Bogue United Methodist Church

05/31/2026

05/14/2026

Sermon and sermon questions for Sunday, May 17th, 7th Sunday of Easter:

Like a Roaring Lion
(1 Peter 5:6-11)
Dear God,
We thank you for this letter from Peter, reminding us today of the importance of being patient on our faith journey, of being wary and resistant to Satan, and of knowing that we can find our strength in Christ our Savior. Although written a long, long time ago, Peter’s words still ring true for us today; let us hear and learn from them. We pray in Christ’s name through the Spirit. Amen.

Our scripture today is part of Peter’s first letter to the churches struggling in the 1st-century Greco-Roman world, which shares three important lessons. First is the importance of patience and trusting in God. Encouraging us to wait on the Lord, for God’s timing is always perfect, and there is a plan for all of us but this requires humility. Second is resistant to the temptations of Satan/evil. That Satan is like a roaring lion, searching to devour his next victim. When we are tempted to stray as we become overwhelmed, we must instead pray and stay in the Lord. Finally, remember that our temporary hardships are just that. We have an eternal reward waiting for us! Peter explains all this through powerful explanations and imagery. Moving the reader from an understanding of humility and trust in God, to a vivid warning about the enemy’s activities, and finally, our hope that is restored in God’s salvation. Remember, this letter was written to those who were suffering for their faith in Jesus, and Peter encourages them to hang in there and remain holy and righteous during these difficult times. This is also the encouragement and lessons we can draw on, as we face our everyday challenges and those really hard times. However, I want to focus particularly on the roaring lion imagery, which I have always found fascinating.

Throughout Scripture, lions symbolize both power and danger. Sometimes the lion imagery points to Christ, the Lion of Judah, but often it represents destructive enemies, judgment, or predatory evil. For instance, in Psalm 104:21 – “The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God,” indicating the enemy surrounding the innocent. And before we explore this further in Peter’s letter, allow me to share a few fun facts about lions, so we can understand Peter’s metaphor even better. Lions are the only truly social big cats, living in groups called prides, which usually consist of 3 to 40 cats. A pride typically includes related females, their cubs, and up to two adult males. Female lions do most of the hunting and cub-rearing, while the males defend the pride territory. Male lions are distinguished by their manes, which darken with age and signal health and dominance. Like house cats, lions have retractable claws that can be up to one and a half inches long. They can have 30 sharp teeth and rough tongues, like house cats, that help strip meat from bones. They can leap up to 36 feet and reach speeds of 50 miles per hour. Lions are colorblind to red, which, interestingly, aids them in hunting. As for the roaring lion, a lion’s roar can be heard up to 5 miles away and reaches 114 decibels, which is really loud, considering the average rock concert is 108-114 decibels, and 120 decibels reaches the pain threshold. It is used to communicate with the pride and warn of intruders. Warding off rival prides or solitary lions entering the pride’s territory. They also use roaring to communicate with each other when the pride is out hunting, to coordinate movement. Roaring can also attract females, adding to the pride's diversity. And finally, roaring signals a male lion's dominance and is used to intimidate challengers. In our scripture today, we are to be cautious of the roaring, prowling lion who is seeking to devour us! By the way, a male lion can eat up to 15 pounds of meat a day. So, what do you think, is Peter’s metaphor a good one for describing Satan’s active, predatory nature? Spiritually, Peter’s image shows Satan as “prowling,” not sleeping, but constantly, actively seeking victims. “Roaring” to intimidate, signal threat, and cause fear. “Seeking to devour,” aiming to destroy us, our faith, and our lives. This is why Peter cautions us by offering such a dire warning. Lions are not something to mess around with.

But also, why Peter began this section of the letter with the marks of humility. When one is humble, one is willing to perform the lowliest and littlest service for Jesus’ sake, depending on God for not only everything, but also trusting that coming to Him from a humble place, God will make something of us. But I want to caution here: this type of humility is NOT about self-hatred or depreciation of self-worth, but about being truly self-thoughtful for others, rather than being self-centered. Additionally, when we approach God in humility, we are willing to cast all our cares upon Him. But here’s something to consider: if we truly heeded the command Peter gives us in verse 6 to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, we might have far fewer cares to cast upon Him. This makes me think of the burdens we place upon ourselves, as illustrated in The Pilgrim’s Progress. As Christian, the main character in the story, flees the City of Destruction and journeys to Celestial City, he is burdened by sin and worries. Symbolized by a heavy pack he is carrying on his back, which continues to grow larger and heavier throughout the journey. However, when Christian sees Jesus at the top of a narrow, hard uphill path, he begins to climb. As he climbs, bits and pieces of the pack begin to fall off, and the weight of the burden falls away. The Enduring Word commentary also reminds us that casting is “a rather energetic word.” It is more than laying down our cares. “The idea is to 'throw it away from you’.” This is because the pressures and burdens of this life, this world, can feel so heavy and difficult that it takes great effort, great energy to give them to Jesus. Like Christian climbing that hill. However, when we do, our load is lightened.

