Posted 5 years ago by Anonymous

Summary

“Until He Comes: Stand Firm!” - I Peter 5:6-14

Anyone ever been in an earthquake? When the ground beneath you is moving, it must be hard to stand.

Life is sometimes like an earthquake, with everything we’re depending on seeming to be unsettled.

The good news is that God cannot be shaken! We can stand firm on Him!

2012 Theme: “Until He Comes” - looking for Jesus to come and living according to that perspective.

Until He comes, we can and must stand firm.

I Peter 5:6-12 - Peter’s closing remarks - an exhortation to stand firm.

“stereos” (vs9) - “strong, firm, immovable, solid, hard, rigid, steadfast” (Strong’s).

“histemi” (vs12) - “cause to stand, place, put, set; make firm, fix, establish” (Strong’s).

I)Stand firm against the Devil (vs8-9) Ephesians 6:12

“diabalos” - “false accuser, slanderer” (Strong’s)

“Satan is a lion who may roar, but who has been defanged at the cross” (Gudzik). John 12:31

We stand firm against him by being “sober-minded and watchful,” and by resisting him, “firm in [our] faith.” James 4:7

II)Stand firm in faith (vs9)

The way Satan most often attacks is by lying and questioning our faith. Know what you believe! Know the Word of God!

“Faith” - “trustfulness” - trust God to be who He is and do what He promises. The object of our faith will not falter, so we can stand on Him.

III)Stand firm in suffering (vs9)

We’re not alone in our suffering; others are going through the same (and maybe worse).

Remember to “humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.”

IV)Stand firm until God brings you through (vs10)

If God has called us to His eternal glory in Christ, He will also see us through here and now, one way or another!

Suffering is transient, glory is eternal! Romans 8:18, II Corinthians 4:17-18

“Restore” - “render fit, complete, put in order, perfect, make one what he ought to be” (Strong’s).

“Confirm” - “make stable, render constant” (Strong’s).

“Establish” - “lay the foundation, make stable” (Strong’s).

No wonder Peter broke into doxology (vs11)!

V)Stand firm in God’s grace (vs12)

“True grace of God” - the message of the gospel, the promises of God of which Peter has reminded them, the Word that God spoke through Peter, etc. Stand upon God and His Word.

Romans 5:2

VI)Stand firm together with other believers, the church (vs13)

We’re in this together, so let’s stand together.

Sometimes we need to hold up those who are weary in the struggle, by prayer and coming along side as God enables.

We need one another; we need you!

Until He comes, let us stand firm, resisting Satan, trusting God, expecting His grace, holding one another up!