The True Grace of Jesus Is Experienced Through

Steadfastness

1 Peter 5:8-14

1PE 5:8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.12 With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it. 13 She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

How does grace relate to steadfastness? How do we keep from being moved? How does natural and physical law apply to

this situation? Let’s think of steadfastness as resistance

We can resist by . . .

Standing firm in our faith Realizing that others are suffering Knowing that God will use us and make us

strong.

Standing firm in our faith

Resistance is opposition to the flow of whatever

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. JAS 4:7

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Eph 6:13

A Look at Ohm’s Law

E = Electromotive force measured in volts I = Intensity measured in amperes R = Resistance measured in ohms

E

I R

A New Application

E =Force I = Intensity R = Resistance

E

I R

Another Consideration - Power

Power is energy and is measured in watts

Compare it to the wattage on a bulb

By standing firm in our faith through grace we provide resistance and dissipate Satan’s heat

P

I E

Realizing others are suffering

We were meant for community We need to be available to be positioned in

a variety of ways We need to use our God-like point of view

Math, Suffering, & Resistance

Series Circuits Suffering seems

additive R1 + R2+ R3= RT

Parallel Circuits Suffering Can Be

Reduced By Others 1/ R1 + 1/R2+ 1/R3= RT

Knowing God will use us and make us strong God knows our value He knows how to combines us Know we were made for this

Are You a Resistor?

Check the relationship (Are you part of a closed circuit?) Is the switch in the “ON” position?

Are your friends?

Peter recaps the letter

The True Grace of Jesus Christ in a Believer’s Life Brings

Salvation (1 Peter 1:3-12) Sanctification (1 Peter 1:13 - 2:10) Submission (1 Peter 2:11 - 3:7) Suffering (1 Peter 3:8 – 4:9) Service (1 Peter 5:1-7) Steadfastness (1 Peter 5: 8-13)

To Grow in the True Grace of Jesus Christ

An Exposition of 2 Peter