2010-10-17
1 Peter - Spiritual Growth: Fulfill Your Calling
Steve Lane

A. Introduction: calling/vision

Peter could have stayed with fishing and in his little village with his rugged but comfortable life.
But He answered the call...
And once again he was faced with the call, the vision and the questions... "who did he love? Who would rule his unruly heart?"

Peter and 10 other guys who were very ordinary and then about 110 others grabbed hold of the vision to go and make disciples and be witnesses...
It changed the world and cost them everything and their joy was full!

Don’t be afraid to envision what and how God might use you... when your heart is right with God. Examples...

Don’t get too attached to a vision but it helps you understand what God may be calling you to and puts your heart/desires into a context of action...
Calling:
Isaiah 6:7 – 8; Jer 29:11; Ps 25:12; 1Pet 2:9; Eph 2:10, 4:12 Phil 2:13; Acts 13:2; Matt 4:19, 28:18 – 20

The Word, prayer and relationship – whatever your vision it always includes these 3 tools of the ministry both receiving and giving.

Questions of application following... Just an opportunity to get quiet with the message of 1 Peter and the call to grow.

1 Peter – Part 12
Set apart Christ as Lord in your heart
From September 19, 2010

B. Do not be afraid of what the world is afraid of

1 Peter 3:13 – 15

We can have a burden for things happening in the world but it is a burden of prayer and desire for the purposes of God to be fulfilled.... We do not have to fear.

C. "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord"

In this passage lies the answer to doing the impossible.

For these believers to respond with hope and then with gentleness and respect their hearts must be fully surrendered to Jesus.

What or who rules your heart?

"The path of God exalting joy will cost you your life. Jesus said, 'Whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel will save it.' In other words, it is better to lose your life than waste it. If you gladly live to make others glad in God, your life will be hard, your risks will be high, and your joy will be full. This is not about how to avoid a wounded life, but how to avoid a wasted life. Some of you will die in the service of Christ. That will not be a tragedy. Treasuring life above Christ is a tragedy."

~John Piper

Varley and Moody...

What will happen if you live like this??

Your love, patience, joy... your hope. You are not as defensive as you once were, real humility, genuine concern for others, and when it comes time to give an answer as to why...

1 Peter 3:16 - 18

The Motions - Matthew West

This might hurt, it's not safe But I know that I've gotta make a change
I don't care if I break, At least I'll be feeling something
'Cause just okay is not enough Help me fight through the nothingness of life

I don't wanna go through the motions I don't wanna go one more day
without Your all consuming passion inside of me I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
"What if I had given everything, instead of going through the motions?"

This is not even the main point of this passage but it is a hurdle that must be crossed to keep moving in the main things Peter is calling us to...

Questions of surrender:
1 Peter 3:15
What or who rules your heart?

Are you ready to set apart Christ as Lord of your heart? [Don’t misunderstand, This is a part of being a follower of Christ—not an option]

Willing to do anything and go anywhere or stay where you are.. all for Him and His purposes. Anything/anywhere/any time God desires?

Willing for Him to change your character, grow you up. So yielded to Him that people begin to notice a change in you... Non-defensive, loves the brethren and the lost, self controlled, forgiving, not self focused, repents instantly, not critical, balanced and steady, open heart and open life...

(Begins with the attitude of "My soul yields to You in divine grace to be transformed by You. All I am, all I have and ever hope to be I surrender to You".)

Are you willing to trust Him? Consider the goodness and mercy of God.

Romans 12: 1 – 2, or meditate on Gal 2:20 This is putting your trust in Him and surrendering your all to Him... and overflowing Hope being just some of the fruit.