STANDFIRM
Notes
Transcript
8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
Introduction:
As we grow spiritually and reach new levels in our faith, the same challenges, temptations, and opposition may continue to confront us. The adversary (The accuser, The deceiver, The father of all lies) persistent, but God's grace is sufficient
In our text the Apostle Peter is instructing the congregation to live faithfully, including humility, submission, and watchful
To encourage and instruct believers facing suffering and persecution, and to provide guidance on living a Christian life amidst trials
Distinguishes humankind from the animal and plant kingdoms. Elevates humankind above all terrestrial created things so as to exercise benevolent and ethical stewardship over creation. Image of God language is found in the New Testament as part of the Christian’s responsibility to imitate Christ, who is the image(r) of God par excellence
Satan Is Treacherous - Full of Betrayal or Deception
Satan will deliberate misrepresentation of the truth, especially in moral and spiritual matters, in order to mislead another person.
violation of faith; betrayal of trust; treason.
Hell has enlarged herself to devour those WHO has not accepted the lord - or rather have not returned to him.
16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.
Spiritual Growth
I. Judah - Growing, Tall.
While Growth is Good, is often Painful or brings about discomfort
II. Statistics show that the beginning years of any Motherhood, Marriage, the first 90 on your God are often difficult because your moving into a new environment.
One must learn to recognize the spiritual dynamics happening in your life.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
God does not bring you to a thing without giving you having the ability or Grace to see it through.
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
* Don’t allow your mind to be shaped by “THIS WORLD”
* To subdue the earth and have dominion over every living thing is to control these things so they fulfill the will of God 11 as they serve the purposes of His children. Subduing includes gaining mastery over our own bodies
There is no grace outside God; He is the sole source of it.
I. Judah - Growing, Tall.
While Growth is Good, is often Painful or brings about discomfort
II. Statistics show that the beginning years of any Motherhood, Marriage, the first 90 on your God are often difficult because your moving into a new environment.
III. Everyday with Jesus, Sweeter than the day before
What does sweeter look like?
Ps 100:3 - Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
Therefore, God can do what he wants, When he want, Where he Wants and How he wants to do it…He’s God!
Stop telling God what you are and what You’re NOT going to do
7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.
8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
The will of God
2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
you were made and intended Only in obedient response to God can man truly fulfill the purpose for which he was created
16 Rejoice always,
17 pray without ceasing,
18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
PETER RECORDS
8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Be watchful attentive, particularly to spiritual dangers
Sober - clear headed
I. Satan Desires to have your Mind - 3
The enemy seeks to “defeat” you in your mind first……...You can not speak defeat.
I. Your mind is the part of the image of God where you (spirit) communicate with God and receives or reveals his will to you.
II. If Satan and get you to believe a Lie, He can began to work in your Life. - he’s working to pull you away from God.
1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?”
2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden,
3 but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ”
4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.
5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
“Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden?’”Key Point: Satan questions God’s word, planting seeds of doubt.
3 But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.
Paul speaks of the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ being corrupted by deceitful influences.
Verse: “But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.”
Which leads to Death or separation from God
6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
Satan's Limitations: The notion of Satan acting as a "messenger" suggests that while Satan may try to hinder or harm believers, he does so within the limits allowed by God. Ultimately, Satan’s efforts can lead to spiritual refinement rather than defeat.
Job Example -
For God is not a God of disorder but of peace
III. Paul says THINK on things that are TRUE. If its not TRUE cast it out.
Hold to the TRUTH of Gods word is the GOOD NEWS.
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,
14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
II. Be watchful for he’s leaving for a season (Your adversary)
36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.”
37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled.
38 Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.”
39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”
40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour?
41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.”
43 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.
I. Jesus who has remained Faithful - still has to deal with disappointment with those chosen to be disciples - sleep - They were deceived not once but TWICE.
Temptation
14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.
15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
Sin is often conceived in your emotions. Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
Offense -
Jesus went with his disciples to a place Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray."
Satan cannot devour you without your cooperation
III. Focus on the Glory which will be revealed.
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Glory - Greek “Doxa” - Where we doxology
Divine presence, praise, and the ultimate hope of believers in the glory of God.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,
39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
I. Your thoughts, attitudes, words, and actions are either releasing the power of God in your life, or they’re releasing the power of the devil.
doxologies are often considered to summarize or conclude sections of the Psalms with expressions of praise to God.
Conclusion:
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.
Believers overcome Satan by holding fast to the truth of the gospel and their personal testimony of faith. This means living out and proclaiming the message of Christ despite opposition.
