Fundamentals for the New Year 1 Peter 5:6-14
1 Peter • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 2 viewsNotes
Transcript
Scripture: Dale
Introduction
In every pre-marital counseling I do I start with a section called the fundamentals
The fundamentals of marriage are habits that you consistently need to do to make your marriage strong
Before I share any of the fundamentals I share the story of two famous coaches, Vince Lombardi and John Wooden
And I tell the couple how each coach started their first practice of every season
Lombardi was the coach of the Green Bay Packers
At the beginning of the first practice he would hold up a football and say “Gentlemen, this is a football.”
What made this some what hilarious was that he was saying this to professional football players, the last people who needed to know that info
Lombardi was emphasizing the need to go back to the basics
They were going to focus on the fundamentals
Wooden would teach his basketball players who to properly put on their socks
Back in that day they wore the old converse Chuck Taylors
To avoid blisters they would have to wear two pairs of socks
Wooden emphasized how to properly put on the socks to avoid blisters
A basketball player with blisters wasn’t able to practice and thus contribute to the team
There are multiple fundamentals a Christian needs to practice
Peter lists five of them in this mornings text
If you practice these five fundamentals in 2026 I can guarantee you that you will grow closer to Jesus, be more focused on what is important, and not get tripped up by distracting mind games
Humble Yourself vs. 6
Humble Yourself vs. 6
The first fundamental for the new years is to humble yourself
Peter tells Christians to humble themselves
He knows something about being humbled
At the end of his life he is an expert on both being prideful and being humble
In his time with Jesus he suffered from foot in mouth syndrome
Every time he opened his mouth he would stick his foot in it
Several times Jesus had to put Peter in his place
It took denying Jesus three times to break him
Humility is the absence of pride and arrogance
Humility is the absence of pride and arrogance
Jesus embodied humility through radical dependence on God.
Phil 2 tells us that although he was God he did not consider himself equal with God and lowered himself to a servant
The NKJV says he made himself of no reputation
Humility before God expresses itself in submission and obedience; Jesus stated that doing God’s will provided greater sustenance than food itself
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Look at this verse again
“under the Mighty hand of God”
We aren’t humbling ourselves for no reason
Piety is important, but our humbling is at the behest of the mighty hand of God
You can be humble and still confident in God’s power
Too many Christians have become powerless cowards and don’t realize they have the Almighty God behind them
Cast Your Cares vs. 7
Cast Your Cares vs. 7
The second fundamental for the new year is to cast your cares on Jesus
Full of anxiety? Cast them on Jesus
Weighed down by doubt and guilt? Cast them on Jesus
Peter is quoting Psalm 55:2
Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.
If you have any cares in the world, heave them upon Jesus
You do that through prayer
You do that through Repentance
Repentance means to turn from what you’re doing
If some situation or habit is causing you to stumble ask Jesus for forgiveness and go in the opposite direction
Are you laying awake at night worrying about perceived problems?
Give them to Jesus and then begin to worship
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Let Jesus bear your burdens and find rest in your soul
Why? Because He cares for you
Be Watchful vs. 8
Be Watchful vs. 8
The third fundamental for the new year is to be watchful
Peter tells us to be alert and watchful
vs. 8 is one of the most well know in all of scripture
It is quoted far and wide for many uses
Peter describes the Devil as a lion prowling around looking for prey
He is trying to upend Christian’s faith
If he can discourage you or fill you full of doubt he can defeat you
Peter tells us to be watchful because the attacks are never frontal
He is luring in the weeds waiting for a moment you are unaware
Being watchful is more in the mind than anything else
Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
It is being aware of what is going on around you
It’s removing yourself from situations that could prove troublesome
It’s surrounding yourself with like-minded people
It’s relying on the Lord when you do come under attack
Resist the Devil vs. 9
Resist the Devil vs. 9
The fourth fundamental for the new year is to resist the Devil
When those attacks come, and they will come, it is important to resist and not give in
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Get Established vs. 10-11
Get Established vs. 10-11
The fifth fundamental is to get established in your faith
Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages
But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.
