Introduction

Good morning, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ. As we gather here today, we find ourselves standing at the threshold of a journey, a journey that will take us into the heart of a concept that is as vast as the universe itself, as infinite as God's love for us. This concept, this divine gift, is none other than grace.

Grace, a simple five-letter word, yet it carries within it the essence of our faith, the cornerstone of our relationship with God. It is the golden thread that weaves through every page of the Bible, every verse, every word. It is the melody that underpins the symphony of God's love for us, the rhythm that drives the dance of our salvation. It is the air we breathe, the water we drink, the bread we eat. It is the lifeblood of our faith, the heartbeat of our relationship with God.

Our journey today will take us through the landscape of grace, a landscape that is as varied and diverse as the people who have experienced it. We will walk through the valleys of prevenient grace, where God's love first reaches out to us, even before we are aware of it. We will climb the mountains of justifying grace, where we are made right with God through faith in Jesus Christ. And we will traverse the plains of sanctifying grace, where we are transformed into the image of Christ, day by day, moment by moment.

Our guide for this journey is none other than the Apostle Peter, a man who knew the depths of God's grace like few others. Peter, the fisherman who became a fisher of men, the denier who became the rock, the sinner who became a saint. His words, penned under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, will light our path as we journey through the landscape of grace.

So, let us open our Bibles to 1 Peter 1:2 (NIV), "who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance."

As we read these words, let us allow them to sink into our hearts, to permeate our minds, to resonate in our souls. Let us allow them to shape our understanding of grace, to mold our perception of God's love, to transform our relationship with our Savior.

Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we thank you for your amazing grace, a grace that is greater than all our sins, a grace that is deeper than our deepest fears, a grace that is stronger than our strongest doubts. As we embark on this journey, we ask that you would open our eyes to see the beauty of your grace, open our ears to hear the melody of your love, open our hearts to feel the warmth of your presence. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Imagine, if you will, a vast ocean. This ocean is not made of water, but of grace. It is an ocean that is boundless, limitless, fathomless. It is an ocean that is always calm, always serene, always peaceful. It is an ocean that is always there, always available, always accessible. It is an ocean that is always full, always abundant, always overflowing. This is the ocean of God's grace, an ocean in which we are invited to swim, to float, to dive, to immerse ourselves.

So, let us embark on this journey, let us set sail on this ocean of grace. Let us allow the winds of the Spirit to fill our sails, let us allow the currents of God's love to guide our course, let us allow the waves of God's mercy to carry us forward. As we journey, let us remember that we are not alone, for our Captain, our Navigator, our Guide, is none other than Jesus Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith, the embodiment of God's grace.

And as we journey, let us also remember that this is not a journey to a destination, but a journey into a relationship. A relationship with a God who loves us with an everlasting love, a God who showers us with grace upon grace, a God who invites us to grow in His grace, day by day, moment by moment.

So, let us journey together, let us grow together, let us experience together the amazing, incredible, wonderful, life-changing, world-transforming power of God's grace.

Growing In Grace

Grace. It's a five-letter word that carries a weight of meaning we can't fully comprehend. It's the heart of the Gospel, the cornerstone of our faith, and the key to our relationship with God. It's the divine favor we don't deserve, yet God freely gives. It's the love that covers our sins, the mercy that forgives us, and the power that transforms us. It's the essence of who God is and what He does for us.

In 1 Peter 1:2, we read, "who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood." This verse is a beautiful picture of God's grace at work in our lives. It's God's grace that chooses us, sanctifies us, and calls us to obedience.

First, God's grace chooses us. Before we ever thought about God, He thought about us. Before we ever loved Him, He loved us. Before we ever chose Him, He chose us. That's grace. It's not about our worthiness, our goodness, or our righteousness. It's about God's love, God's mercy, and God's grace. He chooses us, not because of who we are, but because of who He is.

Second, God's grace sanctifies us. The word "sanctify" comes from the Greek word "hagiazo," which means to make holy, to set apart, to purify. It's a process, a journey, a transformation. It's God's grace that cleanses us from our sins, purifies our hearts, and makes us holy. It's not a self-improvement program or a moral makeover. It's a divine transformation, a spiritual renewal, a heart change. It's God's grace at work in us, making us more like Jesus.

