Title: Called to Glory
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1 Peter 5:8–14
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son. Greet one another with the kiss of love.
Peace to all of you who are in Christ. (ESV)
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In his sermon on 1 Peter 5:8–14, Jed Gillis explores the profound truth of belonging to God and the implications this has for our lives, especially as we face challenges and spiritual opposition. He emphasizes that believers are called to be vigilant and firm in faith, knowing they have an enemy—Satan—who actively seeks to harm them, seducing, lying, and accusing them. However, Peter reassures his readers that the God of all grace will ultimately “restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish” them after a period of suffering. This assurance of God’s eternal power and faithfulness encourages believers to rest in God’s strength rather than their own.
Gillis highlights the relational aspect of God’s grace, which is experienced within the community of believers. Through the greetings from fellow Christians and Peter’s encouragement to “stand firm,” the sermon stresses that grace is shared and strengthened through fellowship. Believers are urged to resist the devil not by avoiding hardship but by standing firm in their faith and fully trusting God’s promises.
The sermon concludes with a call to worshipful humility, where believers surrender personal control and embrace God’s dominion. This surrender allows them to experience true peace, as they trust in God’s authority and steadfast commitment to their ultimate good. Through this passage, Gillis reminds listeners that belonging to God brings both profound responsibility and unshakable security, as God promises to uphold them and bring them into eternal glory with Christ.
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Berean Bible Church is a non-denominational church in East Knoxville, TN. We are grounded in the Word, celebrating the transformative power of the Gospel. Our community thrives on worship and mutual encouragement, fostering deep connections among members. Committed to our mission, we reach out with compassion and hope, reflecting God's glory throughout our city and beyond.
Learn more at berean.church.
