1 Peter 2:21-23 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

1. Too often we assume that being a ____________ brings us worldly privilege. Instead it brings a ____________.

2. Jesus graciously left us an ____________ in how to ____________ our trials.

3. He who calls us to ____________ for His kingdom has already ____________ in our place and for our ____________.


Scripture Readings
* Acts 2:42-47
* 1 Peter 2:19-25
* John 10:1-10

Take It With You!

Here we will offer thoughts and meditations on the message to help us as we contemplate and discuss and wrestle with what we are hearing.

You need not open your eyes wide when you come to the Word of God. You have it before your eyes. It is the Word which we are preaching. With it you can subdue evil lusts. You need not search far. Do no more than take hold of it when it is preached. For it is so near that one can hear it, as Moses says in Deut. 30:11-14: "For the commandment which I command you this day is not too hard for you, neither is it very far off. It is not in heaven; neither beyond the sea. But the Word is very near to you; it is in your mouth and in your heart." To be sure, it is quickly spoken and heard; but when it enters the heart, it cannot die away or pass away. Nor does it let you die. It holds you as long as you cling to it. Thus when I hear that Jesus Christ died, took away my sin, gained heaven for me, and gave me all that He has,I am hearing the Gospel. The Word is soon gone when it is preached; but when it falls into the heart and is grasped by faith, it can never slip away. No creature can invalidate this truth. The depths of hell can do nothing against it; and even if I am already in the jaws of the devil, I must come out and remain where the Word remains. Therefore St. Peter says with good reason that you need not look for anything else that what we have preached.

Martin Luther