Foreword by David Wells..
Most of us value humility . . . especially in other people. But Jesus taught that humility is central to the Christian life. Author Christopher Hutchinson invites the church to follow Christ—both individually and corporately—in this high calling.
A systematic and comprehensive treatment of this core tenant of Christianity, Rediscovering Humility is structured around the three times Jesus addresses the topic in Scripture—how it is found, embraced and applied. This insightful resource should be required reading for all seminary students so they can understand the pitfalls of leadership before they begin to pastor. Current pastors and church leaders will find Hutchinson’s critiques and suggestions helpful as they seek to create humble and healthy churches. Individuals who have lost an appreciation for humility as a central Christian virtue will be reminded of its value as the best way to grow closer to and more like Jesus.
Humble Christians create healthy churches, but in today’s world of celebrity pastors and widening platforms, our churches are more than ever imitating the prideful methodologies of our culture. Through his critiques, Hutchinson also offers suggestions for how Christians can better practice and promote humility in our time.
Offering a fresh and updated application of humility to our day, Hutchinson calls for a return to the path of humility as the one pilgrimage most necessary for Christian faith and life. By showing humility in in all its truth, beauty and goodness, it becomes a value worth seeking—if never fully found—on this side of heaven.
Author
Christopher Hutchinson is the senior pastor of Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church in Blacksburg, Virginia, and a graduate of Duke University (AB) and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (MDiv). Prior to entering the ministry, Chris served in the US Army, including a combat tour during Operation Desert Storm. Chris and his wife, Kirstan, have two grown daughters, one a collaborative pianist studying in Arizona, and the other an artist studying in South Carolina. He wrote Rediscovering Humility: Why the Way Up Is Down.
Mid-Cities Presbyterian Church Library 
Obtaining the Blessing (1 Peter 3:8-12)
Mr. Robert Mossotti, OPC Licentiate
On Sunday, November 1, 2015, OPC Licentiate Robert Mossotti preached “Obtaining the Blessing” from 1 Peter 3:8-12.
Peter details duties to various classes of believers earlier in his book, to church members in general in the present passage. He forbids contention and trifling with the peace of the church. As OPC church members, we have vowed to keep the peace and purity of the church. We are to love as siblings, being children of the same Father. We are to be tender-hearted and humble, counting others as more significant than ourselves. We are not to repay evil for evil, from within as well as from without the church.
The church has always been a mix of believers and unbelievers. Persecution can come from inside as well as outside the church. Fraternal strife between true brothers is also possible in the church.
We must leave justice to the Judge, and we are to bless our persecutors. Because of our union with him who received punishment without resistance, we are called to do likewise.
In commanding us to bless others that we might obtain a blessing, is Peter preaching an apostolic form of the prosperity gospel, by teaching us to seek blessing in exchange for something we do? It is important to not misinterpret Scripture. Our blessing is a matter of inheritance, not merit. Christ was cursed that we might be blessed.
A good tree produces good fruit. The fruit does not produce the tree. Only fruit-bearing trees inherit the blessing, even if the blessing is not earned by bearing fruit.
Listen to “Obtaining the Blessing” (1 Peter 3:8-12) at mcopc.org.
Posted in 1 Peter, Commentary, Podcast, Robert Mossotti | 1 Comment »