Chapter Five – The True Grace of God Calls for Honorable Conduct - Submission According to God’s Will

A great story is told by Dr. Ted Rendall about a centipede with arthritis in all 100 legs (and I am paraphrasing). Due to the centipede’s painful problem, the centipede decides to consult with the wise owl. So, the centipede shares his painful situation with the wise owl. The wise owl responds to the inquiring centipede by saying, “Why don’t you learn to...

Chapter Three – The True Grace of God Calls for Priorities as Strangers in this World (1 Peter 2:11-12)

“Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak of you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:11-12)

A number of specific details indicate that this is a new section. First...

Chapter Three – The True Grace of God Calls for Priorities as God’s Special People

The Apostle Peter moves forward in his instruction now to call for a lifestyle that is appropriate for God’s hope-directed and hope-filled people.

Holy Obedience

(1 Peter 1:14-16) “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “’You shall...

Chapter Two –The True Grace of God Calls for Correct Thinking for God’s People

As we walk through this next section of God’s Word (1 Peter 1:13-2:10), all of the priorities and responsibilities are related to being God’s chosen people. This whole section climaxes with the description of these people as “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people…” (2:9a). Peter is telling his first century readers and us today that...

Chapter One - The True Grace of God

True Identity – Ultimate Destiny – Present Reality

The Lord God, through the Apostle Peter, is addressing His people. The Apostle with his amanuensis is writing these truths for tough times. As he begins this epistle, he addresses his readers specifically as “elect exiles” (1:1). These people were God’s chosen people scattered in different countries, living in (as it were) “foreign” lands. Their exile though...

INTRODUCTION

Many Christians today are suffering difficulties or direct persecution for their faith. Many others would be wise to anticipate persecution in various forms in the coming days. The teaching of 1 Peter is directed to believers in Christ facing persecution while scattered in specific regions in the ancient world. As a part of God’s Word, 1 Peter has a message for all believers (in all regions) - about living in difficult times before the return and the...

HOW A PERSON PREACHES ACTUALLY MATTERS

How do we (or does someone) preach today in an effective way? Some might question the need to ask this question in the first place.

The affirmation would be that God uses the preached Scriptures in the power of the Holy Spirit salvifically and sanctifyingly for His purpose and glory without the need for any analysis, adaptation or adjustments on the part of the preacher to any circumstance or audience: end of discussion!

Similar statements would affirm...

Read this scripture passage: 1 Peter 3:8-18, 22

INTRODUCTION:

The original recipients of the Apostle Peter’s letter were facing difficult and dangerous times. The apostle Peter is writing in the 60s AD to Christians scattered in various regions of the ancient world. He speaks of fiery trials and suffering, and it is evident that persecution was taking place or was right at hand. So, Peter writes a pastoral and passionate letter encouraging believers to stand firm in the true grace...

Dear Friend of Olford Ministries International and the Institute for Biblical Preaching,

Greetings in Jesus’ Name!

Thank you for your continued interest in this ministry. 

On January 31st I am traveling back to Japan. I say, “back,” because we have had many ministry trips to Japan over the years. This trip involves visiting four different areas of Japan and preaching at conventions for the deepening of spiritual life. Lord willing, I will be returning again to Japan...

The servant of the Lord is involved in a sacred ministry. This sacred ministry is to be done in the power of the Holy Spirit. Also, this ministry is a specific ministry that demands our focus and our work.

As we think about the months ahead in 2024, Lord willing, I think it is helpful to remember the Apostle Paul's encouraging and challenging words to his son in the ministry, Timothy.

The second book of Timothy is filled with exhortations and encouragements for this son in the ministry, who...