Living In Grace And Peace
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Analyzing the essential bond between faith and practice, between doctrine and application, and ultimately between belief and life.
Text: Rom. 1:7
Date: 09/20/2026, the Combined service.
Series: "Romans: Unashamed of the Gospel" Part 10
Description:
After opening his letter to the Romans with an amazing array of doctrinal references, Paul now turns to a very personal and pastoral section where he addresses the Roman Christians directly. In doing so he will emphasize the essential bond between faith and practice, between doctrine and application, and ultimately between belief and life. To Paul, these are all inseparable aspects of the Christian's sanctification. Our text for this message is a familiar statement Paul uses to open most of his letters, in which he expresses his heartfelt desire that his readers not only believe the doctrines of grace-- but live them to the fullest every day. And furthermore that this "living" be done in the presence of God in perfect harmony and peace. In doing so, we will bring glory to God and blessing to ourselves as we learn the significance of living in grace and peace in the presence of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
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I. Introduction
II. Exposition of the text, Rom. 1:7.
A. Context
B. The essential bond between doctrine and application.
1. Analyzing grace and peace, vs. 7b.
a. Looking at the address in general.
b. Living in grace.
i. The New Testament idea of "grace".
1) Grace for salvation, Eph. 2:5,8.
2) Grace for God's glory, Eph. 2:7.
ii. The Old Testament idea of grace.
1) "Grace" as divine favor, Gen. 6:8, 39:21; Ex. 3:21; Deut. 7:6; 1Pet. 2:9.
2) Grace that impacts "life".
a) Grace that insures eternity, John 10:28-29; Rom. 8:38-39.
b) Grace that insures trials, Luke 12:48; John 16:33; Acts 14:22.
c) Keeping the right perspective, Heb. 12:6; Rev. 3:19; 1Pet. 4:12; 2Pet. 2:9; James 1:2-4.
iii. Learning to live in grace.
c. Living in peace.
i. A peace that comes FROM God, John 14:27.
ii. The different "spheres" of "secular peace", John 16:33; Matt. 10:34.
1) World peace.
2) Individual Peace.
3) Inner peace.
iii. Defining biblical peace.
1) Peace in the Old Testament, Isa. 9:6-7, 26:3;, 53:5 Num. 6:24-26; Ezek. 37:26; Nah. 1:15; Hag. 2:9; Zech. 9:10; Mal. 2:5.
2) Peace in the New Testament, Luke 1:78-79, 2:14,29; Eph. 2:14,16,17; Col. 1:20, Rom. 5:1.
2. Finding grace and peace.
a. Being careful to pursue the right thing, 1Cor. 11:1.
b. Living in the presence of our Father, Matt. 6:9; John 8:44; Eph. 2:1-3; Rom. 8:15.
c. Living in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ.
i. Emphasizing the fullness of Christ, Luke 2:11.
ii. Abiding in Christ, John 6:56; John 15:4-7.
III. Application
A. You are what you believe.
B. A narrow road with two ditches.
1. When doctrine becomes an idol.
2. When doctrine is ignored.
IV. Conclusion
