Significance of Being A Christian - Guarded By Power Of God

"THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BEING A CHRISTIAN"

Guarded ByGuarded By

The Power Of GodThe Power Of God

INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION

Reviewing what we have seen thus far in this series, a Christian…

Is “a person reborn”“a person reborn”, living in newness of life.

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

Now “belongs to the Lord”“belongs to the Lord”, God's special child sojourning in

this world as a pilgrim.Is “living by faith”“living by faith”, trusting in the

Lord and desiring to be a trustworthy servant.


Is “consecrated to God”“consecrated to God”, set apart by the Spirit to pursue

holiness.This does not mean being a

Christian is easy... The world in which we sojourn does not

encourage godly living.


There are powerful forces that are bent on our spiritual destruction -- Of course, this is true whether we

are Christians or not.


But the significance of being a Christian includes help that others

do not have...From our Father in heaven, who is

concerned for the child that now belongs to Him.


His own special protection, available to those who remain

faithful to Him.

Peter writes of this protection:


1 Peter 1:5 NET who by God's power are protected through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

He refers to how we "by God's power are protected through faith..."


He employs a military term meaning "to mount guard as a sentinel; figuratively, to hem in, protect" (Strongs) Therefore we can

rightly say that a Christian is “Guarded By The Power Of “Guarded By The Power Of

God”God”!


To appreciate the need for such protection, the nature of it, and

how we may ensure it in our lives will be the subject of our study.

We begin by noting...SATAN'S GOAL:SATAN'S GOAL:

OUR DESTRUCTIONOUR DESTRUCTION

OUR ADVERSARY…OUR ADVERSARY…

SATAN'S GOAL:SATAN'S GOAL:OUR DESTRUCTIONOUR DESTRUCTION

Satan is like a roaring lion. 1 Peter 5:8 NET Be sober and alert.

Your enemy the devil, like a roaring lion, is on the prowl

looking for someone to devour.


He often appears as an angel of light.

2 Corinthians 11:14 NET And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself

as an angel of light.


Working through his ministers. 2

Corinthians 11:15 NET Therefore it is not surprising his servants also

disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will

correspond to their actions.


Misleading through false doctrines. 1

Timothy 4:1 NET Now the Spirit explicitly says that in the later times some will

desert the faith and occupy themselves with deceiving spirits and

demonic teachings,


2 influenced by the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared. 3 They

will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from foods that God

created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and

know the truth.

THE CHRISTIAN'S NEED TO THE CHRISTIAN'S NEED TO BEWARE...BEWARE...

Some say there is no need to be concerned E.g., "once saved, always

saved" E.g., "the impossibility of apostasy" -- But this would make all the warnings in the Bible pointless.

CHRISTIAN'S NEED TO BEWARECHRISTIAN'S NEED TO BEWARE

The Bible warns about the danger of becoming hardened.

Hebrews 3:12 NET See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has

an evil, unbelieving heart that forsakes the living God.


13 But exhort one another each day, as long as it is called "Today," that

none of you may become hardened by sin's deception.


14 For we have become partners with Christ, if in fact we hold our initial confidence firm until the

end.


Hardened by “the deceitfulness of sin”

Who better equipped toharden us than he

“who deceives the whole world”?


Revelation 12:9 NET So that huge dragon — the ancient serpent, the

one called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world —

was thrown down to the earth, and his angels along with him.


Because the danger is real, the need to “resist him” who seeks our destruction is very real! 1 Peter 5:9 NET Resist him, strong in your faith, because you know

that your brothers and sisters throughout the world are enduring the

same kinds of suffering.


But we are not alone in our resistance; “the God of all grace” stands ready to assist us. 1 Peter 5:10 NET And, after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all

grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ will himself restore, confirm,

strengthen, and establish you.

This leads to our next point...GOD'S PROVISION:GOD'S PROVISION:

OUR SAFEKEEPINGOUR SAFEKEEPING

GOD IS OUR HELPERGOD IS OUR HELPER


He provides Jesus Christ: As our Mediator 1 Timothy 2:5 NET For

there is one God and one intermediary between God and humanity, Christ Jesus, himself

human,


As our Advocate1 John 2:1 NET (My little children, I am

writing these things to you so that you may not sin.) But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate

with the Father,


Jesus Christ the righteous One, 2 and he himself is the atoning

sacrifice for our sins, and not only for our sins but also for the whole

world.


