Stay Alert

1 Pet 5:8-9 NLT Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are. 10 In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. 

The title of today’s message is “Stay Alert”.

This letter from the Apostle Peter, was written to God’s chosen people.

It contains advice, encouragement, and warnings. It speaks of the conduct of wives, husbands, and Christians. Peter talks about respecting those in authority, he tells us that even when you’re doing what’s right, there will still be suffering...continue to live for God.

And finally, when he gets to the fifth chapter he gives direction to the elders, the leaders in the church. To think about what you’re doing, why you’re doing it, and how you’re doing it.

For those who are followers or members, it’s important you accept the authority of your leader. And for everyone, clothe yourselves in humility because God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble.

Furthermore, humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, so he may exalt you in due time, at the right time, because while talent may bring you to the table, it’s character that will keep you there.

Just because you have a talent, you may even have an assignment, it doesn’t mean it’s the right time for you to fulfill it.

The Lord told me I would be filling a position at a church, but I was new and there was a wonderful person in the position already. I did what Mary did, I pondered it in my heart, I got active in that ministry, under their leadership, three years later they moved out of the country and the pastor appointed me to the position.

It was important I learn how things were done at that church, what their mission was, how they operated and who the people were. And the current leader was wonderful, I learned a lot from them.

Peter told us we will have suffering, but there is relief, in Chap 5, verse 7, he tells us to cast all our cares and worries on God, because he cares for us. So you don’t have to carry those burdens, give them to Jesus. He can handle them, all of them.

And now that you’ve given your cares to God this is not the time for you to relax and get comfortable, stay alert, be vigilant because you have your great enemy, the KJV calls him your adversary, they both say the devil.

Watch out for the devil, he prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Remember, Peter is talking to the chosen people of God, he’s talking to the blood washed, believing, body of Christ. It’s you the devil is prowling around looking to destroy.

So for those of you who think you want to lead, be careful, because the higher you go, the bigger your target. The more people you talk to about God and salvation, the more the devil will come for you.

His goal is to kill, to steal, and to destroy you, your life, your family, the church, everything you hold dear. He does not care about you or anything you need. His whole purpose is to take away and tear down any and everything God wants to give you.

You could be going along doing great and

• one thing,

• one incident,

• one word,

• one argument,

• one missed opportunity,

• one rejection can push you off a proverbial cliff.

It can make you doubt God, get mad at God, dare I say hate God, thinking he should’ve done something more, something else.

• That person murdered your family member and you want what you tell yourself is justice, but what you really want is revenge.

• That person did or said something hurtful to you and you want what you tell yourself is an apology, but what you really want is an explanation.

• You prayed for your child to be healed, but they died and now you want a reason. You want to make sense of something that is unnatural, something that our minds tell us is senseless.

• A disaster, whether it be manmade or natural happens and thousands of people die, now you’re crying out to God, where were you, why didn’t you stop it?

I think back to the worst disaster we suffered as Americans aside from the Civil War, 9/11 and a poem comes to mind called Meet Me In The Stairwell, written by Stacey Randall. The poem goes like this.

You say you will never forget where you were when you heard the news On September 11, 2001. Neither will I.

I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room with a man who called his wife to say ‘Good-Bye.’ I held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the peace to say, ‘Honey, I am not going to make it, but it is OK. I am ready to go.’

I was with his wife when he called as she fed breakfast to their children. I held her up as she tried to understand his words and as she realized he wasn’t coming home that night.

I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a woman cried out to Me for help. ‘I have been knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!’ I said. ‘Of course I will show you the way home – only believe in Me now.’

I was at the base of the building with the Priest ministering to the injured and devastated souls. I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He heard my voice and answered.

I was on all four of those planes, in every seat, with every prayer. I was with the crew as they were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the believers there, comforting and assuring them that their faith has saved them.

I was in Texas, Virginia, California, Michigan, Afghanistan. I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news. Did you sense Me?

I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew every name – though not all know Me. Some met Me for the first time on the 86th floor.

Some sought Me with their last breath. Some couldn’t hear Me calling to them through the smoke and flames; ‘Come to Me… this way… take my hand.’ Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me. But, I was there.

