Sermon series

1 Peter Sermons

Walk through 1 Peter's message of living hope, holiness, faithful witness, and steadfast trust in Christ amid suffering.

29 sermons in this series

Audio

1 Peter Sermons

Peace in Christ Jesus

Bryan Schneider

April 25, 2025

1 Peter 5:12-14

You need to stand firm in the grace of God before you will be able to enjoy the peace of Christ Jesus. The sufferings of this life are nothing compared to what awaits us in heaven. And through these hardships, God is working in our lives. What is the anchor of our souls as we are buffeted by hard circumstances? When we think on Christ, we will find peace that we can't find anywhere else. Stand in the grace of God. Rest in Christ and the peace that comes from Him, as we wait for Him to return!

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1 Peter Sermons

The Benediction

Bryan Schneider

April 18, 2025

1 Peter 5:10-11

In this part of 1 Peter, we are reminded that our suffering in this life is temporary, purposeful, and governed by the God of all grace. These trials are not intended to harm us; through them, He is perfecting what is broken, establishing us on a firm foundation, strengthening our faith, and settling our hearts for eternity – which we will spend forever with our heavenly Father, basking in His glory. This has been the hope of believers, from generation to generation.

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1 Peter Sermons

Resist the Devil

Bryan Schneider

April 4, 2025

1 Peter 5:8-9

Satan is alive and active, and he is out to deceive us. We need to be sober and aware of our weaknesses, because that is where Satan will trip us up most. We need to be watchful for the traps he has laid for our souls. He tries to accuse us, make us doubt, and twist the truth. We must resist him by keeping our eyes fixed on Christ, putting on the whole armor of God, and helping and encouraging one another in the Church. Satan is an adversary, but if we are in Christ, we cannot be stolen away from Jesus' hands.

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1 Peter Sermons

A Word for Younger People

Bryan Schneider

March 28, 2025

1 Peter 5:5-7

Our culture tends to prize a spirit of pride and refusal to submit to anyone, but God calls His people to something different: humility. Peter exhorts young men, in particular, to submit to their elders, for it is common for them to show resistance to authority. But the command also extends to all believers, who are to clothe themselves with humility. True biblical submission isn't begrudging compliance. It's an inward humility, modeled after Christ, who served His disciples, submitted to His Father, and walked in obedience, even to death. We are called to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, trusting in His sovereign care, even when life is filled with suffering. We can cast our anxieties on Him, acknowledging that He cares for us and knows what is best. The Lord resists the proud, but He gives grace to the humble; and in due time, He will exalt those who follow the path of Christ-like humility.

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1 Peter Sermons

A Word for Elders

Bryan Schneider

March 21, 2025

1 Peter 5:1-4

Peter makes it clear that elders in the Church are to shepherd and disciple the flock of Jesus Christ – not rule over it or govern it, but to care for it. They are not to shepherd by compulsion, or to enrich themselves, or to lord it over the sheep as spiritual tyrants. Elders are to faithfully shepherd the sheep by following Christ first in their own lives and being an example for the flock, seeking the smile and approval of the Chief Shepherd when He appears. The Lord Jesus is glorified when His elders shepherd His people in a caring way.

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1 Peter Sermons

Glorify God in Suffering

Bryan Schneider

March 14, 2025

1 Peter 4:15-19

Suffering is an inevitable part of the Christian life, but not all suffering is the same. Peter warns us that some suffering results from sin, and this kind of suffering is justly deserved. However, suffering for the name of Christ is entirely different. Those who endure hardship for their faith should not be ashamed, but should glorify God. Peter also reminds us that suffering serves the purpose of purifying and strengthening our faith. If you're suffering in your life, ask yourself why. If it's for your own sin, repent of it and turn away. But if you're suffering for the name of Jesus Christ, do not be ashamed, but rejoice and praise God!