As our merciful and faithful High Priest Hebrews 2:17 NET Therefore

he had to be made like his brothers and sisters in every

respect, so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest


in things relating to God, to make atonement for the sins of the

people. 18 For since he himself suffered when he was tempted, he

is able to help those who are tempted.


Whose blood cleanses us from our sins. 1 John 1:7 NET But if we walk in

the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus his

Son cleanses us from all sin.


8 If we say we do not bear the guilt of sin, we are deceiving ourselves and

the truth is not in us. 9 But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous, forgiving us our sins and

cleansing us from all unrighteousness.


10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar and his word is

not in us.He provides other blessings

designed to keep us safe:


Our public assemblies and mutual edification.

Hebrews 10:24 NET And let us take thought of how to spur one

another on to love and good works,


25 not abandoning our own meetings, as some are in the habit

of doing, but encouraging each other, and even more so because

you see the day drawing near.


Our daily mutual edification. Hebrews

3:12 NET See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has an

evil, unbelieving heart that forsakes the living God.


13 But exhort one another each day, as long as it is called "Today," that

none of you may become hardened by sin's deception.


The Scriptures; 2 Timothy 3:16 NET Every scripture is

inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for

correction, and for training in righteousness,


17 that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for

every good work.


Prayer, Philippians 4:6 NET Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell

your requests to God.


7 And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in

Christ Jesus.


He therefore provides a way of escape:

In some cases, to avoid temptation altogether. Matthew 6:13 NET And do not lead us into temptation, but

deliver us from the evil one.


Matthew 26:41 NET Stay awake and pray that you will not fall into

temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."


In other cases, to bear up and overcome the temptation. 1

Corinthians 10:13 NET No trial has overtaken you that is not faced by

others.


And God is faithful: He will not let you be tried beyond what you are able to bear, but with the trial will

also provide a way out so that you may be able to endure it

GOD IS OUR VICTORYGOD IS OUR VICTORY

Our confidence comes from God's power, not our own Philippians 4:13

NET I am able to do all things through the one who strengthens

me.


He provides power that is greater than Satan.

1 John 2:13 NET I am writing to you, fathers, that you have known him who has been from the beginning.


I am writing to you, young people, that you have conquered the evil

one. 14 I have written to you, children, that you have known the

Father.


I have written to you, fathers, that you have known him who has been from

the beginning. I have written to you, young people, that

you are strong, and the word of God resides in you, and you have

conquered the evil one.


1 John 4:4 NET You are from God, little children, and have conquered

them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is

in the world.


Yes, it is God who gives us the victory through Jesus Christ!

1 Corinthians 15:57 NET But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ!


By His grace we are “Guarded By The “Guarded By The

Power Of God”Power Of God”. But we must not receive His Grace in vain,. 2

Corinthians 6:1 NET Now because we are fellow workers, we also urge you

not to receive the grace of God in vain.

OUR RESPONSIBILITY:

REMAIN FAITHFULREMAIN FAITHFUL

THETHE

CHRISTIAN'S SECURITYCHRISTIAN'S SECURITY


The Bible teaches the security of the believer

No one can snatch a believer out of the hand of God.


John 10:28 NET I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; no one will snatch them from my hand.


29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no

one can snatch them from my Father's hand.


Nothing can separate a believer from the love of Christ. Romans 8:35 NET Who

will separate us from the love of Christ? Will trouble, or distress, or

persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?


36 As it is written, "For your sake we encounter death all day

long; we were considered as sheep to be slaughtered."


37 No, in all these things we have complete victory through him who loved us! 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor heavenly rulers


nor things that are present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor

height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation will be able to

separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.


But note carefully:These promises are for one who is

a believer!The Bible also teaches a believer

may become an unbeliever.


Hebrews 3:12 NET See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has

an evil, unbelieving heart that forsakes the living God.