I did not place you in the Tower that day. You may not know why, but I do. However, if you were there in that explosive moment in time, would you have reached for Me?

Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey for you. But someday your journey will end. And I will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are ‘ready to go.’

I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.

- Jesus

Our great enemy, the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. His whole purpose is to destroy your soul, he never gets tired of trying and he’s good at it.

When you do something over and over again, when it’s your life’s work, you get very good at it and the devil has spent thousands of years coming up with ways he can destroy God’s people from the inside out.

If he can interject malice, and strife, and jealousy, and envy, and turmoil, and hate, and discord, and mistrust, into the heart and mind of a Christian, it permeates into the church, into the ministries of the church. And before you know it the pastor has to referee the flock instead of studying, meditating and preparing to feed the flock with spiritual food.

Stay alert! The devil is watching and all he needs is a crack, a thought, or a comment to infiltrate the house of God.

When a lion prowls, they’re hunting for something to kill. When they roar it’s for many reasons.

Before I tell you the reason lions roar let me remind you of what you’re supposed to be doing.

Jesus said, you’re supposed to

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

This is not our home, and while God is in control, while God does own everything, this earth is the devil’s territory.

And so, as he prowls around, here’s why lions roars

• They roar mainly to communicate and maintain their social structures and territory.

• They establish and defend territory: male lions, especially,  announce their presence and intimidate rivals, preventing them from encroaching on their territory. When you evangelize as you’ve been called to do, you’re encroaching on the devil’s territory.

• Coordinate activities: Roars help lions within a pride locate each other and coordinate their movements, particularly during hunts and when relocating. The devil has imps working with him, he wants them to know where he is and where you are.

• Show dominance and strength: The strength and loudness of a roar can be a display of power, especially among males, it influences their social standing within the pride and attracts potential mates.

• Communicate with other lions: Roars help lions identify each other and communicate with other members of their pride, even over long distances.

• Signal danger: Roars can be used to warn the pride about potential threats or to rally them in the face of danger.

A roaring lion is doing a lot. Keep that in mind as you go on this Christian journey. As you evangelize, as you tell of the goodness of the Lord, as you go onward and upward, remember the devil, your great enemy, your adversary is looking to devour you.

How are you going to respond to that?

Peter says, Stand firm against him and, be strong in your faith.

How do you stand strong? When you wake up every morning, wake up with a praise on your lips to God for allowing you to see a brand new morning.

How do you stand strong? Spend time with the Lord in prayer and meditation. Real time, not just a quick prayer on your way to work.

How do you stand strong? We don’t have to guess. Paul gives us our checklist in Eph 6beginning at verse 10

Eph 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore,

• having your loins girt about with truth,

• and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

• 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

• 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

• 17 And take the helmet of salvation,

• and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

• 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,

• and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints

While there are some things in the Bible that are a mystery, others are quite clear. This is how you stand firm; this is how you stand strong, unapologetically, unafraid.

Stand strong in your faith, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

What are you hearing? What are you filling your mind with, what are you listening to?

• Is it edifying or is it putting people down?

• Is it encouraging or discouraging?

• Does it make you happy or does it make you angry?

• Does it make you want to help people or hurt them?

You are not alone in this journey. Peter tells us our family of believers, remember that’s who this letter is for, our family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering we are.

So don’t feel like the lone ranger and quit. Don’t throw in the towel and leave the church.

The wisest man that ever lived, King Solomon said this,

10 Whatever you do, do well. For when you go to the grave, there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.

He goes on to say, 11 I have observed something else under the sun.

• The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race,

• and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle.

• The wise sometimes go hungry,

• and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy.

• And those who are educated don’t always lead successful lives.

• It is all decided by chance, by being in the right place at the right time.

12 People can never predict when hard times might come. Like fish in a net or birds in a trap, people are caught by sudden tragedy.

But in verse 10 of our Scripture text, Peter gives us some hope. He lets us know God is kind and in his kindness he called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus.

I’ve rarely heard this text quoted to let you know Jesus is the only way to the Father. Jesus told us himself in John, but here Peter is letting us know God said it also.

