Ben Meade’s sermon “A Christian Life,” preached March 15, 2026 at Oak Hollow church of Christ, draws from 1 Peter 5:6-10 to show that faithful living amid trials requires three deliberate actions: humbling ourselves under God’s mighty hand, casting every anxiety on Him because He cares, and staying sober, vigilant, and courageous against the devil’s attacks.
Using a vivid freshman-year roommate story of Rufus crashing his car yet sprinting for help, plus examples of Lucas Russo’s humility and Joseph’s submission, Meade illustrates how these steps turn struggle into spiritual growth.
He closes by promising that God will perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle every believer who follows them, ultimately calling us to eternal glory in Christ.

In this encouraging message, Ben Meade opens with lighthearted birthday and March Madness greetings before sharing a memorable college story about his roommate Rufus, who fell asleep driving, crashed into a telephone pole and a Sonic sign, then sprinted a mile to campus in the middle of the night rather than calling for help. Meade then turns to 1 Peter 5:6-10, written to persecuted first-century Christians, and unpacks three core marks of the Christian life: (1) humbling ourselves under God’s mighty hand so He can guide and exalt us (illustrated by Lucas Russo’s selfless character and Joseph’s story), (2) casting all our anxieties on Him because He proved His care by giving His Son (supported by Romans 8 and Jesus in Gethsemane), and (3) remaining sober, watchful, and courageous by filling our minds with what is pure (Philippians 4:8), resisting the devil who prowls like a lion (James 4:7), and standing firm with the armor of God and the word (2 Timothy 4). The sermon concludes with the assurance from 1 Peter 5:10 that after we suffer a little while, the God of all grace will restore what is broken, establish our foundation on Christ, strengthen us, and settle us for eternal glory—an invitation extended to anyone needing prayer, study, or baptism.

I. Introduction & Personal Illustration (Rufus car-crash story)

II. Scripture Text: 1 Peter 5:6-10 (context of first-century persecution under Nero)

III. Three Marks of the Christian Life
 A. Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God (Exodus/Deuteronomy background; Lucas Russo & Joseph examples)
 B. Cast all your anxieties on Him, for He cares for you (1 Thessalonians 5; Romans 8:28, 32; Jesus in Gethsemane)
 C. Be sober, vigilant, and courageous
   1. Sober – take in only what is pure (Philippians 4:8; Rufus’s failed precautions)
   2. Vigilant – stay awake and watchful (Luke 22:40, 46; devil as roaring lion)
   3. Courageous – resist the devil, preach the word, stand in the armor of God (James 4:7; 2 Timothy 4)

IV. Promised Outcome (1 Peter 5:10) – God will perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you

V. Conclusion & Invitation (call to respond while we stand and sing)