Unstoppable Church to preach

text use bec and jon courson

Intro

maybe something about the church suffering today. I see lots of christians sufffering today

Be humble

1 Peter 5:5–7 ESV

5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

As believers we need to submit to God and to each other.

God is looking for people who are humble. Humility is a trait that should characterize God’s people.

It is said especially to the younger ones to be subject to their leaders.

It takes humility to submit yourself to someone.

Today in society we have a lot of people like to be their own boss. No one wants to take orders or instructions from anyone else.

We could do it better than them. It’s my way or the highway.

We see it happening in the workplace, where the boss gives an instruction and the only reason people comply is because he pays their salary.

The attitude has creeped in to the church as well.

If things dont go our way - we leave the church and form our own church.

We want to form our own unstoppable church and most of the times these churches STOP.

Poor foundation

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Twelve: From Grace to Glory! (1 Peter 5:5–14)

The younger believers should submit to the older believers, not only out of respect for their age, but also out of respect for their spiritual maturity. Not every “senior saint” is a mature Christian, of course, because quantity of years is no guarantee of quality of experience. This is not to suggest that the older church members “run the church” and never listen to the younger members! Too often there is a generation war in the church, with the older people resisting change, and the younger people resisting the older people!

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Twelve: From Grace to Glory! (1 Peter 5:5–14)

The solution is twofold: (1) all believers, young and old, should submit to each other; (2) all should submit to God.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Twelve: From Grace to Glory! (1 Peter 5:5–14)

Just as Jesus laid aside His outer garments and put on a towel to become a servant, so each of us should have a servant’s attitude and minister to each other

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Twelve: From Grace to Glory! (1 Peter 5:5–14)

We can never be submissive to each other until we are first submissive to God

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,

You may desire to be the King of Israel one day. Learn to tend sheep now. Your time will come. Wait on God’s time.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Twelve: From Grace to Glory! (1 Peter 5:5–14)

God never exalts anyone until that person is ready for it. First the cross, then the crown; first the suffering, then the glory. Moses was under God’s hand for forty years before God sent him to deliver the Jews from Egypt. Joseph was under God’s hand for at least thirteen years before God lifted him to the throne.

When you try to get into Ministry the devil will come up to you and say you're 'no good'. when he realises that tactic does not work he will then say 'you're too good'!!! Too Good for that church, to good to be under that leader, too Good for that person......be on the alert and remember pride goes before a fall!!!

Let us learn to be humble.

Be watchful

1 Peter 5:8–9 ESV

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.

Life Application Bible Commentary, 1 & 2 Peter and Jude Shepherding God’s People in the Midst of Suffering / 5:1–11

As soldiers wait and watch, so believers must be constantly alert for the enemy

God never said to wait on the enemy but to watch for the enemy

What would you rather have when the enemy might attack, someone on guard-duty who is simply WAITING for the enemy to show up or someone on guard-duty who is WATCHING to see if the enemy has showed up? The difference between “WAITING” and “WATCHING” here might mean the difference between life and death!

Robberies in Barrackpore

Our enemy is not the pastor, is not the leader, is not the musician

We wrestle not against flesh and blood

Too many times in churches we go trying to chase out the wrong enemy.

Our enemy is the devil.

He hates God and is his archenemy and thus he is ours as well

Life Application Bible Commentary, 1 & 2 Peter and Jude Shepherding God’s People in the Midst of Suffering / 5:1–11

Peter described him as prowling like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Lions attack sick, young, or straggling animals; they choose victims who are alone or not alert. Lions prowl quietly, watching and waiting, suddenly pouncing when their victims least suspect it. They use fear caused by their roar to drive their prey into the jaws of another lion.

Life Application Bible Commentary, 1 & 2 Peter and Jude Shepherding God’s People in the Midst of Suffering / 5:1–11

When believers feel alone, weak, helpless, and cut off from other believers, they can become so focused on their troubles that they forget to watch for danger

This is why it is so important to not forsake the assembling of ourselves. There is strength in numbers.

Life Application Bible Commentary, 1 & 2 Peter and Jude Shepherding God’s People in the Midst of Suffering / 5:1–11

How can we be ready for his attacks?

• He attacks the sick, the weak, the isolated. Be alert to support and surround with prayer those who face illness, who are weakened with pressure and stress, and those who are on the fringes.

• He attacks the newborns. Be especially watchful over new Christians. Help them face doubts and temptations that will weaken their defenses.

• He attacks those who pull away from the church. Go after those whose participation in church has dropped off. They may be especially vulnerable.

Be hopeful

1 Peter 5:10 ESV

10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.