Reading: First Peter 1:1-12

The Church in Asia Minor was undergoing persecution, especially under Nero.  The terrible persecution of Christians led to some turning back on or at least question their faith. It was at this time that the great Apostle Peter wrote a letter to the believers. It was a source of great encouragement. You can imagine their excitement when the letter got to them:

“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied”

Reading: Acts 2

In our increasingly secular society, the Church seems to be losing much of its dynamism and influence. To some people today, the Church is just a word and to some, it is like any other business enterprise. But that is not what God intended the Church to be – the Church should be a dynamic force, a part of the living body of Christ making a difference in our world. Why is the Church not doing this?