Growing More Grounded
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction
Introduction
Rooted & Grounded Theme.
5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
SEVEN TRUTHS FROM 1 Peter 5:5-11 that will help you grow to be more grounded in your walk with Christ.
Submitting to Each Other
Submitting to Each Other
Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
“Be Subject” = ὑποτάσσω hypotassō — to become subordinate, to rank under, to become subject to, to subject oneself, submission in the sense of voluntary yielding in love
“Be Clothed with Humility”
“[The root word] Egkomboma refers to the white scarf or apron of slaves. It is quite probable that Peter here is thinking of what Jesus did (John 13:4) when he girded himself with a towel and taught the disciples, Peter in particular (John 13:9), the lesson of humility (John 13:15). Peter had at last learned the lesson (John 21:15-19).
Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
ILLUSTRATION — D.L. Moody was the most famous evangelist in the world in the late 1800s. People came from around the world to attend his Bible Conferences in Northfield, Massachusetts. One year a large group of pastors from Europe were among the attendees. They were given rooms in the dormitory of the Bible school. As was the custom in Europe, the men put their shoes outside the door of their room, expecting them to be cleaned and polished by servants during the night.
Of course there were no servants in the American dorm, but as Moody was walking through the halls and praying for his guests, he saw the shoes and realized what had happened. He mentioned the problem to a few of his students, but none of them offered to help. Without another word, the great evangelist gathered up the shoes and took them back to his own room where he began to clean and polish each pair. Moody told no one what he had done, but a friend who interrupted him in the middle of shining the shoes and helped him finish the task later told the story of what had happened. Despite the praise and fame he received because of God’s blessing on his life and ministry, Moody remained a humble man.
Jesus Christ, the Son of God and King of Heaven, had the right to honor, praise, and worship. Yet to be our Saviour, He laid all of His privileges aside and became a lowly servant. We often hear people talk of living as Jesus lived, and while He truly is the model for us to follow, many who speak of following Him are unwilling to give up their rights and reflect His humility. We will never be like Jesus unless we are humble and lowly.
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Are there some areas in which you have refused to yield yourself, your rights, out of love for Christ’s first love — the church?
Your seat
Your parking spot
Your role
Your recognition
Your preferences
Your opinion
Your agenda
If all of God’s people practiced this process, church conflicts would cease overnight
(Submitting to Each Other)
Surrendering the Ego
Surrendering the Ego
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
“Humble” = ταπεινόω tapeinoō — to become humble in attitude, to bow beneath the hand of God
Surely he scorneth the scorners: But he giveth grace unto the lowly.
Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
ILLUSTRATION — When J. Wilbur Chapman was in London, he had an opportunity to meet General Booth, who at that time was past eighty years of age. Dr. Chapman listened reverently as the old general spoke of the trials and the conflicts and the victories. Then the American evangelist asked the general if he would disclose his secret for success.
“He hesitated a second,” Dr. Chapman said, “and I saw the tears come into his eyes and steal down his cheeks, and then he said, ‘I will tell you the secret. God has had all there was of me. There have been men with greater brains than I, men with greater opportunities; but from the day I got the poor of London on my heart, and a vision of what Jesus Christ could do with the poor of London, I made up my mind that God would have all of William Booth there was. And if there is anything of power in the Salvation Army today, it is because God has all the adoration of my heart, all the power of my will, and all the influence of my life.’”
Dr. Chapman said he went away from that meeting with General Booth knowing that, “the greatness of a man’s power is the measure of surrender.”
God has a plan and a purpose — the better way to live is surrendered to that plan
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
(Submitting to Each Other)
(Surrendering the Ego)
Shedding Exasperations
Shedding Exasperations
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
“Casting” = ἐπιρίπτω epiriptō — to propel something from one place to another, throw, to transfer one’s concerns, cast upon
And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon.
Object Lesson — Casting your cares
Throw one thing at a time at a volunteer — once I have cast it, it no longer is in my possession, I am no longer carrying it
Throw the entire box/bag at a volunteer — the verse tells me to cast all my care onto Him
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Are you carrying your cares, or casting them?
(Submitting to Each Other)
(Surrendering the Ego)
(Shedding Expectations)
(Shedding Exasperations)
Sharpened Expectations
Sharpened Expectations
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
We must have a sound mind
We must be watchful
We have an adversary (opponent in lawsuit)
He is a lier and a slanderer (devil)
He is a ravenous predator
He is on the prowl
And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
He is searching for someone to devour and destroy
And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.
