For the week of June 1, 2026
MONDAY
Day One: Our Calling
Sermon Focus: Even when you suffer – look to Jesus – and just do the next right thing.
Truth: 1 Peter 2:21-23 says, “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.”
Sermon Point: Peter reminds believers that they have been called to endure suffering for doing good, because this is part of what salvation entails – it’s not just mercy and joy, it also requires costly obedience. He explains that we suffer because Christ Himself suffered for us; following Him means sharing in what He experienced in a world where evil looks to punish goodness. As we walk in His steps, our faithful endurance becomes a witness God uses to draw others to Himself, just as Christ’s suffering brought about our salvation. In God’s sovereign plan, our obedience under unjust suffering brings Him glory, delights His heart, and ultimately works for our good.
Sermon Reflection: Have you ever or are you currently enduring unjust suffering? How might God be inviting you to see your experience(s) as a way He can reveal His character and draw others toward Him?
Application: Each time you experience suffering for doing good this week (even if it’s a relatively small “price” to pay), thank God for the privilege of being able to share in Christ’s suffering and ask for the wisdom and strength to just do the next right thing.
Kingdom Prayer Focus:
- Repent of how quickly and easily we turn to self-pity when we suffer in any way. Ask the Holy Spirit to remind you often that we have been called to suffer well; ask Him to help you appreciate more deeply just how much Christ suffered for us; ask Him to strengthen you to always do the next right thing, no matter what.
2. Praise God today for the unequaled example we have in Christ – not just for how to serve and love and pray, but for how to suffer well. Praise and thank Him that suffering never gets the last word in the lives of any of God’s beloved children; He always uses it for our good and His glory!
TUESDAY
Day Two: Christ Left Us an Example
Sermon Focus: Even when you suffer – look to Jesus – and just do the next right thing.
Truth: 1 Peter 2:21-23 says, “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.”
Sermon Point: Not only did Christ’s suffering secure our salvation, it also left us an example of enduring unjust suffering while doing good. This example does not mean we become “little saviors” or that our suffering pays for sin – only Christ could do that. Rather, it shows us how to walk faithfully when obedience brings hardship. Jesus, the sinless and unblemished Lamb, demonstrated perfect steadfastness while enduring profound suffering and anguish in our place. In following His steps, we continue doing good even when it costs us, standing firm in God’s grace and peace – no matter what – as we simply take the next right step.
Sermon Reflection: What does practicing the “next right thing” kind of faithfulness look like in your life right now, especially in moments when you feel misunderstood, mistreated, or tempted to give up?
Application: Every single time you “suffer” unjustly this week – maybe someone cuts you off, jumps in front of you in line, accuses you of something you didn’t do, or makes you pay for something you shouldn’t have to (just a few examples) – more than just suffering well, choose to be kind or to serve or to encourage in return.
Kingdom Prayer Focus:
- Thank God today for the gift of the Holy Spirit – that He lives within every one of God’s beloved children and comforts, convicts, and counsels according to God’s Word so that we might be empowered to live lives for God’s Glory Alone.
- Pray that we would be so very quick to heed the Spirit’s comfort, conviction, and counsel – that we would never ignore, grieve, or quench Him. Pray that we would instead seek to be filled each and every day as we give thanks, praise God, and submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
WEDNESDAY
Day Three: The Spotless One
Sermon Focus: Even when you suffer – look to Jesus – and just do the next right thing.
Truth: 1 Peter 2:21-23 says, “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.”
Sermon Point: Peter begins by showing the big picture – that Jesus was utterly without sin in thought, word, or deed – and then highlights one specific area: deceit, something Christ never once engaged in. Peter connects this to his earlier call for believers to put away deceit, malice, hypocrisy, envy, and slander so they can grow into maturity through the pure truth of God’s Word. Unlike us, whose lives are often a mess of half‑truths, subtle manipulation, and the quiet distortions we barely notice, Jesus never spoke a single crooked word. His perfectly truthful life, followed by immense suffering despite His innocence, becomes the straight path we are called to follow.
Sermon Reflection: Where do subtle forms of deceit (half‑truths, self‑protective shading, or manipulative tones) show up in your speech, and how might Jesus’ perfectly truthful life call you into greater integrity?
