Don't Stumble Series

1 Peter 2:4-12

VCC August 30, 1998

Don’t Stumble

Introduction

Peter is written to those who were going through all kinds of trials (1:6)

He has exhorted the Christians to personal holiness in chapter 1

After encouraging personal holiness, he commanded them to have sincere love for the brothers.

Last time we saw that As long as we are steeped in the selfishness, and vices that affect relationship, the soil is not fruitful

Purifying our hearts and desires helps prepare the soil of our hearts so we can receive the Word.

Two evidences of healthy spiritual life is a longing for proper food and growth that comes from taking it.

Our hunger and thirst for the Lord is very important (2:2) and we need to eliminate those things that hinder our appetite for spiritual things.

We see that certain people have stumbled

Evidence of stumbling

2Ti 4:10 for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica.

Parable of sower and seed--some don’t make it, but fall away!

Lu 8:13 Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away

Why do people stumble?

1 Pe 2:8, when God doesn’t do it their way, and they get offended, hurt, bitter, etc.

God never plans on doing things the way of the flesh.

Heb 3:10 That is why I was angry with that generation, and I said, `Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known my ways.’

2Ch 7:14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Isa 55:8,9 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

The mind of the Spirit always is contrary to the mind of the natural man.

Romans 8:5-- mind of sinful nature vs.the spirit

1 Cor. 1:18ff, God chose the foolish things of world to confound the wise.

1 Cor. 2:6-14, The mand without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to them.

Many turn back when God does not give them what they think God should!

2Pe 2:15 They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness.

When we refuse to yield our ideas, plans, to obedience to the Lord we will stumble and fall.

How to keep from stumbling.

Come to Jesus (2:4)

It is only as we draw near to Jesus that we are built together into a spiritual house (koinonia with others comes after koinonia with Jesus)

Exodus 19:4-6, God’s purposes does not change, he wanted a kingdom of priests and still will have a kingdom of priests

Rev. 5:10

Borne on eagles wings-- eaglet is lifted high and then dropped to teach it how to fly. Many are offended between the drop and the rescue and turn their backs on God.

Exodus 20:19, 21-- the people remained at a distance … they didn’t realize that they could never obey God without drawing near to the Lord in close intimate relationship.

So the entire Old testament is a story of a people who failed to obey the commands and chose their own ways and ended up imintating the nations around them, not a holy people.

God wants us to maintain our distinctiveness, to be holy.

society is ME centered. Christianity is US centered.

Many come to church focusing on MY needs, MY ideas, MY plans, ME, ME, ME. These kind of people will always be offended because God will never do things their way!

Believe (2:6,7)

Heb. 11:4, without faith it is impossible to please God

Obey (2:8)

We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him." (Acts 5:32, NIV).

1 Peter 2:11, 12-- We need to abstain from that which wars against our soul, otherwise we are weakened and are not in a position to walk in victory, and can be deceived into thinking our way is RIGHT!

Exodus 19:4-6, if you obey fully, you are treasured, holy nation, kingdom of priests.

In Jesus Day, they refused to OBEY so they could not believe.

Acts 7:39

Mt. 23:1-3,

John 15:10, If you obey, you will remain in my love…you won’t stumble.

Conclusion

2 Peter 1:10, If you do these things you will never fall

Peter knew what it was like to stumble and fall

He also knew what it was like to receive the grace of God after having falling