Stonecreek Church

How does living on mission help us to live resilient?1 Peter 4:12: Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.1 Peter 4:13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.How do you posture yourself in the midst of your suffering?Hebrews 12:2 says  “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”Acts 5:29-32We must obey God rather than human beings! 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”Acts 5:41 “Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.1 Peter 4:14-15 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler.Matthew 28:19-20: 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”“Go, if you feel like it and when it’s convenient. Be nice enough to people that hopefully they notice you go to church. Keep your faith private and silent if you need to though! I don’t want you to offend anybody. And behold, I am with you always to the end of the age.”1 Peter 4:16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 1 Peter 4:17-18 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And "If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"Go, Send, or be disobedient1 Peter 4:19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

Suffering is normal, and through it we can believe God is good. This past Sunday, we heard from Pastor Steven Gibb as he unpacked 1 Peter 4:1-11 in our teaching series, Resilient: Following Jesus in a World That’s Falling Apart. We were made for eternity, and setting our eyes on the things of heaven means that we can live for the things that actually matter. What do you care about now that won’t matter in eternity? Time is short – don’t wait to live your life in a meaningful way. 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, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does. The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:1-11 Exiles on our way to eternity. Living Hope Suffering is normal. God is good. Time is short – don’t wait. Live in today, but live for eternity. "Time is what we want most, but what we use worst." William Penn Time matters because matters of time are matters of eternity. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 ​​So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 What do I care so much about now, that I know won’t matter in the end? What am I putting off? Do my prayers carry a sense of eternity? Who is at my table?

Who actually wants to be around you? This past Sunday, we heard from Pastor Steven Gibbs as we continued in our sermon series, Resilient: Following Jesus in a World That’s Falling Apart. We unpacked 1 Peter 3:8-22 and exactly what it means to suffer in a way that reflects the coming kingdom of God and our eternal purpose. The way that we respond when our world’s on fire reveals the reality of our soul. Do you set the temperature when you walk into a room?  Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him. 1 Peter 3:8-22 If everyone jumped off a cliff, would you? Read Psalm 34 every day. Are you measuring or setting the temperature in the rooms you walk into? What temperature are you setting in the rooms you walk into?  Who is asking to be around you? “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

Aren’t you grateful for people who will tell you the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable? This past weekend, we heard from Pastor Aaron Bennett as he continued in our teaching series, Resilient: Following Jesus in a World That’s Falling Apart. We unpacked 1 Peter 3:1-7 and learned about the goodness that is in God’s created order for life. It’s not just what God teaches us, but why He teaches us. God’s creative order brings life. Wise people yield to His plan. Truth is more important than my ego. Truth matters.  Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct. Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening. Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. 1 Peter 3:1-7 In this letter Peter is painting a picture of a new humanity, initiated by Jesus. LIVE GREAT LIVES AMONG THOSE WHO DON’T BELIEVE...SO THAT THEY MIGHT BELIEVE What are women called to submit to? Leadership and Love Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. Ephesians 5:22-25 Men — how are you leading in your home? Men — how are you sacrificing for your wives and family? God’s design brings life.  God’s design matters.  Christianity is a faith built on surrender to God’s goodness.

How you do anything is how you do everything. This past Sunday, we heard from Pastor Steven as he preached from 1 Peter 2:11-25. We learned that in light of the gospel, we can and should live our lives to the best of our ability. The way we live shows the world what we believe about God. Are you living because of His goodness? Or are you living a half-hearted life? Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. 1 Peter 2:11-25 On a scale of 1-10, in the last 7 days, how much better is your world because you’re here? Live my faith out loud with extraordinary beauty and boldness.Lord, make my life so beautiful and bold so that people will believe.Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. Romans 13:13-14 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16 We are good so people will see God.Does my behavior cause other people to believe in God?So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 Holy Intent How you do anything is how you do everything Where in my life am I giving a half-hearted effort? What’s the loudest voice in my life?

