1 Peter: Is All of This Worth It?Sample

It’s so easy to get caught up in seeking the comforts of this world. It’s much easier to do what feels good in the moment than to be subject to discomfort, pain, or suffering. Chasing after worldly pleasures, acceptance, accolades, success… the list goes on and on. Those things have tempted people for all of time and have never equaled true joy. For example, throughout the Old Testament the Israelites struggled to follow God’s plan for His people. In Deuteronomy 6, God tells the Israelites of all the goodness to come for them IF they obey His way. He outlines a great life! Instead, the Israelites continue to turn away and disobey God. They traded the promises of God for the pain and consequences of an earthly existence.

This world is not our home. We are reminded of this time and time again throughout scripture. Eternity in God’s presence will be far greater than any perceived rewards we earn in this world. 

ASK:

-Why does Peter ask the church to keep in check their desires for things of the flesh?

-What is Peter suggesting will happen when Christians are rebuked for following God’s way instead of the world’s way?

-What might it look like to live every day like a “citizen of Heaven”?

TAKE A NEXT STEP:

What is one “passion of the flesh” (1 Peter 2:11) that you need to trade in so you can more fully step into your calling as a follower of Jesus? Come up with a few steps to focus less on this thing and more on Jesus. This would be a great opportunity to invite a trusted Christian confidant or mentor to pray for you and to help hold you accountable.