We share in eternal glory by Christ Jesus. Jesus is the way to eternal glory, no one and no other way.

Although suffering is part of the journey, we’re not left in a depressed state, you can have joy in knowing that after you have suffered a little while, he, (God) will restore, support, and strengthen you.

God is going to restore – he’s going to restore what was lost. Like Job, he can give you double for your trouble. Hang on, it’s only a test you’re going through, it’s gonna be over, real soon, keep the faith don’t give up, cause it’s only a test.

Not only is God going to restore you, God is going to support you – when he gives you an assignment, you’re not out there alone. God is with you every step of the way. Man may leave you, but Jesus said I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Not only is God going to restore and support you, God is going to strengthen you. He’s going to strengthen you for your journey. Sometimes we get tired, sometimes we get discouraged, sometimes we get angry, sometimes we get weary, but let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. There is a harvest, we just have to hang on to see it.

Not only is God going to restore you; not only is God going to support you; not only is God going to strengthen you, He’s going to place you on a firm foundation.

That foundation is Jesus. When you want or need proof you try the Word by the Word.

If we go to the book of Acts, chapter 4, you’ll see Peter with John who in this account has just healed the man who sat at the gate of the Temple begging and were thrown in jail because of it. This is how he answered their would-be accusers,

4:1 While Peter and John were speaking to the people, they were confronted by the priests, the captain of the Temple guard, and some of the Sadducees. 2 These leaders were very disturbed that Peter and John were teaching the people that through Jesus there is a resurrection of the dead. 3 They arrested them and, since it was already evening, put them in jail until morning. 4 But many of the people who heard their message believed it, so the number of men who believed now totaled about 5,000. 5 The next day the council of all the rulers and elders and teachers of religious law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, along with Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and other relatives of the high priest. 7 They brought in the two disciples and demanded, “By what power, or in whose name, have you done this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of our people, 9 are we being questioned today because we’ve done a good deed for a crippled man? Do you want to know how he was healed? 10 Let me clearly state to all of you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the man you crucified but whom God raised from the dead. 11 For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says,

‘The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’

12 There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”

This is the foundation that’s been laid for you. It is a firm, solid, mighty, immovable foundation that you can stand on, lean on, lay on, pray on and build on.

• What does your building look like?

• Can you see it by faith?

• Can you move with confidence knowing God’s got you?

• Can you tell of God’s goodness wherever you go?

• Can you lead someone to Christ?

• Can you invite them to church so we can continue the work of Christ here at Love Christian Center?

• Stay alert, there’s work to be done. As small as we are, we distributed 12,374 pounds of food last month. Thank you for your support and donations. Please keep them coming so we can keep giving out food. I am working on a partnership program and gift for those who commit to at least a $10 recurring monthly donation. Stay tuned for more information.

• Stay alert, there’s work to be done, there are souls yet unsaved.

• Stay alert, there’s work to be done, marriages are still falling apart.

• Stay alert, there’s work to be done, people are still losing hope.

• Stay alert, there’s work to be done, people are still killing one another.

• Stay alert, there’s work to be done, there’s still racism in the world.

• Stay alert, there’s work to be done, people are still taking advantage of those they are supposed to be working for.

• Stay alert, there’s work to be done, there are still preachers preying on their flock.

• Stay alert, there’s work to be done, sin is still present in the world.

• Stay alert, there’s work to be done, Jesus has still not yet returned for his church without spot or wrinkle.

What work are you supposed to be doing? Stay alert, watch out for the devil, your great enemy.

As I said when I started this message is for God’s chosen people. If you’re not yet one of God’s chosen people, you can be right now, all it takes is a prayer.

“Father God, I confess I’m a sinner and ask for Your forgiveness. I believe Jesus is your Son. I believe he was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life and died for my sins. I believe he rose again, ascended back to heaven where he now sits at your right hand. Jesus, I give you my heart, please come into my heart and be Lord of my life. In your name I pray. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer for the first time welcome to the family of Christ, now find yourself a Bible believing, Bible teaching church where you can learn what it is to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.

If you live in the Douglasville, GA area we would love to see you here at 3500 Hwy 5. Sunday school begins at 8:45 and Worship service begins at 10.

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