Strong, Firm And Steadfast

She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings.
- 1 Peter 5:13

6 For a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.

7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
- 1 Peter 1: 6-7

You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.
- 1 Peter 2:9

Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
- 1 Peter 2:11

Be shepherds of them, watch over them, care for them, not because you must, but because you are willing, eager to serve, not lording it over them, but being a positive example to them.
- 1 Peter 5:2-3 - Paraphrased

And one day, God will reward you for this.
- 1 Peter 5:4

Submit yourselves to your elders.
- 1 Peter 5:5a

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.
- 1 Timothy 4:12

5 …All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another.

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
- 1 Peter 5:5-9

1. Humble Ourselves

1. Cast All Our Anxiety on Him
   

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
- Philippians 4:6

25 Do not worry about your life […]

27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
- Matthew 6:25-27

1. Be Alert and Sober-Minded
   

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
- 1 Corinthians 10:13

1. Resist the Devil and Stand Firm in the Faith
   

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.
- Ephesians 6:12

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

12 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.

14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,

15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
- Ephesians 6:10-17

And the God of all grace, who called you into His eternal glory in Christ after you suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
- 1 Peter 5:10

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Mixer

What does Memorial Day look like in your family? Do you have someone you remember and honor?

‘Neighborly’ - Daily Devotional

To get the Daily Devotionals delivered to you every morning, text ‘dailydevotional’ to 97000.

1. In Middle School Director Cristina Schmitter’s 5/20/21 entry, How’s Your Heart, she takes Pastor Jared’s nightly family tradition and lays down an exercise for us: “How’s [My] Heart?” Do you ever check in with yourself - with all honesty? What if you started asking God that question and allowed Him (Scripture) to tell (confront) you? What could His answer do in your life?

Sermon Questions

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:13, 1:6-7, 2:9, 2:11, 5:2-3, 5:4, 5:5a; 1 Timothy 4:12; 1 Peter 5:5-9; Philippians 4:6; Matthew 6:25-27; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Ephesians 6:12, 6:10-17; 1 Peter 5:10

1. Last week, we talked about “the writing on the wall” - God’s Word is both confirming and confronting. Read 1 Peter 5:2-3 and 5:5a - is God confronting something in you? How does 1 Peter 5:4 motivate you?
2. Pastor Ken brings some Scripture to our attention this week: which verse/passage (or more) hit you with lightbulb understanding, new questions to explore - or truthfully, new challenge?
3. Out of the 4 Challenges/Tasks that Pastor Ken presented, which one is an area where God wants to do a work in you? In light of Jeremiah 29:4-7, how will God’s refinement prosper both you and Babylon?
   • Humble yourselves - don’t be surprised when you are pressed, and don’t rail against it either. What then?
   • Cast all your cares on Jesus - how much do you trust Him? Are you holding back?
   • Be alert and sober-minded (spiritual sobriety) - how will you stay away from moral jeopardy?
   • Resist the devil and stand firm in your faith - who are you really fighting against, and who should you be loving?
4. Read Ephesians 6:10-17 - the Full Armor of God
   • What are the facts of this passage?
   • What are the pieces of armor and how are they a spiritual protection from the schemes of the devil?
   • What do these verses tell you to do?
   • For parents (or elders), what does “suiting up” look like to your children (younger
   • generation)?

Go Deeper - with Goodbook

Dr. Mark Strauss and Pastor Ken Ingold
Week 18 || Chapter 9 || The Book of Revelation

1. Why is the book of Revelation so hard to understand?
2. What the three literary forms does Revelation draw from? What are the characteristics of “Apocalyptic” literature?
3. Who wrote the book of Revelation and from where? How do his circumstances relate to the key themes of the book?
4. To whom was the book written? What were these churches experiencing?
5. Can you name the three different interpretational approaches to the Revelation? What strengths or weaknesses do you see in each?
6. What 4 principles of interpretation were suggested for Revelation? Do you agree with these?
7. What is the central theme of the book of Revelation? How is this theme relevant for the church today? How is it relevant for you personally?

*Are you joining the Goodbook Q&A Zoom on Tuesday evenings? Email ken@thechurchrb.org

Pray

Pray this Memorial Day week for all families who have lost loved ones in service to their country. Remember their sacrifice and honor them, and give glory to God with praise and thanksgiving.

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