This is God’s will…that grace and peace be multiplied in us.
For anyone who is interested in exploring this week’s sermon text in greater detail here are some definitions and study questions.
Isaiah 45:5-13
John 15:15-19
1 Peter 1:1-2
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exiles of the dispersion: Can also be translated resident aliens, resident foreigners, sojourners, pilgrims, or strangers. The dispersion refers to the scattering of the Jews from Israel throughout the world (John 7:35; James 1:1), but here it refers to the Christians as spiritual pilgrims and aliens on the earth (1 Peter 1:17; 1 Peter 2:11).
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Pontus … Bithynia: modern-day Turkey
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elect: Greek word that means “called out ones”. In the Old Testament it was used to describe Israel (Deuteronomy 7:6), indicating that God chose Israel from among all the nations of the world to believe in and belong to Him (Deuteronomy 14:12; Ezekiel 20:5; Hosea 11:1; Psalm 105:43; Psalm 135:4). Here the word is used as a term for Christians, those chosen by God for salvation (Romans 8:33; Colossians 3:12; 2 Timothy 2:10)
- foreknowledge: The awareness of future events.
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sanctification of the Spirit. To sanctify means “to consecrate,””to make Holy”, or “to set apart.” The Holy Spirit thus makes God’s chosen people holy, by setting them apart from sin and unbelief and leads them to faith and righteousness (1 Thessalonians 1:4; 2 Thessalonians 2:13).
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sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: A reference to Moses’ sprinkling sacrificial blood on the people of Israel as a symbol of their covenant to obey God (Exodus 24:1-8), as well as a reminder that Christ’s blood was shed for the forgiveness of sin.
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grace: Good will, loving-kindness, unmerited favor. Grace implies mercy or compassion for one who has by every right forfeited his or her claim to love. God’s grace to the sinner is “free” because it is not grounded in any worthiness of mankind (Romans 11:6). The merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, and fills them them with the desire to do good works. Consider also the old Sunday School definition: God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense
- peace: It describes the harmonious relationships between people (Matthew 10:34; Romans 14:19), the harmony between God and people, accomplished through the gospel (Acts 10:36; Ephesians 2:17), and rest and contentment that comes when God and people are reconciled (Matthew 10:13; Mark 5:34; Luke 1:79; 2:29; John 14:27; Romans 1:7; Romans 3:17; Romans 8:6)
Study Questions:
1. When have you most felt like a stranger? As a result of moving? Changing schools or jobs? When have you most felt like a stranger because of your faith?
2. What does it mean to you to be chosen by God? To be sanctified/set apart by God? You may want to click HERE to read what the Lutheran Confessions have to say about Election and Foreknowledge.
3. What does grace mean to you? Please read Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s mediation on the difference between Cheap Grace and Costly Grace…. in what ways do you find yourself identifying with either Cheap or Costly grace?
Click HERE and scroll down to the section entitled The Cost of Discipleship to read about Cheap and Costly Grace
4. Often peace is defined as the absence of conflict. The Biblical concept of peace is tied to the Hebrew word Shalom which has a lot more to do with being whole and in a right relationship with others. What does Peace means to you?
5. What difference does it make to you that God wants to multiply grace and peace in you?
