GRACE_AND_GLORY_1_-_THE_CALL_TO_GRACE.docx

of the Sermon:**

This sermon, drawn from 1 Peter 1:1-16, explores the profound call to grace that God extends to His people. Peter writes to believers scattered and suffering, reminding them of their new birth into a living hope and an imperishable inheritance through Christ’s resurrection. The message urges us to set our hope fully on the grace that is yet to be revealed, to let go of the patterns and desires of our former lives, and to embrace a life that is set apart—holy, because God is holy. Grace is not just a past event but an ongoing reality that shapes our present and future, inviting us to live differently, not out of shame or striving, but because we are already loved and made holy in Christ. The sermon challenges us to see ourselves as God sees us—already victorious, already like Jesus in this world—and to let that truth transform how we live and relate to others.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Hope Anchored in Future Grace: Setting our hope fully on the grace to come is an act of spiritual discipline. It means living with anticipation, not just for what God has done, but for what He will yet reveal in Christ. This future-oriented hope gives us strength to endure present trials, knowing that our story is not finished and that God’s generosity toward us is inexhaustible.
• 2. Grace as the Shaper of Identity: The call to not be conformed to our former desires is not about self-improvement or earning God’s favor. Instead, it’s about allowing the reality of God’s grace—His unearned love and acceptance—to reshape our identity and desires. When we truly grasp that we are already loved, we are freed from the need to return to old patterns that once defined us.
• 3. Holiness Rooted in Relationship, Not Rule-Keeping: “Be holy, because I am holy” is not a threat or a burden, but an invitation to reflect the character of the One who has called us. Holiness is not about separation for its own sake, but about being set apart for God’s purposes, empowered by His Spirit. Our holiness is a response to God’s initiative, not a prerequisite for His acceptance.
• 4. Living Out of Victory, Not for Victory: The astonishing truth that “as He is, so are we in this world” means that we live from a place of victory, not striving for it. In Christ, we already possess everything we need for life and godliness, even when our circumstances suggest otherwise. Learning to see ourselves this way transforms our expectations and our witness to the world.
• 5. Grace Builds Community, Not Just Individuals: The call to live worthy of our calling is not a solo endeavor. Grace draws us into a new kind of togetherness, where humility, patience, and unity become the marks of our shared life. Our transformation is not just for our own sake, but so that the world might see, through our relationships, the reality of God’s grace and glory.

1. In 1 Peter 1:3-5, what does Peter say believers have received through Jesus’ resurrection?
2. According to 1 Peter 1:13, what are believers instructed to set their hope on?
3. In 1 Peter 1:14-16, what contrast does Peter make between former desires and the life believers are called to now?
4. In Ephesians 4:2-3, what qualities does Paul say should mark the way believers relate to one another?

1. What does it mean to “set your hope fully on the grace to be brought to you” (1 Peter 1:13)? How might this shape the way someone faces trials or uncertainty?
2. The sermon says holiness is “rooted in relationship, not rule-keeping.” How does this understanding of holiness differ from simply following a list of rules? What difference could this make in someone’s daily life?
3. The phrase “as He is, so are we in this world” (1 John 4:17) is described as astonishing. What does it mean for a believer’s identity and confidence?
4. Ephesians 4:1-6 talks about unity and humility in the church. How does grace help build this kind of community, according to the sermon?

1. The sermon challenges us to set our hope on future grace, not just what God has done in the past. Is there an area of your life where you tend to focus on past failures or disappointments instead of God’s promises for the future? What would it look like to shift your focus this week?
2. Peter calls believers to let go of old patterns and desires. Are there specific habits or mindsets from your “former life” that you sense God inviting you to leave behind? What is one step you could take to move forward?
3. The message says holiness is not about striving or shame, but about living as someone already loved and made holy in Christ. When do you find yourself slipping into striving or feeling like you have to earn God’s acceptance? How can you remind yourself of your true identity in those moments?
4. The sermon talks about living from victory, not for victory. Can you think of a recent situation where you felt defeated or inadequate? How might seeing yourself as “already victorious” in Christ change your response?
5. Grace is described as something that builds community, not just individuals. Is there a relationship in your life—maybe in your small group, family, or church—where you need to show more humility, patience, or unity? What is one practical way you could do that this week?
6. The sermon says our transformation is meant to be visible to the world through our relationships. How could your group or church better reflect God’s grace and glory to those outside the church?
7. The call to holiness is an invitation, not a burden. What helps you remember that God’s commands are invitations into deeper relationship, not just rules to follow? How can you encourage others with this truth?