OVERCOMING THE ENEMY

STUDIES ON 1 PETER


LESSON 22

OVERCOMING THE ENEMY

1 Peter 5:8-11 (KJV)

8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 10But 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. 11To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 5:8-11 (AMP)

8Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [[a]in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour. 9Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset--rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same ([b]identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world. 10And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you. 11To Him be the dominion (power, authority, rule) forever and ever. Amen (so be it).

1. CAUTION – LOOSE LION!

• Be watchful

• Hungry lion looking for someone to eat

2. HOW TO DEFEAT THE ENEMY

• Resist him – withstand him (AMP)

• Steadfast in the faith – be firm in faith

• Against his onset: rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined

• Knowing everyone gets the same treatment

3. HOW GOD WILL HELP

• Imparts favor and blessing

• Has called you to his own eternal glory in Christ Jesus

• Will complete and make you what you ought to be

• Establish, ground, strengthen and settle you

4. HOW TO RESPONDTO GOD’S HELP

• Declare: To him be glory and dominion forever & ever. Amen!

BE AN OVERCOMER THIS WEEK WITH GOD’S HELP WINNING THE VICTORY!


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BE SUBJECT ONE TO ANOTHER - PART 2

STUDIES ON 1 PETER


LESSON 21

BE SUBJECT ONE TO ANOTHER - 2

1 PETER 5:4-7 (KJV)

4And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. 5Likewise, 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. 6Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

1 Peter 5:4-7 Amplified Bible (AMP)

4And [then] when the Chief Shepherd is revealed, you will win the conqueror's crown of glory. 5Likewise, you who are younger and of lesser rank, be subject to the elders (the ministers and spiritual guides of the church)--[giving them due respect and yielding to their counsel]. Clothe (apron) yourselves, all of you, with humility [as the garb of a servant, so that its covering cannot possibly be stripped from you, with freedom from pride and arrogance] toward one another. For God sets Himself against the proud (the insolent, the overbearing, the disdainful, the presumptuous, the boastful)--[and He opposes, frustrates, and defeats them], but gives grace (favor, blessing) to the humble. 6Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you, 7Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.

1. OBEDIENCE BRINGS REWARD

 If we have submitted as we have learned, rewards are ours

 First – we will see the Chief Shepherd, Jesus

 Second – we will receive a crown of glory

2. WHO SUBMITS TO WHO

 Younger to elder

 One to another

3. HOW TO ACT

 Put on humility, as a servant

 With freedom from pride

 Remember - For God sets Himself against the proud

 Remember – (God) gives grace to the humble

 Therefore humble yourselves – so he can exalt you in due time

 Cast all your care upon him for he cares for you

PRACTICE THIS THIS WEEK AND SEE HOW THE LORD REWARDS YOU!

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IT'S ALL RIGHT TO DREAM

"And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.  And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." Luke 21:25-28.

This sounds almost like a daily newspaper, doesn't it?  All around us are people in despair and discouragement.  Sometimes we are the ones affected.  How can we lift up our heads when life seems so heavy?  How can we be happy when bills are overdue, family members are sick and maybe dying, a hurricane or tornado has just destroyed our home, or a thief has just cleaned our our life savings?  For every disease cured, two more take its place.  Wars and natural disasters are becoming common place.  Banks are going bankrupt.  Businesses are failing.  People are losing jobs, homes and hope.  Suicide is up.  Family stability is down. 

What can we do?

I see three things: first, Luke says to look up when we see these things happening.  In biblical language, this means to look to Jesus for personal help.  To do this we must have a personal relationship with him.  We can look up because he literally and sirituallly carried all our discouragements and hopelessness to the cross, paying the ultimate price in his blood.  Law required a life for a life.  Jesus gave his life; now he gives God's mercy. 

Second, Luke says to lift up your heads.  This is only possible if you have new hope through doing the first thing, which is to look to Jesus for help.  To lift up your head means to take hope, stand up straight, square your shoulders and smile.  Now go forward with confidence that you are not alone, you have God's power working with you; no matter what the circumstances and get ready for better times.

