Standing Firm

1 Peter 5.7-14

pdf., power point, & audio available at karenvineyard.org

What causes us to lose our footing?vv.7-9

Giving place to anxietyLack of clear thinkingNot resisting evilOverwhelmed by sufferings

“Our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only

empties today of its strength.” Charles H. Spurgeon

“Anxiety's like a rocking chair.

It gives you something to do, but it doesn't get

you very far.” ― Jodi Picoult

Jesus’ care for Peter

Healed Peter’s mother-in-law (Mark 1:29–31).

Gave him a great catch of fish (Luke 5:1–11).Paid his temple tax (Matt. 17:24–27).Helped him walk on the water (Matt. 14:22–

33).Repaired the damage he did to the ear of

Malchus (Luke 22:50–51).Delivered Peter from prison (Acts 12).

He will not work for us until He has worked in us.

As we allow Jesus to work in us He will alter our expectations of how he

will work for us .

Resistance is Standing Firm ivv.8–9

Peter’s personal Experience

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you,

Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen

your brothers.” Luke 22.31-32

Resistance creates Spiritual Traction

Security Consultants“Being aware of our surroundings”

Satan is Limited

Satan is limited in authority.Satan is limited in knowledge.Satan is limited in power.Satan is limited in presence.

The enemy’s strategy is to . . .

Hijack our imaginationsKidnap our emotionsLie about our identity & purposeSteal our spiritual appetiteAssault our thought lifeDrain our energy

Wrong Ways To Do Battle

1.Allowing Satan to choose the battleground2.Carrying on a conversation with the enemy 3.Crediting the enemy with too much power 4.Praying against Satan instead of to God 5.Engaging in spiritual warfare that involved endless spiritual mapping

adapted from Leanne Payne

Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm.

Ephesians 6.10-14

Standing firm affirms our identityvv.10–14

“restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast v.10“stand fast in the true grace of God” v.12

“ . . . continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. Colossians 1.23 we will not be “tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine”

Ephesians 4:14)

Grace reinforces our Identity

Our salvation is because of His grace. (1 Peter 1:10)

He called us before we called on Him. (1 Peter 1:2)

We have “tasted that the Lord is gracious” so we are not afraid of anything that He purposes for us.

(1 Peter 2:3)

Grace reinforces our Identity

His grace has “various forms” and meets every situation of life. (1 Peter 4:10)

Grace means our present suffering is limited, out future glory is limitless.

(1 Peter 4:10)Now we must stand in that grace

(1 Peter 5:12)

“Therefore anyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into

practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”

Matthew 7.24