Response Required Encouragement Given

In this part of the sermon: Pastor Martin introduces 1 Peter 5:8-11, setting the scene with an analogy of a shepherd warning his flock about a prowling lion. He explains that Peter views believers as…

An analogy of a shepherd with a flock of sheep capable of understanding human speech, who must warn them of a prowling lion, is used to introduce Peter's image of vulnerable believers facing Satan.

To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. Now, if you were a shepherd of a real, flock of sheep, and you had a most unusual flock of sheep, in that this flock of sheep were endowed with a capacity to hear and to receive verbal communication like they were human beings. So you've got a flock of sheep, but they have this capacity to be able to understand the vocables that come out of your own mouth.

1:56 - 2:33 Read in full sermon

The point: Keep yourself utterly free from anything that would cause spiritual and mental drunkenness, a dulling of the mind with spiritual drowsiness. Be sober and in your wakefulness be watchful.

The example of Satan transforming into an 'angel of light' (2 Corinthians 11:14) is used to illustrate his deceptive nature, contrasting it with the image of a roaring lion.

he does not appear in the guise or in the form of a lion that roars, or a lion that prowls. The scriptures tell us that he can transform himself into an angel of light. Second Corinthians 11 and verse 14. And how did he come to Eve?

7:30 - 7:54 Read in full sermon

The point: Keep yourself utterly free from anything that would cause spiritual and mental drunkenness, a dulling of the mind with spiritual drowsiness. Be sober and in your wakefulness be watchful.

The account of Satan tempting Eve in the Garden of Eden is used to show how he appears as a 'friend and benefactor' rather than a menacing foe, highlighting his subtlety.

The first time the devil appears in the pages of Holy Scripture. How does he appear? Does he come roaring into the Garden of Eden with his fangs bared and threatening and menacing Eve? No.

7:54 - 8:09 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Reviewing the previous sermon's commands to 'be sober, be watchful,' Martin elaborates on the devil's nature as a ravenous lion. Crucially, he highlights that Satan rarely appears…

Peter's experience in Gethsemane, where Satan desired to sift him as wheat, is used to illustrate how the devil tempts by appealing to weariness and seemingly benevolent suggestions, rather than overt threats.

Peter knows it well. He knows it by bitter experience. The devil did not come when Peter was charged with the other two to watch and pray in the garden lest they fall into temptation. The devil didn't come and go, and I'll get you to Christ.

9:57 - 10:15 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: He moves to the 'encouragement given,' which is 'knowing that the same sufferings are accomplished in your brethren who are in the world.' This knowledge involves three aspects…

The examples of John Calvin's multiple diseases and Charles Spurgeon's gout and depression are used to show that the speaker's own trials are minor in comparison, encouraging a broader perspective on suffering.

have people who know something of what we've gone through as a church and what the Martin householder face with two bouts with cancer and the rest. How in the world do you go through it? I'm thankful. I know enough of church history and Christian boggers to say, I'm way down on the scale of accumulated trials.

52:17 - 52:35 Read in full sermon

The point: Go to Christ as he's presented in the faith, in the gospel. Embrace him. Tell him what you are. He knows it. Ask him to cleanse you in his blood and bind you to his heart in faith and love. And begin to live with the bro…

The anecdote of an old man who, after serving Christ for eighty years, refused to recant despite facing death, is used to illustrate the faithfulness of Christ as a master and to encourage unconverted listeners to embrace Him.

That old man said who was being forced to recant lest he be slain for Christ. He had served Christ for close to eighty years. And he said, should I repudiate so gracious a master? Oh, my unconverted friend, I plead with you this morning. Go to Christ

63:51 - 64:09 Read in full sermon