Called To Growth

A winter storm may close church doors, but it cannot silence a living word. We gathered the Standard Lesson Commentary reading for January 25, 2026, and read four passages that map Peter’s journey.  From the first call by the Sea of Galilee to the tender charge of “feed my sheep.” Along the way, we pressed into a simple truth that reshapes daily life.  Jesus calls us to follow and to grow while he supplies the grace that makes it possible.

We start with Colossians 2:1–7, where Paul urges the church to be knit together in love, rooted in Christ, and established in the faith. That sets the tone for a sturdy discipleship that resists smooth talk and shallow trends.

In Matthew 4, we hear the decisive invitation, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men,” and remember that formation is a promise as much as a command.

Matthew 16 brings Peter’s bold confession; “You are the Christ”. Confidence shifts from our plans to the plans of God.

Then we share John 21’s quiet firelit scene.  Three questions become two commands, one emphasized doubly. “Feed my lambs. Feed my sheep. Feed my sheep.”. Love for Jesus takes shape as caring for people, even when that care is costly.

Finally, 2nd Peter chapter 3 calls us to be diligent, at peace, and to grow in grace and knowledge. The takeaway is honest and hopeful: growth is real but not linear.  And Christ meets our missteps with restoration and purpose.

If this spoke to you, especially if weather kept you home, listen, reflect, and share it with someone who needs courage to take the next faithful step.

Subscribe for more scripture centered reflections, leave a review to help others find the show, and tell us: which passage stirred your heart today?

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Colossians 2:1-7 - King James Version
2 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.

5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.

6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
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Matthew 4:18-20 - King James Version
18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.
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Matthew 16:16-18 - King James Version
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
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John 21:15-18 - King James Version
15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son o

Chapters

• 0:09 Welcome And Purpose
• 0:27 Today’s Lesson And Sources
• 1:16 Devotional Reading From Colossians
• 2:12 Call Of The First Disciples
• 2:35 Peter’s Confession And Commission
• 3:05 Feed My Sheep: Restoring Peter
• 4:07 Grow In Grace: Final Exhortation
• 4:40 Key Text, Conclusion, And Prayer

Transcript

SPEAKER_00: 0:09

Welcome to the Christ Quarter. Thank you for joining me for a few minutes today to enjoy the presence of Christ and the words of Christ. Today's episode will be a little bit different. I'll be reading from the Standard Lesson Commentary published by the Standard Publishing Company. The lesson for today, January 25th, 2026, is titled Call and Growth. The devotional reading for today is Colossians chapter 2, verses 1 through 7. There are four scripture sets that I will read. I'm going to read the conclusion, the thought to remember, and the prayer. And again, this is uh specifically for Cedar Grove Baptist Church number two in Clarksville, Virginia, because they're in the middle of a very, very large storm coming across the country. I want them to have access to the lesson since they probably won't be able to go to church tomorrow. So I hope that this gets to the Cedar Grove Baptist Church number two membership. Today's devotional reading is coming from Colossians chapter two, verse one through seven. For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, that their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. In this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words, for though I be absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, joying in beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ, as ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him, rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. And now we'll go into the four scripture selections. First is Matthew four, verses eighteen, nineteen and twenty. And Jesus walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straight away left their nets and followed him. The second scripture said is Matthew chapter sixteen, verses sixteen, seventeen, and eighteen. And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barona, for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. The third scripture said is John chapter twenty one verses fifteen through eighteen. So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me. He saith unto him, Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me. Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me, and he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus said unto him, Feed my sheep. Verily, verily I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself and walkest whether thou wouldest, but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall girt thee, and carry thee whether thou wouldst. Our fourth and last scripture set is Second Peter chapter three, verses fourteen, fifteen, and eighteen. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot and blameless. An account that the long suffering of our Lord is salvation, even as our beloved brother Paul, also according to the wisdom given unto him, hath written unto you. But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to him be glory both now and forever. Amen. Our key text is John chapter twenty one, verse seventeen. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me. Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me. And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. Our conclusion today is entitled The Journey of Discipleship. Peter's life of discipleship took him from being a fisherman in Galilee to being a leader of the first century church. He grew from being unlearned and ignorant, which is in Acts chapter four, verse thirteen, to being the author of two letters that bear his name in the New Testament. But his growth process wasn't a straight line that always trended upward, and neither will ours be. Even so, Jesus calls all who would claim to be his disciples to grow in his grace, his grace, and knowledge. There are no exceptions. Peter's story is encouraging in that regard, and as we grow, we will find it natural to invite others to join us on this journey as well. Expect it. And our prayer for today is Heavenly Father, give us a heart for transforming growth in your Son through your Holy Spirit. Forgive us for times when we fail you. Empower us to recognize opportunities to invite others to become your son's disciples as well. In his name we pray. Amen.