Ploys, Distractions, Detours: We Need A Pep Talk
Notes
Transcript
Rocky III
Rocky III
Rocky is typically the underdog, often times the movies begin with some sort of conflict, a trial or tribulation before the big match, and some sort of obstacle Rocky must overcome to win the fight.
The first movie Rocky gains some self-respect by standing toe to toe with the great Apollo Creed.
Rocky II both fighters hit the ground and Rocky gets up to eventually become champion.
Rocky III, Rocky gets comfortable. He has some money coming in. He’s reached celebrity status, he’s protected, he’s verified on Instagram. They are retweeting the champ on Twitter. His trainer dies, and He gets knocked out in the second round.
It’s interesting when an underdog begins to win to a place where they are comfortable, this is why no matter how blessed we are, no matter how successful we are the devil is always looking for a Clubber Lang moment.
We have to remember that sometimes we aren’t going to knock out the enemy, sometimes we are going to get knocked out just to be trained more effectively. (Everyone needs an Apollo Creed).
Text:
1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”
Ploy
Ploy
The Devil, the enemy, the adversary or whatever you want to call Satan this evening has a ploy. He has a cunning plan or action designed to turn a situation to one’s own advantage.
Understand that when life get’s comfortable sometimes we get too relaxed. Sometimes we need a pep talk like Mickey gave Rocky.
The first pep talk is given to the shepherds of the flock.
1 Peter 5:1-2 “The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;”
The conversation is pushed in the different direction.
Chapter 4 ends with an encouragement for those who are suffering for being a Christian.
“Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you”.
If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed for the glorious Spirit of God rest on you.
“But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian”
It ends on a note of encouragement, so if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.
The encouragement is deeper than remaining joyous when you face trials, know that you have some pastoral care in your corner.
Because of the ploy God has instituted pastoral care in the church. Not only is Peter encouraging the church but he is encouraging the leaders of the church by leveling with them.
1 Peter 5:1 “The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed:”
Just like Clubber Lang the enemy will attack you from all sides. s
He will try to intimidate you with his strength.
he will try to discourage you by attacking your family.
Y’all remember the scene:
We need some people in our corner, when Clubber Lang started talking loud, Mickey said “don’t listen to him”.
Talking loud didn’t get Rocky out of character it was when Clubber told Rocky’s wife she needed a real man!
That’s the enemies ploy, he’s devising a plan to turn the situation to his advantage.
“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour”.
Because the enemy has a ploy we need protection. This is why Peter says in verse 5, “you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another”.
We need protection, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, and at the right time He will lift you up in honor!
Distractions
Distractions
A distraction is a thing that prevents someone from giving full attention to someone else. Stay alert the text says, alert or well composed in mind. Be well balanced, self controlled.
When the ploys don’t work, the enemy will try to find ways to distract you!
1 Thessalonians 5:8 “But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.”
Understand that distractions are all around so we have to protect ourselves accordingly. Sometimes you can’t fight the Clubber Lang’s of life in the same way he fights. I know you want to knock the enemy out and stand tall over them, but sometimes life needs strategy. Someone has been knocked out in the second round of life, now it’s time to block out all the distractions go tap the Apollo Creed’s of your life on the shoulder and get some good training in behind closed doors.
That elder you’ve been depending on for marital advice is not going to live forever. You won’t always be able to call momma or daddy or your siblings when you need advice. Sometimes you’ll need to tap into the faith and love that God has given and rely on that to be victorious. Jesus never leaves, God never forsakes.
Detours
Detours
Sometimes detours are the biggest blessing, but the problem is we get discouraged when we haven’t reached destinations in the timely manner we planned.
1 Peter 5:9 “Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.”
You are not alone in detours, life might take you in a long roundabout way! Be encouraged, but stay alert. Often times when we are driving down roads.
Training with Apollo Creed was a detour, but if I have to train with someone I never thought I would train with, but if it means victory I’m all for it. You never know who God is going to use to give you the victory!
Be vigilant, literally to watch. 1 Corinthians 16:13 “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.”
Even when you are on a detour be vigilant!
When you’ve been knocked out early in the fight be vigilant!
When you can no longer call on the Mickey’s of life, be vigilant!
Sometimes the longest detour is the shortest distance to reaching God.
Even though he is the adversary, the “opponent of law”. He’s not tempting you or discouraging you to reach a stalemate he’s trying to win. The encouraging part is the fact that no matter what ploy, distraction or detour the enemy puts you on, understand that God already has the victory!
God has the victory! All we have to do is strap up and stand! Ephesians 6:10-11 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”