This brings us tothe third thing -- The Lord's soon return.  Not only will God change your circumstances or change you so you can deal with those circumstances, he is returning to set up a new order on the Earth where discouragement will no longer rule.  "Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness", says the song writer.  To face discouragement, turn your face toward Jesus.  He is the hope of the world.

(Presented on "Spirit Alive TV Ministry", Insights Into Scripture October 1994; copyright W.G. Blaisure; Program #263 'It's All right To Dream Again")

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BE SUBJECT ONE TO ANOTHER

STUDIES ON 1 PETER


LESSON 20

BE SUBJECT ONE TO ANOTHER

1 PETER 5:1-3 (KJV)

1The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 2Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock.

1 Peter 5:1-3 Amplified Bible (AMP)

1I WARN and counsel the elders among you (the pastors and spiritual guides of the church) as a fellow elder and as an eyewitness [called to testify] of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a sharer in the glory (the honor and splendor) that is to be revealed (disclosed, unfolded): 2Tend (nurture, guard, guide, and fold) the flock of God that is [your responsibility], not by coercion or constraint, but willingly; not dishonorably motivated by the advantages and profits [belonging to the office], but eagerly and cheerfully; 3Not domineering [as arrogant, dictatorial, and overbearing persons] over those in your charge, but being examples (patterns and models of Christian living) to the flock (the congregation).



1. ADDRESSING ELDERS

• Def. : born earlier; superior to others, either by rank or experience

• Exhort = warn & counsel

• Pastors & spiritual guides of the church

• Eyewitness & sharer

 Of the sufferings of Christ

 Of the glory, honor & splendor to be revealed

2. DIRECTIONS

• Feed (tend, nurture, guard, guide & fold) the flock of God

• Responsibility not by constraint or coercion, but willingly

• Not dishonorably motivated for gain and money

• But eagerly & cheerfully

• Not as lords, but as servants and examples to the flock (congregation)



HOW WILL YOU TREAT YOUR FELLOW CHRISTIANS & FAMILY THIS WEEK?

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JUDGMENT AT THE HOUSE OF GOD

STUDIES ON 1 PETER


LESSON 19

JUDGMENT AT GOD’S HOUSE

1 PETER 4:17-19 (KJV)

17For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 19Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

1 PETER 4:17-19 (NLT)

17For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 19Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

1. JUDGMENT

• Definitions:

o #1: the decision arrived at and pronounced by a court of law

o #2: obligation resulting from a verdict

o #3: decision of judge

o #4: decision on disputed matter

o #5: discernment or good sense

o #6: opinion

o #7: estimate based on observation

o #8: judging of something

o #9: divine punishment

2. FIRST

• At the house of God

• Scarcely saved?

3. NEXT

• Where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

4. KEEPING YOUR SOUL

• Suffering according to God’s will

• Commit the keeping of your soul to God – the faithful Creator!

TRUST IN THE LORD FOR HE WILL KEEP YOU SAFE NOW AND FOREVER!

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SUFFERING FOR BEING A CHRISTIAN

STUDIES ON 1 PETER


LESSON 18

1 PETER 4:12-16 (KJV)

12Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 15But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. 16Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

Suffering for Being a Christian

12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 13 Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. 14 So be happy when you are insulted for being a Christian, for then the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. 15 If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. 16 But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name!



1. FIREY TRIALS

 No surprise – why? Look what they did to Jesus

 Not strange – normal

 How do you face them? With joy! Exceeding joy -KJV

 Why? You are then partners with Jesus and will see his glory when it is revealed to the world (and be with him as he is)

2. UNDERSTANDING THIS TYPE OF SUFFERING

 First – the aim of the reproach (KJV) or insult (NLT) is to put down or defame Christ – you just happen to be his representative

 Second – this only means that the Spirit of God is on you

 Third – this brings glory to Christ in that their anger toward him and you shows his work is being effective

3. HOW NOT TO SUFFER

 Don’t suffer for being a murderer, thief, an evildoer or a busybody

4. NO SHAME FOR SUFFERING AS A CHRISTIAN

 Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name!

MAKE SURE THAT IF YOU ARE CHARGED WITH BEING A CHRISTIAN THAT THERE IS ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO CONVICT YOU!

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