An Exhortation to be Aware of the Roaring Lion

“BE SOBER, BE VIGILANT, BECAUSE YOUR ADVERSARY, THE DEVIL, LIKE A ROARING LION WALKETH ABOUT, SEEKING WHOM HE MAY DEVOUR,

WHOM RESIST STEADFAST IN THE FAITH, KNOWING THAT THE SAME AFFLICTIONS ARE ACCOMPLISHED IN YOUR BRETHREN THAT ARE IN THE WORLD.”

Introduction: The chapter is divided into three main sections. He exhorts. What is exhortation? An encouragement of something specific.

The first is an exhortation. to the elders of the churches to be faithful to the flocks committed to their charge, 1 Peter 5:1-4. These are people that minister and there are many who here do that, are associated with that or are married to someone who is involved in that. It’s talking to YOU!

The second is an exhortation to the younger members of the church to evince all proper submission to those who were older; to occupy the station in which they were placed with a becoming spirit, casting all their care on God, 1 Peter 5:5-7. 

The third exhortation is the one we are going to talk about today. An exhortation to all to be sober and vigilant, in view of the dangers which beset them, and the arts and power of their great adversary, the devil, and especially to bear with patience the trials to which they were subjected, in common with their Christian brethren elsewhere, 1 Peter 5:8-9. 

An exhortation to all. Chapter 5:8  “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:  

1. He does three things here:

   1. He shows them their danger, their real danger The Devil. HE is active!

   2. He shows them what their duties are

   3. Their cares are not singular; they are soldiers in an army that is at war

2. Their danger, the devil. He goes about as a roaring lion seeking to kill. Ever watched a lion hunt and attack 

3. Be sober 

   1. Govern the outside, manners and behavior

   2. Govern the inside, attitudes, tempers, thought

4.  Be Vigilant

   1. Do not become lazy—accepting things without question

   2. Be suspicious

5. We are not alone in our cares, never forget who the real enemy is, the Devil.

Note: When in heaven we will realize who we should have spent our temper and attitudes on…not each other but the enemy!

We must be active with our faith…not just have it or carry it around with us.

Our adversary

1. Like a roaring lion, a hunting lion

Tell about National Geographic “Lions of the Serengeti”  He, Satan like the roaring lion,  kills to destroy competition and watches our lives bleed out of us over the years.

Jesus can get us away from the lion, even if the lion has already attacked.