In our next passage of Scripture from Peter's Letter to the Persecuted Churches in Asia Minor... Peter shifts his letter towards addressing the "Shepherds" which are over the Flock of God...Giving them serious instructions about TWO particular things as they lead the church... Their attitudes and motivations...

As we draw close to the end of our walk through 1 Peter, written to brothers and sisters in Christ who are living in times extremely similar and relevant to ours. Peter will give us a sobering warning in his writings that absolutely demands attention and change from us now. So put away your "playing church" mentalities and see this church for what we are right now: a band of like believers in the middle of a fallen world with it's filth still all over us as well, but striving with sincere hearts to rise up in these last days and truly please our Savior—no matter the cost. Let's jump back into God's Words again together.

Last week we took a detour from our main text to uncover the mystery...Of several passages Peter mentions in the previous and upcoming verses of our Study...These unusual passages revealed where Jesus went during the three days His Body rested in a borrowed tomb... And who the deceased souls were to whom He preached! Now, we will continue in the passage of 1 Peter 4...Drawing inspiration from our brothers and sisters who walked before us...In VERY similar circumstances to ours today!

We are in Lesson 8 of our walk through 1 Peter. And as we are considering Peter's Words of encouragement and instruction for Christians living in times and cultures of growing persecution, we come to a passage of Scripture today, and another in the chapter ahead—both of which Peter uses to draw us deeper into the understanding of Christ's suffering for us, referencing an event that has often been confused or misunderstood by many. But placed with numerous, clear Scriptures describing the same event, they give us the wonderful story of Jesus' journey during the three days His body was lying in that dark tomb. Let's take a short detour today from our continuing journey through 1 Peter, and look at this awesome event Peter refers to in his Epistle.