The True Grace of God
Notes
Transcript
Hello, church. Today we are going to look at the last few verses of 1 Peter, where the apostle Peter concludes his letter to the persecuted Christians in Asia Minor.
Today's title is “The True Grace of God” the passage is 1 Peter 5:12-14
He has been encouraging them to stand firm in their faith, to endure suffering with joy, and to live holy lives with a living hope in a hostile world.
Now, as he closes his letter, he gives them one final reminder of the true grace of God that sustains them and us in every situation. Let’s read 1 Peter 5:12-14 together.
12 By Silvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand.
13 She who is in Babylon, elect together with you, greets you; and so does Mark my son.
14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
From this passage, we can learn three things about the true grace of God that Peter wants us to remember and apply to our lives.
First, the true grace of God is revealed in his word.
The True Grace of God is Revealed in His Word
The True Grace of God is Revealed in His Word
Peter says that he wrote this letter with the help of Silvanus, who was also known as Silas, a faithful brother and a fellow worker in the gospel.
Silas was probably the one who carried this letter from Rome, where Peter was writing from, to the churches in Asia Minor.
But Peter makes it clear that this letter is not his own opinion, but the testimony of God’s grace that he personally experienced and witnessed.
He says that he wrote “exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God.”
He uses two words that imply authority and urgency. He is not just giving advice or suggestions, but he is urging and proclaiming the truth that comes from God himself.
He is not just sharing his personal story or feelings, but he is bearing witness to the reality that has changed his life and can change ours too.
What is this true grace of God that Peter is talking about?
What is this true grace of God that Peter is talking about?
It is the undeserved favor and kindness of God that he shows us in Jesus Christ.
It is the grace that saves us from our sins and gives us eternal life.
It is the grace that empowers us to live for God’s glory and to suffer for his name.
It is the grace that transforms us into his image and makes us partakers of his divine nature.
It is the grace that gives us hope and joy in the midst of trials and temptations.
It is the grace that unites us with Christ and with one another as his body.
It is the grace that enables us to resist the devil and to overcome evil with good.
It is the grace that sustains us until the end when we will see him face to face.
This true grace of God is revealed in his word, which is “living and active” (Hebrews 4:12), “able to make you wise for salvation” (2 Timothy 3:15), “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16), “a lamp to your feet and a light to your path” (Psalm 119:105), “sweeter than honey” (Psalm 119:103), “more precious than gold” (Psalm 19:10), “the sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:17), “the power of God” (Romans 1:16), and “the word of his grace” (Acts 20:32).
This word is not just a book or a collection of writings, but it is God’s personal communication with us.
It is his voice speaking to our hearts.
It is his breath giving us life.
It is his love drawing us near.
Therefore, if we want to experience and enjoy the true grace of God, we need to listen to his word.
We need to read it regularly and carefully.
We need to study it deeply and diligently.
We need to meditate on it constantly and prayerfully.
We need to memorize it faithfully and joyfully.
We need to obey it willingly and wholeheartedly.
We need to share it boldly and lovingly.
The true grace of God is revealed in his word.
Do you love his word? Do you treasure his word? Do you hunger for his word? Do you live by his word?
Second, the true grace of God is expressed in his love.
The True Grace of God is Expressed in His Love
The True Grace of God is Expressed in His Love
Peter says that he sends greetings from the church in Babylon, which is a symbolic name for Rome, where he was likely writing from.
This church was also suffering persecution under the emperor Nero, who blamed the Christians for the great fire that destroyed much of the city in AD 64.
Nero unleashed a wave of violence and cruelty against the Christians, accusing them of being enemies of the state and of humanity.
He had them arrested, tortured, killed, and even used as human torches to light up his gardens at night.
Peter himself would later be martyred under Nero’s reign, according to church tradition.
But Peter does not focus on the suffering or the evil of this world.
He focuses on the grace and the love of God.
He says that this church in Babylon is “likewise chosen” by God.
This means that they are not forgotten or forsaken by God, but they are his special people, his elect, his beloved.
They share in the same calling and destiny as the churches in Asia Minor, and as we do today.
They are chosen by God to be his children, his heirs, his witnesses, his servants, his bride.
