May 18, 2025

Pastor Dave's sermon begins at 32:00 min into the video. The music "Here I Am To Worship", "Made Me Glad" , "How Great Thou Art", "How Great Is Our God",  "Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)", "The Love Of Christ", "White As Snow",and "The Blessing" are licensed under CCLI Copyright #2723035 and Streaming Media #22024223 licenses.

Embracing Our Pilgrimage: Faithful Living in a Challenging World

Are you ready to embark on a journey of spiritual growth and transformation? Pastor Dave’s sermon invites you to explore the profound message of living as a pilgrim in this world, guided by faith and hope. Discover how embracing your spiritual path can lead to a life of purpose and fulfillment. For instance, in his sermon, we learn that life is a journey where we are pilgrims passing through a world that is not our ultimate home. By embracing our faith, we can navigate life's challenges with hope and courage. You are called to live differently, with values and goals that set you apart, reflecting God's purpose for your life.

Key Teachings

• Embrace Your Pilgrimage: Understand that as a believer, you are a sojourner in this world. This perspective helps you face trials with resilience. "We are passing through this broken, sinful, dark world," Pastor Dave reminds us, encouraging us to focus on our heavenly home.
• Live by God's Manual: The Bible is your guide, offering wisdom and direction. Just as an owner's manual helps you understand a product, the scriptures guide your life. "We have an owner's manual that's been given to us," Pastor Dave says, urging you to embrace its teachings.
• Find Strength in Trials: Trials test your faith, but they also refine and strengthen it. Pastor Dave shares, "The genuineness of your faith being much more precious than gold," highlighting the value of enduring hardships with faith.
• Be an Instrument of God: Like Peter, you may have flaws, but God can use you for His purpose. "Surely if God can use a person like Peter, He can use a person like you," Pastor Dave encourages, reminding you of your potential in God's hands.

Scriptural Foundation

• 1 Peter 1:1-9: This passage emphasizes hope, salvation, and the trials of faith, guiding you to live with purpose and resilience.
• Luke 5: Peter's early interactions with Jesus teach us about obedience and trust, even when we doubt.
• Matthew 16: Peter's journey shows us that even when we falter, we can be restored and used by God.

Your Journey Forward

To apply these teachings, start by reading the Bible daily, seeking guidance and strength. Reflect on your life's journey and identify areas where you can live more intentionally as a pilgrim. Engage in community worship and support others in their faith journey, fostering a spirit of encouragement and hope.

Closing Prayer and Reflection

Father, we thank You for Your word and encourage our hearts today. Strengthen us, Lord, as we begin looking at these truths. May we be men and women of courage in the culture that we live in. Remind us that we're instruments in Your hand, not because we're perfect, but because You're good and gracious. Amen.

Reflect on how you can be an instrument of God's love and grace in your daily life. Embrace your journey with faith, knowing that you are never alone, and that your life has a divine purpose.