ILLUSTRATION — In 1896, Norman “Kid” McCoy was the welterweight boxing champion. In one of his fights, he learned that his opponent was deaf. McCoy finally discovered this; and as they were nearing the end of the third round, McCoy stepped back and pointed to his opponent’s corner indicating that the bell had rung. When his opponent turned his head, McCoy unloaded a powerful blow and knocked him out. It wasn’t fair, but it was very effective.
Satan does not fight fair — he’s just waiting for you to give him an opening that he can exploit.
(Submitting to Each Other)
(Surrendering the Ego)
(Shedding Expectations)
(Shedding Exasperations)
(Sharpened Expectations)
Standing Effectively
Standing Effectively
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
We are to firmly and steadfastly resist and oppose the Devil. Never letting him gain an inch.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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. 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. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
ILLUSTRATION — Never underestimate the enemy. Never let down your guard. Never give him an opportunity.
During the Battle of Spotsylvania in the Civil War, Union general John Sedgwick was inspecting his troops. At one point he came to a parapet, over which he gazed out in the direction of the enemy. His officers suggested that this was unwise and perhaps he ought to duck while passing the parapet. “Nonsense,” snapped the general. “They couldn’t hit an elephant at this distance.” As the words left his mouth, Sedgwick fell to the ground, mortally wounded.
(Submitting to Each Other)
(Surrendering the Ego)
(Shedding Expectations)
(Shedding Exasperations)
(Sharpened Expectations)
(Standing Effectively)
Suffering Experienced
Suffering Experienced
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
For the Christian, trials and tribulations are inevitable.
Those that would preach otherwise are preaching lies and foolishness.
QUOTE — “Faith for my deliverance is not faith in God. Faith means, whether I am visibly delivered or not, I will stick to my belief that God is love. There are some things only learned in a fiery furnace.”— Oswald Chambers
Apostle Paul was no stranger to Suffering
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
ILLUSTRATION — A young woman named Anne Steele had encountered one trial and disappointment after another. Her mother died when she was three, and when she was nineteen she suffered a severe hip injury that left her an invalid. Eventually she fell in love and was engaged to be married, but the day before the wedding her fiancé drowned.
Later Anne Steele penned the following song:
Father, whate’er of earthly bliss Thy sovereign will denies,
Accepted at Thy throne of grace, let this petition rise:
Give me a calm, a thankful heart, from every murmur free!
The blessings of Thy grace impart, and make me live to Thee.
(Submitting to Each Other)
(Surrendering the Ego)
(Shedding Expectations)
(Shedding Exasperations)
(Sharpened Expectations)
(Standing Effectively)
(Suffering Experienced)
Settled & Entire
Settled & Entire
But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
“Make you Perfect” = καταρτίζω katartizō — restore, make the final adjustment — putting all the parts into right relation and connection. Used to describe mending the nets, restoring a erring brother, perfecting for use.
It seems a fitting word, in which I picture God mending and restoring the one who has been battered and broken through the sufferings of life, so that He can be used once again
“Stablish” = στηρίζω stērizō — to cause to be inwardly firm or committed, confirm, establish, strengthen
But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.
Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
“Strengthen” = σθενόω sthenoō — strengthen, make strong
“Settle” = θεμελιόω themelioō — to lay a foundation, to provide a secure basis for the inner life and its resources, establish, strengthen
It is God that girdeth me with strength, And maketh my way perfect.
My flesh and my heart faileth: But God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Are you submitting to others? Do you put the interests of other believers ahead of your own? Do you have the humble mind of God?
Are you surrendered to God’s plan and purpose for your life?
Are you casting your cares on Him, or are you keeping some for yourself?
Are you keeping a sound mind and a watchful eye for the Devil’s attacks?
Are you standing effectively against His advances, and against sin and temptation, or has he gotten a foothold into your life?
Are you suffering some things for Jesus? Are you resting in Him in the midst of difficulties and trials?
Are you allowing God to mend you, perfect you, establish you, and strengthen you? Are you placing yourself in an environment that God can use to do so?
INVITATION: HEADS BOWED, EYES CLOSED —
ALTAR CALL [STAND] — Piano plays — Randy Leads
If you are here this morning and you aren’t sure you know Jesus as you personal Saviour, it would be our joy to take a Bible and show you how you can know you have eternal life — when we start to sing, you step out from your seat and come forward, and I’ll introduce you to someone who can answer your questions from the Bible
If you are here this morning, and God’s convicted your heart and shown you that there needs to be a change in your heart and mind, or your behaviors in life — it’s time to respond to Him — when we start to sing, you step out and come pray at this altar, give it over to God, and surrender to His perfect peace today.
As we sing, you step out of your seat, and come.