Let's Be Careful Out There

LET’S BE CAREFUL OUT THERE

I PETER 5:8

INTRO: HILL STREET BLUES

A. Roll Call

1. There was a popular TV show in the eighties called Hill St. Blues.

a. It was a police drama based on a precinct in NYC.

b. Always started in the ready room with roll call.

c. At the end of roll call, when everyone was ready to go on patrol, the old Sgt would always end roll call with the same send off.

d. He’d say “Let’s be careful out there!”

2. The advice was sound…the admonition warranted.

a. The old Sgt. Knew the danger the officer’s faced.

b. He knew that around every corner, down every alley, even in broad daylight…

c. The potential for danger existed.

d. He also knew that the greatest danger to his men was…complacency.

B. Danger

1. The Apostle Peter knew this well before the old Sgt. did.

a. He knew the dangers that we face in the world today.

b. We may not have to worry about bullets flying around every corner…

c. Bad guys lying in wait…

d. But we do have to worry about what the bible calls fiery darts!

e. And we do have to be aware of the bad guy who throws them our way!!!

1Pe 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

2. Church it is time for us to realize we have an enemy who is plotting against us.

a. Peter says he is like a roaring lion…

b. Hungry…mean…cruel

c. His whole agenda is to devour and destroy souls.

d. He is relentless in this pursuit…he is tireless in his efforts.

e. If he can’t have your soul he wants your testimony!

f. If he gets your testimony…he may get someone else’s soul as a result!

3. Peter says he walketh about…

a. You ever notice how it seems like you don’t ever have to seek trouble out?

b. It just always seems to find you.

c. Ever wonder how come some days, just when you’ve really decided to live for Christ that day…

d. It seems like immediately the trouble starts.

e. And before you know it…

f. We’re right back in that same old place we find ourselves so often.

g. Lord…It’s me again!

h. Defeated…humiliated…broken…and ruined!

i. Are you tired of that cycle? And yes, it is a cycle…a deadly cycle that robs us of our testimony…our joy…and our fellowship!

4. So how do we break that cycle?

a. Peter says we are to be sober…be vigilant…

b. These are military terms connected with guard duty.

c. In other words we are to be alert…aware…constantly on guard.

d. We are to WATCH.

e. If we are to be successful in our fight against the adversary, there are six things we need to watch.

BODY

A. We are to watch what we think.

2Co 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

1. Out of all the things we must watch, our thoughts are perhaps the most important…yet the hardest of things to watch.

a. It is also the place we are most often attacked!

b. As Paul says...we are to “bring into captivity” every thought.

c. Is it difficult? YES

d. Is it possible? YES

e. How?

Php 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

2. But in order to do this, we must first of all re-program our thinking.

a. It is the struggle within!

b. Our mind is like an empty tube.

c. Whatever you stuff in one side will eventually come out the other…and guess what…

d. It will not have changed!!!

e. You can’t put garbage in one side and expect it to miraculously turn into steak when it comes out the other!!!

Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

f. So how do we guard our minds?

g. We simply change what goes in! It Works!! Guaranteed!!!

Pro 16:3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

B. Secondly, We Watch What We See!

1. Scientist’s say that the human mind retains every image it ever sees!

a. Think about that for a minute…

b. How many images do we see a day?

c. The human mind as a supercomputer is amazing.