True Grace
Sermon Recording
Sermon Outline
Speaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: Spiritual Vitality
1 Peter 5:5b-14 (ESV)
5 Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. 13 She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son. 14 Greet one another with the kiss of love.
Sermon Outline
Peter writes that we would know the true grace of God (v12), a grace that:
1. Connects
v14 “Peace to all of you who are in Christ”
2. Accepts
v13 “She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen…”
3. Strengthens
v12 “Stand firm in it”
Prayer of Confession
God of all grace, you give what we don’t deserve; and we humbly draw near to you for more grace. We admit that we do things that offend you. We know that we stray. We see that there is enmity in our hearts. Yet you offer us peace. You accept us even though we had rejected you. Forgive us for such foolishness. We receive your grace by faith, and seek to stand firm in it. Help us, Lord. Save us, we pray. May all honor go to Jesus who gave himself for us, in whom we appeal to you for mercy. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
What is grace? What are some examples of grace?
How have you experienced enmity with God? Where is there evidence in your life of keeping God at a distance? What are signs that something is wrong between you and God?
How do we have peace with God? How can you experience more of God’s peace?
Why is it hard for us to believe God chooses us?
How can the identity of being “elect” help? How does it help us deal with our experiences of rejection?
We are invited to be “in Christ” – what role does the death and resurrection of Jesus have in our lives? What are some implications of being united with Jesus?
What does it mean to stand firm in the grace of God? What are you to do? How do you do it?
How can you grow in grace? What role does humility play? What does maturing in the Christian life look like? How can grace shape the way you interpret the world and your experience in it?