DEFEATING DIFFICULTIES

January 10    Defeating Difficulties       1 Peter 1:13-19

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… God's Word tells us what we can also do to defeat even overwhelming difficultiesTop of Form  “Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’ Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect”     (1 Peter 1:13-19 NIV).                   Everyone suffered inconvenience, discomfort, or difficulty in this life. Have we reacted to it, just in the same way, with the ordinary person in this world? How should we face false accusation? How should we react when we are treated unjustly? If we suffer opposition, oppression, or persecution, what should we do? Or, if we are suffering pain, trials, or difficulties in our Christian life, is there anything we can do aside from asking for God’s help? Actually, in God’s Word we find many ways how to triumph over trials. So this time, we will learn to defeat overwhelming difficulties, which is my topic for today, as we go through today (1Pe1:13-19). So, what are the things – at least 3 things – we can do to defeat overwhelming difficulties in our Christian life? Peter, who once denied Jesus, prayed that his faith would not fail. We have to do the same thing. The very foundation of our Christian existence is FAITH. All of us recognize the overwhelming difficulties that exist in this lost and decaying world. He told his people and he tells us today, at least three things to defeat difficulties.  When we walk in FAITH and recognize God’s great love for us, then we can concentrate on being an “OVERCOMER!!!” The first one is to BE HOPEFUL (verse 13). Verse 13 states, “Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.” Peter encouraged the suffering believers then to “set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.” He told them to have “minds that are alert and fully sober” – not only “quick to notice any unusual and potentially dangerous or difficult circumstances,” so they can avoid them, but also vigilant for the coming of Christ. He also told them to have their minds “fully sober” or “self-controlled” – not to be affected by any undesirable situation. Rather, they should look forward for the blessings or grace they would enjoy at the appearance of Jesus Christ. Peter encouraged them to be hopeful. When we suffer big or various trials, do we hope that all of them would just disappear? Or, do we hope that we just “rest in peace”? Or, if someone would trouble us, do we hope for him to “rest in peace”? Or, do we hope to find a human solution to solve our difficulties? Why not just, “set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming?” The second thing that we can do to defeat difficulties is to BE HOLY (verses 14-16). “As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” Peter reminds us that, as believers, we will suffer persecutions and difficulties. Our duty, our responsibility, is to remain obedient. And he impressed on them that God, who called them is holy, so they need also to “be holy in all you do” – they need also to show their holiness in their performance, they need to really obey. They should have now godly desire. Not only they should no longer entertain lustful desire, but they should not also entertain the desire to get even with those who persecute them.  And finally the third thing that we can do to defeat our difficulties is to BE A SOJOURNER (verse 17). We read in verses 17, “Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.” Notice the last part, “…live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.” Peter told the believers who were facing or would face persecution, and the Heavenly Father would provide the power to overcome the difficulties.  Folks, we are strangers in a foreign land, and we are to act accordingly.  Do not, because of worldly condemnation and trials, allow Satan to harm your witness!  Sadly, in recent days, well-meaning and devoted individuals have truly harmed their witness for Christ, by their actions.  Please recognize that the happenings of this world are what they are, and that we cannot and will not stop the process of evil that has overtaken our land. We, however, have the opportunity to share Jesus and to change the lives, the outlook, and the Eternal status of the individual!!  So, we, as true followers of Christ, must remain focused on what is real and just and edifying to God.  We must be HOPEFUL in the promises of God, we must remain HOLY in the face of, seemingly, ignorance and hatred, we must recognize that this is not our home; we are just SOJOURNERS IN A FOREIGN LAND!  So, Stay Strong, Stay Focused and live your life with the HOPEFUL ASSURANCE of the ETERNAL VICTORY that AWAITS the TRUE FOLLOWER OF CHRIST!  Really and Truly…THE BEST IS YET TO BE! (**By the blessing of earthly birth, I am an American; but, by the Grace of God, I am a Citizen of HEAVEN…How about you?)