Standing Firm 1 Peter pdf., power point, & audio available at karenvineyard.org

What causes us to lose our footing? vv.7-9  Giving place to anxiety  Lack of clear thinking  Not resisting evil  Overwhelmed by sufferings

“Our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength.” Charles H. Spurgeon

“Anxiety's like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you very far.” ― Jodi Picoult

Jesus’ care for Peter Healed Peter’s mother-in-law (Mark 1:29– 31). Gave him a great catch of fish (Luke 5:1–11). Paid his temple tax (Matt. 17:24–27). Helped him walk on the water (Matt. 14:22– 33). Repaired the damage he did to the ear of Malchus (Luke 22:50–51). Delivered Peter from prison (Acts 12).

He will not work for us until He has worked in us. As we allow Jesus to work in us He will alter our expectations of how he will work for us.

Resistance is Standing Firm i vv.8–9

Peter’s personal Experience “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Luke

Resistance creates Spiritual Traction

Security Consultants “Being aware of our surroundings”

Satan is Limited Satan is limited in authority. Satan is limited in knowledge. Satan is limited in power. Satan is limited in presence.

The enemy’s strategy is to...  Hijack our imaginations  Kidnap our emotions  Lie about our identity & purpose  Steal our spiritual appetite  Assault our thought life  Drain our energy

Wrong Ways To Do Battle 1.Allowing Satan to choose the battleground 2.Carrying on a conversation with the enemy 3.Crediting the enemy with too much power 4.Praying against Satan instead of to God 5.Engaging in spiritual warfare that involved endless spiritual mapping adapted from Leanne Payne

Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm. Ephesians

Standing firm affirms our identity vv.10–14

“restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast v.10 “stand fast in the true grace of God” v.12 “... continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. Colossians 1.23 we will not be “tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine” Ephesians 4:14)

Grace reinforces our Identity  Our salvation is because of His grace. (1 Peter 1:10)  He called us before we called on Him. (1 Peter 1:2)  We have “tasted that the Lord is gracious” so we are not afraid of anything that He purposes for us. (1 Peter 2:3)

Grace reinforces our Identity  His grace has “various forms” and meets every situation of life. (1 Peter 4:10)  Grace means our present suffering is limited, out future glory is limitless. (1 Peter 4:10)  Now we must stand in that grace (1 Peter 5:12)

“Therefore anyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Matthew 7.24