JoLynn Gower 352-2458 493-6151 jgower@guardingthetruth.org PREPARED FOR ACTION 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 4:12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; Fiery ordeal: purosis: burning, refining, trial

JOY AND HAPPINESS 1 Peter 4:13…but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. Rejoicing: chairo: calm sense of well-being; a greeting as “be well” Joy: chara: calm happiness or inner sense of peace; does not depend on outer circumstances Happiness: makarios: blessed, fortunate; often depends on external circumstances When is the revelation of His glory?

STICKS AND STONES… 1 Peter 4:14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. Reviled: oneidizo: defamed, insulted, taunted, reproached Matthew 5:11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.” Matthew 11:20 Then He began to denounce the cities in which most of His miracles were done, because they did not repent.

THE SPIRIT RESTING …because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. Rests: anapauo: to refresh, to remain Romans 8:13-14 …for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. Romans 8:16-17 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

NOT ALL SUFFERING IS GODLY 1 Peter 4:15-16 Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. Evildoer: kakopoios: a criminal; someone who intentionally does something wrong Troublesome meddler: allotriepiskopos: someone who tries to take over someone elses business; a busybody Christian: Christianos: little Christ; little messiah

BEFORE THEY WERE CHRISTIANS Acts 11:26 …and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. Acts 19:23 About that time there occurred no small disturbance concerning the Way. Acts 24:14 "But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets;” Acts 9:2; Acts 19:9; Acts 24:22

THE TUTOR Galatians 3:24 Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. Matthew 7:13 "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.” John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

WHERE CHANGE BEGINS 1 Peter 4:17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 2 Chronicles 7:13-14 “If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people, and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

REFINING STARTS WITH US Hebrews 12:7 It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? Ezekiel 9:3-5 Then the glory of the God of Israel went up from the cherub on which it had been, to the threshold of the temple. And He called to the man clothed in linen at whose loins was the writing case. The Lord said to him, “Go through the midst of the city, even through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations which are being committed in its midst.” But to the others He said in my hearing, “Go through the city after him and strike; do not let your eye have pity and do not spare.”

THE CONTEMPORARY MINDSET Proverbs 11:31 If the righteous will be rewarded in the earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner! 1 Peter 4:18 And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner? Many early church fathers wrote along these lines: if you have a hard life on earth you will have a good one in heaven…. THROUGHOUT HISTORY, GOD HAS REFINED AND STRENGTHENED THE CHURCH THROUGH PERSECUTION

RELINQUISHING YOUR SPIRIT 1 Peter 4:19 Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right. “Our lives are committed to your hand, and our souls are in your care…” Psalm 31:5 Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have ransomed me, O Lord, God of truth. Luke 23:46 And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, "Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit." Having said this, He breathed His last. John 19:30 …He said, "It is finished!" And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.