Victorious Faith. (416)
By Keith HeltsleyPosted on

God will strengthen and restore the faithful.

We like the stories of individuals who started with nothing, and through their own discipline and determination built an empire.

  • when facing difficulties and opposition, we are not left alone.
  • when we drop the selfmade approach to faith and rely on God: we experience the ultimate victory.

1 Peter 5:6-11 (HCSB)
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time,
7 casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you.
8 Be serious! Be alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.
9 Resist him and be firm in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.
10 Now the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will personally restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little.
11 The dominion belongs to Him forever. Amen.

Question

  • When was the last time you had to just grin and bear it?

We are often in need of strength and restoration. Ask for His Spirit to strengthen you

1 Humble Submission.
1 Peter 5:6-7 HCSB

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, 7 casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you.

Question

  • What’s the danger of trying to handle life on your own?
  • physical,
  • emotional,
  • relational,
  • financial, and
  • spiritual

When we worry, we are trying to fix things ourselves. We don’t trust the sovereign Creator God to deal with our situation.

That sounds silly when we think about it.

  • God is the one who can create the universe,
  • who died on the cross for my sins,
  • and who rose from the dead to redeem me
  • and the whole of His creation

If ever a person were worthy of trust, it certainly is God. pride gets in the way.

Question

  • What does it mean–and not mean– to humble yourself?

    Transition:
    we’ve seen what it looks like to live humbly in light of who God is. we also need to live as people under attack from a dangerous enemy.

    2 Be Seriously Alert.
    1 Peter 5:8-9 HCSB

    Highlight
    two steps to take to “stand firm in the faithî and resist the Devil:

    1. Know what you believe and why you believe it.
    2. Continue to learn about God and the truths He has revealed, and stand on these truths of the faith.

    resist the Devil and be firm in the faith

    • The Devil is your adversary.
    • How can this knowledge affect the way you live?

    Transition:
    Though we may come under attack from our enemy, we have a genuine hope of both present support and future restoration because of God.

    3 God’s Restoration.
    1 Peter 5:10-11 HCSB

    encourage

    • How does God’s promise of strength and restoration connects with different seasons of life?
    1. 1. Past: when has God strengthened and restored you?
    2. Present: where do you need strength and restoration now?
    3. Future: what do you anticipate most about your future strength and restoration in eternity?

    Question

    1. How do we manage the tension of longing for restoration while we suffer in the present?

      God will strengthen and restore the faithful.

      Conclusion
      consider the ways to seek strength and restoration through God:

      1. Don’t worry.
        • Be conscious of moments when you experience worry this week.
        • Use these moments as opportunities to express your trust in God.
      2. Be prepared.
    • Categories: Protectors of the Book, Quest for Truth, Religion & SpiritualityTags:

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