ENCOURAGING SAINTS IN STRESS

 

1 Peter 1:1-5:14

 

INTRODUCTION

 

  1. 1 Peter 1:6 reveals the situation of those to whom Peter wrote. The saints were in stress, and Peter wrote to encourage them.
  2. When we recall that Peter's words are inspired of God, we'd do well to use the format when we attempt to encourage a saint in stress!
  3. Let's think our way through this little five-chapter epistle, fully realizing we can't consider ALL of the little encouragements, but we can consider some of main ones.
  4. Especially should we notice the order in which each encouragement is presented?

 

DISCUSSION

 

I. A REMINDER OF THE INCORRUPTIBLE INHERITANCE WE HAVE IN CHRIST (1:3,4,18-20; 2:9110).

 

  1. A review of our "position" in Christ is always refreshing.
  2. Heaven and its blessings are among the top blessings (1:4).
  3. The past, present, and future aspects of God's care will pick discouraged saint up the most.
  4. A REMINDER OF GOD'S POWER (1: 5) .

 

  1. Remember Ephesians 3:16.
  2. Recently, we devoted a whole meeting to God's power. Remember,
    1. It is ours (Romans 8:11; 2 Cor. 5:17; Eph. 1:19-22).
    2. We can overcome all urges to sin and solicitations as well (Phil. 4:13). 3. Deliverance is possible from all types of sin. Even the following: Drugs, tobacco, gluttony, alcoh01, temper, lusts, pride, love of money, laziness, and even discouragement itself!

 

III. A REMINDER OF THE TEMPORARINESS OF STRESS (1:6; 5:10).

 

  1. Like clouds, stress comes and goes! Thank God for that!
  2. Generally, all that is necessary is that we wait!
  1. c. Just as physical damage requires time to heal itself, so does the psychological.
  1. Even in situational stresses, time usually reveals the right course to take.
  2. As soon as the lesson is learned, or the course made clear, the stress is often removed (1 Peter 5:10).
  3. Remember, stress brings quality to our lives (1:7).
  4. Stress merely tests the metal!
  5. Stress also teaches us to keep our eyes on the Lord, and not mankind (1:8).

 

IV. ENCOURAGE THE "STRESSED SAINT" TO:

 

  1. Be sober (1:13). should never run should never run of God.
  2. Be hopeful (1:13). Because the saint knows God is in charge, he should never give up hope! In an instant, God can change things around.
  3. Be obedient (1:14), NOT WORLDLY! We tend to begin doing' things the world's way when things don't go our way. So, things just get worse and worse.

 

Under stress, we tend to become "emotional." Our emotions out from under the control of our minds: and our minds out from under the control of the Holy Spirit and the Word

 

  1. Be holy (1:15) in all areas of life. Under stress, the lower nature tends to break out of the chains of holiness and express itself. Things just get worse in the long run, (Proverbs 7:18,27).
  2. Be Prayerful (1:17). It resolves the anxiety that often results in the struggle between the two natures.
  3. Be loving (1:22) to all the saints - feverently! It takes fervent love to put up with some people -- especially when in stress yourself!
  4. Resolve all anger (2:1,2) and study God's Word.
    1. Anger is an emotion. Emotion blocks the thinking processes.
    2. Generally, no decisions should be made in anger. They're usually wrong.
    3. The washing of the word of God generally helps one's thinking when hurting.
    4. Remember the "wicker basket" illustration.
  5. Abstain from fleshly lusts (2:11).
    1. Recall 1: 14,15. When stress increases, we tend to "break out" with our own form of sinful pleasure to sooth the stress.
    2. Invariably, the fulfillment of fleshly lusts simply compound most problems, and makes our suffering worse in the long run.
  6. Obey man's laws (2:13-16).
    1. If our stress is with mankind, we often get mad at society and attempt to get even with the Law by disobeying it. It "scratches some internal itch" if we can get away with it.
    2. But, again, time has proven that nothing is bettered, but worsened.
  7. Take wrong patiently (2:19-20). If you do, God will come to your aid.
  8. Work hard at harmonious family relations (3:1-12).
    1. Regardless of how we say we believe this, it isn't very visible today!
    2. This is one reason we lack God's blessings (3:7).
  9. Maintain a good, clean, clear conscience (3:16).
    1. This is one of the greatest contributors to an optimistic mental attitude.
    2. A guilty conscience is also the greatest contributor to a pessimistic mental attitude.
  10. Resist the devil (5:9) with the Word of God.
    1. Often we don't even know when the devil
    2. When we sense his work we must confront doing so until he releases his hold and is working. him with God's Word, and keep leaves us alone.

 

V. SOON, GOD WILL LIFT ONE'S BURDENS, AND HIS OR HER SUN WILL SHINE AGAIN (5:10).

 

  1. Then, we'll be glad it happened, on most occasions.
  2. Then, we'll be able to help others who are still in the burden.

 

CONCLUSION

 

  1. While none of us like or enjoy stress, let's.
  2. It is God's refining process to remove dross.
  3. Therefore, it is for our ultimate good.
  4. Remember Romans 8:28,29. not FEAR it. from our lives.