By Hoyt Wilson
Pastor, Flatwoods Baptist Church, Holladay

Focal Passage: II Peter 1:12-21

Had Simon Barjona not taken a chance on Jesus, he would have missed a purposeful life and a grand eternity. Simon did cast his life with Jesus and became Simon Peter who first became a follower, then a disciple, and finally an apostle of Jesus. During three short years of being with Him, he became firmly convinced that Jesus was “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16 KJV). After Jesus was crucified, resurrected, and ascended to heaven, Peter preached Christ saying: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12 KJV). He wrote II Peter anticipating his death.  He wrote his last letter to those who had “obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of Jesus Christ” (II Peter 1:1 KJV) telling them how to build on their faith seven virtues that would make them useful and fruitful to God and to men. [Read more…]

By Hoyt Wilson
Pastor, Flatwoods Baptist Church, Holladay

Focal Passage: II Peter 1:3-11

Only God is indispensable, but every person has practical usefulness. I have never forgotten a sign at the second floor landing of a church. The sign said: “God don’t make no junk.” In the worst of us and the best of us there is potential for usefulness. I Peter was written to God’s elect who were exiles scattered in five provinces, but II Peter is more general in that it was written: “To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received faith as precious as ours.” At least one of the reasons Peter wrote this letter was to help gentile Christians understand the nature of the spiritual change they had experienced so they could grow to maximum usefulness to God and others. II Peter 1:3-4 sets forth God’s expectation for Christians to live godly lives through His empowerment; II Peter 1:5-7 shares how effort on the part of believers to use God’s provisions will help them to progress in practical godliness; II Peter 1:8-9 acknowledges the results of God’s provisions and believers’ efforts producing a useful life; and II Peter 1:10-11 reinforces practical godliness as a lifelong journey with blessed results. Let’s examine these four emphases. [Read more…]

By Hoyt Wilson
Pastor, Flatwoods Baptist Church, Holladay

Focal Passage: I Peter 5:1-11

Christians are prone to say “God has promised that victory is ours,” without remembering that there are still battles to be fought.  The world, our flesh, and the devil daily present challenges to faith in God and one must be alert to perceive those challenges. The title of this lesson is “Alert Living.” Peter has already reminded his readers in I Peter 4:7: “… be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.” To be alert one must not only be wide awake, but must be aware of what is happening with the intention of being prepared to act. There are several areas of responsibility and relationships that need attention if Christians are to practice alert living. [Read more…]

By Hoyt Wilson
Pastor, Flatwoods Baptist Church, Holladay

Focal Passage: I Peter 4:12-19

How can one expect life to be fair in a fallen world? The best team does not always win. The one who works the hardest does not always get the promotion. Those who live morally, ethically, and spiritually often are ridiculed because of the quality of their lives. The best person who ever lived died young, condemned and crucified by those He came to save. Life really is not fair. [Read more…]

By Hoyt Wilson
Pastor, Flatwoods Baptist Church, Holladay

Focal Passage: I Peter 4:1-11

When confronted with danger, both people and animals must choose flight or fight. Peter recognized there was potential for significant persecution of believers scattered in the five provinces mentioned in I Peter 1:1.  He warned: “… since Christ suffered in His body, arm yourselves … ” (I Peter 4:1). No, He was not advocating that they prepare for physical battle, but he did want to help them be equipped to live under persecution and to glorify God in the process. Peter did not leave them hanging, but shared how they could be equipped to live in times of spiritual warfare.  [Read more…]