Text: 1 Peter 2:11-12
Title: What’s so great about the true grace of God?
Introduction
Today we are going to look at two verses, 1 Peter 2:11-12 as we continue in our series on “standing fast in the true grace of God” which is the theme of the book of 1 Peter. (1 Peter 5:12)
Let me begin by giving you a number of definitions for grace.
a. Grace is the favor of God to human beings.
b. Grace frequently denotes God’s giving of himself in Christ in order to effect salvation for the undeserving.
c. Grace is most often God’s general blessings towards people.
d. God’s riches at Christ’s expense
What’s so great about the true grace of God that we are encouraged to stand fast in it”?
For that matter why does God give us grace?
Hopefully we already know that God gives us grace in order for us to get to heaven.
“For it is by grace we are saved” (Eph. 2:5)
Without God’s grace we could not get into heaven
But does God give us grace only in order for us to get to heaven?
The grace of God is given to every believer in order to help bring about a radical change in every area of that believer’s life.
What are some of the areas in the believer’s life that the grace of God helps to bring about a radical change?
In 1 Peter 2:11-12 we find 7.
a. The grace of God will help bring about a radical change in the believer’s relationships.
“Dear friends,” (V11)
Most often the very first areas where we see the grace of God bring about a radical change is in the believer’s relationships. As Christian’s we are not only called to believe we are also called to belong.
So over time our dearest friends will be other Christians.
The same grace that makes you and I friends with God works at making us friends with other believers
In fact the grace of God is the one thing we all have in common as believers.
And sometimes the grace of God is the only thing that some believers have in common.
The apostle Paul wrote 1 Cor. in order to address some major problems in the church.
“I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Cor. 1:4)
In Acts 2:46-47 we see how grace works to build friendships among believers?
“Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:46-47)
a.The relationships began in church.
b.The relationships then moved out of the church and into the home
c.The relationships were a major source of spiritual support
d. The relationships were willing to include new people.
Notice that we are not saying here that our only friend’s are other Christians. Every Christian should have lots of non-Christian friends.
But over time our dearest friends will become other believers.
The grace of God will help bring about a radical change in the believer’s relationships.
b. The grace of God will help bring about a radical change in the believer’s allegiance
“Dear friends, I urge you as aliens and strangers in the world.”
I looked up what Peter meant when he calls believers “aliens” and “strangers”. I found that both words have very similar meanings. They both speak of someone who is “a temporary dweller”.
Therefore it could just as easily read, “Dear friends, as temporary dwellers in the world”.
As believers our allegiance should not be to this world for grace has opened up for every believer another world.
This other world is a spiritual world. It’s a better world.
“It is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.”
(Ephesians 2:5-6)
c. The grace of God will help bring about a radical change in the believer’s desires
“Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world to abstain from sinful desires.”
d. The grace of God will help bring about a radical change in the believer’s war with sin
“Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.”
1. Every believer is at war
2. Every believer is at war with sin.
Dr. Dobbins defines sin as "an invisible force emanating from Satan, which impacts on the mind to stimulate the brain to think in terms of life options which distract from and destroy a person’s divine potential."
3. Sin wars against our soul.
“For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.” Galatians 5:17
4. Sin works through our sinful desires
Without desire sin is powerless
“The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity…idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissension’s, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies and the like.” Gal. 5:19-21
5. We win the war over sin by abstaining from sinful desires
The word abstain means “ to put a distance between”
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope- the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
Titus 2:11-13
e. The grace of God will help bring about a radical change in the believer’s living
“Live such good lives among the pagans…”
Private victory precedes public victory
f. The grace of God will help bring about a radical change in the believer’s time of trial.
“Though they accuse you of doing wrong”
Did you know that as a believer you’ll get in trouble for doing good?
“To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.
Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:8)
Grace is given by God to endure the trial.
1. Grace will bring to mind a word of encouragement from the bible.
2. Grace will give you a song
“Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come.Tis Grace has brought me safe thus far and grace will lead me home
g. The grace of God will help bring about a radical change in the believer’s public ministry.
“Though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”
Our good deeds are a visible sign of our relationship with God
Our public ministry is anything good you and I do for an unbeliever that helps bring glory to God and influences the unbeliever to repent.
Notice that our good deeds are to be done for unbelievers and not believers.
You might never know how much you helped someone find God until God returns.
“Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given me for you.” (Ephesians 3:2)
Conclusion
In what areas of your life do you need more of God grace?
Salvation
Relationships (some of us could be more friendly)
Allegiance
Desires
Our war against sin
Our living
Our times of torment
Our public ministry
