny neighboring nation, Kuwait. The United States and Israel, allied together, launched measures against Iraq to fend off its invasion of Kuwait. You may recall that the US deployed its Patriot Anti-Ballistic Surface to Air Missile system to shoot down enemy SCUD missiles that were launched at Israel and Saudi Arabia. At the time of war, the U.S. claimed that 41 of 42 enemy SCUD missiles were effectively shot out of the sky and prevented from hitting their targets and killing allied forces.

With that as an introduction, there is one command in our text today. It is found in the first verse: 1 Peter 4:1 “Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,”

As I thought about what it means for believers to “arm our thinking” I thought about the Gulf War and the Patriot Missile System. My mind was also drawn to 2 Corinthians 10:3-6

“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.”

My aim in this message is to weaponize our minds with the mind of Christ. Think of the passions of the flesh as SCUD missiles launched from the desires of your heart. They seek to assault what we know to be obedience to Christ and the will of God. If we are to be successful in living an honorable life, we must weaponize our minds against these enemy assaults.

In what ways are we to weaponize our thoughts for spiritually victorious living?

I. The first way we weaponize our thoughts is to arm them regarding suffering (1-2).

• How do we weaponize our thoughts about suffering the way Jesus did?

1. Jesus didn’t suffer because of any sin of his own. Therefore, we should determine not to suffer because of our own sin (1 Peter 2:22).

2. Jesus didn’t deceive others in order to avoid suffering. Therefore, we should determine not to deceive our way out of suffering (1 Peter 2:22).

3. Jesus didn’t threaten his way out of suffering. Therefore, we ought not to make threats against our accusers (1 Peter 2:23).

4. Jesus continuously entrusted his cause to God the Father who judges justly. Therefore, this is to be our response of faith (1 Peter 2:23).

5. Jesus saw his suffering in light of the greater good of our healing. Therefore, we ought to see the spiritual benefits of our sufferings (2:24).

Application Questions:

Note in your Bible each occurrence of “in the flesh” and “in the spirit” from 1 Peter 3:18 through 4:6. What do these phrases mean in their context?
In 1 Peter 3:18-4:1, Peter uses baptism (immersion into Christ) as our appeal to God for a good conscience. Compare these teachings to Romans 6:1-12. What does being immersed (baptized) into Christ mean for the believer?
Of the 5 thoughts/attitudes of Christ toward suffering noted from 1 Peter 2:22-24, which one(s) is/are most compelling and needful for you and why? How can you begin to arm your thinking with these thoughts?

II. The second way we weaponize our thoughts is to arm them regarding sin (3-5).

• How do we weaponize our thoughts with the same way of thinking regarding sin that Christ had?

1. We now live with a hatred for our human passions and a love for the will of God (1 Peter 4:2-3).

2. While those who oppose us are surprised and malign us, we are not surprised and rejoice in hope of Christ’s glory (1 Peter 4:4-5, 12-13).

3. We arm our minds with a hope for the grace that is coming at the revelation of Jesus (1 Peter 1:13) as we abstain from the passions of the flesh (1 Peter 2:11-12) and bless those who slander us (1 Peter 3:9) and love our brothers and sisters (1 Peter 4:7-8), all the while resisting sin and standing firm in the faith (1 Peter 5:8-10).

Application Questions:

How are you specifically tempted to sin when under the pressures of trials and sufferings? In addition to Peter’s list of sins consider 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 and Galatians 5:19-21.
As you consider combatting those temptations, study Galatians 5:16-25, Ephesians 6:10-20, and Romans 8. What specific role do the Spirit of God, the Gospel of Jesus, and our readiness to do battle play in our battle to kill the passions of our flesh?
What has surprised you most about suffering in your life? Can you identify times when you suffered for various reasons: your own sin; the sin of others against you; or simply the presence of sin in the world? How did you respond to suffering and what did you learn and how did you grow spiritually?

III. The third way we weaponize our thoughts is to arm them regarding salvation (6).

• How does our salvation become a weapon in the arsenal of our minds to defeat the passions of the flesh and to live victoriously in the will of God?

1. Contemplate the imperishable seed from which you have been born again (1 Peter 1:22-23).

2. Contemplate the righteousness of Christ in which you are now clothed (1 Peter 2:24).

3. Contemplate the reconciliation which Christ has brought to reality between you and God (1 Peter 3:18).

4. Contemplate the justice of God on the day of judgment (1 Peter 4:13).

5. Contemplate the glory of Christ and His eternal dominion (1 Peter 5:10-11).

Application Questions:

What’s different about you today versus what you were like before you met Christ? Write out the differences and give thanks to God for how He’s grown you.
Take each element of the gospel listed above (imperishable seed, Christ’s righteousness now yours, reconciliation to God, justice of God, and the glory of Christ) and write a paragraph reflecting on how each one serves to strengthen you under trials and sufferings.

Take these 13 essential thoughts and prayerfully load them into your mind, so that you will be more successful in fending off the enemy of your soul.

