5.18.49 11.3.2019 1 Peter 5.6-11 Thrive

• Entice: Are you getting by? Is that what you think Jesus wants us to do, survive? Our culture tries to twist our faith into a "bunker" mentality. Sometimes we get so defensive that the Church lives fearfully and haltingly because the culture is so powerful and we know that Satan is spying out our weaknesses.

▾ Start: • Are you getting by? Is that what you think Jesus wants us to do, survive? Our culture tries to twist our faith into a "bunker" mentality. Sometimes we get so defensive that

• Entice: Are you getting by? Is that what you think Jesus wants us to do, survive? Our culture tries to twist our faith into a "bunker" mentality. Sometimes we get so defensive that

the Church lives fearfully and haltingly because the culture is so powerful and we know that Satan is spying out our weaknesses.

• Engage: Wouldn't you like to thrive? Wouldn't you like to live a big, impactful life? You can. You don't have to move to the big city. You don't have to attain heroic stature. God needs you and I to thrive in and thrive for Grayville IL. 1 Peter is an epistle of being who God called you to be where you are already at.

needs you and I to thrive in and thrive for Grayville IL. 1 Peter is an epistle of being who God called you to be where you are already at.

• Expand: Peter has come along us to remind us that the difficult journey of discipleship is grounded upon the truth of the Gospel and the power of God. He also reminds us that obedience is not a simplistic nod of the head. It is a work in progress which requires diligent attention. Even when he is being most "practical" theology is never far from his mind.

1 Peter 5:6–11 ESV

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. 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. 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. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

obedience is not a simplistic nod of the head. It is a work in progress which requires diligent attention. Even when he is being most "practical" theology is never far from his mind.

• Excite: If we are to thrive in Grayville, if we are to greet each day with a joyful resolve to bring Christ to our fallen community it we be because we act upon the truthfulness of our message. The design of the Christian life is continuously incarnating the person and principles of Jesus in daily living. Peter understood that and the Holy Spirit inspired him to remind us.

message. The design of the Christian life is continuously incarnating the person and principles of Jesus in daily living. Peter understood that and the Holy Spirit inspired him to remind us.

remind us.

• Explore: We much all embrace the capacity that God has given us to live victorious Christian life in amidst the debris of our fallen culture.

We much all embrace the capacity that God has given us to live victorious Christian life in amidst the debris of our fallen culture.

Explore: We much all embrace the capacity that God has given us to live victorious Christian life in amidst the debris of our fallen culture.

We much all embrace the capacity that God has given us to live victorious Christian life in amidst the debris of our fallen culture.

Explain: God enables but we must execute some elementary protocols to thrive in the midst of the decay.

• Explain: God enables but we must execute some basic protocols to thrive in the midst of the decay.

protocol #1

▾ Body of Sermon:

1 Be humble. 6,7

▾ 1 Be humble. 6,7// Humility is the essence of Jesus earthly ministry. He modeled it and commanded it.

Humility is the essence of Jesus earthly ministry. He modeled it and commanded it.

• 1.1 Either you do and God exalts…If you exalt yourself…? (This reminds us of Jesus' teaching about the first/last)

1.1 Either you do and God exalts…If you exalt yourself…? (This reminds us of Jesus' teaching about the first/last)

• 1.2 Worrisome anxiety is really a species of pride…we think we can do it rather than relying on our God who both created us and works to save us.

1.2 Worrisome anxiety is really a species of pride…we think we can do it rather than relying on our God who both created us and works to save us.

2 Be alert 8,9

▾ 2 Be alert 8,9

• 2.1 Sober-minded and watchful…Do not be defeated by attacks that you should see coming.

2.1 Sober-minded and watchful…Do not be defeated by attacks that you should see coming.

• 2.2 Be a part of the "resistance."

2.2 Be a part of the "resistance."

3 Be Grateful 10,11

▾ 3 Be Grateful 10,11

3.1 God acts to Confirm His call in us. HE is

▾ 3.1 God acts to Confirm His call in us.

3.1 God acts to Confirm His call in us. HE is

• Restoring

• Restoring

• Confirming

• Confirming

• Confirming

• Strengthening

• Strengthening

• Establishing

• Establishing

us!

• 3.2 We respond With with a glad benediction from our hearts.

3.2 We respond With with a glad benediction from our hearts.

Shut Down:

THRIVE...

• We have been studying our faith with Peter since July and we are nearly finished. 1 Peter is one of the most theological books in the NT but is also extremely practical. He reminds us over and over again that if we want to flourish in a hostile culture we must be

biblically grounded,

us over and over again that if we want to flourish in a hostile culture we must be biblically grounded, theologically clear, and functionally focused.

theologically clear,

and

functionally focused.

• Peter also draws a clear picture of what the Christian life will be like when we take our discipleship seriously. We are despised by the dominant culture-but loved by God. We are misunderstood by the world-but instructed by the Spirit. We are opposed by our society-but strengthened by Christ. The fulness of God empowers our daily walk.

misunderstood by the world-but instructed by the Spirit. We are opposed by our society-but strengthened by Christ. The fulness of God empowers our daily walk.

• Don't fear the world and don't fear the Evil one. His angry roaring is a sign of panic in light of His defeat.

• You are called by God to embark on this challenging but eternally rewarding walk. It all can begin today.