King's Church London

Every Gentile Christian is the result, in some ways, of the missionary work that took place in Antioch. Today we consider how it worked, and the three parties – unbelievers, Christians and God – that it involved. Andrew is our Teaching Pastor.

Everybody seems to like community, but how do we actually experience it? The church in Antioch gives us a wonderful example based on shared salvation, convictions, practices, gatherings and relationships. Andrew is our Teaching Pastor.

The disciples in Antioch serve as a model for us at King’s. For many years we have lived with prophetic promises and encouragements about being an Antioch-style church: a church which can resource other congregations around the world, and in which Word and Spirit, grace and discipleship, unity and diversity are put on display. Steve, our senior pastor, introduces the new series to us and highlights 10 key values found in Acts 11:19-30 that will be taught on through the coming weeks.

Should we be surprised when we suffer? How do we as Christians respond to suffering? In this part of his letter, Peter wants to address those questions and teach what it looks like to rejoice and glorify God in the process. Joe Macnamara is one of our Pastors who leads the Downham site.

In 1 Peter 5, we see the importance of leadership, particularly through the elders of the early church as Peter calls them to lead God’s people in a way that is ultimately like Christ. Steve further unpacks this and encourages us to lead well in our own spheres of influence, not for our own gain but to bring glory to God and serve his people. Steve Tibbert is our Senior Pastor.

Peter summarises how we who are ‘living stones’ should live in the household of God, the church. He encourages us to pray, to love each other deeply, to be hospitable and to serve with God’s strength. As we each bring our gifts, time and love to the table, God’s grace in all its diversity and variety is displayed in the church. Hilary encourages us all to consider ways to serve God’s people as we rebuild together. Hilary Dalziel is one of our Pastors who helps lead the Catford site.

We live in a fearful generation, for all sorts of reasons. Peter wants disciples to live fearlessly – in marriage, in suffering and in judgment – and in this chapter, he shows us why and how. Andrew Wilson is our Teaching Pastor.

Who we are determines how we live. In this portion of the letter, Peter draws attention to believers’ status as foreigners and exiles in the world. He exhorts the church to live honourably before their pagan neighbours, in the areas of personal conduct, civil relations and in their relationship to earthly masters. Peter points them and us to the example of Jesus Christ, who through His sufferings, made once foreigners of Heaven, natives. Moses Nwanji is one of our Pastors based at our Downham site.

After reminded us of the imperishable hope we have, Peter now turns his attention to who we are as God’s people. He paints a picture for us of what it means to be followers of Jesus. He likens us to an infant longing for milk, living stones being built up as a spiritual house and a Holy Nation belonging to God. Joe Macnamara leads our Downham site.

Faith, hope and love are the central virtues of Christianity, and they make it distinctive in a pagan world. In this passage, Peter grounds each of them in imperishable realities: our future, our ransom, and the life-giving Word of God. Andrew Wilson is our Teaching Pastor.