AN HONORABLE LIFE LIVED IN GOOD CONSCIENCE

1 Peter 3:8–22 Study Guide

Our cars are equipped with lights on our display that come on to alert us when there’s something wrong with the car. If we ignore those lights, we do so potentially at great expense and to the peril of our car. Similarly, each one of us is equipped with an alert mechanism built into our person. We refer to that alert mechanism as our conscience.

The conscience can be developed, and it can also be seared. The conscience is informed with all kinds of information – true and false. Your conscience must be open to truth if you are to have a good conscience.

An honorable life lived by the truth keeps the conscience clean. In our text today we learn that,

An honorable life is coupled with a good conscience and a good conscience is fuel for enduring unjust suffering.

How does an honorable life result in a good conscience before God?

I. An honorable life requires a Godly DISPOSITION (8-12).

• An honorable life that leads to a good conscience requires a different disposition of the heart. Namely, a godly disposition. What characterizes a godly disposition?

a. A godly disposition is characterized by an alien love (8).

In music there’s something called dissonance: a lack of harmony among musical notes. It’s a tension or clashing that comes because of disharmonious elements. Jealousy, pride, position, rivalry, dissensions, envy, and strife are some of the dissonant sounds of the passions of our flesh that destroy the harmony that ought to exist in the body of Christ. These are some of the lustful passions at work within us that we are called upon to wage war against back in 1 Peter 2:11.

I call this an alien love because it is unnatural. It is the alien love of God that has infiltrated the believer’s heart and formed a new disposition towards those around us. The Spirit of Christ is not irritable, rude, militant, divisive, or edgy. His Spirit is gentle, humble, kind, and good.

b. A godly disposition is characterized by a bent on blessing others (9).

• Revenge is forbidden. We are not to repay injury for injury; insult for insult. The passions of the flesh want to take matters of justice into their immediate hands and repay. How?

• On the contrary, the treasured people of God are to live with a bent on blessing all those around us. The word ‘bless’ is ‘eulogize.’ Speak well of those who curse, slander, gossip, and threaten you.

• We bless our enemies because we have hope of a future blessing. Matthew 5:10

c. A godly disposition is characterized by a hunt for peace (10-12).

• See Psalm 34:12-16. Hunting for peace means that we look for ways to bless those who persecute us.

Application Questions:

As our culture grows darker, what benefits do you see in developing this kind of Christ-like disposition in your heart?
Think of examples of how you’ve seen the opposite of this disposition displayed by Christians. What was the impact? Think of examples of how you’ve seen this godly disposition displayed. What was the impact?
What are some practical ways you can bless those who don’t like you because of a biblical stand you’ve taken? What good can you do for them?
Who in your life can you encourage to do the same?

II. An honorable life gives opportunity for a ready DEFENSE of gospel hope (13-17).

• Gospel people are future oriented. Our hope for the future is why we can bless those who curse us. Here’s a recipe with 3 key ingredients for a ready defense of our hope for the future:

a. Ingredient #1: An intensity to do good (13-14a, 17).

• This first ingredient for a ready defense of our hope is an eternal mindset on the fear of God coupled with an enthusiasm to do good to all. It is the groundwork for the defense of our hope.

b. Ingredient #2: A heartfelt devotion to the Lordship of Christ (15).

• To honor Christ the Lord as holy in our hearts means we esteem our Savior by living according to His righteousness. We fear Him who can destroy both body and soul rather than those who can only do bodily harm. Be careful to do it with gentleness and respect.

c. Ingredient #3: A clean conscience before God (16).

• A clean conscience doesn’t have to run and hide. A clean conscience should never lead us into a witness relocation program. A shameful and guilty conscience wants to hide.

Application Questions:

On a scale of 1 to 10, rate your enthusiasm for doing good to those who want to injure you or your reputation. Ask the Lord to strengthen you and fill you will an eagerness and a bent to bless.
In what ways might your conscience be alerting you to heart, relational, or behavioral issues in your life? Is your conscience healthy, well-informed by truth, or seared?
As you live honorably, in what ways are you ready to give a defense for your hope in Jesus? What might you say to someone who asks you?

III. An honorable life gives rise to a victorious DECLARATION (18-22).

• In this last paragraph Peter reminds us that the Pioneer of this pathway of suffering is Jesus himself. If God has taken the greatest case of unjust suffering ever perpetrated and turned it to the good of Christ and all who follow Him then as we follow in His steps on this path, He will do the same with our unjust suffering. Peter gives us four elements of Christ’s victory:

a. Christ’s victory in bearing our sin (18).

b. Christ’s victory proclaimed (19-20).

c. Christ’s victory in salvation achieved (20-21).

d. Christ’s victory over all established (22).

Application:

To have a clean conscience we must live with a godly disposition within our hearts. This is impossible unless you know Christ as your Savior and he has begun to do His regenerating work in you. Have you accepted Christ’s sacrifice for your sins by confessing your sin to God, turning from them, and turning to faith in Christ as your Ark of salvation?
How does Christ’s victory stir you to endure unjust suffering in your life?
Think about how Christ’s sovereign rule over the demonic realm enhances your confidence in His rule over all your circumstances. What does this mean to you?
How is God shaping your disposition to match Christ’s? Spend some time praying and thanking Him for that faithful work of conforming you. Pray for specific areas where you need to grow.