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1 Peter Sermons

Trials Aren't Strange

Bryan Schneider

February 28, 2025

1 Peter 4:12-14

Sometimes we think it's strange that we might suffer for our faith. But these trials and oppressions that come to us specifically because of our Christian faith will bring us joy, because they bring us closer in our relationship with Jesus. Christ promised that we would have peace, but not ease. He promised that He would give us His presence, but not prosperity. Suffering for Jesus hurts; but in Him, we can find and remember our ultimate joy.

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1 Peter Sermons

Stewards of Grace

Bryan Schneider

February 21, 2025

1 Peter 4:7-11

What we believe about the future will impact the way we live our lives today. Do you live your life as if the Kingdom of God is here now? As we live in these last days, waiting for the return of Christ, our lives should be marked by sober living in fervent prayer, love and hospitality, and stewardship of our gifts for serving Christ and His Kingdom.

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1 Peter Sermons

Arm Yourselves

Bryan Schneider

February 14, 2025

1 Peter 4:1-6

Being a Christian often requires being counter-cultural – and that is offensive to many. God calls us to walk in a way that is different from the "norm" of this world. We are not under the tyranny of sin anymore. The question is, what are we spending our lives on? What do we desire? The sinful "pleasures" of the world or the will of the Lord? Upon what are we spending the currency of our time? There are two paths to choose from: the path of least resistance, or the path of following Christ – and suffering and maybe even dying like Him. Christ suffered persecution at the hands of the world, and we must arm ourselves with the same mind that He had – expecting to receive nothing less than He experienced. The world may hate and kill us, yet we will still live. But who are we living for?

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1 Peter Sermons

Christ the Victor

Bryan Schneider

February 7, 2025

1 Peter 3:18-22

We were born to be like Jesus – and Jesus suffered. As we go through pain and turmoil, the Lord is refining and shaping us. Jesus suffered for a reason: to bring us to a reconciled relationship with God. His suffering was necessary to pay for our sins and become our Substitute. And He triumphed over death and become the exalted King over everything. Do trials seem to be out of control in your life? What consumes your thoughts? Your problems that you are facing today or your King Who lives and reigns forever?

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1 Peter Sermons

Baptism Saves You?

Bryan Schneider

January 24, 2025

1 Peter 3:18-22

There are two extremes when looking at this passage before us. One extreme is that baptism literally saves you, period. And the other extreme is that it literally does nothing. What is the middle ground here? Baptism is a sacrament that binds the believer to God and God to the believer. The water is just a sign, but what does it represent? It's a sign of our being born again. It's not a magic superstition; it represents us being united with Jesus. The Holy Spirit uses the sacrament to work spiritual blessings within us sealing us to be His. We must remember to not trust the sign of baptism alone, for the Holy Spirit must be applied to cleanse us from the sin in our heart. Also, we must look to Jesus as our only hope. He washed us in the water of regeneration and that is why we can stand before God. He has cleansed us, so we must hate sin, love something better, and live for God's glory.

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1 Peter Sermons

Saved Through Water

Bryan Schneider

January 17, 2025

1 Peter 3:20-22

How was Noah "saved through the water," and how does that tie in with baptism? The same waters that drowned the wicked unbelievers also lifted up the Ark and saved Noah and his family. Both the Flood and baptism show us judgment and salvation, simultaneously. The building of the Ark was salvation for Noah's family but it also proclaimed judgment to the evil world. In baptism, we are reminded that our sins were judged and laid upon Christ. In Him, we are cleansed; and in Him, we find salvation. The Lord really does take sin seriously. He is patient but He won't wait forever for us to repent. Ruin will eventually come. Where will we be on that day of judgment? Will we be safe in Christ, our Ark? Or will we be on our own like the unbelievers in Noah's day? If we are in Christ, the true Ark of our salvation, we don't have to fear Judgment Day. If we have trusted in Him and His promises, there is safety and hope for us!

