Welcome to Sermon Sunday. I’m currently writing this on a Wednesday, but I’d like to share with you some notes from a sermon I am listening to as I type. I will post the link below because I want you to prayerfully watch this sermon and take notes for yourself so you can prayerfully study the Word of the Lord as delivered by Steven Furtick. Are you anxious right now? Well, that is what we will be discussing. God bless and enjoy.
“In the same way, the younger ones should willingly support the leadership of the elders. In every relationship, each of you must wrap around yourself the apron of a humble servant. Because: God resists you when you are proud but multiplies grace and favor when you are humble. If you bow low in God’s awesome presence, he will eventually exalt you as you leave the timing in his hands. Pour out all your worries and stress upon him and leave them there, for he always tenderly cares for you. Be well balanced and always alert, because your enemy, the devil, roams around incessantly, like a roaring lion looking for its prey to devour. Take a decisive stand against him and resist his every attack with strong, vigorous faith. For you know that your believing brothers and sisters around the world are experiencing the same kinds of troubles you endure. And then, after your brief suffering, the God of all loving grace, who has called you to share in his eternal glory in Christ, will personally and powerfully restore you and make you stronger than ever. Yes, he will set you firmly in place and build you up. And he has all the power needed to do this—forever! Amen.”
1 Peter 5:5-11 TPT
https://www.bible.com/1849/1pe.5.5-11.tpt
Remember always that anxiety and pride go hand in hand. I’ve learned from Andrew Murray’s book (which I highly recommend, by the way), that true humility is total dependance on our Lord. Just as Jesus of Nazareth depended on His Father and did only that which He saw the Father doing and only that which pleased the Father–laying down His own will for the Father’s, so shall it be with us, Christ’s body. We must lay asside our lives and surrender them to Christ so that He can work in and through us. Satan wants to sift you like wheat, as put in the words of Jesus. Satan uses proud people, while God only uses humble people. Don’t get too big for your briches.
Let’s take a look, in consideration of what I’ve just stated, at 1 Peter 5:6.
“If you bow low in God’s awesome presence, he will eventually exalt you as you leave the timing in his hands.”
1 Peter 5:6 TPT
httpscc//www.bible.com/1849/1pe.5.6.tpt
The following that I’m about to say is from the lips of Steven Furtick, but I’ll expound on it after I type it: The birthmark of a Believer is a bullseye.
The meaning of this statement is essentially that the enemy, the thief, comes to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). Pride is sneaky. Pride is like a serpent that is more “cunning and crafty than all the rest,” which means that we must continually and aggressively seek humility.
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God [set aside self-righteous pride], so that He may exalt you [to a place of honor in His service] at the appropriate time,”
1 Peter 5:6 AMP
httpscc//www.bible.com/1588/1pe.5.6.amp
There are three things that the hand of God represents.
1. God’s plan: His plan always prevails even against the plan you created. The Scripture that comes to mind at this point in time is Romans 8:28.
“So we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together to fit into God’s perfect plan of bringing good into our lives, for we are his lovers who have been called to fulfill his designed purpose.”
Romans 8:28 TPT
https://www.bible.com/1849/rom.8.28.tpt
2. His provision:
““This is why I tell you to never be worried about your life, for all that you need will be provided, such as food, water, clothing—everything your body needs. Isn’t there more to your life than a meal? Isn’t your body more than clothing? “Look at all the birds—do you think they worry about their existence? They don’t plant or reap or store up food, yet your heavenly Father provides them each with food. Aren’t you much more valuable to your Father than they? So, which one of you by worrying could add anything to your life? “ And why would you worry about your clothing? Look at all the beautiful flowers of the field. They don’t work or toil, and yet not even Solomon in all his splendor was robed in beauty more than one of these! So if God has clothed the meadow with hay, which is here for such a short time and then dried up and burned, won’t he provide for you the clothes you need—even though you live with such little faith? “So then, forsake your worries! Why would you say, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For that is what the unbelievers chase after. Doesn’t your heavenly Father already know the things your bodies require? “So above all, constantly chase after the realm of God’s kingdom and the righteousness that proceeds from him. Then all these less important things will be given to you abundantly. Refuse to worry about tomorrow, but deal with each challenge that comes your way, one day at a time. Tomorrow will take care of itself.””
