Discipline Yourselves, Keep Alert

5-17-26

Hoonah-Hadley

1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11

Call to Worship Psalm 68:1-10, 33-36

Daily Verse 1 Peter 5:8 NRSV

Discipline Yourselves, Keep Alert

8 “Discipline yourselves; keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour.” As is standard, God’s word is living and active, sharper than any double edge sword, dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is powerful, purposeful, diligent, determined and will fulfill the purpose for which He sent it. In an ever-changing world that caters to the moral compass of the day, God’s word is unchanging, it is certain, tried, tested and true, it is complete, it is eternal. It has direction, it is a guiding light in dark places, it is rain on a dry and barren landscape. It is rest for a troubled soul, hope when tragedy strikes, comfort when bad news arrives at your doorstep. It is a friend when all seems lost, your advocate when you are tried justly or unjustly. It is the door that opens when you knock, the ear that hears your prayer in the 3rd watch. The NRSV, The New Revised Standard Version reads, “Discipline yourselves; keep alert.” The KJV, King James Versions says, “Be sober, be vigilant”, and the NIV, New International Version says “Be self-controlled and alert.” Discipline, sober, vigilant, self-controlled and alert. This is not milky toast stuff, fair to midland, child’s play. This is spiritual warfare, the battlefield of the mind, heart and soul. It is a business meeting, our Father’s business, by, and through His Son, with His Helper, the Holy Spirit. A chord of 3 is not easily broken and our triune God is never defeated, never. When all seemed lost and the devil was ready to raise his banner, the stone was rolled away and behold an empty tomb. Discipline yourselves, keep alert.

-2-

“Like a roaring lion, your adversary the devil…” Adversary is enemy, one who opposes another with animosity. Animosity is long-standing, deep-seated hostility, enmity. Enmity: Deep rooted mutual hatred. You get the idea. Genesis 3:15 “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he shall bruise your head and you shall bruise his heal.” The New Living Translation uses the word “enemy”. “From now on you and the woman will be enemies, and your offspring and her offspring will be enemies. He will crush your head and you will strike his heal.” We are being thorough here to stir you, to remind you, to awaken you to the battle at hand. We live in a land where darkness, evil, the enemy, the devil is subtle, deceitful, shades of grey, not so black and apparent as he is in many foreign lands. Romans 8:6-8 “For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God…So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” Carnal is relating to sensual desires and appetites. Earthly, temporal. Sensual is having no moral or spiritual interest, worldly. Listen to some highlights from the Epistle of Jude, only one chapter. “To those who are called…you contend earnestly for the faith…But I want to remind you…that the Lord having saved the people…afterward destroyed those who did not believe…contending with the devil…they corrupted themselves. Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah…they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water…late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots…whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit. But you, beloved…”

-3-

Matthew 6:13 the model prayer, the Lord’s prayer. “And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil…” Do you see the progression of a thing? Temptation comes first, it leads to evil, not always, but it may. One of the themes of the Lord’s prayer first of all, it is the “red letters”, the words of our Savior. He is teaching us the necessity of prayer but also, how to pray. Why? Because He knows our nature, He knows there is an enemy that is evil, He knows how he operates, he tempts us, and He knows that that temptation is deceitful. In many foreign lands evil is evil, it often looks evil. Here in America, it’s not so apparent. It comes in a million different flavors, colors, is convenient, comfortable and is usually ½ price or 2 for 1. We would be in error here if we didn’t mention the coveted glaze donut, often found in the basement of churches during men’s breakfasts. I mean, isn’t that what the Lord’s prayer teaches us, and do not lead us into temptation” ? 1 Peter 4:12 “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you.” Folks often get angry with God and turn away from Him when trials come. He tells us here there will be trying times, don’t be surprised by them. John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Write this one on the tablet of your heart. Don’t think it “strange” when fiery trials come upon you, it’s part of the program, look unto Jesus “that…you may have peace.” Your peace, or lack thereof is evidence of your walk with Christ. 1 Peter 4:13-14 “But rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s suffering, that…you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.” Christ arms you for the fiery trials of life, be disciplined.

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In the flesh, in the world the devil has us avoiding tribulation at all cost. Compromise comes to mind. Can’t we all get along? No, we cannot. Even the church has compromised the truth for a lie. Romans 1:24-25 “Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies…who exchanged the truth of God for the lie…” God among other things is a comforter, (see 2 Cor. 1:4) but He doesn’t tell us life will be comfortable, easy and convenient. That’s a lie from the pit of hell. Buckle your chinstraps and don’t think it strange when the fiery trial comes upon you, discipline yourselves, keep alert. 1 Peter 5:6 “Therefore humble yourselves under them mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.” Another sermon, another book, a lifetime exercise, a reminder, humility is massive in God’s economy. Matt. 23:12 “And whoever exalts themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Real simple red letters on white pages, applying it in a world that promotes self, not so easy, billions of dollars in an economy that says, “look at me”. One of the key characteristics of our equation today, humility. Therefore, humble yourselves. Vs. 7 “Casting all your cares upon Him for He cares for you.” When all seems lost, broken and without hope, He cares for you, give it to Him. Vs. 8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” 1st of all, devouring lions sneak up on their prey, the devil isn’t a lion, he’s a snake. Roaring is one of his methods to strike fear into us causing us to doubt, question our faith, he wants to “devour” our faith and does so by distracting us. Our 1st line of defense, Vs. 9 “Resist him, standing firm in the faith.” Vs. 10 “…God who called us…after you have suffered a little while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.” Discipline Yourselves, Keep Alert! Amen!