1st Peter (2015)

In light of the fact that the end is near, how should we react? Wringing our hands and running scared? Listen to this lesson to learn that a high priority in our life should be our prayers. See that these prayers are to be based on clear thinking, being disciplined, and be Bible-based, all of which are a result of growing spiritually. Hear the progression of the order of events in the end times, including Jesus bringing all demonic powers into subjection. When events in the world start to overwhelm us, realize that prayer is designed to handle the problems of life.

“Beware! The End of the World is Near!” Signs like that are usually ridiculed or ignored but listen to this message to learn what the Bible has to say about the end of the world. Find out that believers are to be watchful and clear minded as they live their lives. Hear the mandate to pray when we face troubles and persecutions, knowing that our opposition comes from Satan. Learn what the “end of all things” refers to and what it means that it is “at hand”. As believers be aware of the importance of living today in the light of eternity.

Has every person who has ever lived had a chance to know God? Listen to this lesson to hear that all people inherently know there is a God and that God’s creation is proof of it. See that God has set up a nonverbal testimony of His existence. Understand the difference between general and special revelation. Realize that those without the capacity to understand the gospel will be saved. Find out there are no second chances to believe after death and learn about Hades from the story of Lazarus and the rich man. Be motivated to share the gospel with unbelievers when possible.

What does it mean when the Bible says that everyone must give an account of themselves to God? Listen to this lesson to see that every person born into this world will face an evaluation by God. For the believer this is called the Judgment Seat of Christ where we will be evaluated in order to determine our rewards and responsibilities. For the unbeliever, there is the Great White Throne of God. Hear what aspects of a person’s life will be judged there to see whether or not they are qualified to live with God forever. Hear about the Lamb’s Book of Life and the Book of Works. Understand that sinful man cannot perform righteous deeds. Realize that the Lake of Fire is a reality. When talking to unbelievers help them to see that sin is no longer an issue since Christ cancelled the sin debt on the Cross but the focus is on belief in Christ. This lesson also includes Revelation 20:11–15.

Are you ready to think about something that can change your life? Listen to this lesson to learn what the Bible says about how everyone of us, believer and unbeliever, will stand before God one day and give an account of our time on earth. Find out that there are nine judgments mentioned in the Bible and that Jesus Christ, who became a man and lived on earth, will be the judge. See what takes place at the Bema Seat of Christ and learn that this judgment is for believers only to determine their rewards. Find out that the issue at the Judgment Seat of Christ is how faithful a believer was. Accept the challenge of living each day in the light of eternity so you will receive the promised rewards.

Are you living your life like a foolish person or a wise person? Listen to this lesson to learn what Peter is saying to new believers as he describes the Christian lifestyle as compared to their former ways of debauchery and reckless living. Understand the contrast between being drunk with wine and walking by means of the Holy Spirit. See how he warned them to expect to be ridiculed, falsely accused, and persecuted by those who don’t believe in Christianity. Understand that while it may not seem fair or just they are not to worry or seek revenge. God will hold everyone accountable and judge them someday.

Once we’re Christians sin isn’t much of a problem, right? Wrong! Listen to this message to hear about the sins that Christians face that war against their souls. See that when we succumb to those sins we develop “black holes” in our soul that destroy our stability and contentment. Hear about the six sins that Peter describes which are caused by our own lusts and corrupt our thinking and distort our values. Find out that the solution to these sins is confession, studying the Word of God, and walking by means of the Spirit.

What does it mean when the Bible says that believers are to be a “distinct people”? Listen to this lesson to learn that it’s our thinking that needs to be different from those around us. See that when we study the Word of God and walk by means of the Holy Spirit our thinking is transformed from human viewpoint to divine viewpoint. Find out what Peter means when he refers to the Gentiles. See the importance of not being influenced by the “spirit of the age”. Hear a report on the missionary work that took place in Brazil last fall when Jeff Phipps and Ray Mondragon went there.

Do you realize you have to “get over yourself” if you want to lead a spiritual life that gives you happiness on this earth and rewards in eternity? Listen to this lesson to learn that all of us have a sin nature that causes us to be self-absorbed and self-indulgent. Also, we are surrounded by demonic thinking which feeds our lust patterns. See that the answer lies in immersing ourselves in the Word of God as we walk by means of the Holy Spirit. Hear nine points on how we can grow spiritually and become mentally tough and ready to face the challenges that come our way.

Did you know that what goes on between your ears is what shapes your life? Listen to this lesson to learn that you are fighting mental battles daily. See that your sin nature or human viewpoint is warring against God’s revelation in His Word which is Divine viewpoint. Learn about eight lust patterns that want to run amok in your soul and find out what God has designed for Christians to counter them through means of the Holy Spirit. Realize that the solution is always focusing on our mental attitudes and using our volition to choose to walk with God.

