Sunny Thoughts From Sunset – November 24
We had a wonderful Sunset Thanksgiving family feast of good food and fellowship on Sunday. We had lots of visitors and all who came were blessed.
The Sunset pastor on Sunday concluded our First Peter series with a message, “God of All Grace.” The text was from 1 Peter 5:10: “And the God of all grace, who called you… will himself restore you and make you strong….”
In our messages since June through First Peter, we’ve seen that the God of all grace who chose us will see us through our earthly journey with continuing grace all the way to eternal glory.
In this life we are in a spiritual battle: “our enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” [5:8]. But the God of all grace is on our side, and nothing can prevail against him.
The pastor noted the journey we’ve traveled through First Peter.
In chapter 1, Peter says that we were chosen by God the Father. It was an expression of God’s grace—his unmerited favor—that he chose you and me. That’s good news: God chose you, and he will neither leave you nor forsake you!
In chapter 2, he says that Jesus is none other than the precious cornerstone of the indestructible house of God, and that we are living stones in that house. We are a royal priesthood—offering the spiritual sacrifices of praise and good works to God, and receiving the blessings of royalty as sons and daughters of the King of Heaven.
In chapter 3, Peter says that husbands and wives are to work together in God’s house—the wife with the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, and the husband being considerate of his wife, so that nothing will hinder his prayers.
In chapter 4, because the end is near, he says, we must love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. In the last days especially, we will need to be in one accord, of one heart and mind, encouraging and helping each other.
We will not be surprised at the painful trial we are suffering, but when we suffer as a Christian, we will praise God that we bear that name. When the devil kicks up sand, we know he’s just doing his job, and we know we must do ours by resisting him, standing firm in our faith.
In chapter 5, we noted that a key to God’s blessing is humility: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” God’s grace is not for those who already know it all, but for those who sit, learning, at Jesus’ feet.
In our Sunday text, Peter says that no matter what you’re going through, God is a God of all grace. He says, “after you have suffered a little while.” In this world we will receive some battle scars if we’re in the battle with our enemy the devil. But our “little while” of suffering cannot compare with our coming “eternal glory in Christ.”
Then Peter proclaims that Jesus is in the restoration business. V10: “Christ himself will restore you and make you strong….” What the devil has torn down in our lives, Jesus is building back up. He’s restoring our sanity, health, relationships and fellowship with God and our neighbors.
As the prophet Joel wrote (2:25): “I will restore to you the years that the locust has eaten… and you will praise the name of the Lord your God….”
Finally, Peter says that this grace—the “true grace of God”—is mediated to us in physical ways. In v12: “I have written to you briefly”—an encouragement to all in Christ. He says they should “greet” one another. When we take the time to write an encouraging note, make a phone call, greet or pray for each other, God is extending grace to that person.
May the God of all grace always be with you.
“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” [1 Thessalonians 5:18]
May your Thanksgiving be blessed and your days be filled with thanks to God—our prayer for you from your friends at Sunset Christian Church.