June 21, 2015... "Humble for the Fight" 1 Peter 5:6-11... Pastor David Doster

“Humble for the Fight    1 Peter 5:6-11 ......   Pastor David Doster                                                                                                                                          

   I. Fight the good fight                                                                                                         (Introduction)                                                                                                                                                                          “But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.  Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”               1 Timothy 6:11-12                                                                                                   

II. Humility conquers fear                                                                                                      (verses 6-7)    “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to    be moved.”                        Psalm 55:22

III. No to your enemy                                                                                                              (verses 8-9)

•Bizarre or violently irrational evil behavior, especially in opposition to gospel or to Christians (Mark 1:24, Acts 16:16-18)

•Malicious slander and falsehood in speech    (John 8:44; 1 John 4:1-3)

•Increasing bondage to self-destructive behavior  (Mark 5:5)

•Stubborn advocacy of false doctrine (1 John 4:1-6)

•Sudden and unexplained onslaught of emotions (such as fear, hatred, depression, anxiety, violent anger)  

    “Christians must resist, expecting that the enemy will flee, God’s kingdom will advance, they will grow in faith and holiness through conflict, and God will take Satan’s plans for evil and turn them to their good.”                              Wayne Grudem

 IV. God of all grace                             (verses 10-11)

V. Through gates of splendor                                                                                          (Application)