Sermon Notes:

The goal of spiritual disciplines is godliness.

Godliness describes the lifestyle of someone whose thoughts, emotions, speech, and actions reflect the holiness of God.

As Christians, the grace we have been shown by God should drive us to work hard at growing in godliness.

I. Training for godliness is only for servants of Jesus. (6)

II. Training for godliness centers on God’s word. (6)

III.Training for godliness protects against false teaching. (7)

IV. Training for godliness provides lasting benefit. (8-9)

V. Training for godliness is the right response to being saved by grace. (10)

Sermon Notes:

Persevering as an exile requires standing firm in God’s grace regardless of the suffering we face.

I. Stand firm in God’s grace because it is your only hope of being in Christ. (12)

II. Stand firm in God’s grace through the confidence provided by your election in Christ. (13)

III. Stand firm in God’s grace together with your family in Christ. (14a)

IV. Stand firm in God’s grace because genuine peace is found only in Christ. (14b)

Sermon Notes:

The birth of Jesus was…

1. A birth worthy of angelic proclamation. (8-12)

2. A birth worthy of heavenly celebration. (13-14)

3. A birth worthy of active investigation. (15-17)

4. A birth worthy of deep contemplation. (18-19)

5. A birth worthy of focused adoration. (20)

Sermon Notes:

Persevering as an exile requires believing in God’s power to sustain you to the end.

I. With humility, believe in God’s power to care for you through suffering. (6-7)

II. With awareness, believe in God’s power to protect you from temptation. (8-9)

III. With confidence, believe in God’s power to finish your salvation. (10-11)

Sermon Notes:

Persevering as an exile requires participating in local gatherings of elect exiles called churches.

I. As elect exiles, we endure present suffering as we wait on future glory. (1)

II. To help us endure as we wait, God gives the church elders to shepherd under the authority of Jesus. (2-4)

III. Within the church, submission to elders and humility toward one another are essential ingredients for enduring as exiles. (5)

Sermon Notes:

Persevering as an exile requires trusting that God is sovereign over your suffering.

When you trust in God’s sovereignty over your suffering for Christ…

I. You will respond with calmness rather than surprise. (12)

II. You will rejoice in the present as you look forward to the future. (13-14)

III. You will resist sin and boldly embrace being a follower of Jesus. (15-16)

IV. You will remember God’s wrath awaits those who are not God’s people. (17-18)

V. You will rest in God’s faithfulness toward those who are God’s people. (19)

Sermon Notes:

We lead others to worship Jesus when we view suffering for Jesus as motivation for disciplined living.

I. Be disciplined to think clearly so you can pray correctly. (7)

II. Be disciplined in how you relate to your church family. (8-11a)

III. Be disciplined to live for the glory of Jesus. (11b)

Sermon Notes:

We lead others to worship Jesus when we view suffering for Jesus as a sign of transformation.

I. Prepare yourself to suffer like Jesus as evidence of your transformation. (1)

II. Align your life with God’s will so the world will see your transformation. (2-3)

III. Expect verbal abuse from those who don’t understand your transformation. (4)

IV. Look to the future as motivation to endure suffering for your transformation. (5-6)

Sermon Notes:

We lead others to worship Jesus when we view suffering for Jesus as the path of exaltation.

We can be confident that our suffering will lead to exaltation because…

I. Through His death, Jesus has reconciled us to God. (18)

II. Through His resurrection, Jesus has proclaimed victory over our spiritual enemies. (18-20)

III. Through His resurrection, Jesus has provided assurance for our salvation. (20-21)

IV. Through His ascension, Jesus has assumed the position of supreme ruler over all enemies. (22)

Sermon Notes:

We lead others to worship Jesus when we view suffering for Jesus as a means of blessing.

You should consider suffering for righteousness’ sake a blessing because it…

I. Focuses our minds on our eternal protection through Jesus. (13)

II. Points others to the worthiness of Jesus. (14-15a)

III. Opens a door to explain the good news of Jesus. (15b)

IV. Exposes the foolishness of rejecting Jesus. (15c-17)