Throughout scripture, God is teaching people to be submissive; submissive to God, authorities, employers, to each other (as a community of believers), and for women to be submissive to their husbands. What does that mean? Since the latter part of the 20th century in American culture, the idea of wives submitting to their husbands has been seen as deeply controversial. Why? Because it is always viewed from a very limited, worldly perspective which gives a negative and demeaning image. When examining the truth of what is being said in scripture, the flaws in that perspective pop out strongly as that is not at all what is being conveyed. In this message, Pastor Troy Billow explains what is really being said here, and why it is being said. After all, there is a much more important, transcendent truth being taught here that is very beneficial, and that is this; when Christ was on earth He submitted to the Father, governing authorities, and in turn set an example for those of us (who care about advancing the Kingdom of God) to follow, so that the labels of extremities can be dissolved by the very actions conducted by the believer following Christ's example in this world.

For all of the things that Christ has done for us, one thing stands perfectly clear for all time; Christ is the shepherd of your soul today, just as He was in Peter's day. In these passages, Peter expounds on what this means, which in turn leaves one very clear and concise question: do you entrust your soul to Christ? Christ not only died for your sin, but He died for you to have the power OVER sin. Christians who have trouble in their walk/faith neglect the power of this truth. So why is this concept so important to keep in perspective? Find out as Pastor Troy Billow explains how Jesus is the shepherd of our souls and what that all means in this message.

What are your thoughts about your employer? Does your employer truly value you and the work you do, or does your employer just use you, complain, insult you, and treat you like you don't matter? In a culture where a significant number of people were slaves in the first century, Peter teaches on why, despite the attitudes and challenges that come at you, it is best to submit to those you serve. Peter had to LEARN to submit. Why? Because from where he was before, his priorities shifted and he saw the importance of maintaining his testimony. Even if you work for someone harsh, you can still have an impact on people, as Pastor Troy Billow will explain from his personal experience in applying these truths in his own life.

What does it mean to live out your faith in the world around you? It's not easy, and Peter recognizes it. While there are so many forces out in the world and within (through our carnal nature) that wage war against your soul - like an evil assassin that enters your "fort" trying to tear apart your faith, there are also many elements out there to keep it strong and healthy. Peter knows a thing or two about being weak, carnal, and stupid. In fact, for a time, Peter was a "slacker", While Peter was built up in Christ, he knew that Christians can be backslidden. However, there is a day coming soon that Christ is going to visit us. The question to ask ourselves then would be; will he be proud of us?

The passage addressed in this sermon is our spiritual biography as believers, from God's point of view. Here it is spelled out in a straightforward manner by Paul to show us the profound seriousness of God's grace when we receive His gift of salvation. Before we received this gift, we were, by nature, objects of God's wrath, because we followed the ways of this world, and followed the ruler of the kingdom of the air. In order to really appreciate the depth of this concept, we have to understand that in His grace, God withholds His wrath, and that He can bring His wrath out at any time if He wanted to. At the same time, God wants to transform us, make us alive in Christ, and raise us up. because we are His possession, His handiwork, and His bride, and He wants to "show us off". In this message by Pastor John Billow, we see how sweet and amazing God's grace truly is.

In ministering to the early Christians, Peter quotes the prophet Isaiah a number of times to help them understand the importance of who they are in Christ. He says we are a royal priesthood. Most modern Christians today do not comprehend, appreciate, or understand the power they possess, their identity in Christ, and their importance as a royal priesthood. In this message, Pastor Troy Billow emphasizes that we are chosen by God to be His people, the fact that we belong to Him, and that we are his treasured possession. If the magnitude of this truth was properly understood and absorbed in the heart, it would change the way every believer today believes, behaves, and it would serve as a strong motivation to overcome the many challenges that bring so many believers down in their faith because of this lack of understanding.

A cap stone on a building is a stone placed high that both completes a structure and serves as a mechanism of protection for the walls below it. In the first century, Peter expounded on this concept, explaining to the early church that they are a precious capstone in the eyes of God. In fact Peter uses the word "precious" a number of times in his letter, signifying a deep importance, love, and value for every "stone", every member of the church in God's eyes. What is also significantly telling about this concept is that this very stone is also compared to a cornerstone, that those who refuse to believe stumble over and fall on because their hearts are set on disobedience.

In the beginning of what we today call the church, believers in Christ would gather together for fellowship, break bread, devote themselves to the teaching of the apostles, attend to the needy, and pray. In this message, Pastor Troy Billow stresses the importance of a church praying together, in the company of each other. If a church is weak in assembling for prayer, it is also going to be weak in healing, unity, and against all odds breakthroughs, that are a result of a group of people praying.

Peter addresses Christians as to where they are and where they should be, and he uses the concept of a cornerstone to illustrate his point. The cornerstone is the one level stone set in the corner of a new structure, that all other little stones are lined up with and built on. That said, Jesus is our cornerstone. In this message Pastor Troy expounds on the fact that the church is comprised of many "stones" that make up one "body." Those disengaged are like "Rolling Stones", and those engaged are planted, solid, and have extraordinary support. That is what should be in terms of leaning on Christ as the main cornerstone, and assemble as a church body to remain strong and solid.

Peter is stirring up Christians to know who they are in Christ & helping them recognize their new identity. After all, when one is born again, a new, reformed version of you is in development. Peter mentions to them to crave God's Word as a baby craves milk. Milk helps you grow in development and in this analogy, if you're not "drinking the milk", taking in God's Word, and cultivating your relationship with God, you are not going to grow. Peter also illustrates how things such as malice, deceit, hypocrisy, slander, etc. are all regular characteristics of a worldly person. Peter calls out Christians who still do these things. Peter advises them to "take them off" like dirty, filthy, smelly clothes, grow up, and mature. Then from there, you can go from "milk" to "solid food".