A believer can develop “an evil heart of unbeliever”

In so doing, such a person “departs from the living God”


When a believer becomes an unbeliever, the promises of

security for the believer are no longer applicable! This explains

the many warnings in the Scriptures to remain faithful


Revelation 2:10 NET Do not be afraid of the things you are about to suffer. The devil is about to have some of you thrown into prison so you may

be tested,


and you will experience suffering for ten days. Remain faithful even

to the point of death, and I will give you the crown that is life

itself.

THE CHRISTIAN'S RESPONSIBILITYTHE CHRISTIAN'S RESPONSIBILITY

Take to heart the many admonitions in Scripture:


To take heed

1 Corinthians 10:12 NET So let the one who thinks he is standing be careful that he does not fall.


Gird up the loins of your mind 1 Peter 1:13 NET Therefore, get your minds ready

for action by being fully sober, and set your hope completely on the grace

that will be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed.


Discipline yourself 1 Corinthians 9:27 NET Instead I subdue my body and make it my slave, so

that after preaching to others I myself will not be disqualified.


Root yourself in Christ and His love

Ephesians 3:17 NET that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, so that, because you have been

rooted and grounded in love,


18 you may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and thus to know the love of Christ that

surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.


Put on the armor of God, that you might stand

Ephesians 6:10 NET Finally, be strengthened in the Lord and in

the strength of his power.


11 Clothe yourselves with the full armor of God so that you may be

able to stand against the schemes of the devil.


12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,

but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual

forces of evil in the heavens.


13 For this reason, take up the full armor of God so that you may be able to stand your ground on the

evil day, and having done everything, to stand.


14 Stand firm therefore, by fastening the belt of truth around your waist, by

putting on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 by fitting your feet with the preparation that comes from

the good news of peace,


16 and in all of this, by taking up the shield of faith with which you can

extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of

salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.


18 With every prayer and petition, pray at all times in the Spirit, and

to this end be alert, with all perseverance and requests for all

the saints.


Be strong in the grace of the Lord

2 Timothy 2:1 NET So you, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ

Jesus.


Resist the devilJames 4:7 NET So submit to God. But

resist the devil and he will flee from you.


Stand fast in the faith 1 Corinthians 16:13 NET Stay alert, stand

firm in the faith, show courage, be strong.


Take advantage of activities conducive to remaining faithful: Daily prayer, Daily Bible study,

Frequent association with fellow Christians, Attendance at the congregational assemblies,


Development of personal usefulness to the Lord,

Involvement in the work of the Lord, Acceptance of correction, and repentance as necessary

CONCLUSION CONCLUSION

Yes, the significance of being a Christian is that one is “Guarded “Guarded

By By The Power Of God”The Power Of God”

In the spiritual warfare that we face, we can stand strong "in the power of His

might"

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION

Ephesians 6:10 NET Finally, be strengthened in the Lord and in the

strength of his power. 11 Clothe yourselves with the full armor of God

so that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.


12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the

rulers, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil

in the heavens.


13 For this reason, take up the full armor of God so that you may be able to stand your ground on the

evil day, and having done everything, to stand.


In resisting the devil, God will "perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle" us. 1 Peter 5:9 NET Resist him, strong in your

faith, because you know that your brothers and sisters throughout the

world are enduring the same kinds of suffering.


10 And, after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace

who called you to his eternal glory in Christ will himself restore,

confirm, strengthen, and establish you.


But never lose sight of the importance of our faith...Our

resistance must be ““steadfast in the faith"steadfast in the faith"


1 Peter 5:9 NET Resist him, strong in your faith, because you know that

your brothers and sisters throughout the world are enduring

the same kinds of suffering.


We are "kept by the power of God "kept by the power of God

THROUGH FAITH"THROUGH FAITH" 1 Peter 1:5 NET who by God's power are protected through

faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.


If we seek to enjoy being ““Guarded By Guarded By

The Power Of God”The Power Of God”, then let us not forget the

admonition of our glorified Lord:


Revelation 2:10d NET Remain faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown that is life

itself.Are you remaining faithful to the

Lord?


God gives us all we need to access His protection in

His Word.Do you want to know the Lord?

Know His Word!

Education

Significance of Being A Christian - Guarded By Power Of God