Living for God’s Will
1 Peter Sermon Series, Part 10
1 Peter 4:1-6
Introduction
- Following our Easter service, we see Peter make a small directional turn
-- His words of encouragement to live FULLY for Christ are still critical for us
• Do not fear (v3:14) – God is in control
• Revere Christ (v3:15) – He is Holy
• Be prepared with gentleness and respect (v3:15b) – Don’t be a jerk
• Be clear minded, no malice, letting the judgment be God’s (v3:16) – Live intentional
- HUGE: It is a symbol you have been redeemed because Christ is alive today!
-- We are saved because of HIS resurrection, not because we are so awesome
-- We were special enough for God to send His Son to die for us …
-- But at no time were we awesome enough to be consulted on what He should do
- It has always been about what Christ did. And what has he done? (Read v3:22)
• HE HAS GONE INTO HEAVEN!!!!
• HE IS AT GOD’S RIGHT HAND!!!!
• (and) ALL IN HEAVEN ARE IN SUBMISSION OF HIM!!!!
- From here, we see Peter really just go right at us where we live
-- It is a definite instruction for the church, and one that we would be wise to heed
- Read 1 Peter 4:1-6
∆ Point 1 – Live for God
- 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?
- We should be willing to suffer because of the example we have before us
- FARMER AND PIG STORY
- The cross was not convenient, it was not easy, and it was not minimal
- We should be willing to suffer because we’ve chosen to live righteous
-- Command here is to think about obedience the same way that Jesus did
-- APP: We should be convinced that it is better to do right than wrong
-- IMP: And, if doing right means suffering, so be it! See 1 Peter 2:20
- Because Jesus suffered in the body and did no wrong, he suffered for sin
-- We too should be done with sin, to choose to live righteous before God
-- This is what v2 is driving at: We live with God’s desires first in our lives
- What Peter is driving at is simple: We take our struggles with sin seriously
-- Why? Because Christ paid for our sin so that we can follow His example
-- So, we demonstrate that obeying God is more important than our desires
- To be crucified with sin (Paul writes about) is really exemplified in these verses
-- We take on ourselves Christ’s attitude and press forward showing God to all
- Amplified Bible quotes these verses: So, since Christ suffered in the flesh for us, for you, arm yourselves with the same thought and purpose [patiently to suffer rather than fail to please God]. For whoever has suffered in the flesh [having the mind of Christ] is done with [intentional] sin [has stopped pleasing himself and the world, and pleases God], So that he can no longer spend the rest of his natural life living by [his] human appetites and desires, but [he lives] for what God wills.
- TRANS: It’s a heavy decision to choose; but with eternal rewards
∆ Point 2 – Abandon Sin
- Our past experience of sin is sufficient (to convince us of how to act) (v3)
-- We’ve spent enough time giving into sin that we should no longer choose it
-- APP: That part of our life should be OVER … we should be done with sin
- What Peter does not do is spend a lot of time explaining what these sins mean
-- Why? Because they are pretty self-explanatory and need no entertaining info
-- “debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry”
-- APP: We were doing the things that God disapproves of to please our flesh
-- Peter says, “It’s time to give it up, and move onto Godly things.”
- Now, what is the world’s reaction to our choice? Simple (v4)
-- They are surprised! How many times have you gotten this reaction?
-- “Why would you want to stay home on Sat to go to church on Sunday?”
- It’s like their intention becomes to injure (mentally) the Christian
-- They defame, they lie on, and they degrade any decision to exalt Christ
-- Non-believers see Christ-like behavior as strange and unusual; to be mocked
- But why? Why does this continually happen? The Bible addresses it:
-- 1 Corinthians 1:18, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
-- APP: They see the cross as a joke because they don’t recognize their sin
-- Ref: Witnessing on St Ann/Bourbon St – anger over seeing the cross
- IMP: There is a hope (to a non-believer) that slander justifies their sin
-- It’s the same thing that happened to Noah when he built the ark
-- Same story line that John the Baptist dealt with while preaching
-- Same thing that happened to Christ as He professed repentance
-- APP: Believers will invariably suffer for doing well; it’s a fact
- TRANS: But, take note … they don’t get away with it
∆ Point 3 – Stand Against Ungodliness
- Here’s your question: Why should I stand against an ungodly life? (v5-6)
- Answer: There is a coming judgment that you must answer for.
- The judgment will be universal; it will be right and done righteously
-- It embraces the entire scope of the living and the dead; no one escapes it
-- Romans 14:12, “So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.”
- God is ready to judge mankind’s sin; and it comes without warning
-- Proverbs 27:1, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.”
-- APP: Those who practice those things (v1-4) will answer for what they’ve done
- Their victory may seem tremendous, but it’s a fleeting win for them
-- God’s judgment is eternal, and will be the final say in all that is done
-- He is already prepared; we are simply waiting for His timing to be revealed
- This is why our calling to live righteous is so urgent
-- It is also why we are to “sound the alarm” and demonstrate right living to all
- TRANS: So what should we take away from this study?
∆ Big Idea
- 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?
- Pray
