Four Oaks Midtown Podcast

Teaching | Understanding 1 Peter: Shepherds of the Flock (1 Peter 5)

What is a pastor? According to the New Testament he is first and foremost a shepherd. But before we conjure up tranquil visions of rolling green pastures we must understand that the job of a shepherd required hard work. Shepherds were required not only to feed their sheep, but also guide them away from predators. The Kings of the OT were referred to as shepherds entrusted with the care and protection of God’s people. Jesus speaks of himself as a good shepherd. In 1 Peter 5, Peter exhorts the leaders of the church to serve as shepherds for God’s people. This is a personal exhortation for Peter. Toward the end of the gospel of John we see Peter, fresh off his betrayal of Christ, swimming ashore to meet the resurrected Jesus. This launches one of the most famous dialogues in the New Testament. Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves him, one for each of Peter’s denials, and then commissions Peter to feed his sheep. Peter experiences the love of the good shepherd and this in turn motivates him to call all under-shepherds to feed the flock of Christ. This is Understanding 1 Peter.

Sermon | The Authority of Jesus

Jesus is challenged by the Pharisees regarding the Sabbath.

Teaching | Understanding 1 Peter: The End of All Things (1 Peter 4:7-19)

Christians who talk about the end times attract a lot of eye rolls. We’ve all seen the guy on a street corner with a cardboard sign with red letters that say “the end is near”. But Jesus and the Apostles spend a great deal of their ministry warning people that the “end is at hand”. Jesus preaches with apocalyptic fury calling people to repent in light of coming judgement. He also encourages Christians not to buckle in the face of suffering in light of that same judgement. The Apostle Peter carries on that apocalyptic tradition with an exhortation to the church: the end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. In other words, the end transforms the way we live in the present. This is Understanding First Peter.

Sermon | The Heart of Jesus’ Ministry

Jesus teaches about how people should respond to God and the path to the Father.

Teaching | Understanding 1 Peter: The Hope that is in You (1 Peter 3:8-4:6)

Peter spends a great deal of his first letter exhorting Christians to endure present suffering by setting their minds on future hope by faith. In doing this, Christians follow in the footsteps of Christ who entrusted himself to his Father in the midst of unjust suffering. To follow Christ is to walk the path of suffering then glory. But future hope does not replace present faithfulness. Christians must live distinct from the world as sojourners and exiles as they await their final hope. The primary way the church distinguishes itself from the world is in the realm of morality. We do not engage our sinful passions, but pursue holiness. We do not limit our perspective to the here and now, but rather live our lives in light of God’s final judgement. We do all of this with Christ as our example who died and rose again that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. This is Understanding First Peter.

Sermon | Where to Take Your Doubts

John the Baptist, imprisoned and doubting, sends his followers to Jesus who answers by rooting his ministry in Old Testament prophesy.

Teaching | Understanding 1 Peter: Submissive Witness (1 Peter 2:11-3:7)

Understanding First Peter continues with a look at the Apostle's instructions for early Christians in difficult situations. Peter applies the example of Christ's unjust suffering to the spheres of government, slavery, and marriage. These words continue to challenge Christians today with regard to authority, submission, and honorable conduct among non-Christians.

Sermon | True Peace, True Life, True Reward

Jesus instructs the disciples, challenging where their allegiances should lie and preparing them for how to go out as one sent by Him.

Teaching | Understanding 1 Peter: The People of God (1 Peter 1:22-2:10)

Understanding 1 Peter continues in this episode as we look at the identity of God's people and why it matters. Peter points to the Old Testament people of God as a framework for the New Testament people of God. From this insight flows a slew of moral implications for Christians in the first and twenty-first century. We also talk about how Christians find comfort in the midst of persecution and trials by fixing their eyes on Christ's own narrative of suffering and glory.

Sermon | Sent Sheep

Jesus sends the disciples as sheep among wolves.