Are we committed?
1 Peter Sermon Series, Part 12
1 Peter 4:12--19
Introduction
- Peter now ties these two chapters (sufferings of Christ and living for Him)
-- There is a huge implication here about adopting the same attitude as He did
-- He suffered, was broken, and died because of the things we had done
-- APP: Implication is: Are we living to serve others in a like-manner?
- How do we do this?
• Have the same perspective on suffering that Jesus did
• We’ve spent enough time living in sin – abandon it
• God will judge sin and we should live for Him
- Peter’s writing/command here is simple … will we apply it to our lives?
- Then Peter writes to the church about living/worshiping corporately together:
• These just leapt of the page at me when I read this section:
• Since the end is near, live intentional towards others
• Use your spiritual gifts to serve, rather to gain
• As you serve others, God gets the glory
- IMP: This is how a church draws closer together; how we strengthen one another
-- HUGE: It’s also how a body of believers draws non-Christians to them
- Read 1 Peter 4:12-19
∆ Point 1 – Don’t be Surprised
- Peter’s words of encouragement here really hit us where we live (v11)
-- Often times, we are so focused on life that we lose sight of the ultimate goal
- The goal of a Christian is to: Exalt and proclaim Christ to all we meet
-- It really is that simple! We are to be about His business in all we do
- Dear friends (he is writing to the church; to those called to the same cause
-- Do not be surprised … most today are appalled that there are rough times
-- Those who think Christianity would be easy are fooling themselves
-- Re: Jesus was killed for His faith; murdered for proclaiming the truth
-- APP: This death however brought us redemption and was necessary
- We can’t live our lives thinking that it will always be roses and sunshine
-- Peter tells us to not be surprised; it’s not something strange happening
-- Peter himself was martyred for the faith; knowing He would die for Christ
- He tells us to stand up, to concentrate, to live upright and holy; proud of Him
-- We should rejoice (v13) that we are considered worthy to suffer as well
- Why? Peter’s words really are the key to our success here:
- Participate: koinōneite, literally that we have shared in
- Sufferings: pathēmasin, to identify closely with one’s pain (re: crucifixion)
- Overjoyed: charēte, means to rejoice, to celebrate
- Glory is revealed: apokalypsei, refers to a revelation; to uncover/reveal
- It is in the identification that we find GREAT honor and blessing
-- To be counted among those who suffer is to rejoice because you are His!
- TRANS: Peter says to REJOICE when these things happen! Why?
∆ Point 2 – Suffer Well for Him!
- What Peter writes next ought to be EXTREMELY important to all of us
-- It is more than a battle cry; it is more than a simple “cheer” for good news
-- IMP: It is a LIFE application that extends beyond our thoughts and into eternity
- Re-read v14-16
- Peter says that we ought to have a DESIRE to know Him in all things
- Phil 3:10, “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death”
- This includes when the insults come and the nonsense begins
-- Not just everyday stuff, but the deep spiritual stuff (like being mocked for Him)
- V14: If you are insulted … it is a GOOD thing!
- V15: If you suffer: it is NOT because you are being punished like a criminal
- V16: Suffer as a Christian b/c you bear HIS name, not your own
- 2 Cor 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
- We are no longer our own, it is a revelation of FREEDOM for all in Christ
-- Peter knew this INTIMATELY – he was a denier who was STILL redeemed
-- He was restored b/c he bore the name of Christ; in Him was no guilt
-- APP: It is why he can write to us to openly and without worry of “society”
- v16 ought to really fire us up in today’s culture: “However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.”
- We should praise God when we stand up for what is right
-- We should praise God when we refuse to cower to society’s pressure
-- Just because society agrees doesn’t mean God has changed his mind
- For example: 54,559,615 babies have died (murdered by abortion) since 1973
-- There’s only 320M living in America today (that is 17% of our population)
- Where is the outrage? Where is the church to proclaim this as not acceptable?
-- Peter’s cry is that we would be proud to stand on the Word of God, always
-- Peter says (v16) “IF” … that implies that we have actually done something
-- Challenge is: Have we done anything to stand and suffer for the Gospel?
- TRANS: What ought to wake us up is the warning we get after those verses
∆ Point 3 – A Judgment is Coming
- This is a hard truth to swallow, and one that most would like to ignore
-- This judgment is NOT for those who do not know Christ
-- This is for those within God’s house who refuse to repent and obey
- v17, “For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household”
-- That ought to grab you exactly where you are and shake you to your core
-- God, who is merciful and just, begins by judging those in His house
-- APP: The implication is clear: We have no excuse, He begins with us
- Then Peter goes even further: what about those who do not obey the Gospel?
-- What about those who reject the cornerstone; the very foundation of the faith?
-- Mike preached on Monday: Hell is a real place and real people are going there
- The question for the church is: Do you care? Are you at all burdened?
-- He quotes Proverbs 11:31, “If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner!”
- Peter’s command to us is to be willing to go all the way for Christ
-- APP: To live fully for God without our own preferences and desires in the way
- TRANS: So how should we apply this?
∆ Big Ideas
- It means we have to repent of and we have to give up our sins
- It means that we are no longer to be under the spell of society’s policy
- v18: Those who suffer for God’s will should COMMIT themselves
-- Commit: paratithesthōsan; to set before; to serve; to entrust
-- To fully devote ourselves because we are called by His name (not our own)
- It’s really where we need to work the hardest, isn’t it?
- Pray
