Series: Christ-like Living in Cultural Conflict
Standing Firm in God’s Grace
1 Peter 5:12-14
Intro. The Situation Reviewed
1) Nero began extreme persecution of Christians in 64 A.D.
2) Peter probably wrote this book with the help of Silas from Rome sometime in 63-64 A.D.
3) The Epistle was written to encourage, scattered believer in the churches of Asia Minor (Turkey) to stand firm in their faith, supplied by God’s grace, prepared for the fiery trials that were headed their way.
Prop. How can we to stand firm in God’s amazing grace during times of trial, trouble and persecution?
1 Pet 5:12-14, 12 Through Silvanus, our faithful brother (for so I regard {him} , I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it!
13 She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, and {so does} my son, mark.
14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace be to you all who are in Christ.(NAS)
1. Standing Firm in the Relationships of Grace – vs. 12a, 13b
A. Relationships with faithful Servants
– Silas had proved himself faithful in his ministry with Paul (in prison with Paul) –
Acts 15-16
– Mark had proved himself faithful in his ministry with Peter (the book of Mark)
B. Restoration with faithful Servants
– The restoration of relationship between Peter and Paul (book of Galatians)
– The restoration of relationship between Paul and Mark – 2 Tim 4:9-17
9 Make every effort to come to me soon; 10 for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens {has gone} to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service. 12 But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.
13 When you come bring the cloak which I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments. 14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. 15 Be on guard against him yourself, for he vigorously opposed our teaching. 16 At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them. 17 But the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me, in order that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was delivered out of the lion’s mouth.(NAS)
C. Recognition of Chosen Brethren – vs. 13
– Names that protect during times of persecution, “Babylon” – (the Stents)
– Bonds together in the Lord and in Love for each other – 1 Pet 4:8-10, 8 Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Be hospitable to one another without complaint. 10 As each one has received a {special} gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.(NAS)
2. Standing Firm in the Righteousness of Grace – vs. 12b
A. Standing Firm in Our Faith –1 Pet 5:9-10, 9 But resist him, firm in {your} faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. 10 And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen {and} establish you.(NAS)
– Standing Firm in Our Salvation – the blessed Hope, Sanctification, Living Stones
1 Peter 1:3-2:10
– Standing Firm in Our Submission – First to the Lord and then to Authorities and
institutions God has placed over us! – 2:11-3:7
– Standing Firm in Our Suffering together – 3:8-5:10 – Suffering for doing right,
Suffering in unity together, Suffering by humbly casting our cares on Him and
resisting Satan.
B. Standing Firm in the Truth Together
EXHORTING 1. parakaleo ^3870^, the most frequent word with this meaning, lit. denotes “to call to one’s side,” hence, “to call to one’s aid.” It is used for every kind of calling to a person which is meant to produce a particular effect (from Vine’s)
– Encouraging Unity in the Body together – 1 Pet 2:9-10, 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for {God’s} own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.(NAS)
– Exhorting each other to love and good deeds – Heb 10:23-25, 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;
24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,
25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging {one another} and all the more, as you see the day drawing near.(NAS)
C. Standing Firm as Testimonies Together
TESTIFY 2. epimartureo ^1957^, “to bear witness to” (a strengthened form of No. 1), is rendered “testifying” in <1 Pet. 5:12>. (from Vine’s)
– Suffering Righteously by God’s Grace –1 Pet 2:19-20, 19 For this {finds} favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a man bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer {for it} you patiently endure it, this {finds} favor with God.(NAS)
– Serving Righteously by the Manifold Grace of God! – 1 Pet 4:10-11, 10 As each one has received a {special} gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 Whoever speaks, {let him speak,} as it were, the utterances of God; whoever serves, {let him do so} as by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.(NAS)
3. Standing Firm in the Realities of Grace – vs. 14
A. The Reality of Salvation through Faith and Grace
– Without Faith, we cannot have the grace of God in our lives, without the grace of
God provided through the Lord Jesus Christ, we cannot have faith that can save us
from our sin and provide that Blessed Hope!
B. The Reality of Submission in Grace
– We cannot realize God’s grace in our lives if we fail to submit to His authority and
the authorities He places over us for our well being!
C. The Reality of Suffering in Grace
– Suffering for the cause of Christ as Christ did for us is a reality we all must face in
our lives here on this earth. We will never be able to withstand the fiery trials of
persecution and suffering if we do not learn dependence on the strength of God’s
grace in our lives! He will Hold Me Fast!
