1. Of God’s grace (v. 2a)
2. To other people (v. 2b)
3. Involves the mystery of redemption (vv. 3-6)
ii. It is a call to Service (vv. 7-12).
1. Of divine favor (v. 7)
2. By divine power (v. 7)
iii. It is a call to Suffering (v. 13).
B. The Purpose of our Mandate (vv. 8-13).
i. An Evangelistic purpose (v. 8)
ii. A Teaching purpose (v. 9)
iii. An Eternal purpose (vv. 10-13)
II. The Mandate Empowered (vv. 1, 14-21)
A. The Scope of the Empowerment (vv. 14-15)
B. The Boldness of the Empowerment (v. 16a)
C. The Substance of the Empowerment (vv. 16b-18)
i. A Request for Inner Power (vv. 16-17a)
ii. A Request for Comprehension (3 conditions; vv. 17b-19a)
1. Rooted and grounded with God’s love (v. 17b)
2. Endowed by God’s power (v. 18)
3. In love with God’s people (v. 18a)
iii. A Request for the Fullness of God (v. 19b)
D. The Hope of the Empowerment (vv. 20-21)
We have been given a divine, eternal mandate. It
is clear, simple, and challenging. We are a people of God on mission
with God. This mission calls for our very best efforts and focus. It
is a call to stewardship, service, & suffering. It involves an
evangelistic, teaching, & eternal purpose. It requires an
empowerment that is far-reaching, bold, and substantive. We must have
God’s inner power by living in His love, walking in His presence, and
caring for one another. We must have no less than the fullness of
God. The hope of this empowerment is the glory of Jesus Christ to all
generations for all eternity.
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Sermon brief provided
by: Dennis Phelps, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Cabot,
AR