The God of All Grace
Notes from Zach Snow's sermon on Sunday, July 13, 2025.
Sermon text: 1 Peter 5:8-14
Why is the lion roaring? Wouldn’t it be a better strategy to be quiet…subtle…sneaky, in an attempt to “devour” Christians? I think that Peter, led by the Holy Spirit, was very intentional with his description here of the devil being a roaring lion.
Went into a rabbit hole on a lion's roar…there are some spiritual applications to these:
- Can reach up to 114 decibels…almost as loud as a jet engine taking off
- They roar for social reasons (territory, create bonds, locate other members of their pride) as well as for purposes of intimidation.
- One of the primary purposes of the lion's roar is to strike fear in the heart of their prey.
- The lion will always start with a psychological advantage
- Fear, anxiety, depression, anger, hatred - these things can absolutely paralyse you spiritually
- The lion is not necessarily trying to kill you, but to destroy your faith
Prayer:
Be sober-minded -
- Have a clear and self disciplined mind - Titus 2
- Exercise self control in thoughts, words, and action this is the 3rd time Peter has said this to us in 1 Peter - 1:13, 4:7 - it’s a call to remain alert and focused
- Being sober-minded means waging war against the things that are detrimental to the mind: fear, hatred, anxiety, depression, anger
- I believe these are specific things the enemy uses to derail our mental health and cause us to take our guard down
Be watchful - this is the same word that Jesus used in the garden before he was arrested and crucified - this is a call to pray
- Prayers for others - Eph. 6:18 - Ephesians 6:18 - [18] praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
- Prayers for yourself - James 1:5 - 5 jIf any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
So here’s the question…
- Do you believe in prayer? How much do you trust that God can do the things that you are not able to do?
- Do you trust God with the big stuff AND the small stuff?
Discipleship Questions:
1.) In your personal life, what does being sober minded and watchful look like to you?
2.) Who are the people who help you stand firm in your faith the most?
3.) As a CG look at each of the points of the Theology of Suffering and find Scripture to support each one of those statements:
- God is ALWAYS good
- God is ALWAYS enough
- God will ALWAYS love you
4.) Discuss ways that the God of all grace has restored, confirmed, strengthened, and established you.