What Peter is really talking about here, especially concerning Satan as the roaring lion, is Spiritual Warfare. Why we must be sober, vigilant, and watchful because not only is Satan walking around (prowling), but Satan is also seeking to lead us astray. And Satan is tricky; he often appears as a sweet, cuddly kitten, a gentle house pet, not a lion. Not dangerous, but a friend, someone we should trust. But if we allow his lies to invade our lives, they are potent (remember how loud a lion's roar is). Those lies still have the power to devour souls and rob us of our effectiveness to bring Christ into the world. Satan desires to completely ruin you; he wants to make you utterly miserable, and this is how tricky he is; he might do this by making you happy. Why we must resist, both stand steady and fast, against his wiles. Remain steadfast in our faith. Put on our spiritual warfare armor (Ephesians 6:10-18).

And here’s the paradox. As much as we are to be brave, steadfast, and ready for warfare, we are also to humble ourselves before God by recognizing our limitations and weaknesses. In doing this, we acknowledge God’s sovereignty, our dependence on His power, and our submission to His wisdom. In turn, we surrender our worries, fears, and burdens to God and trust in His care. And we also need to remember that because of the cross, Satan has been defanged; therefore, although his roar is still loud, his deceptive lies can be ignored if we place ourselves in God’s hands. Peter, as Simon, experienced this for himself in Luke 22, remember Jesus said to him in verses 31-31, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail.” Satan demanded that Peter be his captured prey. By the way, by addressing Simon in this way, Jesus was speaking about all of us who follow him. Satan has demanded to have all of us. The idea of sifting wheat, which separates the wheat grain from the chaff, was an idiom for severe testing. When we enter into spiritual warfare, we are going to go through something hard because Satan is out to destroy us. But we can, we must stand against him. RESIST! But we do not do it alone. We do it with our fellow believers. We encourage each other to hang in there. And we can put up a wall of defense together against the “slings and arrows” that are being thrown at us. Against the lion that is trying to hunt us down and devour us.

And Peter doesn’t leave us in defense mode; he offers us hope that, although we may have to “suffer for a while,” we will be “called to His eternal glory.” The Enduring Word reminds us that this glory we are called to is one of purified character, perfected humanity, complete victory, to be honored by the King, reflecting God’s glory, to be in the immediate and constant presence of God, and to be in the enjoyment of God Himself! For the God of all grace has called us to eternal glory, where He will restore us, confirm us, strengthen us, and establish us. He will refurbish our broken hearts, rebuild our hurt souls, and repair our shattered spirits. Giving us His grace as we need at the moment we need it, remember God’s grace is enough, 2 Corinthians 12:9 tells us as much, which will carry you through and be able to resist Satan. And thus, why we will praise Him, for He is worthy of glory and praise.

Therefore, may we remain humble under God’s mighty hand, steadfast against the roaring lion, and confident in the grace of Christ that strengthens and restores us. For the God who calls us is faithful, and His eternal glory is greater than any struggle we face.

Sermon Questions for Like a Roaring Lion

• In what ways do you see the “roaring lion” imagery in 1 Peter reflecting the kinds of temptations, fears, or distractions Christians face today?

• Peter connects humility with spiritual strength. Why do you think humility is such an important defense against spiritual attack?

• The sermon distinguished humility from low self-worth. How would you explain the difference between biblical humility and self-deprecation?

• What burdens or worries are hardest for you to truly “cast” upon God? What keeps people from fully surrendering those cares to Him?

• The sermon emphasized that Satan often appears more subtle than frightening — “a sweet, cuddly kitten.” What are some modern examples of deceptive temptations that can slowly pull people away from Christ?

• Peter reminds believers that suffering is temporary, but God’s glory is eternal. How can that promise shape the way we endure hardship, disappointment, or spiritual battles today?

05/07/2026

Sermon and sermon questions for May 10th, 6th Sunday of Easter (Happy Mother's Day and Graduation Sunday!)

Share the Why
(1 Peter 3:13-22)
Dear God,
We thank you for Peter's letter, which reminds us that we are blessed, beloved, and baptized, and that we belong in the family of Christ. Help us to always be ready to share why we believe and have the faith we have. Let us hear the importance of this in today's scripture and in these words. We pray in Christ’s name. Amen.

