CHRISTIAN DETERMINATION

June 22, 2021

  1. Starting point: 1 Tim. 2:1-6

 

  1. Praying from: 1 PETER 5

 

THE DUTIES OF FEEDING THE FLOCK

“The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:

2     Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

3     Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

4     And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

HUMILITY ENJOINED

        5     Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

6     Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

7     Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

RESISTING THE PEMPTER

8     Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

9     Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

SUFFEING FOR CHRIST

      10     But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

11     To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

FAREWELL WORDS

12     By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.

13     The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.

14     Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.”

  1. THE PASTOR—vv. 1–4

THE DUTIES OF FEEDING THE FLOCK

Not only for the Pastor, but all Christian leaders.

  1. Person—v. 1. An elder, or spiritual leader.
  2. Purpose—v. 2. Feed the flock. Teach God’s Word to man as a calling from God.
  3. Plan—v. 3. Being an example before others.
  4. Pay—v. 4. Christ the Chief Shepherd shall appear and reward all those who have been faithful.
  5. THE PRIDE—vv. 5–6

HUMILITY ENJOINED

  1. Subjection—v. 5. Respect the Pastor and elderly.
  2. Surrender—v. 6. It is wrong to pray for humility. We should humble ourselves before God.

III.   THE PRAYER—v. 7

  1. Cast your troubles upon Christ (Ps. 46:1). He knows all about your troubles.
  2. Cast your temptations upon Christ (1 Cor. 10:13). He will deliver you from temptation.
  3. Cast your trials upon Christ (Rom. 8:28). God has a purpose for all trials and problems.
  4. THE POWER—vv. 8–9

RESISTING THE PEMPTER

  1. Satanic devices—v. 8. Satan seeks to destroy.
  2. Standing determination—v. 9. Stand firm when Satan attacks us.
  3. THE PERFECTION—vv. 10–11

SUFFEING FOR CHRIST

  1. Stablish you. Compare with Matthew 5:48.
  2. Strengthen you. Compare with Philippians 4:13.
  3. Settle you. Compare with 2 Peter 3:8.
  4. THE POSTSCRIPT—vv. 12–14

FAREWELL WORDS

  1. Firm—v. 12. Be firm in what you believe.
  2. Family—v. 13. Peter’s wife and Marcus greet you.
  3. Fellowship—v. 14. Greet each other with a holy kiss.

VII. THE A-MEN OF ROMANS 16:20, 24, 27

16:20   “And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. A-men.”

16:24   “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. A-men.”

16:27   “To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. A-men.”