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1 Peter Sermons

Spirits in Prison

Bryan Schneider

January 10, 2025

1 Peter 3:19-20

Sometimes we can get to places in the Bible where we are lost and misoriented. There are passages that are hard to understand, and this is one of them. We must strive for clarity because even the hard parts of God's Word are profitable to teach and instruct us. Who are the "spirits" that Peter refers to in these verses, and what is the "prison"? Are they the disobedient human beings in Noah's time who refused to get into the Ark after decades of Noah's preaching? Or are they evil spirits, to whom Jesus proclaimed the victory of His work of redemption for lost souls? We must use the plain passages in God's Word to interpret the hard places in God's Word. We can't use our imaginations to create what we want to read out of the Scriptures. We are also reminded here to get into the Ark of salvation now because no evil will escape God's righteous judgment. Do not wait until "someday" to believe – trust in Jesus now!

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1 Peter Sermons

The Gospel Changes Us

Bryan Schneider

January 3, 2025

1 Peter 3:8-18

In verse 11 of this chapter, we are called to turn away from evil and do good, and we are assured that the eyes of the Lord are upon those who are righteous. But how is this supposed to be a comfort to us when not one of us can dare to claim any righteousness of our own? Verse 18 brings us hope because it reminds us that Christ suffered for our sins. Unlike us, He was just and perfectly righteous and never sinned. We are Law-breakers, but He is the great Law-Keeper. He suffered for us who are unjust, so that He might bring us near to God. The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus are the onlu reason that we can have hope and comfort in this life!

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1 Peter Sermons

Suffer for Good

Bryan Schneider

December 13, 2024

1 Peter 3:13-17

This passage exhorts us to endure suffering for righteousness' sake, finding our hope, peace, and joy in Jesus, who secures our eternal blessing. Peter reminds us that no harm can truly befall us, that will separate us from the love of the Lord. We are called to sanctify Christ in our hearts, remain unafraid of threats, and always be ready to give a reasonable defense for our hope in Him, with gentleness and reverence. Our actions and attitudes should reflect the transformative power of the Gospel. Even in the face of persecution – such as that which was endured by the martyrs in bygone centuries – our hope in Christ endures, bringing glory to our God and pointing others to our Savior.

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1 Peter Sermons

Bless One Another

Bryan Schneider

December 6, 2024

1 Peter 3:8-12

This passage calls believers to reflect Christ-like attitudes and actions in their relationships, even amidst conflict or suffering. Christians are exhorted to break cycles of retaliation, choosing instead to bless others and entrust justice to God instead of relying on personal vengeance. Moreover, believers are urged to seek peace actively, to refrain from evil speech, and to pursue righteousness in word and deed – trusting in God, who listens to the prayers of the righteous and opposes those who do evil. We are challenged to reflect Christ's character in every interaction, seeking reconciliation and extending God's blessings, even to those who oppose us. Sometimes it is very difficult; but it is a Christ-like way to live, pointing others to the transformative power of the Gospel of Jesus.

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1 Peter Sermons

Husbands Honor Your Wife

Bryan Schneider

November 29, 2024

1 Peter 3:7

As sojourners and pilgrims in the midst of a wicked world, Christian husbands are to behave in a way that is very different, following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. They are to live with their wives in an intentional and considerate way, with thoughtfulness, patience, and an awareness of their needs. As the "weaker vessel" physically speaking, wives are to be protected by their husbands, who have been given physical strength by God for this very purpose, not for intimidation or abuse. Despite functional differences in their roles, husbands and wives are equal in their standing before God; both are co-heirs of the covenant of grace, sharing the blessings of salvation and the hope of eternal life. Husbands are also solemnly warned that their failure to honor and love their wife can disrupt their own relationship with God. Christian husbands must lead their homes in a way that brings Jesus glory. It is a blessing to live out the Gospel in front of your wife and children, by the power of the Holy Spirit!

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1 Peter Sermons

Submit to Your Own Husband

Bryan Schneider

November 22, 2024

1 Peter 3:1-6

In this portion of 1 Peter, he calls Christian wives to a radical and countercultural idea: to be submissive to their own husbands as an expression of their faith in the Lord. This submission is never a call to endure abuse, but it is a voluntary act of hope in the Gospel. The meek, Christlike conduct of a believing wife can be a powerful testimony that may lead to an unbelieving husband's salvation. Christian wives are also called to find their worth, not in cultural standards or appearances, but in their identity as one who is chosen, beloved, and precious in the sight of God, with an imperishable inheritance in Jesus.

