In the final message of our A Provocative People series, Colin brings our journey through 1 & 2 Peter to a close by reminding us of the hope at the heart of the gospel. While humanity's instinct to put ourselves first has led to brokenness, injustice, and death, God has not abandoned his creation. Through Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, he is restoring all things and inviting us into his Kingdom, where sinners are forgiven and made new. Peter's challenge is simple yet profound: live today in the light of tomorrow. As we wait for God's promised renewal, we're called to grow in the present, allowing him to form us into people whose lives reflect the restoration, redemption, and hope of the world to come.

As we continue through 1 & 2 Peter, we explore what it means to be a "provocative people"—followers of Jesus whose lives are distinctive in the way we live, love, and carry ourselves so that we spark questions from those around us.

Ruth points to Peter's warning about false prophets and teachers who distort the truth, deny Jesus, and exploit others with deceptive words. The message encourages us to stay anchored by building faithful habits one step at a time, keeping our eyes fixed on Scripture, testing every teaching against God's Word, and resisting the pressure to simply follow the crowd.

Ruth encourages us to notice what's happening around us, take faithful next steps, and continue trusting God's promises, to remain steadfast and anchored in Christ.

In Part 8 of A Provocative People, Dilys Jones explores Peter’s challenge to live each day intentionally in the grace God has given us. Drawing from 2 Peter, she reminds us that through God’s grace and power we are invited to participate in his divine nature and grow into the people he has called us to be.

Dilys highlights the balance between God’s free gift and our active response. Salvation and grace are freely offered, but spiritual growth requires our willing partnership.

Peter encourages believers to “supplement” their faith by developing qualities that strengthen both body and soul. These virtues are not achieved through human effort alone, but through a daily partnership with God, whose grace enables us to flourish and live distinctive, Christ-centred lives.

In Part 7 of Holy Trinity's 'A Provocative People' series, Scott explored Peter’s call to “take care” of both our communities and our souls.

Peter advises us as leaders to care for others by leading with the right motivation, setting an example, and remaining open to influence. And to care for our own souls by returning to God’s rest and guarding against these threats: anxieties that crush the soul, distractions that deaden it, and the devil who seeks to destroy it.

Peter encourages us to trust God with our worries, cultivate spiritual discipline, stay alert, and resist the pressures of culture. Through it all, we can hold onto this promise: God will restore, strengthen, and establish us.

In Part 6 of A Provocative People series through 1 and 2 Peter, Colin explored how suffering and pressure reveal what we're rooted in. Peter reminds us that Christ also suffered, meaning we never suffer alone. Jesus endured suffering without abandoning love, and though the cross looked like defeat, the resurrection had the final word. As people of the resurrection, we live with that same hope.

Colin reflected on our tendency to seek comfort and avoid discomfort, while Peter focuses on who we become through suffering. In the midst of pressure, we are called to pray, love, serve, and show hospitality. The church becomes a compelling witness when it endures hardship with hope, pointing others to Jesus. Colin encouraged us to reflect on what we turn to in difficult times and to lean more fully on God.

This week in our A Provocative People series, Rob explored what it means to extend the Kingdom of God. Drawing from Jesus' example on earth, he challenged us to live in a way that stands out from the world's standards—so much so that people are prompted to ask, “Why do you live like that?”

Rob reminded us that sharing our faith begins long before we speak about it. A life of worship and genuine relationship with God prepares us to give an answer when others ask about the hope we have. If our lives look no different from those around us, we miss the opportunity to provoke curiosity about Christ.

Practically, we are called to share our faith with gentleness, respect, and humility, leading others not through argument but through our example, prayer, and invitation into the presence of Jesus.

Scott Hill continues our series in 1 & 2 Peter, exploring 2:13-3:7. How can we live in freedom from retaliation, image management and control?

Ruth led Holy Trinity in part three of the sermon series A Provocative People, focusing on our calling to live in God’s image based on lessons from 1 and 2 Peter. The message challenged us to think about the people, habits, and desires we struggle to say no to — the things that can slowly take our eyes off God and make life centred on our own pleasure and plans

We were reminded that as Christians, we are ‘living stones’ who belong to Jesus. Christ is the cornerstone — the foundation on which we build our lives — and together we are being built into a spiritual house. In God’s eyes, we are chosen, treasured, and priceless.

Because we have the mind of Christ, we can learn to control our thoughts and actions and say no to the things that lead us away from Him. Instead of becoming stones that cause others to stumble, we are called to build people up and live honourably, so that others may see how our lives glorify God.