5.19.50 11.10.2019 1 Peter 5.12-14 True Grace

Start:

Start:

Entice: Peter has been our guide for several months now. Today we say goodbye to him. It is easy to overlook the ends of these NT letters. It's a little like the last piece of deli meat. Small. Maybe it is a little stringy or misshapen; does not fit on the bread square. Give it to the cats or just throw it out. You've already had the best this package had to offer. There can be more. Sometimes that little, end piece has some of the outer rind or spice ring. It may not be large but often it is the most flavorful slice in the whole packages. Likewise Peter closes with a final flourish.

Small. Maybe it is a little stringy or misshapen; does not fit on the bread square. Give it to the cats or just throw it out. You've already had the best this package had to offer. There is

uide for several months now. Today we say goodbye to him. It is easy to overlook the ends of these NT letters. It's a little like the last piece of deli meat. Small. Maybe it is a little stringy or misshapen; does not fit on the bread square. Give it to the cats or just throw it out. You've already had the best this package had to offer. There can be more. Sometimes that little, end piece has some of the outer rind or spice ring. It may not be large but often it is the most flavorful slice in the whole packages. Likewise Peter closes with a final flourish.

more. Sometimes that little, end piece has some of the outer rind or spice ring. It may not be large but often it is the most flavorful slice in the whole packages. Likewise Peter

closes with a final flourish.

Engage: Have you enjoyed Peter as a guide? He has provided depth, breadth, and practical competence. There is nothing he could write or I can preach to make life easier. We don't address the environment, we address the participants. What the Church tries to do is make you a more capable disciple. I hope that you continue to apply the lessons Peter has taught us even as we move to other parts of Scripture for other lessons.

don't address the environment, we address the participants. What the Church tries to do is make you a more capable disciple. I hope that you continue to apply the lessons Peter

has taught us even as we move to other parts of Scripture for other lessons.

Expand: Processes help make things go smoothly. Principles help us understand. People make it real. People make it worthwhile. People. People we trust. People we share the process worth. Peter drops names. Peter speaks affectionately Peter wraps it all up for us relationally.

names. Peter speaks affectionately Peter wraps it all up for us relationally.

Excite: “Who” gives the “what” arms. “Wh” gives the “why” a voice. “Who” gives “how” a creative perspective. Who is what makes the Church a body. Who is why Peter in Rome can speak intimately about our faith with those in Asia Minor and with us through the centuries. And the relational is possible because of the the saving, empowering, invigorating

True Grace of God.

intimately about our faith with those in Asia Minor and with us through the centuries. And the relational is possible because of the the saving, empowering, invigorating True

Grace of God.

It is the true grace of God which saves, sanctifies, and sustains us through our exile into eternity.

Explain: Final Recommendations.

1 Peter 5:12–14 ESV

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. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

1 Be Attentive. 12

1.1 Definition…The true grace of God…

1.2 Exhortation and declaration.

1.3 Command: Stand firm!

2 Be Affectionate. 13

2.1 We need to have affection between congregations.

2.2 We need to have affection for servant-leaders.

(I know this seems self-serving, but he mentions two.)

2.3 We need to have affection for one-another.

3 Be Attractive. 14

3.1 We try a lot of things to make the Church attractive to outsiders. I don't think that there is anything quite as appealing to the broken people of our society, to those who are discarded or disappointed by the complexities, conflicts, and crises of our world than people who reflect their relationship with Jesus.

discarded or disappointed by the complexities, conflicts, and crises of our world like people who reflect their relationship with Jesus.

3.2 We are most attractive when we who are in Jesus, display the peace of God to our fallen world.

3.3 In the end it is not programming, buildings, music, events, or excitement which makes a difference. Jesus. When we are like Him those who are hurting will be attracted to Him.

Shut Down:

So now we are well into century 21. The Church succeeds when it is resilient, when it embraces its purpose, when it is a place of grace and comfort from the storms of society. When we show love and affection for one another as we proclaim the Word.

When we show love and affection for one another as we proclaim the Word.

Peter was embedded in the Church as a global community. In this epistle he wrote to churches he did not start, from a land in which he died, but where he was not born. He understood the fast-paced transient atmosphere of society and how important it is to be at ease in the Lord Jesus Christ, and a home in His church.

understood the fast-paced transient atmosphere of society and how important it is to be at ease in the Lord Jesus Christ, and a home in His church.

The True Gospel we stand in together fills each us with hope and brings us to our eternal home.