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Sermons

The True Grace of God

April 16, 2023 Speaker: The Rev. Curtis Froisland Series: I Peter - Living as Sojourners in a Strange Land

Topic: I Peter - Living as Sojourners in a Strange Land Passage: 1 Peter 1:1–12

1 Peter was written by the Apostle Peter to Christians scattered throughout Asia-Minor facing various trials and sufferings for their faith. They likely had no social status and little political power making them all the more aware that they were “sojourners” or “exiles.” Peter wants to strengthen them and us in troubled times with this truth: We can stand firm in trials and suffering because we have a secure salvation through Jesus Christ!

The Apostle highlights that our salvation is secure through God’s power. Christians are God’s chosen people (v. 1), it was God’s plan to save us, set us apart by the Spirit, and make us clean through the blood of Jesus (v. 2). We have received “great mercy” despite our sin and have been made spiritually alive (v. 3). Because Jesus is alive, we have an inheritance in heaven (v. 4) – eternal life with God.

Moreover, even when suffering and trials come, this great salvation is totally secure because of God’s power! God chose us (v. 1), God caused us to be “born again” (v. 3), God “keeps” our inheritance (v. 4), and God guards us to the end (v. 5). In fact, suffering and trails can’t take what God has given us in Christ because suffering and trials happen “so that” our faith will be strengthened (v. 6-7). This is the mindset these first Christians have, loving and trusting Christ, so they rejoice in their suffering (v. 8-9).

Finally, he underscores again the greatness of salvation. All that the prophets of old looked forward to and longed to see – the sufferings and glories of the Messiah (v. 10-12) – we know personally through the preaching of the Gospel (v. 12). In fact, even the angels long to see what we know through faith in Christ!

Taking it Home: This week, how will you bless God for your great salvation? How will you rest in God’s power to guard you for eternal life? In what ways can you rejoice in your sufferings?