PREPARED FOR ACTION A Study from 1 Peter JoLynn Gower 352-2458 493-6151 jgower@guardingthetruth.org

WORD FOR THE JOURNEY 1 Peter 1:13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Mind: dianoia: through understanding, perception 1 Peter 4:1 Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose… 1 Peter 4:5….but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

DEAD MARTYRS or DIED LOVING GOD? 1 Peter 4:6 For the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God. For this purpose: eis touto: to this end 1 Peter 4:7 The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Sound judgment: sophroneo: sensible or right mind Mark 5:15 They came to Jesus and observed the man who had been demon-possessed sitting down, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had had the "legion"; and they became frightened.

THE MINDSET 1 Peter 4:7 The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Be sober (watchful) in prayers There is a spiritual element to this sobriety 1 Thessalonians 5:6 so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. 1 Thessalonians 5:8 … let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. 2 Timothy 4:5 But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship 1 Peter 1:13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit 1 Peter 5:8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

THE VALUE OF PRAYER Good judgment fuels purposeful prayer Good judgment…sound mind Titus 1:7-8 For the overseer must be above reproach as God's steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled… Romans 12:1-2 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

ABOUT COMFORT ZONES 1 Peter 4:8 Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Fervent: ektenes: stretched, extended, intense Love: agape: benevolence; putting another’s interest before your own Proverbs 19:11 A man's discretion makes him slow to anger, And it is his glory to overlook a transgression. Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all transgressions.

HOSPITALITY or FELLOWSHIP 1 Peter 4:9 Be hospitable to one another without complaint. Hospitable: philoxinos: foreign alien, stranger, new Acts 2:42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Fellowship: koinonia: sharing participation…like-minded; companionship in which something is held in common During times of persecution, this attitude of helping others who may be escaping trials was especially important to the church

USING YOUR GIFTS 1 Peter 4:10 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Employ: diakoneo: act as a minister; deacon Stewards: oikonomos: someone who handles the affairs or assets of another; an overseer 1 Corinthians 4:1-2 Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy. Trustworthy: pistis: reliable, faithful

GLORIFYING GOD 1 Peter 4:11 Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Matthew 5:16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.

SPEAKING AND SERVING When you speak, it should be as one speaking for God as His representative In your service, you should be acting as an ambassador for Christ Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead… 1 Peter 1:7… so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;