Anthem Church

Jesus came to us, in the fullness and glory of God, to make God known to humanity. He dwells with us and welcomes us - will we heed the call to forgiveness and relationship?

The book of John masterfully weaves old testament themes into the portrait of Jesus' ministry. In John chapter 1, the Apostle picks up these old testament themes to show us one thing: from the very beginning, it's always been Jesus.

We begin our journey through the book of John by examining its chief subject: Jesus Christ. There is a difference between knowing about Jesus and beholding Jesus; it is good and right to know about our Savior, but what does it mean for us to behold him fully?

In order for church community to be good, pleasant, and glorifying to God, it needs to be submitted fully under the banner of Christ’s calling on each of our lives. True fellowship shares in God’s abundance, relief, and blessing as we pursue him together, loving one another as he has called us to in the gospel.

God's grace is a multifaceted characteristic. The Apostle Peter commands us to stand firm in the grace. God's grace invites and commands our obedience by reminding us who we are, what we should expect as Christians and what our responsibility is as the body of Christ.

Are we truly humble? Are we like Jesus? We have a choice before us: we can pursue to the hidden life of God, resting and waiting under his mighty hand, or we can pursue the outer life and all of the prestige the world offers. Only one leads to true life, but will we have the humility to follow Jesus and receive his rest?

All true leadership is about service to others, and in the church, this is the calling for those who shepherd God’s people as we imitate Jesus himself. Pastors are to submit themselves to the leadership of Christ first, and then steward the flock that belongs to God through their service. Finally, all of us are called to lead ourselves, clothing ourselves in humility towards one another as we pursue the way of Jesus together.

When we face trials, we have an invitation from God to let him use them for our growth and his glory. God does not delight in our suffering, but can use anything we have been through as an opportunity for growth, maturity, and a deepening of our faith and relationship with God.

The Scriptures do not command us to things arbitrarily. Instead, God has asked us to follow his way that we might experience and share the life that is attached to his promises. We should always be looking for signs of life in ourselves and in one another… how are things going for you?

One day, we will all be judged by a just and loving God, and for those in Christ we rejoice in the fact that we are hidden and secure in him. Will we live in light of that day with joy and expectation, or will we settle for the approval of those around us? One path leads to death, the other life. Which will you choose today?

What about Christ is compelling to you? He is gentle, kind, patient, and loving; these are all attributes we admire and desire to emulate with the Spirit’s power. But what about his obedience, his humility, and his submission to God the Father? Listen as we examine the power that the risen Christ holds over all creation and what that means for us as his followers.

How do we grow as a community in devotion, prayer, and the secret place of God? Our posture is of the utmost importance; do we see God as distant and demanding, or as a loving Father who desires to give his children good gifts?

If we suffer for doing good, we are blessed, but if we suffer for doing evil, we are burdened. How do we walk in light of God’s calling on our life when things get hard?

Our calling to follow God in all situations continues into our marriages. Men and women are to reflect the goodness of God in the gospel by embracing their calling within this holy union. Too often we look to the broken state of marriage and make conclusions about the goodness of God’s design. What if instead we looked to the goodness of God and allowed it to inform our marriages?

We are called by God himself to submit to the authorities that have been placed over us. How are we supposed to do this when all of creation, even leaders themselves, are corrupted by sin? How do we conduct ourselves in light of the leadership over us, whether it is good or bad? We look to Jesus, who showed us what humility, obedience, and courage looks like; may we honor God as we follow his example in every season life brings us.

When we consider the people of God, what do we see? How can we offer our lives to the body of Christ, to stand as a city on a hill in dark places? We are called to consume what is good, to be built up, to embrace our identity, and to practice discipline, all that God may be glorified in our ordinary lives.

In the midst of a dark world, we all feel to need to practice and experience more transforming love… but how do we do this? As we close chapter 1 of 1 Peter, we see that the author gives us an anatomy of Christ-like love. We are called to be helped with God’s love, and we are called to love others with God’s help.

When you think of God, how do you see his face? Is he a distant deity with a list of tasks and rules? Or is he a loving Father, who desires relationship with each of us through his Son Jesus? How we view God changes how we live. God has hope for you… do you have hope for yourself?

If you’re bored with your faith, that’s a natural place to be… but what do we need to breathe life into our walk with Jesus? Peter here offers us holy, inspired perspective that roots us and moves us to see the excitement in our living and active faith. Will we walk in the work he has prepared for us beforehand?

How can we rejoice in trials of all kinds? While we often settle for shallow answers and hopes, the gospel of Jesus offers us an eternal hope and inheritance that stands in the face of all hardship, giving us living hope. Will we live in this promise?