INTRODUCTION:
A. A rise in pressure increases the likelihood of choking (Prov. 25:11).
B. Peter wrote to Christians entering the pressure cooker of persecution.
C. What steps must we take to prevent spiritual choking?
I. KEEP ALERT
A. Choking is often the result of carelessness.
B. “Alertness” is mentioned three times in 1 Peter
1. 1 Peter 1:13 –
a. Get ready for action!
b. Fix hope on the grace to be revealed at Christ’s coming
2. 1 Peter 4:7 –
a. Night of betrayal (Mt. 26:40-41)
b. Watchfulness in prayer
3. 1 Peter 5:8 –
a. Satan is a roaring lion.
b. Cast your anxiety on Christ (vss. 6-8).
C. Keeping alert requires:
a. Active involvement in the Lord’s work
b. Active watchfulness in prayer
c. Active surrender of anxieties to Christ
II. PRACTICE SELF-CONTROL
A. Because we are children of God (1 Pet. 1:23, 14-15; 2:1-3)
B. Because we are in a battle for the soul (1 Pet. 2:11-12; 2 Tim. 2:3-4)
C. Because a time of pressure will come (1 Pet. 4:3-5)