Matthew 6:25-34 TPT
https://www.bible.com/1849/mat.6.25-34.tpt
When things seem tough, remind yourself of God’s failness in the past. Never forget how faithful God has been to you before.
3. His Protection: In the following Scripture, take note how Peter cries out to the Lord while he’s sinking, not when he’s already sunk.
“As soon as the people were fed, Jesus told his disciples to get into their boat and to go to the other side of the lake while he stayed behind to dismiss the people. After the crowds dispersed, Jesus went up into the hills to pray. And as night fell he was there praying alone with God. But the disciples, who were now in the middle of the lake, ran into trouble, for their boat was tossed about by the high winds and heavy seas. At about four o’clock in the morning, Jesus came to them, walking on the waves! When the disciples saw him walking on top of the water, they were terrified and screamed, “A ghost!” Then Jesus said, “Be brave and don’t be afraid. I am here!” Peter shouted out, “Lord, if it’s really you, then have me join you on the water!” “Come and join me,” Jesus replied. So Peter stepped out onto the water and began to walk toward Jesus. But when he realized how high the waves were, he became frightened and started to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he cried out. Jesus immediately stretched out his hand and lifted him up and said, “What little faith you have! Why would you let doubt win?” And the very moment they both stepped into the boat, the raging wind ceased. Then all the disciples crouched down before him and worshiped Jesus. They said in adoration, “You are truly the Son of God!””
Matthew 14:22-33 TPT
https://www.bible.com/1849/mat.14.22-33.tpt
The problem with some of us is not that we are sinking, but that we don’t stay close enough for God to keep us in His grip, which, as recorded in the above verse, is the case with Peter. Jesus was able to immediately reach out and take Peter by the hand and help him into the boat because Peter was in His reach.
Your talents, abilities, how well you can walk on water, etc. does not matter to God. You are nothing without Christ but everything with Christ, so it is the surrender to Christ that matters.
Ponder on the following Scripture and with the Holy Spirit, be sure to fulfill this Scripture (I’m preaching to the choir, my frs. We’re all in the same boat).
“Pour out all your worries and stress upon him and leave them there, for he always tenderly cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:7 TPT
https://www.bible.com/1849/1pe.5.7.tpt
Sometimes, the cause of our anxiety could be from our unwillingness to obey our Lord.
“Likewise, you younger men [of lesser rank and experience], be subject to your elders [seek their counsel]; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another [tie on the servant’s apron], for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD [the disdainful, the presumptuous, and He defeats them], BUT H E GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.”
1 Peter 5:5 AMP
https://www.bible.com/1588/1pe.5.5.amp
It is mentioned in the sermon, which I felt it worthy to mention in the notes, that Peter could have been having a flashback of when Jesus washed the Disciples’ feet. Let’s look at the account as recorded in Scripture.
“Jesus knew that the night before Passover would be his last night on earth before leaving this world to return to the Father’s side. All throughout his time with his disciples, Jesus had demonstrated a deep and tender love for them. And now he longed to show them the full measure of his love. Before their evening meal had begun, the accuser had already planted betrayal into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. Now Jesus was fully aware that the Father had placed all things under his control, for he had come from God and was about to go back to be with him. So he got up from the meal and took off his outer robe, and took a towel and wrapped it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ dirty feet and dry them with his towel. But when Jesus got to Simon Peter, he objected and said, “I can’t let you wash my dirty feet—you’re my Lord!” Jesus replied, “You don’t understand yet the meaning of what I’m doing, but soon it will be clear to you.” Peter looked at Jesus and said, “You’ll never wash my dirty feet—never!” “But Peter, if you don’t allow me to wash your feet,” Jesus responded, “then you will not be able to share life with me.” So Peter said, “Lord, in that case, don’t just wash my feet, wash my hands and my head too!” Jesus said to him, “You are already clean. You’ve been washed completely and you just need your feet to be cleansed—but that can’t be said of all of you.” For Jesus knew which one was about to betray him, and that’s why he told them that not all of them were clean. After washing their feet, he put his robe on and returned to his place at the table. “Do you understand what I just did?” Jesus said. “You’ve called me your teacher and lord, and you’re right, for that’s who I am.
