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 5:7 …casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Clothe yourself with humility: engkomboomai: gird yourself; choose to be humble toward elders James 1:21 Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.

YOU DO IT! Clothe yourself; humble yourself 1 Peter 5:6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time… James wrote about poverty and oppression tempting people to retaliate Peter’s concern is that persecution will cause people to fall away Peter’s point is this: we must be willing to suffer until God provides a way out 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

SEASON OF TRIALS No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man Temptation: peirasmos: temptation; trial; putting to test; discipline; adversity God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able What you are able: huper ho dunasthe: beyond your power; beyond your ability Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 1 Peter 1:6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,

THE WAY OUT …but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. Way of escape: ekbasis: the exit; the outcome; the result Hebrews 13:7 Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. 1 Peter 5:6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time… Exalt: hupsoo: lift up; raise up THIS SPEAKS TO A TRUSTWORTHINESS AS PART OF GOD’S CHARACTER

ANXIETY 1 Peter 5:7 … casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Anxiety: merimna: concern; worry Prayer: proseuche: prayer worship by extension oratory Supplication: deesis: request, entreaty Thanksgiving: eucharistia: gratitude

GOD’S PEACE Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Peace: eirene: welfare; state of being undisturbed Guard: phroureo: to be an advance sentinel; a watcher in front Minds: noema: perception; intellect; mind Opposites: peace – war; peace – anxiety Colossians 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.

DEALING WITH ANXIETY 1 Peter 5:6-7 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. James 4:6-10 ... Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.

GLORIFYING GOD Can you trust God? Is God trustworthy? Can you trust God? Are you able to believe that God will do what He said He will do? In times of stress and anxiety, we need to be able to hear God’s voice and know that its Him 1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. Test: dokimazo: assay, refine

ASKING AND TESTING 1 John 4:2-3 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world. 1 John 2:21-23 I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it, and because no lie is of the truth. Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also.