A Resting Grace – 1 Peter 5:10-12
We must appreciate the role that grace plays in preparing us for the challenges of life, and understand how to appropriate the grace to enjoy the peace of God even through struggles.
Click on the link below for the Always Rejoicing podcast for this week.
Previous Message Content:
Title: An Inspirational Goal (Part 2) – Chapter 1:12-18
I. An Appointed Experience – vs. 12-14
It is comforting to know that God is in complete charge of our lives from beginning to end, and every step in between.
A. Paul’s Troubles Produced a Bigger Influence – v. 12
The trials of life are always God-filtered, so always put Him between you and your circumstances. Problems are opportunities and work clothes. It was through the troubles that Paul’s faith grew, his power was magnified, and his ministry flourished. Someone has said, “Every irritation is an invitation to an elevation.”
B. Paul’s Trials Produced a Broader Impact – v. 13
If you find a path without obstacles, it probably leads nowhere.
C. Paul’s Testimony Produced a Bolder Inclination – v. 14
Our lives are the only Bible many people read. It is often through trials that people watch us more closely, and when we handle them successfully, they become more confident in their walk with the Lord.
II. An Apparent Expediency – vs. 15-18
Whenever God is at work, it seems there are always some who try to take advantage of the situation for their own benefit. Paul was seeing the situation develop during his ministry.
A. The Grieving Over an Improper Motive – vs. 15-17
It is possible to do the right thing for the wrong reason. When God observes ministry be done, He just as easily sees the motive behind that ministry.
B. The Gratefulness for an Impeccable Message – v. 18
Paul was certain that there were some that were preaching for the wrong reasons, but rejoices that Christ was being preached. We can put our confidence in the fact that God will use His Word to accomplish his purpose. His Message is Impeccable.
A Redeeming Grace – Ephesians 2:1-10
As blood-bought children of God, it is imperative that we maintain a fresh appreciation for the great gift of salvation and understand how to apply the grace that purchased our salvation to our own lives and our interactions with others.
Longfellow could take a worthless sheet of paper, write a poem on it, and make it worth $6,000—that’s genius.
Rockefeller could sign his name to a piece of paper and make it worth a million dollars—that’s capital.
Uncle Sam can take gold, stamp an eagle on it, and make it worth $20.00—that’s money.
A mechanic can take material that is worth only $5.00 and make it worth $50.00—that’s skill.
An artist can take a fifty-cent piece of canvas, paint a picture on it, and make it worth $1,000—that’s art.
God can take a sinful life, wash it in the blood of Christ, put His Spirit in it, and make it a blessing to others—that’s salvation.
Oh, that we who have been recipients of God’s grace in salvation would reckon how priceless our standing in Christ is! We do that when we worship Him in Spirit and in Truth, love Him with all our heart, soul and mind, and serve Him with unreserved faithfulness. Salvation – it’s priceless!
“For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.” Ezra 7:10
Ezra followed a three-phase process as he studied the Word of God. Click the link below for the podcast.
