1 Peter 5:8-14

Big Idea: The devil’s roar is no match for God’s power. In light of this…

#1: Be alert for the devil’s attacks
v. 8 - Be sober minded, be watchful…

Who is the Devil?

A real, personal, created being, an angel of God who rebelled against God.

He led a kind of insurrection against God, with other angels, and was cast out of heaven.

Revelation 12:9 - And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world - he was thrown down to earth, and his angels were thrown down with him

Jude 6 refers to those angels who did not stay within their position of authority, but left their proper dwelling

The Devil is vehemently against God and God’s people. But he is a defeated foe and he knows it.

Through the cross and resurrection, God has triumphed over Satan and all spiritual evil.

What is the “roar” of Satan?
The threat of suffering or any real suffering by which he tries to get people to deny Christ.
v. 9 - “…the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world”

Suffering does not produce a lack of faith, it brings it to the surface

Satan cannot “take back” someone from God - Scripture is clear God does not lose those who are is (John 6:35-40, John 10:29)

#2: Resist the Devil with a firm faith
v. 9 - Resist him, firm in your faith...

How do you know you’re resisting the Devil? Be firm in your faith

You’re resisting the devil every time you trust God

Jesus is our example of this (1 Peter 2:23) and Peter is repeating his exhortation in 1 Peter 4:19

#3: Rejoice in God because he has called you to his eternal glory
v. 10 - “The God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ…”

What is “his eternal glory in Christ”?
His - it belongs to God
Eternal - unending, unfading perfection
Glory - matchless beauty, splendor, goodness, exaltation of God
In Christ - All who are in Christ, saved by God’s grace, will be with God

#4: Rejoice in God because He will establish you
v. 10 - “The God of all grace… will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”

#5: Rejoice in God because the final victory is his
v. 11 - To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen

Dominion = The superior power of God to which final victory will belong

Are you standing firm in the true grace of God today?