If you remember from last week, this letter from Peter to the early Christians was written to those experiencing trials, being persecuted, and socially marginalized. What they are going through probably ranges from mild ridicule to harsh treatment and suffering due to severe oppression by Roman authority. This is a small section of that letter that outlines codes by which Christians are to live, instructing them on how to live in holiness, in relationships, in moral conduct, and with respect toward others. The overarching theme is steadfastness in faith amid adversity, grounded in hope. Through this encouragement, Peter is inspiring those he writes, to hold fast to that faith in the midst of adversities, for their reward will be great in heaven. Within this scripture, Peter uses the story of Noah to show water as both a saving and destructive force. Through this story and its symbolism, Peter shows that baptism represents salvation as spiritual rebirth and the washing away of sins. He is trying to emphasize baptism's significance as a ritual in the Christian faith, demonstrating commitment to following Jesus, acceptance of salvation, and its role in our testimony. This is a message of hope, redemption, and the ultimate triumph of good over evil, challenging us to reflect on our beliefs and actions and urging us to stay true to our faith, even in the face of adversity.

However, how many of us have faced real adversity? Sure, we may have all had to deal with unfair situations or losses, worked through difficult circumstances, or been down and out, but how many of us have truly had to deal with great adversity? Adversity is defined as, “a state or instance of serious or continued difficulty or misfortune.” We also do not know what it is really like to be persecuted for our beliefs. We are free to worship as we desire. Therefore, as Peter shares with his fellow Christians, we should not fear or be intimidated, because who will harm us if we are doing the good of God, but even if we do suffer, we are blessed, because we know our salvation through Christ. But Peter also shows that although Christ suffered and died for our sins, enduring his own adversity, this was not a sign of divine displeasure but quite the opposite. It was a life lived in righteousness and respect for God that brought resurrection and honor to Christ. God does not necessarily wish suffering upon us, and as Christ followers, we should not seek suffering for its own sake; rather, we may expect suffering, and we need to be equipped to deal with it. Christ triumphed over suffering, and so can we. If not in this earthly realm, in the heavenly. The ultimate reward for our faithfulness through suffering.

However, considering suffering in our lives today, where might we see the implications of being Christ followers that cause us to know suffering? For many of us, this is a difficult question to answer, because we often find our Followship is not full of hardships. But allow me to share a slightly different perspective, but before I do, keep in mind that even though we may not face real adversity, we must still be ready to share the why behind what we believe. Sometimes the strongest witness to our faith is not found in easy moments, but in the suffering we endure and the hope we continue to carry. So, recently, I was in a discussion about why there is suffering in the world and, if there is, how there can be a God. I said suffering is due to free will. God gave us free will, and because of that, suffering is in the world. I got a lot of pushback on this. One person exclaimed, how could I say that, because is it free will for a child to suffer with cancer or an infant born dead? I explained again that, because of free will, sin entered the world. Even though it may not seem right or fair that all must suffer because of another’s sin, beginning with Adam, the truth is that because of free will, we all fail in some respect or another. Because of the universal failure, innocent suffer, good people suffer, the undeserving suffer, it is a stain upon our world, and until we all subject ourselves to God’s will, there will remain suffering. Thus, not all suffering is caused by an individual choice, but rather because we live in a fallen and broken world shaped by humanity’s separation from God. After this response, there were a few more questions about why I can believe in a God who allows suffering to continue. So, I shared a story. I explained that I lost my second child to a miscarriage, certainly not my free will, but a moment of suffering I had to endure. That alone was difficult enough, but the miscarriage caused a lot of damage, and without reconstructive surgery, I would not be able to have any more children. Even with it, my chances of having a viable birth were about 5% because only one side would be able to be reconstructed. However, even after reconstruction and a possible pregnancy, I would need a hysterectomy, because my risk of cancer due to damage to the other side was serious. So, unhappy news upon unhappy news. And I’ll be the first to admit that for a little while after this ordeal, I was very sad, even a little doubtful of God’s love and providence, although I continued to try to believe, and prayed to God for a miracle, like Sarah and Abraham, while my husband and I discussed what to do. Finally, the decision was to just have the hysterectomy to prevent me from having more problems. Despite this being a choice we made together, my husband left me afterward, because he desired to have more children. Not my free will, but his. Sadder yet, a few months after he left, he took his own life. But I was the one who suffered because of it. All of it! Yet, in the end, my faith and trust in God did not fail. In many ways, because of this trial, this suffering, my faith grew stronger and more assured. After sharing this story, there was a stunned silence. I do not know whether I swayed anyone to trust God, but I hope so. I certainly offered my testimony and shared why my faith is what it is. But this is one way we may see that suffering in our faith, even in a country where we do not have to worry about persecution, suffering is still a reality; it is also an example of why we must always be ready to share the why of our faith.