They are chosen by God to share in his glory, his inheritance, his kingdom, his mission, his love.
Peter also says that Mark, who was his son in the faith and a co-worker in the gospel, sends greetings as well.
Mark was probably the same person who wrote the Gospel of Mark, based on Peter’s eyewitness account of Jesus’ life and ministry.
Mark was also a close associate of Paul and Barnabas, and he accompanied them on their first missionary journey.
However, he left them halfway through and returned to Jerusalem, which caused a rift between Paul and Barnabas later on (Acts 13:13; 15:36-41).
But Mark was eventually reconciled with Paul and became useful to him in his ministry (2 Timothy 4:11).
Mark was also a cousin of Barnabas (Colossians 4:10).
Mark’s life shows us that God’s grace is greater than our failures and weaknesses.
God can use us despite our mistakes and shortcomings.
God can restore us after our falls and disappointments.
God can make us fruitful in his service and faithful in his witness.
Peter sends greetings from these people who are examples of God’s grace and love.
They are not just names or faces, but they are brothers and sisters in Christ.
They are family.
They are friends.
They are partners.
They are fellow pilgrims on this journey of faith.
Therefore, if we want to experience and enjoy the true grace of God, we need to express his love to one another.
We need to greet one another with a kiss of love, as Peter instructs us.
This kiss was not a romantic gesture, but a sign of brotherly love and mutual acceptance.
It was a common practice in the early church to show affection and unity among the believers.
It was a way of saying “I love you” and “I welcome you” in Christ.
Of course, we don’t have to literally kiss each other today.
But we can still show love and acceptance to one another in other ways.
We can hug each other or shake hands or fist bump or wave or smile or nod or whatever is appropriate and comfortable for us and for others.
We can also show love and acceptance to one another by speaking words of encouragement and affirmation, by listening with empathy and compassion, by praying with faith and fervor, by serving with humility and generosity, by forgiving with grace and mercy, by bearing with patience and kindness, by rejoicing with gratitude and praise.
The true grace of God is expressed in his love.
Do you love his people? Do you welcome his people? Do you care for his people? Do you serve his people?
Third, the true grace of God is manifested in his peace.
The True Grace of God is Manifested in His Peace
The True Grace of God is Manifested in His Peace
Peter says that he pronounces peace to all who are in Christ.
Peace is not just the absence of conflict or trouble, but it is the presence of wholeness and well-being.
It is the state of harmony and tranquility that comes from being reconciled with God and with others.
It is the result of being justified by faith and having access to God’s grace (Romans 5:1-2).
It is the fruit of the Spirit that grows in our hearts as we abide in Christ (Galatians 5:22).
It is the gift of God that surpasses all understanding and guards our minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).
It is the legacy of Christ that he left for us before he went to the cross (John 14:27).
It is the blessing of God that he bestows on us as we seek him (Numbers 6:24-26).
Peace is what we all need and long for in this world that is full of chaos and turmoil.
Peace is what we all have and enjoy in Christ who is our peace (Ephesians 2:14).
Peace is what we all can and should manifest in our lives as we follow his example and obey his commands (1 Peter 2:21-23; 3:8-12).
Therefore, if we want to experience and enjoy the true grace of God, we need to manifest his peace in our lives.
We need to receive his peace by trusting in his promises and resting in his presence.
We need to cultivate his peace by praying with thanksgiving and meditating on his word.
We need to share his peace by promoting harmony and reconciliation among ourselves and with others.
We need to proclaim his peace by preaching the gospel and making disciples of all nations.
The true grace of God is manifested in his peace.
Do you have his peace? Do you cherish his peace? Do you spread his peace? Do you live in his peace?
In conclusion, Peter reminds us of the true grace of God that sustains us and us in every situation.
He tells us that this grace is revealed in his word, expressed in his love, and manifested in his peace.
He challenges us to stand fast in this grace, to rejoice in this grace, and to glorify God with this grace.
He prays for this grace and peace to fill our hearts and minds.
May we also remember and apply the true grace of God to our lives today.
May we also stand fast in this grace, rejoice in this grace, and glorify God with this grace.
May we also pray for this grace and peace to fill our hearts and minds.
Let us pray.