SMBC Principal's Hour Express

How do we persevere in following Jesus when we are mocked or face hostility for our faith? In 1 Peter 4:1-11, Peter outlines a series of very practical steps we can take that strengthen us to walk the path that Jesus has already walked.

Rob Smith, a speaker at SMBC, dives deep into 1 Peter 3:13-22, focusing on the theme of hope amidst suffering. He showcases the journey of a young believer facing persecution and encourages steadfast faith through Christ's victory. The conversation also touches on respectful dialogues about morality with non-Christians, the importance of apologetics, and the transformative power of suffering for righteousness. Lastly, he shares the inspiring story of Richard Wurmbrand, highlighting perseverance in faith and the hope found in Christ's sacrifice.

In 1 Samuel 7, when God delivers Israel from the Philistines, the prophet Samuel sets up a stone as a reminder of the rescue, and names it Ebenezer, (meaning “stone of help”). Just as the stone helps Israel remember what God has done, so too this text trains us in remembering God’s past deliverance in ways that shape our present action.

In 2:11-3:7, Peter addresses three groups who are in a vulnerable position because they are under the authority of others: citizens (to governments), slaves (to masters) and wives (to husbands). And his radical instruction to all three groups is that even when the one with authority over them exercises that authority badly, they should still submit. Why? In this talk, we focus on the instruction to wives to submit (3:1-6), seeking to understand what it means and why it’s important, and then on the instruction to husbands to respect the position their wives are in (3:7). Ultimately, it is an opportunity for all to grow in understanding of what it means to imitate Christ in hard situations.