Grace Bible Church

Sermons

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Facing Hostility with Confidence in God's Will

Series: Passing Through
Text: 1 Peter 4:12-19
Theme: As a pilgrim, you must face hostility with confidence in God's will.

One: Don't be surprised by hostility.

  • It is not unusual.
  • It will test your faith.

Two: Find the joy in hostility.

  • Suffering leads to glory.
  • You have the power and presence of God's Spirit.

Three: Identify the cause of hostility.

  • The cause must not be your sin.
  • The cause should be your identity with Christ.

Four: Speak for Christ in hostility.

  • Do not be ashamed of Christ.
  • Give the right opinion of Christ.

Five: Trust God's purpose for hostility.

  • Rest in God's character.
  • Do what is right.

entrust your souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. ~ 1 Peter 4:19

Don't Give In to the Pressures of Worldliness

Series: Passing Through
Text: 1 Peter 4:1-6
Theme: Don't give in to the pressures of worldliness.

One: It may seem like a war...because it is!

Two: A renewed mind is an essential weapon.

Three: Sin no longer has power over you.

Four: Desire for God will drown out sinful desires.

Five: Those who think holiness is a joke will stand before the judge who does not.

Six: The gospel has power to transform sinners.

...live for the rest of your time...for the will of God. ~ 1 Peter 4:2


Video of the full service on the church YouTube channel

Christ Will Lead You Safely Home

Series: Passing Through
Text: 1 Peter 3:18-22
Theme: Though you may suffer for doing good, Christ will lead you safely home.

3 Reflections to Understand the Theme:

One: The purpose of Christ

  • To bring us to God
  • By his...
    • Substitutionary life
    • Substitutionary death
    • Substitutionary resurrection

Two: The Illustration of Noah

  • Righteous minority
  • Hostile surroundings
  • Gospel hope
  • Sure salvation

Three: The _ of Baptism

  • 3 phrases emphasize faith:
    • "Corresponds to"
    • "not as"
    • "but as"
  • Baptism proclaims our union with Christ
Opposition Cannot Diminish Your Christian Faith

Series: Passing Through
Text: 1 Peter 3:13-17
Theme: Opposition to your pilgrim faith cannot, and therefore must not, diminish your pilgrim faith.


7 Implications of Christ's Victory for Our Times of Oppression

One: You are zealous for good.

Two: You are blessed by God.

Three: You choose allegiance to Christ.

Four: You are known for hope.

Five: You have a clear conscience.

Six: Your righteousness will be vindicated.

Seven: You trust in God's providence.

In your hearts, honor Christ the Lord as holy. ~ 1 Peter 3:15


Video of the full service on the church YouTubel channel

Be a Nice Person

Series: Passing Through
Text: 1 Peter 3:8-12
Theme: As a follower of Jesus Christ, you must be a nice person.

One: What does it mean to be a nice person?

  • Offer some refuge. (Meaning, you must be like-minded; sympathetic; loving; compassionate; humble-minded)
  • Respond with grace.
  • Guard your words.
  • Choose the right.
  • Work at peace.

Two: Why should you be a nice person?

  • Because you have the Holy Spirit.
  • Because you have been called.
  • Because you will be blessed.
  • Because you have been saved.

Honor everyone. ~ 1 Peter 2:17


Video of the full service on the church YouTubel channel

Following Jesus Must Shape Your Approach to Marriage

Series: Passing Through
Text: 1 Peter 3:1-7
Theme: Following Jesus must shape your approach to marriage.

One: Instructions for the wife:

  • Submit...as a way of life.
  • Submit...from the inside out.
  • Submit...as an act of faith.
  • *Hope: the beauty of godliness may be instrumental in drawing an unbeliever to faith in Christ.

Two: Instructions for the husband:

  • Demonstrate love that is tailored by knowledge.
  • Demonstrate strength that is expressed in honor.
  • Demonstrate commitment that is anchored in grace.
  • *Warning: When you lose your way as a husband, you lose your hearing with God.

Wives, be subject to your own husbands...husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way... ~ 1 Peter 3:1-7


Video of the full service on the church YouTube channel

We Must Endure Unjust Suffering

Series: Passing Through
Text: 1 Peter 2:18-25
Theme: We must endure unjust suffering.

One: The command for a specific context.

  • Servants, submit to your masters...
  • ...even the unjust ones.

Two: The principle for broad application.

  • Note the broadening: from "servant" to "anyone"
  • Note the principle: endure unjust suffering

Three: How do we do this? It's difficult!

  • Trust in God's sovereignty.
  • Follow Christ's example.
  • Live in resurrection power.
  • Rest in Christ's care.

This is a gracious thing, when mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. ~ 1 Peter 2:19


Video of the full service on the church YouTube channel

We Must Submit to Government

Series: Passing Through
Text: 1 Peter 2:13-17
Theme: We must submit to government.

Be subject ... to every human institution...

One: ...with an understanding of God's will.

  • Be known as those who do good.
  • Obey for the Lord's sake.

Two: ...with an understanding of true freedom.

  • Not free to do evil.
  • Not free from authority.
  • But free to serve God.

Three: ...with an understanding of Christian living.

  • Honor everyone.
  • Love other believers.
  • Fear God.
  • Honor elected officials.

Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution... ~ 1 Peter 2:13

The Witness of Your Works

Series: Passing Through
Text: 1 Peter 2:11-12
Theme: Your righteous living is a witness to the watching world.


The Witness of Your Works...

One: ...flows from your identity with Christ.

  • Anchored in love
  • Call to be different

Two: ...calls for a war with sin.

  • Sin's plan to ruin
  • God's plan to stand

Three: ...points to the beauty of goodness.

Four: ...argues against the accusations of evil.

Five: ...longs for the visit of God.

  • In judgment
  • In mercy

Video of the full service on the church YouTube channel

Our Union with Christ

Series: Passing Through
Text: 1 Peter 2:4-10
Theme: You must build your life and identity on Jesus Christ.

5 Benefits of My Union with Christ

One: Belonging to God's people.

Two: Worship through God's Son.

  • Access to God
  • Acceptance by God

Three: Confidence in God's faithfulness.

  • Certainty of the stone
  • Certainty of my standing

Four: Purpose from God's choosing.

  • A life of purpose
  • A message of hope

Five: Wonder at God's mercy.

...as you come to him...you are being built up... ~ 1 Peter 2:4


Video of the full service on the church YouTube channel

Love One Another

Series: Passing Through
Text: 1 Peter 1:22 - 2:3
Theme: You must (and you can) love each other.

How is it possible to love each other?

One: Exercise your faith.

  • Your faith was designed for loving others.

Two: Demonstrate God's love.

  • Because you have received gospel love, you must show gospel love.

Three: Reject all selfishness.

  • Refuse to love self and thus disobey the 2nd great commandment.

Four: Nourish your soul.

  • Desire both the Word of God and the God of the Word.

...love one another earnestly from a pure heart... ~ 1 Peter 1:22


Video of the full service on the church YouTube channel