Scratch Marks Grunge Website Banner1 Peter 4:1-11
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Arm Yourself for Battle vv.1-2
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v.1 The word arm means to equip, prepare, or ready yourself for what? For suffering of the flesh, denying yourself of sin. To talk about sin in this current age is not popular. One may say, “well pastor, that’s just who I am, that’s how God made me.” My response, “God loves you the way you are, but if He dwells within side of you, He will not leave you the same!”
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According to Romans 3:23-24 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”
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1 Corinthians 6:9-11 “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
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So this is everyone!
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What do we arm ourselves with?
  1. Arm yourself with proper thinking (Romans 12:2) “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
            – “Therefore, preparing your minds for action…” 1 Pet. 1:13            
            – Preach the gospel to yourself daily.
  1. Arm yourself with proper tactics (Ephesians 6:10-18) “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,”
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            – The offensive weapons here are the Word and Prayer. “I hide your Word in my heart that I may     not sin against you…”                     “Be killing sin or sin will be killing you” – John Owen

Accountability for the Believer vv.3-5
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They will not understand why you are different, they will strive to pull you back into sin. This is when and where the church should be the church. We must help our brothers and sisters of the faith stand strong.
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Hebrews 10:24-25 “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
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Be a doer instead of a don’t(er)
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Doer– Is one that is engaged in following Christ so much that they are so busy with the Great Commission.
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Don’t(er)- Is one that points out sins in others, but does very little to repent from sins in their own life.
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Aim to Love Boldly vv.6-11 What does bold love look like to push out sin?
  • Preach Salvation v.6 (Because you care about your/their soul)
  • Sacrifice v.8 (Because you care about your/their sin)
  • Service vv.10-11 (Because you care about your/their situation)
Romans 12:9-14 “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
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The opposite of sin is true biblical Christ-centered love!