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1 Peter Sermons

Following Jesus in Submission

Bryan Schneider

November 15, 2024

1 Peter 2:18-25

Christ's people are called to live in submission to earthly authorities, sometimes even enduring unjust suffering. In this part of his letter, Peter writes to household servants, urging them to submit to their masters, whether kind or harsh, out of reverence for God. Our submission mirrors Jesus, Who is the ultimate example of enduring unjust suffering. Just as He bore our sins without sinning Himself, believers are to endure wrongs, trusting in God's justice and ultimate vindication. Through His substitutionary atonement, Jesus redeemed us from our sins and calls us to follow His footsteps. When we endure suffering for His sake, we testify to the world of His grace, and we hold fast to the hope of eternal life, knowing that our Savior has walked this path before us.

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1 Peter Sermons

Fear God - Honor the King

Bryan Schneider

November 8, 2024

1 Peter 2:13-17

In this passage, Peter addresses the challenging concept of submission to authority, urging believers to submit to all lawful civil authority for the Lord's sake. Although submission may seem countercultural to our society that values freedom and independence, our submission is not merely to human authorities; it is an expression of our faith in God's sovereignty. Peter also provides four pillars of Christian conduct: honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, and honor the king. While submission to the governing authorities has limits – especially when we are called to obey God rather than men – we as Christians are called to be witnesses to the Gospel through our integrity and peaceful submission. Jesus Himself exemplified this, submitting to human authorities even unto death, which ultimately accomplished our salvation. By following His example of submission, we trust in God's higher plan and bring glory to His name in a watching world.

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1 Peter Sermons

Honorable Conduct

Bryan Schneider

October 11, 2024

1 Peter 2:11-12

This sermon, focusing on 1 Peter 2:11-12, addresses the Christian's identity as sojourners and pilgrims on earth, engaged in spiritual warfare. The battle, primarily against fleshly desires within, calls believers to abstain from sin and live honorably among unbelievers, so that by their good works, God is glorified.

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1 Peter Sermons

A Spiritual House

Bryan Schneider

October 4, 2024

1 Peter 2:4-10

As believers, our identity is secure in Christ. He is our cornerstone; and since we are built upon Him, our lives are meant to reflect that identity. As the cornerstone sets the standard for the alignment of the rest of the building, our lives must be aligned with His. We are living stones that He is using to build us up into a spiritual house – a spiritual temple where we are a "holy priesthood" that is called to offer up spiritual sacrifices to Him. He has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light, in order to be His own special people. And when challenges arise in our lives, we can go to Christ, our cornerstone. We don't have to bear the weight of our entire life! Jesus does, because He is the firm cornerstone that doesn't move.

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1 Peter Sermons

Taste - the LORD is Gracious

Bryan Schneider

September 27, 2024

1 Peter 2:1-3

In this passage in 1 Peter 2, we are called to put aside the sins that hinder our spiritual growth and love for one another, and instead, to desire the pure milk of God's Word so that we can grow spiritually. Peter urges us, as believers, to lay aside malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and evil speaking because these sins disrupt Christian community and are incompatible with our identity in Christ. Just as newborn babies crave milk, we must intensely desire God's Word – not out of legalism, but from a genuine hunger to be nourished by the truth. When we have tasted the goodness of the Lord, it transforms our hearts and compels us to grow in love and holiness. Are we feeding on His Word daily?

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1 Peter Sermons

Love Endures - Love

Bryan Schneider

September 20, 2024

1 Peter 1:22-25

Because we have been born again and redeemed, we are called to love others in the same way that God loves us. We're called to love each other fervently – not because it's easy, but because the Lord's great love towards us has been displayed in Jesus Christ. As we are sanctified and purified more and more, and as the Gospel takes root in our hearts, the love of Jesus changes how we love others. Jesus Himself modeled this sacrificial, fervent love by not coming to this earth to be served, but to serve, and to ultimately lay down His life to redeem us. Have we been born again? If so, are we showing it by following Christ's example and loving each other fervently?

