Sermon Summary

This week, Pastor Chris continued in our sermon series drawing from 1 Peter on what it means for Christians to stand firm in our faith. He shared how it is the inheritance of every believer in Jesus Christ to have clarity in the midst of chaos. The battle begins in our minds, and our choices matter greatly. Whether you are in a chaotic season now or can recall a season of chaos from your past, you can find refuge and clarity in Jesus and the truth of His Word.  

6 Thoughts on Having Clarity in Chaos

  • Prepare Your Mind for Action: In order to have clarity, we have to gain control of our thought lives. We must learn how to take every loose thought captive and submit them to Christ. We cannot be passive in this. It takes effort to participate in the war over your mind. Be attentive. You are the gatekeeper of your mind, not God. The thoughts we don’t continually take captive will take us captive. You are only as free as your mind is. 

1 Peter 1:13 (ESV)

13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:5 (ESV)

take every thought captive to obey Christ,

Colossians 3:2 (ESV)

2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

  • Choose Jesus Over Selfishness: We have to make an intentional, daily choice to draw close to the Lord. The reality is that we are either drawing closer to him or further away. Each of us are being shaped and molded by someone or something. Is it Jesus? Holiness means being totally devoted or dedicated to God, set aside for his special use and set apart from sin and its influence. There is no way for us to live holy and set apart without the power of the Holy Spirit.

1 Peter 1:14–16 (ESV)

14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Ephesians 5:1 (ESV)

1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.

  • Choose Jesus Over Culture: Remember that this world is not your home. Are you consumed by what the world thinks of you? As believers, we are to conduct ourselves with fear of the Lord. It has been said that ‘fear of the Lord is to be terrified of being away from Him’. This means that we choose to say yes to Him out of awe and reverence of all that He is. 

1 Peter 1:17(ESV)

17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 

“The remarkable thing about God is that when you fear God, you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God, you fear everything else.” – Oswald Chambers

  • Choose Jesus Over Family: When a person comes to Jesus, their allegiance must turn to Jesus completely. Sometimes there can be a cost of relationship in order to fully live for the Lord. When our allegiance is still tied to what was, there will be a clear tension. Pastor Chris gave an example of a Pakistani woman in our church body who, after being baptized, essentially said she would never be able to go home due to the reality of religious persecution. Her response was, “it’s worth it all.”

1 Peter 1:18–21 (ESV)

18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. 

  • Choose Jesus Over Tribe: Who were your people before you were saved? There may be unbelievers you will regularly interact with, and our calling is to represent Jesus before them. When Jesus comes into our hearts, we learn how to love others rightly. All other people become ones who we need to show the love of Christ to.

1 Peter 1:22–23 (ESV)

22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, 23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; 

  • Choose Jesus Over All: it’s only God’s will, word, and work that will work permanently in our life. We need to be people who find clarity in the word of God. We need to find our entire lives in the word of God. Only His Word will last forever. Only His truth will prepare our minds to choose Him over all else. When truth rests in our hearts, we will live from one degree of freedom to another. Remember the good news that was preached to you and dig your roots deep into it. 

1 Peter 1:24–25 (ESV)

24 for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, 25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.

Isaiah 40:6–8 (ESV)

6 A voice says, “Cry!” And I said, “What shall I cry?” All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. 7 The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the Lord blows on it; surely the people are grass. 8 The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.

“If we work on marble it will perish. If we work on brass, time will efface it. If we rear temples, they will crumble to dust. But if we work on men’s immortal minds, if we imbue them with high principles, with just fear of God and love of their fellowmen, we engrave on those tablets something which time cannot efface, and which will brighten and brighten to all eternity.” Daniel Webster

Discussion Questions

  1. Pastor Chris said, “What you think, you will become. What you meditate on will control your life.” Do you agree? Give an example of this reality in your life. 
  2. What is your initial, default response when chaos comes into your life? How would your response change if you are rooted versus wavering?
  3. What are some practical ways you can prepare your mind for action before chaos arrives?
  4. Where do you typically turn to when you’re seeking clarity? Is it the Word of God or something else?
  5. What do you find most difficult to choose Jesus over: selfishness, culture, family, or your tribe? Why do you think that is?

Application Questions

  1. Who holds your mental allegiance? Is it your spouse? Culture? A pet sin in your life? Take time this week to answer this question and bring it to the Lord.  
  2. Do you find yourself in a season of chaos? Are you lacking clarity? Meditate over 1 Peter 1:13-25 this week.
  3. Are your guns loaded with “it is written” as Jesus responded when He was tempted by the Devil? Read Luke 4:1-13 this week to find a template for how to become rooted in the Word unto clarity and firmness in God.
  4. Take time this week to answer: who is shaping you? What are they shaping you into? Is it Jesus, or something else? Ask the Lord to make it clear and come to His feet to realign with Him.