Sermon Theme

What difference will it make? Will people notice spiritual growth because of it?
Will the lives of others be improved on account of what I have experienced?

This sermon preached just two days from Christmas 2007– recalled one of the greatest events in history… the incomprehensible reality that God Himself – Immanuel – would come to us in human form… not as nobility, born to rule – but as the child of a lower class couple – born the son of a carpenter.

In that service. the Lord’s Supper was also celebrated…… remembering another of the greatest events of history
Again we are faced with another incomprehensible reality  ‘And can it be?’
“Amazing love! How can it be, that Thou my God, should die for me!”

The question we face is this: ‘What difference does it make?” Not to the world – but to us as individuals

Faithful celebration of the Supper ought to lead us to a closer and more meaningful walk with the Lord…. a life forever thankful for what God has done for us

Sermon outline

  • THE CALL TO HARMONY
  • THE EXTENT OF THAT CALL
  • CHRIST OUR MODEL FOR SUCH LIVING

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Readings reproduced on this page:
The Holy Bible: New International Version. 1996, 1984. Grand Rapids: Zondervan


Sermon Outline

Text

1 Peter 3:8–22

8Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.

9Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

10For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.

11He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.

12For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

13Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?

14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.”

15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

17It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

18For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,

19through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison

20who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water,

21and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

22who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.