Stand Firm

Introduction

[Slide 1] Have you ever felt like you’re fighting a battle that no one else can see? Perhaps it is a battle in your mind. Perhaps it visits you in your habits. Maybe it’s your past revisiting you; haunting you. Peter reminds us in today’s scripture that there is a very real enemy, one that wants to pull us back into destructive behavioral patterns, one who wants us to focus on fear and despair. But Peter didn’t mean for this passage to scare its readers, he only meant for it to wake us up.

He wrote that we need to “be alert and sober minded”. In other words, we need to be aware, but not afraid. Yes, we have a powerful enemy intent on destroying us, but we have an even more powerful Savior who has already overcame this prowling lion.

Today, I want to talk to you about what it means to stand firm when life tries to pull you down, when temptation gets in your face, when it feels like your resistance is spent and giving in is the only option left on the table. Let’s take a look at the historical significance of today’s scripture.

Historical Context

[Slide 2] Peter begins his first epistle by stating that he is writing to “God’s chosen people living as foreigners” and then lists several places that mostly reflect Asia Minor. This audience would be known as the diaspora, Jews scattered from their homeland. He begins by reminding them of Whose they are, and what God has done for them in Christ Jesus.

Peter takes this literary approach because we are again in the time period of great persecution on Christianity. Nero is Emperor, and as we learned several weeks ago, he is notorious for persecuting Christians. In fact, it would be Nero who ordered the death of Peter by crucifixion, and of Paul by beheading. [Slide 3] Tradition offers, through the writings of several early church fathers, that Peter was crucified upside down in Nero’s circus, depicted here in Jean-Leon Gerome’s painting entitled “The Christian Martyr’s Last Prayer”. Peter’s crucifixion would have been a main attraction of sorts for spectators.

At the end of this first epistle, Peter writes that he is doing so from Babylon, which is likely a reference indicating Rome. The year is said to be the same as his crucifixion making his epistles among the final acts of his life on earth.

Standing Firm in the Midst of Struggle

[Slide 4] So jumping back into our scripture today, Peter says to “resist him, standing firm in the faith.” Consider the phrase “standing firm” for a moment. That phrase really means to be unshakable doesn’t it. Others might say “grounded”, and yet others may consider it as being “steady”. No matter which of those three associations you may consider, it doesn't suggest the absence of fatigue and struggle, it simply suggests the resolute mindset of not giving up! Let’s look at few ways in which we can stand firm...

Stand Firm by Remembering Who You Belong to

[Slide 5] Many of you know that I am a combat vet. While in Germany, we had the freedom to go out and enjoy the beautiful countryside, but did so with a certain vulnerability. That vulnerability while in the middle east during Desert Shield was amplified. But in both places, there was something comforting about being back on our base with the US flag flying overhead. Our geographical proximity might have only changed by a mile or two, but the vulnerability seemed gone once we were back under old glory. When you are reminded that you have a mighty overseer, the lies kind of lose their power. That’s why 1 John 4:4 reminds us that ”the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” We fight earthly battles to attain victory, but when we fight spiritual battles, we are already doing so from a position of victory. Remember, the enemy roars like a lion, but Jesus is the lion of Judah that has already won the victory. So in the moments of temptation, remember that those who belong to Jesus are not fighting for a position of victory; we are fighting from victory.

Stand Firm by Staying Sober and Alert

[Slide 6] Then Peter says to be “sober-minded”. He isn’t necessarily talking about avoiding harmful substances, though, that is good advice. Here, he is talking about staying spiritually awake. Simply put, that means to not let the pain of your past or the pressure of your present numb you. Satan likes to use those things against us: past pain and present pressure. But we are reminded by Ephesians 6:13 to “put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, [we] will be able to stand [our] ground.” So, staying sober and alert means that each day we suit up. We stay connected to the word, to prayer, and to community. We immerse ourselves in the things that promote our spiritual health. It’s like taking vitamins during flu season. You know the germs are coming, so you give your body everything that you can to ensure it has the strength to overcome the virus. Take every spiritual vitamin you need to withstand the devil’s schemes.

Stand Firm Together

[Slide 7] And I just said that you stay connected to community. Peter reminds us that “the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kinds of sufferings.” That isn’t comforting merely because misery loves company, it’s comforting because if our family is going through it, they understand how to stand with you in the fight. They are compassionate because they, too, have come under attack. Maybe not with the same temptation, or even in the same proportion, but they understand the attacks of the devil. Friends, the greatest lie the devil ever tells is that, as Christians, we’re alone in our torment. Galatians 6:2 says to “carry one another’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Whether you are walking through recovery or just trying to rebuild your life, you don’t have to stand alone. Often times, God’s provision shows up in human skin. It may be a prayer warrior, a friend who checks in, or one who refuses to let you fall, but it is all contingent upon your inclusion to community. If you work to stay unplugged, then you likely remove the provision that God has sent.

Recap

So what does it mean to ‘Stand Firm’?

Remember, who you belong to. You are God’s The God’s treasured possession!

Stay alert and grounded. Don’t let your guard down!

Stand together. We are stronger as one body!

Friends, the lion that is the devil may roar, but he has already been defeated. You can ‘Stand Firm’, but only in the power of Christ Jesus, never on your own.

Concluding Thoughts

[Slide 8] Beloved, you are a creation with purpose. Until that purpose is realized, your soul will be in a state of unrest and torment. Where people go wrong is they try to pursue and fulfill their purpose outside of their Creator’s desire. They pursue their own interests which weakens them to the point that they can’t withstand temptations. It is only when your pursuits carry you to the feet of the Master and His will that your true purpose is found, spiritual rest takes place, and spiritual strength is achieved. Then, when temptation comes your way, in the Power of the Holy Spirit you find strength to overcome.

Maybe today you’re fighting a battle, and maybe it feels like you’re losing ground. Perhaps you’re growing weary, feeling lonely, and only one step away from defeat. Is God calling you this morning, challenging you to stand firm? He isn’t done with you, ya know. God’s answer to Paul in his suffering was “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” If you’ve been wrestling and you’re tired, if you’ve been trying to hold it all together on your own, now is the time to come. Come and surrender the weight and burden to the one who can carry it. Find strength and assurance today. Share the heaviness of your load with a prayer warrior this morning, and find relief. Give someone’s ministry deeper purpose by being vulnerable to let them join you in the struggle. Just don’t continue the struggle alone. It will only end one way. So come!