• 4. When the Prophets Were at a Loss (1 Peter 1:10-12)

  6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7 that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.

  Biblical Topics: 

  Prophecy/Revelation

  Passage: 

  1 Peter

  Taxonomy upgrade extras: 

  Bob Deffinbaugh

  Home

• 3. What You See Isn’t What You Get (1 Peter 1:6-9)

  6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7 that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.

  Biblical Topics: 

  Suffering, Trials, Persecution

  Comfort

  Passage: 

  1 Peter

  Taxonomy upgrade extras: 

  Bob Deffinbaugh

  Home

• 2. Suffering: Victim or Victor? (1 Peter 1:1-6a)

  1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, that you may obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in fullest measure.

  Biblical Topics: 

  Suffering, Trials, Persecution

  Passage: 

  1 Peter

  Taxonomy upgrade extras: 

  Bob Deffinbaugh

  Home

• 1. The Preparation of Peter

  Introduction

  A number of years ago we celebrated Thanksgiving with my wife’s aunt and uncle. At the dinner table, Aunt Doris, a very creative woman, confessed to having added a mystery ingredient to the dressing and offered five dollars to the first person who could identify it. After a number of incorrect attempts, my wife’s father solved the mystery. To her delight, Aunt Doris had disposed of some stale potato chips by adding them to the dressing.

  Biblical Topics: 

  Suffering, Trials, Persecution

  Passage: 

  1 Peter

  Taxonomy upgrade extras: 

  Bob Deffinbaugh

  Home

• The Glory of Suffering: Preface

  When I read about Peter in the Gospels, I find an entirely different “Peter” than the apostle who penned the first epistle of Peter. In the Gospels, Peter wanted the kingdom of God to come now, and without human suffering. He wanted Jesus to quickly overthrow human government and establish His own. He bristled when Jesus spoke of His imminent suffering and death on the cross of Calvary. In his first epistle, Peter writes about our heavenly hope—the kingdom of God which will come after the suffering of the saints for their faith.

  Passage: 

  1 Peter

  Taxonomy upgrade extras: 

  Bob Deffinbaugh

  Home

• 5. Real Religion Requires Endurance James 5:7-20

  Introduction

  Our granddaughter, Taylor, has been anxiously waiting all week to see her other grandparents. They live far away in California and are only able to come to Dallas once or twice a year. Taylor was excited this week because her “Nanny and Papa” were coming to see her on Friday. When Friday arrived, Taylor stationed herself on the window seat, looking out the window for any sign of them.

  Biblical Topics: 

  Sanctification

  Passage: 

  James

  Taxonomy upgrade extras: 

  Bob Deffinbaugh

  Home

• 4. Real Religion Requires Repentance James 4:1—5:6

  Introduction

  Unfortunately, some of the evils James enumerates in the first 3 verses of chapter 4 are the kinds of wrongdoing we have almost come to expect among saints: conflicts, quarrels, and envy. But it seems as though James is going a bit far when he adds “murder” to the list, not just in verse 2, but also later on in chapter 5, verse 6.

  Biblical Topics: 

  Soteriology (Salvation)

  Spiritual Life

  Passage: 

  James

  Taxonomy upgrade extras: 

  Bob Deffinbaugh

  home

• 3. Taming the Tongue James 3:1-18

  Introduction

  In his book entitled Killing Giants, Pulling Thorns,²⁶ Chuck Swindoll has reminded us of this epitaph, etched faintly on a gray slate tombstone on a windswept hill in an English country churchyard:

  Beneath this stone,
  a lump of clay,
  Lies Arabella Young,
  Who, on the twenty-fourth of May,
  Began to hold her tongue.

  I think we would all have to admit that Arabella Young began to hold her tongue a bit too late.

  Biblical Topics: 

  Basics for Christians

  Sanctification

  Passage: 

  James

  Taxonomy upgrade extras: 

  Bob Deffinbaugh

  Home

• 2. Words and Works: Practical Piety James 2:1-26

  Introduction

  It was my first time to visit the American Civil Liberties Union Website, but my search on racial profiling took me there.

  Biblical Topics: 

  Sanctification

  Passage: 

  James

  Taxonomy upgrade extras: 

  Bob Deffinbaugh

  Home

• 1. Accepting Adversity James 1:1-27

  Introduction

  Prior to 1539, if one had said, “Turn with me to the first chapter of the Book of James,” there would have been a great rustling of pages in the congregation, with many puzzled looks. Up to that time, you would not have found the book where it is today in any English translation. Indeed, you would not have found the Book of James included among the New Testament books at all. This is because it was hidden away at the very back of the English Bible, along with Hebrews, Jude, and Revelation.

  Biblical Topics: 

  Suffering, Trials, Persecution

  Passage: 

  James

  Taxonomy upgrade extras: 

  Bob Deffinbaugh

  Home

Pages