I speak to you timeless truth: a servant is not superior to his master, and an apostle is never greater than the one who sent him. So now put into practice what I have done for you, and you will experience a life of happiness enriched with untold blessings!””
John 13:1-17 TPT
httpscc//www.bible.com/1849/jhn.13.1-17.tpt
Before quoting and praying over verse 7 of 1 Peter 5, back up. Let’s look at the context.
“Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you, Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. [Ps. 55:22.]”
1 Peter 5:6-7 AMPC
https://www.bible.com/8/1pe.5.6-7.ampc
Don’t fool yourselves (me included) into thinking that you can cast your anxiety over to God and keep your pride because they come in the same package. Let’s look at the word anxiety.
Anx-I-ety.
Do you see how I spelled it? What letter is in the center? Also look at this one: Pr-I-de. What’s in the center? Selah!
Jesus told all of His disciples that they’d deny Him. They’d hit rock bottom, which sometimes, is the best place to be. Here was Peter’s answer.
“Then Peter spoke up and said, “Even if all the rest lose their faith and fall away, I will still be beside you, Jesus!” Jesus said, “Mark my words, Peter. This very night, before the rooster crows twice a few hours from now, you will utterly deny that you know me three times.””
Mark 14:29-30 TPT
https://www.bible.com/1849/mrk.14.29-30.tpt
Pride always thinks itself more highly than it ought.
“But Peter was insistent and replied emphatically, “I will absolutely not! Under no circumstances will I ever deny you—even if I have to die with you!” And all the others repeated the same thing.”
Mark 14:31 TPT
https://www.bible.com/1849/mrk.14.31.tpt
““Peter, my dear friend, listen to what I’m about to tell you. Satan has obtained permission to come and sift you all like wheat and test your faith. But I have prayed for you, Peter, that you would stay faithful to me no matter what comes. Remember this: after you have turned back to me and have been restored, make it your life mission to strengthen the faith of your brothers.””
Luke 22:31-32 TPT
httpscc//www.bible.com/1849/luk.22.31-32.tpt
“If you bow low in God’s awesome presence, he will eventually exalt you as you leave the timing in his hands.
Be well balanced and always alert, because your enemy, the devil, roams around incessantly, like a roaring lion looking for its prey to devour. Take a decisive stand against him and resist his every attack with strong, vigorous faith. For you know that your believing brothers and sisters around the world are experiencing the same kinds of troubles you endure.”
1 Peter 5:6, 8-9 TPT
https://www.bible.com/1849/1pe.5.6,8-9.tpt
The Scripture that has been spinning in my mind as I write this and listen to the sermon is, “So then, surrender to God. Stand up to the devil and resist him and he will turn and run away from you.”
James (Jacob) 4:7 TPT
https://www.bible.com/1849/jas.4.7.tpt
“And then, after your brief suffering, the God of all loving grace, who has called you to share in his eternal glory in Christ, will personally and powerfully restore you and make you stronger than ever. Yes, he will set you firmly in place and build you up.”
1 Peter 5:10 TPT
https://www.bible.com/1849/1pe.5.10.tpt
The enemies of today will be your testimony of triumph tomorrow.
“Moses told the people, Fear not; stand still (firm, confident, undismayed) and see the salvation of the Lord which He will work for you today. For the Egyptians you have seen today you shall never see again.”
Exodus 14:13 AMPC
httpscc//www.bible.com/8/exo.14.13.amp
Reminder: Read these notes prayerfully either before, during, or after watching the sermon. Please be sure to do your own studying as the Spirit leads in listening and reading. God bless! Now, here’s the link:
Kingdom Advance 
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