Series: Christ-like Living in Cultural Conflict
Standing Firm in God’s Grace
1 Peter 5:12-14
Intro. The Situation Reviewed
1) Nero began extreme persecution of Christians in 64 A.D.
2) Peter probably wrote this book with the help of Silas from Rome sometime in 63-64 A.D.
3) The Epistle was written to encourage, scattered believer in the churches of Asia Minor (Turkey) to stand firm in their faith, supplied by God’s grace, prepared for the fiery trials that were headed their way.
Prop. How can we to stand firm in God’s amazing grace during times of trial, trouble and persecution?
1. Standing Firm in the ______________ of Grace – vs. 12a, 13b
A. Relationships with faithful __________
– Silas had proved himself faithful in his ministry with Paul (in prison with Paul) –
Acts 15-16
– Mark had proved himself faithful in his ministry with Peter (the book of Mark)
B. ___________ with faithful Servants
– The restoration of relationship between Peter and Paul (book of Galatians)
– The restoration of relationship between Paul and Mark – 2 Tim 4:9-17
C. _____________ of Chosen Brethren – vs. 13
– Names that protect during times of persecution, “Babylon” – (the Stents)
– Bonds together in the Lord and in Love for each other – 1 Pet 4:8-10
2. Standing Firm in the _______________ of Grace – vs. 12b
A. Standing Firm in Our Faith –1 Pet 5:9-10,
– Standing Firm in Our Salvation – the blessed Hope, Sanctification, Living Stones
1 Peter 1:3-2:10
– Standing Firm in Our Submission – First to the Lord and then to Authorities and
institutions God has placed over us! – 2:11-3:7
– Standing Firm in Our Suffering together – 3:8-5:10 – Suffering for doing right,
Suffering in unity together, Suffering by humbly casting our cares on Him and
resisting Satan.
B. Standing Firm in the _______ __________
– Encouraging Unity in the Body together – 1 Pet 2:9-10
– Exhorting each other to love and good deeds – Heb 10:23-25
C. Standing Firm as ____________ Together
– Suffering Righteously by God’s Grace –1 Pet 2:19-20
– Serving Righteously by the Manifold Grace of God! – 1 Pet 4:10-11
3. Standing Firm in the ____________ of Grace – vs. 14
A. The Reality of ______________ through Faith and Grace
– Without Faith, we cannot have the grace of God in our lives, without the grace of
God provided through the Lord Jesus Christ, we cannot have faith that can save us
from our sin and provide that Blessed Hope!
B. The Reality of ______________ in Grace
– We cannot realize God’s grace in our lives if we fail to submit to His authority and
the authorities He places over us for our well being!
C. The Reality of _____________ in Grace
– Suffering for the cause of Christ as Christ did for us is a reality we all must face in
our lives here on this earth. We will never be able to withstand the fiery trials of
persecution and suffering if we do not learn dependence on the strength of God’s
grace in our lives! He will Hold Me Fast!
Series: Christ-like Living in Cultural Conflict – Bible Study Notes
Standing Firm in God’s Grace – 1 Peter 5:12-14
1. In Verses 12-13, What relationships are highlighted? How do these relationships with Silas, Mark, and “Babylon” give us insight into the relationships we are to have and share in our lives today? Are there relationships we should cherish and hold on to? What are the relationships in your life that may need to be restored or renewed?
2. According to 1 Peter 5:9-10, how can we stand firm in our faith when we are attacked by Satan and the trials and troubles of this world? What does God do to help us stand firm according to verse 10? How can we make sure that our suffering will bring God glory? 1 Pet. 2:19-20 How can we encourage and exhort each other to stand firm? Heb. 10:23-25; 1 Pet. 2:9-10
3. What are the realities that we must face in order to Stand firm in God’s Grace? Have you put your faith and trust in God’s grace provided by the Lord for your salvation? Have You submitted your life to God first? Have you submitted your life to the authority God has placed over your life? Are you suffering righteously with God’s Grace as your strength?
4. Read 1 Peter again and write down anything that has helped you in living Christ-like in the Conflict of our Culture. What have you learned from 1st Peter that you will take with you in your faith and walk with the Lord? Write out a prayer of thanksgiving and joy that you have found from this book of grace. Share with others what the Lord has done in your life through His work of grace!