Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith… (1 Pet 5:8-9)
As those who have been washed in the blood of the Lamb (Rev 5:6; 7:14; 12:11), we are targets. Who is this most deadly lion likely to catch?
Those who are alone and separated from the flock.
- The practical wisdom behind the example of the early church (Acts 2:41-44).
- The reasoned warning to some of our earliest brethren (Heb 10:19-25).
- The “one another” call for interdependence (James 5:16).
Those who are spiritually weak and ill.
- Spiritual ailments have been a real challenge ever since the first century (1 Cor 11:23-30).
- The urging of Paul still applies to us (1 Thes 5:12-14).
Those who are sluggish to develop, to understand, to believe.
- “By this time you ought to be teachers…” (Heb 5:11-14).
- “Do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Eph 5:15-17).
- “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!” (Luke 24:25)
- “Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord” (Rom 12:9-11).
Those who are careless and foolish.
- “Let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor 10:6-13).
- God has been very straightforward in telling us what he wants for us and from us (Tit 2:11-14).
This was delivered on January 5, 2014.
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