The great theologian, Augustine of Hippo, once said, "Grace is given not because we have done good works, but in order that we may be able to do them." It's God's grace that empowers us to live the Christian life, to do good works, to bear fruit, to shine His light, and to share His love. It's not about our strength, our ability, or our effort. It's about God's grace, God's power, and God's work in us.

Third, God's grace calls us to obedience. Obedience is not a burden, a duty, or a requirement. It's a response, a surrender, a submission. It's our way of saying "thank you" to God for His grace, of showing our love for Him, of demonstrating our faith in Him. It's not about rules, regulations, or rituals. It's about relationship, reverence, and respect. It's about living in alignment with God's will, walking in step with God's ways, and yielding to God's Word.

Finally, God's grace is sprinkled with the blood of Jesus. The blood of Jesus is not a symbol, a metaphor, or a figure of speech. It's a reality, a truth, a fact. It's the price that was paid, the sacrifice that was made, and the love that was demonstrated. It's the blood of Jesus that cleanses us from our sins, reconciles us to God, and secures our salvation. It's not about our merit, our worth, or our effort. It's about Jesus' death, Jesus' blood, and Jesus' grace.

Growing in grace is not a destination, a goal, or an achievement. It's a journey, a process, a journey. It's about knowing God more, loving God more, and serving God more. It's about becoming more like Jesus, reflecting His character, and sharing His love. It's about living in the light of God's grace, walking in the way of God's grace, and growing in the truth of God's grace.

So, let's grow in grace. Let's embrace God's grace, celebrate God's grace, and share God's grace. Let's live in the light of God's grace, walk in the way of God's grace, and grow in the truth of God's grace. Let's be people of grace, vessels of grace, and ambassadors of grace. Let's be a church of grace, a community of grace, and a family of grace. Let's be a reflection of God's grace, a demonstration of God's grace, and a proclamation of God's grace. Let's grow in grace, for the glory of God, for the good of others, and for the joy of our souls. Amen.

Growing in Grace

Let's talk about grace. Grace is God's unmerited favor. It's His love in action. It's His mercy extended. It's His forgiveness given. It's His acceptance offered. It's His favor bestowed. And it's all undeserved. That's grace.

Now, let's look at 1 Peter 1:2. It says, "who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance."

God's grace is not a stagnant pool. It's a flowing river. It's not a one-time gift. It's a lifetime supply. It's not a limited resource. It's an abundant treasure. It's not a scarce commodity. It's a plentiful provision. And it's all for us. That's growing in grace.

Now, let's break this down.

First, we are chosen by God. This is not because of anything we've done. It's not because of who we are. It's not because of what we've achieved. It's not because of our goodness. It's not because of our righteousness. It's because of His grace. We are chosen by grace.

Second, we are sanctified by the Spirit. This is not a self-improvement project. It's not a do-it-yourself endeavor. It's not a self-help program. It's not a self-made success. It's a Spirit-led transformation. We are sanctified by grace.

Third, we are obedient to Jesus Christ. This is not a burden. It's not a chore. It's not a duty. It's not a task. It's a joy. It's a privilege. It's an honor. It's a delight. We are obedient by grace.

Now, let's look at another scripture that echoes this theme. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."

This scripture reinforces the truth that our salvation is by grace. It's not by works. It's not by effort. It's not by merit. It's not by achievement. It's by grace. We are saved by grace.

Now, let's go back to our original topic and add two more points.

Fourth, we are sprinkled with the blood of Jesus. This is not a gruesome image. It's not a horrific picture. It's not a terrifying sight. It's a beautiful symbol. It's a powerful representation. It's a profound illustration. It's a glorious depiction. We are cleansed by grace.

Fifth, grace and peace are ours in abundance. This is not a meager portion. It's not a small serving. It's not a tiny piece. It's a generous helping. It's a large amount. It's a big share. It's a huge part. Grace and peace are ours in abundance by grace.

So, let's grow in grace. Let's bask in grace. Let's revel in grace. Let's delight in grace. Let's rejoice in grace. Let's live in grace. Let's love in grace. Let's serve in grace. Let's give in grace. Let's forgive in grace. Let's hope in grace. Let's trust in grace. Let's rest in grace. Let's abide in grace. Let's stand in grace. Let's walk in grace. Let's run in grace. Let's soar in grace. Let's grow in grace.