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1 Peter Sermons

The Foundations of Holiness

Bryan Schneider

September 13, 2024

1 Peter 1:17-21

God has called us to be holy. Our Father in heaven is the One Who judges without partiality; and when we think of that, we realize we're doomed. But the Lord has graciously redeemed us with the precious blood of Jesus – the Lamb who willingly shed His blood for our sins. We were slaves to sin and death, but Jesus bought our freedom so that we could live holy lives. The King of the Universe has adopted us as His sons and daughters to live as His royal children. That doesn't mean we won't have struggles with sin anymore while we still live on this earth. But our hope and strength to battle that old slavemaster is found in Christ. Because we've been redeemed by the blood of Jesus, we may call on God our Father, and walk as His blood-bought, Spirit-filled, heaven-bound children.

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1 Peter Sermons

Hope Fully, Live Holy

Bryan Schneider

September 6, 2024

1 Peter 1:13-16

Holiness isn't about us trying harder to do all the right things; it's about what God is doing in us, which then plays out in our daily lives. Holy living must be rooted on the hope that we have in Jesus, or otherwise it's legalism. Nevertheless, it's hard mental work because we need to take every thought captive unto the obedience of Christ. Everything in our lives has to be put through a Biblical worldview to see if it helps us hope more in Jesus' grace. Without our hope in Him, we have no motivation to pursue holiness. Holy living is a transformation that starts with our hope and works outward into our everyday conduct. Are your actions today reflecting the holiness of God? Hope wholly in Jesus and live a holy life because He has called you to be holy.

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1 Peter Sermons

You are blessed to live NOW

Bryan Schneider

August 30, 2024

1 Peter 1:10-12

What a privilege Christians have in knowing the full revelation of God's salvation plan through Jesus Christ! His life, death, and resurrection fulfilled the promises that were once a mystery and could only be glimpsed at during the Old Testament times. The saints of God in those days did not fully understand all the details of what was to come, and angels have longed to understand the mysteries of salvation; but these are now fully revealed to us in the Gospel. We are indeed uniquely blessed, and we ought to rejoice in this knowledge of this glorious salvation that is freely offered to us!

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1 Peter Sermons

Joys in Trials

Bryan Schneider

August 23, 2024

1 Peter 1:6-9

We as Americans often like shortcuts. We like all the good stuff without all the pain that is required along the way. But hard things aren't necessarily bad things. And Peter shows us in this passage that even the hard things that we suffer in this life have a purpose as God is using them to transform us into the type of person He wishes for us to be. He refines us in the fire of afflictions to purify us. And when we have gone through those various trials, we only have one thing left that gives us ultimate joy: God Himself. We must also remember that these trials aren't forever; the Lord will only make them last as long as they need to be there for us to understand that His grace is sufficient for us. But as long as they are there, He is teaching us something – including how to have joy even in the midst of our trials. If our greatest joy is the Lord Jesus, no person or circumstance can take that away from us. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Are we hoping in Him? Are we loving Him? Are we rejoicing in Him?

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1 Peter Sermons

Heavenly Inheritance

Bryan Schneider

August 9, 2024

1 Peter 1:3-5

We have a lot to praise the Lord for. In fact, all good theology should lead us to doxology, or else we have missed the entire point. Among the many gifts that God has given us, we have an inheritance that is reserved for us in heaven. It is uncourruptible and undefiled, and it does not fade away. But in order to enjoy this inheritance, we must be born again and in a saving relationship with Christ. This assurance of our heavenly inheritance gives us hope when we are having hard days, because we know that this world is not all we have. And we can praise the Lord for that! Praise the Lord for the new life He's given you. Praise Him for our inheritance in heaven. And praise Him that even on the Last Great Day, we know that we will be able to stand without fear when He returns to judge the terrified world!