05-31-20 – “1st Peter Review and a Look Forward to 2nd Peter“ – Bill J

05-31-20 - “1st Peter Review and a Look Forward to 2nd Peter“ - Bill J Last week JD walked through 5:1-11 Peter wrote instruction for Elders as Shepherds over God’s flock that has been entrusted to them. Shepherds: Love the Sheep - Care for the Sheep - Watch over the Sheep – Serve the Sheep! As His Shepherds we lay our life down for the Sheep.  We Teach, Correct, Disciple, Mentor, Counsel, Lead, Guide, Direct, Protect, Tend to needs and Feed them. We all Humble ourselves as we relate to each other! God’s Sheep follow the Shepherd!  Shepherd’s lead by example as they follow Christ.   Paul said: “Follow me as I follow Christ”... ...because Jesus is our example of a Servant Leader! We all submit to the authority God has placed over us because we submit to God! Here’s the thing... You all have someone that’s following you!   Looking up to you for leadership! We’re all called to go and make disciples! How will you humbly serve and disciple him or her into a closer relationship with Jesus? Isn’t that what doing life together is all about? How are we as Pastors and Elders of FBCF, shepherding you to be able to come along side your brother or sister and disciple them?  Then Peter gave a warning:  STAY ALERT!! Your enemy the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion seeking whom he can devour! It’s what happened to Officer Chauvin to kill George Floyd AND those involved in turning protests for justice into riots and looting!   No coincidence that as covid-19 begins to bring our nation together that this happened!  Stand firm against the devil! Be Strong in your faith! Understand this: In Christ, You Can!! Regardless of what it looks like on the outside, it’s all a spiritual battle! Satan knows he can’t steal your salvation, but he’s all about stealing your joy and destroying your life and your witness for Jesus! Vs10-11 ~ 10 In his kindness God called you (niv- The God of ALL GRACE called you) to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.  11 All power to him forever! Amen.    ~ Preach that prayer to yourself when you’re feeling beat down!!  I absolutely love how God through His Word & by His Spirit always informs, encourages, instructs, restores, sustains and keeps us on a firm foundation that will never be shaken or fall!  And that firm foundation is Jesus ~ our Lord and Savior! All power to Him forever Indeed! Let’s walk on through the last few verses of Ch 5 and I’ll throw you a few nuggets of what we’ll be getting into in 2 Peter starting next week!  1 Peter 5:12-14nlt ~ I have written and sent this short letter to you with the help of Silas, whom I commend to you as a faithful brother. My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that what you are experiencing is truly part of God’s grace for you. Stand firm in this grace. 13 Your sister church here in Babylon sends you greetings, and so does my son Mark. 14 Greet each other with a kiss of love. Peace be with all of you who are in Christ. 1Peter 5:12a ~ I have written and sent this short letter to you with the help of Silas, whom I commend to you as a faithful brother. Silas ministered with Peter, and many believe he probably was the scribe for Peter writing this letter and was one of those that delivered it to the churches in Asia Minor.