Application: Set an alarm to go off four times throughout the day today. Each time it does, take a few minutes to review all the words you have spoken to that point. Where there was even an ounce of deceit, make it right – own it, repent, correct misinformation or misunderstanding, and then do the next right thing.
Kingdom Prayer Focus:
- How can we ever stop giving thanks and praising God for Jesus?! His life, His example, His willingness to suffer, His death, His resurrection, His rule and reign…we could go on and on – all for our good and God’s glory. Pray that thanksgiving and praise would set us apart more and more…and pray that when people see and ask why we’re so full of hope and peace, we would explode with joy at getting to tell them about Jesus!
- Pray that we would become people who are slow to speak and quick to listen; that we would choose every single word we speak carefully. Pray that the straight edge of Truth would become the rule by which we measure everything that comes out of our mouths.
THURSDAY
Day Four: When Reviled…
Sermon Focus: Even when you suffer – look to Jesus – and just do the next right thing.
Truth: 1 Peter 2:21-23 says, “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.”
Sermon Point: Peter shows that when Jesus was reviled – vilified, insulted, railed upon and abused – He did not retaliate but bore it with remarkable restraint, even praying for His offenders at the height of His suffering. His silence was not weakness but profound strength, revealing a heart anchored in His Father rather than in the approval or attacks of people. When we revile back, we only mirror the world’s patterns, but Jesus models a different way: quiet trust, forgiveness, and steadfast obedience. Peter calls us to follow that example by doing the next right thing for God’s glory alone.
Sermon Reflection: Does viewing silence not as weakness but profound strength seem/feel wrong to you? If yes, what lies at the root of that erroneous conviction? If you are someone who easily remains quiet…where does fear or misplaced self-consciousness keep you from speaking up when you should?
Application: Every time you feel your defenses rise…STOP. Take a breath (and pray for the Spirit’s help). Then choose to do the next right thing – maybe it’s stay quiet. Maybe you simply need to pray for the person or situation. Perhaps you need to forgive. You might actually need to confront someone directly but respectfully. Whatever it is, do it for God’s Glory Alone.
Kingdom Prayer Focus:
- Today, pray that at FMC and throughout the Tri-State region, the glory of God is honored, intimacy with Jesus is treasured, the Holy Spirit’s fruit ripens in believers’ lives, the holiness of God is revered, the goodness of God is relished, the truth of God is pursued, the faithfulness of God is trusted, the promises of God are believed, the grace of God is cherished, and the wrath of God is feared.
- Out of those realities, pray that the commandments of God are obeyed, humility abounds, the lost are found, repentance and gratitude flow, praise and prayer erupt, lives and communities are transformed, love and joy fill hearts, freedom and forgiveness overwhelm, barriers are broken down, the hungry are fed, marriages are restored, families are reunited, and prodigals come home!
FRIDAY
Day Five: Jesus Entrusted Himself to the Just Judge
Sermon Focus: Even when you suffer – look to Jesus – and just do the next right thing.
Truth: 1 Peter 2:21-23 says, “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.”
Sermon Point: Peter shows that when Jesus suffered, He never threatened or retaliated but entrusted Himself fully to the Father who judges with perfect justice. Even though He possessed infinite authority and could have summoned angels or warned His tormentors of the coming judgment, He chose humble submission and quiet confidence in God’s righteous rule. In doing so, Jesus modeled how we glorify God in our own suffering – by laying down our rights, resisting the urge to threaten or complain, and simply doing the next right thing. And always – for God’s Glory Alone.
Sermon Reflection: What would it look like for you to entrust yourself more fully to the God who judges justly, especially in situations where you feel powerless, misunderstood, or wronged?
Application: Today…entrust yourself to God…and then be about the mission to which we’ve been called. Just go make disciples!!
Kingdom Prayer Focus:
- Pray that we would maintain the right focus – and that focus is never to be on ourselves or our circumstances but always on the Lord. Pray that we would be continually mindful of Him, knowing that He is always at work and trusting that He is always at work for our good. Pray that we would simply keep on, just doing the next right thing, no matter what.
- Pray for our upcoming corporate worship on Sunday. Pray that every single person will be encouraged and built up in their faith – that Truth will be pursued – that unity among us would be guarded – that our conversations would be gracious and seasoned with salt – that eyes and ears would be open and responsive to the work of the Holy Spirit – that next steps would be identified and taken. And that in and through every moment, God’s Glory Alone would be our chief aim.