Knowing your identity produces resiliency. This weekend, Pastor Steven Gibbs unpacked 1 Peter 2:1-10 as we continued in week 3 of our teaching series, Resilient: Following Jesus in a World That’s Falling Apart. The Bible tells us that we are a part of a royal priesthood and that we have a glorious inheritance. If we believe that to be true, we can walk through this life with confidence. If our identity is found in anything else, our foundation will crumble and we’ll be left wondering what went wrong.  Knowing your identity produces resiliency. So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and, “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 1 Peter 2:1-10 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” Mark 1:9-11 What you feed grows, what you starve dies.Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!    Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Psalm 34:8 My identity is personal, but not private. What cornerstone is my identity built on? How many times do I read my bible every week?

What do you spend time thinking about? Do you ponder the reality of eternity, or are you focused on the things in your life that don’t really matter in the long-run? This weekend we continued in our study of 1 Peter as Pastor Steven unpacked 1 Peter 1:13-25. The Bible commands us to live holy lives in light of the work of Jesus. As we prepare our minds for action, we are preparing for the hope and life that our souls crave. This is how we put hope on the move. This is how we live resilient lives.  “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for ‘All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.’ And this word is the good news that was preached to you.” 1 Peter 1:13-25 Put hope on the move My Mind Matters Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? Romans 6:16 Focus our mind on things that really matter  Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. Luke 12:33 What do I spend my time thinking about? Half-hearted lives won’t move hope Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day. Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 23:17-19 “If your God never disagrees with you, you might be worshiping an idealized version of yourself.” Tim Keller I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart! Psalm 119:32 Find your few Have I allowed a root of bitterness or unforgiveness to grow deep in the soil of my soul? How will I put hope on the move?

What an awesome Easter! This past Sunday, we heard from Pastor Steven as he kicked off our brand new series, Resilient: A study through 1 Peter. We learned about the strength of having a living hope – a hope in Jesus – in the midst of a world that is falling apart. The things of this life will fail us and let us down, but Jesus is constant, victorious, and never failing.  What a TERRIBLE way to live!  Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you. 1 Peter 1:1-2 Why am I trying to prove I belong? Why do I spend so much time building a life that I can’t keep? Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:3-5 Is my hope dead or alive? In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:6-9 Hope is the DNA of people who learn from loss. How do I grow hope?

What does your prayer life reflect about the condition of your heart? Do you pray about what you care about, or do you pray about what God cares about? This past weekend, Pastor Steven challenged us to deepen our prayer life and to take on the motivation and mission of Jesus. Our prayers have the power to build kingdoms – our kingdom or God’s kingdom, and only one of them will last.  And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:35-38 Jesus' mission is more than meets the eye. What kingdom do my prayers build? Jesus' motivation is what He sees in our soul. Do I see people?  You pray about what you care about, and you care about what you pray about. Pray about what God cares about. What if I got today what I prayed for yesterday?  What if I  got in eternity what I prayed for today? Golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. Revelation 5:8 And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel.   Revelation 8:3-4

Do you want God to show up in your life in powerful, wondrous ways? What if an increased devotion to prayer was the key to your breakthrough? This past weekend, we heard from Pastor Sean Curry as he invited us into life-changing prayer. There’s a lot we can learn from the early church and the way they saw God move – and it all starts with prayer.  And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it, and holds fast my covenant— these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples. Isaiah 56:6-7 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. Acts 1:8 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:1-4 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. Acts 2:42-43 The reason we can be confident praying in power is because the power of God dwells within us. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. Romans 8:11 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Here I am, Lord." And the Lord said to him, "Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight." Acts 9:10-12 Here I am, Lord. …a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. Acts 10:2 The power of prayer is found in your persistence to pray. Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message. “The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too. Acts 10:44-45 Our prayers have the power of life because they are rooted in the person of Jesus. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened. When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice, "Do not harm yourself, for we are all here." And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. Acts 16:26-33 Could it be when we allow ourselves to get to a place of desperation, God’s power will show up in ways we could never imagine?