Aug. 21, 2022

What if the Wolf Knocks?

August 20 & 21, 2022

Primary Text:  1 Peter 5:6-9              

Previous Teaching:  What if it Rains?

1)  General Blessings 

Matthew 5:45:  He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 

DQ 1) Why does God bless the righteous and unrighteous at the same time?

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2)  Conditional Blessings

Deuteronomy 11:13-17:  So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today--to love the LORD your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul--then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and oil.  I will provide grass in the fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied.  Be careful, or you will be enticed to turn away and worship other gods and bow down to them.  Then the LORD's anger will burn against you, and he will shut the heavens so that it will not rain and the ground will yield no produce, and you will soon perish from the good land the LORD is giving you.

DQ 2) Does obedience to God’s will earn the blessings of  God?

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3)  Showers of Blessings

Hebrews 6:7-8:  Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God.  But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed.  In the end it will be burned. 

Ezekiel 34:26:  I will bless them and the places surrounding my hill.  I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing. 

DQ 3) How does an individual “produce a useful crop”?

DQ 4) In what ways does God shower blessings upon those who seek Him?

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This Week’s Teaching

1)  Targets of the Enemy 

1 Peter 5:6-8:  Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.  Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.  Be self-controlled and alert.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

DQ 1) Who does the devil seek to devour?  Why?

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2)  Pretenders & Deceivers

2 Corinthians 11:13-15:  For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ.  And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.  It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness.  Their end will be what their actions deserve. 

DQ 2) What are the deceitful tactics used by the spirits of evil to lead people astray?

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3)  Spiritual War

1 Peter 5:9:  Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 

Ephesians 6:10-13:  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

DQ 3) How do Christians “stand” against the devil’s schemes?

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4)  The Armor

Ephesians 6:14-18:  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.  With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

DQ 4) What is the opposite of standing firm?

DQ 5) Is the church in the United States standing firm against the spirits of evil?

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