However, for us in this country, suffering can also mean a willingness to renounce certain things for the sake of our faith. Perhaps giving up certain activities we enjoy to serve God. Or that the rewards we will receive for sharing our why will not necessarily be immediate. And it might even mean living a life that is the opposite of what we thought would be our “dream life.” This is, in part, because, as Peter tells us, a future reward justifies those who suffer now. However, this type of attitude can lead to a refusal to confront the injustices and suffering of this world. Another reminder that our situations as Christ followers in America are quite different from those in other places of the world, as well as for those to whom Peter writes in this letter. That does not mean his words are not equally important to us. It is just that we must view it from a different perspective and challenge what we know or even believe is right in order to maintain a clear conscience. And not live safely, but to suffer for the sake of God and others. And this might be thought of as zeal, which can be good or bad. As mentioned earlier, in God’s providence, we do not have to fear our foes. We find this idea across the scriptures. Paul, in Romans 8:31 tells us, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Again, not meaning we are immune to suffering or should seek suffering, but rather, our suffering is temporary and will be vindicated. And this happens when we become imitators of what is good, of Christ. Thus, we must have zeal or passion for what is good and living in Christ. But we must be sure what is good according to God, not what humans may believe is good. Here, the Greek word agathos means virtuous and benevolent, morally upright. For instance, seeking vengeance is not in line with God’s goodness. Thus, we are to live what we preach, which may be the reason why so many Christians fail to bring others to God. This is because we don’t feel the heat of transformation, as the early Christians did. And I am not talking about the heat of the Holy Spirit here, but rather, what it means to really share the why of our faith, and have to struggle because of it.
But being prepared to share the why of our faith is what is required of all of us, no matter what life throws at us. Because when we find peace as we walk through the storms and struggles of life, others will notice. They might even wonder what your secret is. Therefore, we must develop a mindset rooted in faith and confidence in God’s goodness for us, so that we are always prepared to give hope. We must become knowledgeable about the hope we have in Christ. That knowledge equips us to confidently answer questions and engage in discussions with those seeking hope and encouragement.

So perhaps the question before us today is not whether we will ever suffer, but whether we will remain faithful when life becomes difficult, confusing, or painful. Peter reminds us that our hope in Christ is not dependent upon perfect circumstances, easy answers, or a trouble-free life. Our hope rests in the One who suffered, died, and rose again for us. Jesus never promised that we would avoid hardship, but he does promise that suffering will never have the final word. And because of that promise, we are called to live differently. We are called to live with courage, compassion, gentleness, and hope. We are called to be people whose lives reflect Christ so clearly that others begin to ask, “Why?” Why do you still trust? Why do you still serve? Why do you still hope? And when those moments come, may we be ready to share the reason for the hope within us.
Not with arrogance or anger.
Not with fear or judgment.
But with gentleness and respect.

For our testimony is not simply found in the words we speak, but in the lives we live, the grace we show, and the faith we hold onto even through suffering. Because when we continue to trust God in the midst of adversity, others begin to see that our faith is real, our hope is alive, and Christ is present even in the hardest moments of life. So may we leave this place strengthened in faith, confident in God’s promises, and prepared to share the why behind our hope whenever the opportunity arises. And may our lives point others not to ourselves, but always to Jesus Christ, our source of hope, peace, and salvation. Amen.



Sermon Questions for Share the Why
1. Peter encourages Christians to “always be ready to give an answer” for the hope they have in Christ. How comfortable are you sharing the “why” behind your faith with others?

2. The sermon discusses suffering as part of living in a broken world shaped by humanity’s separation from God. How have difficult experiences in your own life shaped, challenged, or strengthened your faith?

3. The personal testimony in the sermon showed that faith can remain strong even through grief, disappointment, and unanswered prayers. Have you ever experienced a time when suffering deepened your trust in God rather than weakened it?

4. Peter says believers should respond “with gentleness and respect.” Why is the manner in which we share our faith just as important as the words we use?

5. The sermon suggests that modern Christians may experience suffering differently than the early church, sometimes through sacrifice, service, or living differently from society’s expectations. What are some ways Christians today are called to “give something up” for the sake of following Christ?

6. When people observe your life, what do you hope they see about your faith in Christ?

05/06/2026

Below are the National Day of Prayer video links, THEY WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL AFTER MIDNIGHT! But wanted to get them posted.
Part 1
https://youtu.be/8tsKAIOU3bw
Part 2
https://youtu.be/L3jCegFasBA
Part 3
https://youtu.be/OX3_CsNZ43o
Part 4
https://youtu.be/Nzt2sHJBqbY
Part 5
https://youtu.be/LBFMWUrZeiw
Part 6
https://youtu.be/kw4Mxc3hgrc