If your life needs to change, your thinking needs to be changed. Listen to this lesson to hear the truth that will open your eyes and change your life. Find out that having the right mental attitude is of supreme importance. Learn that it is by studying the Word of God and walking by means of the Spirit that we learn the standard of God’s thinking called Divine viewpoint. See that Jesus Christ is our example and it is by arming ourselves with Scriptures that we are trained and begin thinking about the things God wants us to think about. Understand that we are to demonstrate in our lives that God’s viewpoint is right and resolve that we are no longer going to handle our problems by sinful thoughts and actions.

So you’re facing mistreatment and persecution. What does God’s Word teach us about handling this problem? Listen to this lesson to learn that our example should be the Lord Jesus Christ. See that we are told to “arm ourselves” mentally. Hear several concrete ways this can be accomplished in our lives through the ministry of the Holy Spirit and see several verses that demonstrate ways to do this. Find out what it means to “cease from sin” and how we need to resolve mentally that we no longer will handle situations by our sin natures.

During the Christmas season you may find yourself wondering why it was necessary for God to become a man. Listen to this lesson to gain a better understanding of God’s amazing plan for mankind and the blessings that accompany it. Hear how Satan has tried to disrupt God’s plan and about one demonic attack that took place before the flood in Noah’s day. See that Jesus is our example of how to handle unjust suffering and hear that our prayer should be that we can know the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His suffering. Dr. Dean mentions his paper from the Pre-Trib Study Group in this message. You can view his presentation in the media link below.

When did the Fall of Satan take place? Listen to this lesson to learn that the Bible doesn’t tell us specifically but that Scriptures have to be compared with Scriptures. Find out there are three views of this event and which one most nearly fits biblical references. Learn what transpired between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2 and the meaning of two Hebrew words. See how one creature’s disobedience affects all of creation. Hear about Satan’s attacks on the human race throughout history. See that angels are referred to as the sons of God and learn about a time they had offspring with human women as a demonic infiltration of the human race. Learn about their punishment for this. Find out what Jesus proclaimed to these spirits.

Hear a summary of the speakers and their messages at the Pre-Tribulation Rapture Conference held in Dallas, Texas this week. Then continue with the study of the origin of Satan and evil in this world. In Isaiah 14 learn about “Lucifer” who has fallen from Heaven after arrogantly asserting his desire to ascend to Heaven. Then hear how his end will take place in the “Day of the Lord”. Find out how we as Christians have a role to play as witnesses to this great conflict of the ages.

No one disputes the presence of evil in the world, but there is great disagreement about why evil is in the world. Listen to this lesson to hear evil’s origin. Find out that God did not create evil but He has given His creatures free will, which allows them to choose whether to obey or disobey Him. Hear nine reasons why Ezekiel 28 and Isaiah 14 are referring to Satan and not a human being. See a description of Satan who was created as an amazing cherubim but a shift came in Satan’s thinking and he became self serving and evil. Understand that through God’s grace we are free to choose to obey God and believe in Christ as our Savior.

Are angels and demons real? When did God create them and what role do they play in human history? Where does evil come from? Answers to these vital questions can only be found in God’s revelation to mankind in the Bible. Hear the different classifications of angels, their unique appearances, and incredible powers. Find out that evil had a beginning and will someday end and is related to free will. Learning these truths will protect you from the many false beliefs concerning these unseen creatures.

How can anyone be so evil that they deliberately kill innocent children in a church as happened in Texas? If you find it difficult to understand evil, listen to this lesson to begin a study about the invisible warfare between Satan and his followers against God. Hear about the creation of angels before the earth was created. Find out that the only way we can learn about angels is through God’s revelation in His Word. See that 34 of the 66 books in the Bible discuss angels and that Jesus affirmed their existence when He was on this earth.

Begin this class with a few moments celebrating the Houston Astros winning the 2017 World Series and then hear about the 100th Anniversary of the Balfour Declaration, which was a policy statement concerning Israel’s right to a homeland. In this third chapter of 1 Peter be reminded that Jesus is the pattern for how to react when suffering unjustly. See eight different meanings for the word spirit and which one best fits this context. Realize that we will face opposition but we can be encouraged because Jesus Christ defeated it all on the Cross.

What does it mean to have peace with God? Listen to this lesson to learn that God reconciled mankind to Himself through Jesus Christ’s death on the Cross. See that because of being reconciled to God man is able to approach God and trust Christ as his Savior. See how Christ handled His unjust suffering as He died for our sins. Learn that it’s only when we believe in Christ that we experience reconciliation. Find out the meaning of the ministry of reconciliation and why we are to be ambassadors for Christ.