The sermon concludes the 20-week series on First Peter, emphasizing the final exhortation on spiritual warfare. Peter urges believers to recognize the adversary, the devil, who prowls like a roaring lion, seeking to devour faith. He encourages standing firm in faith, being sober-minded, and watchful. The devil's primary attack is through suffering to cast doubt and fear. Peter reassures that after suffering a little while, God will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish believers. The sermon highlights the importance of living out the gospel and resisting the devil through obedience and faith.

Conclusion of the Series in First Peter

• Speaker begins by thanking the audience for joining the final sermon of the 20-week series in First Peter.
• The letter is written by Sylvanus, also known as Silas, who was probably Peter's scribe or secretary.
• Peter urges the readers to stand firm in the true grace of God, not to waver, and to be patiently enduring and loyal.
• Greetings are sent from "she who is at Babylon," which is believed to refer to the church in Rome, and from Mark, whom Peter affectionately calls his son.

Customary Endings and Greetings

• Speaker explains the customary endings of a letter, including greeting one another with a holy kiss, which was a common practice in those days.
• In modern times, the function remains the same, but the form may differ, such as shaking hands instead of kissing.
• Peter emphasizes the importance of expressing love and peace among believers, which is only possible through Christ.
• The final exhortation focuses on spiritual warfare and the need to recognize the battle.

Spiritual Warfare and the Adversary

• Speaker discusses the concept of spiritual warfare, emphasizing the need to be alert and aware of the battle.
• The adversary is identified as the devil, who prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour.
• The devil is described as the real enemy, responsible for much of the suffering and persecution faced by believers.
• C.S. Lewis's perspective on the devil is mentioned, highlighting the balance between disbelief and excessive obsession with demons.

The Devil's Tactics and Christian Resistance

• Speaker explains that the devil's main attack on Christians is through suffering, aiming to cast doubt and strike fear to destroy faith.
• The devil's goal is to see believers sin when they suffer, driving a wedge between God and them.
• Christians are encouraged to resist the devil by being sober-minded, watchful, and firm in their faith.
• The importance of living out the gospel and standing firm in the teachings of Scripture is emphasized as the primary way to resist the devil.

The Role of the Gospel in Resisting the Devil

• Speaker clarifies that resisting the devil is not about using special techniques or tools but about living out the gospel.
• The strategy to fight the devil is rooted in the true grace of God, which has been previously exhorted and declared throughout the letter.
• The audience is encouraged to revisit First Peter to understand how to stand firm in the faith.
• The key points of standing firm include living holy lives, fearing God, trusting Christ, loving one another, and maintaining a good conscience.

The Promise of Restoration After Suffering

• Speaker reassures the audience that after suffering a little while, God will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish them.
• The period of suffering is described as a "little while" in comparison to eternity, providing a perspective of hope.
• God's ultimate purpose is to bring believers to eternal glory, and the sufferings are part of this process.
• The restoration promised by God involves mending, fixing, and strengthening believers to prepare them for eternal glory.

Encouragement to Stand Firm in the Grace of God

• Speaker concludes by encouraging the audience to focus on the grace of the gospel and to stand firm in it.
• The importance of not fixating on the devil but on the true grace of God is emphasized.
• The audience is reminded of Peter's experience and the prayer of Jesus for his faith, which should encourage them to remain steadfast.
• The message is extended to non-Christians, highlighting the devil's tactics to prevent them from receiving the gospel.

Final Prayer and Blessing

• Speaker prays for the church to be vigilant, sober, and to resist the devil by living out the gospel.
• The prayer includes a request for mercy upon friends who are in church but not yet in Christ, encouraging them to come back to God.
• The audience is reminded of the importance of receiving the gospel and allowing it to take root in their hearts.
• The prayer concludes with a blessing for the church to remain faithful and for non-Christians to receive the gospel.