That's the grace of God. That's the grace in Christ. That's the grace by the Spirit. That's the grace for us. That's the grace with us. That's the grace in us. That's the grace through us. That's the grace to us. That's the grace for you. That's the grace for me. That's the grace for all. That's the grace for now. That's the grace for always. That's the grace for eternity. That's the grace of God. That's growing in grace.

Growing in Grace

Grace, my friends, is a term we often hear in church, in our small groups, and in our personal devotions. It's a word that's woven into the fabric of our faith, and yet, its meaning is so vast, so expansive, that we could spend a lifetime trying to grasp its fullness.

Grace, as we know, is the unmerited favor of God. It's His love and mercy given freely to us, not because of anything we've done to earn it, but simply because of who He is. It's the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, the forgiveness of our sins, and the promise of eternal life. But grace is not just about our salvation. It's also about our transformation. It's about the work God does in us and through us, shaping us into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Now, let's talk about this transformation. You see, when we accept Christ as our Savior, we are justified by grace. That's the first part of our journey. But the journey doesn't end there. The second part is sanctification, and that's where growing in grace comes in.

Sanctification is the process of becoming more like Christ. It's the daily work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, molding us, refining us, and helping us to reflect the character of Jesus. It's a process, my friends, not a destination. It's a journey that we embark on the moment we say 'yes' to Jesus and continue on for the rest of our lives.

A.W. Tozer, a great man of faith, once said, "The work of sanctification is not carried on in this world by our avoiding the people for whom Christ died, but by our living among them, and for them." This quote beautifully captures the essence of sanctification. It's not about isolating ourselves from the world, but about living in it and for it, just as Jesus did. It's about being the light in the darkness, the salt of the earth. It's about showing the love of Christ to those around us, not just in our words, but in our actions.

Now, growing in grace is not always easy. It requires surrender, obedience, and a willingness to let go of our own desires and plans. It requires us to trust God, even when we don't understand His ways. It requires us to lean on His strength, especially when we feel weak. It requires us to persevere, even when the journey gets tough.

But here's the beautiful thing about grace. It's not just about what we do, but about what God does in us. It's His work, His power, His love that transforms us. We are not alone in this journey. God is with us every step of the way, guiding us, strengthening us, and helping us to grow.

So, as we continue on this journey of growing in grace, let's remember that it's not about striving or struggling. It's about surrendering. It's about letting God do His work in us. It's about opening our hearts to His transforming power. And it's about living out His love and grace in our daily lives.

Let's also remember that growing in grace is not a solitary journey. We are part of a community of believers, a family of faith. We are called to encourage one another, to pray for one another, and to bear one another's burdens. We are called to share our struggles and our victories, our joys and our sorrows. We are called to walk this journey together, hand in hand, as we grow in grace and become more like Christ.

So, my friends, let's continue to grow in grace. Let's continue to allow God to do His work in us. Let's continue to live out His love and grace in our daily lives. And let's continue to walk this journey together, as we become more and more like Christ.

Conclusion

As we draw this sermon to a close, let's take a moment to reflect on the journey we've been on together today. We've been walking through the beautiful landscape of God's grace, as described in 1 Peter 1:2. We've seen how God's grace is not just a simple concept, but a living, breathing reality that shapes our lives in the most incredible ways.

We've seen how God's grace is like a river, constantly flowing towards us, even when we're not aware of it. This is what we call prevenient grace. It's God reaching out to us, even before we know Him. It's His love that seeks us out, even when we're lost. It's His hand that gently guides us back to Him, even when we stray.

Then, we've seen how God's grace is like a courtroom, where we stand guilty, but are declared innocent. This is what we call justifying grace. It's God forgiving us, even when we don't deserve it. It's His mercy that covers our sins, even when they're as red as scarlet. It's His righteousness that replaces our guilt, even when we can't make amends.

Finally, we've seen how God's grace is like a potter's wheel, where we are shaped and molded into His image. This is what we call sanctifying grace. It's God transforming us, even when we resist. It's His Spirit that works in us, even when we're stubborn. It's His patience that endures with us, even when we're slow to change.

So, what does all this mean for us? It means that God's grace is not just a theological concept, but a practical reality. It's not just something we talk about, but something we experience. It's not just something we believe in, but something we live out.

In the coming week, let's make a conscious effort to be more like Jesus. Let's strive to love like He loved, to forgive like He forgave, to serve like He served. Let's remember that it's not by our own strength, but by His grace. Let's remember that it's not about us, but about Him.

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