Unite
Week 3: Devouring Disunity
1 Peter 5:1-11
1 And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share his glory and his honor when he returns. As a fellow elder, this is my appeal to you: 2 Care for the flock of God entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly -- not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. 3 Don't lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your good example. 4 And when the head Shepherd comes, your reward will be a never-ending share in his glory and honor. 5 You younger men, accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, serve each other in humility, for "God sets himself against the proud, but he shows favor to the humble." 6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and in his good time he will honor you. 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you. 8 Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour. 9 Take a firm stand against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are. 10 In his kindness God called you to his eternal glory by means of Jesus Christ. After you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. 11 All power is his forever and ever. Amen.
Tools Of The Enemy:
- Pride/Ego: "God, I know I'm better than you" (v. 6)
- Worry: "God, I don't trust you" (v. 7)
- Laziness: "God, it's not important" (v. 8)
- "God, I don't believe you" (v. 9)
- Instead of telling God the size of your mountain. Tell the mountain the size of your God.
The Point:
The Enemy wants to tear us apart so that he can tear you apart (v. 8b)
Unity In Christ:
- Glorifies God
-Meets our deep human need
- Displays God to this World
- Protects us from attack
Final Thought:
Jesus' High Priestly Prayer:
John 17:15,20-21; 15 I'm not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one.
20 "I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me because of their testimony. 21 My prayer for all of them is that they will be one, just as you and I are one, Father -- that just as you are in me and I am in you, so they will be in us, and the world will believe you sent me.
Reading Plan:
M: 1 Peter 5
T: John 17
W: 1 John 3
TH: 1 John 4
F: Ephesians 4
S: Psalm 133
- 722 Service Jerry Sweat
Created 11 months ago
