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Surprises

Sermon
Seventh Sunday of Easter - A
1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11
David O. Bales
Sermons On The Second Readings
Series II, Cycle A
You hope for good surprises, but many of life's surprises are the bad kind. The new Christians Peter writes to have been surprised by facing persecution for their faith. Verse 1, "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you." Jews, especially Jews who lived outside of Palestine, were used to being treated as different and sometimes were despised for their faith. Yet, these Christians Peter writes to are Gentiles and so they're shocked. They became Christians just in time to be persecuted.
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Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favour with God and men. Let us worship him today with dignity and love, remembering that he was once a child just as we have all been children.

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 Father God,

Lord, have mercy.

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 Luke 2:41-52

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