Move forward together through sufferings.

1 Peter 4:1–6 NKJV

1 Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 3 For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. 4 In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. 5 They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

Arm yourself with the same mind. * Same mind that Christ had regarding unjust punishment (The suffering that they were facing-1 Peter 3:8, 1 Peter 3:17).

It it noteworthy, what importance is attached to a new and right attitude of mind as being fundamental to that radical change of behaviour which ought to express itself in the lives of all who belong to Christ (Ephesians 4:17-24).

Flood of Dissipation: “Flood of dissipation” is an interesting phrase. It is translated from two Greek words; ANACHUSIS, meaning overflow, and ASOTIA, meaning wastefulness.

A question we can ask when uncertain of various actions is “Am I of the same mind Christ would be?”

1 John challenges us to practice the truth. John was writing during a time when the Gnostics were prevalent. They believed and were teaching that whatever you did in your flesh did not matter, but what you did in your mind/soul was what mattered. What Peter, Paul, and John were all getting at was that our dichotomy must be similar and emulate Christ in all of who we are. Dont forget what Paul states in Romans 7, (Paraphrasing) For what I am doing, I do not understand, it is sin that dwells within me. Vs. 23- Romans 7:23-25

Romans 7:23–25 NKJV

23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.

1 Peter 1:13 NKJV

13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

As if Peter is saying “Put Sin in the rear view mirror and don't go back, don't look for it, don't focus on it, and don't desire it. Put it away from you! We don't have time to be focusing and spending time on the wrong things!

We are called to tend to each other as seen in verse 10. These are actions to help tend to each other as a church community so that we all do not lose of seeking to “be holy for He is holy, and to be of the same mind in communion and consecration.

“End of all things could be the destruction of Jerusalem,

2. Be Serious and Watchful in your prayers.

We cannot afford to be lax and vague in our prayers. We must seek to be in tune and laser focused on the specifics of how we should be in prayer for.

Exercise: Look through the directory and see how many people you have specific prayer notes for.

3. Have fervent love for one another

“Fervent- displaying a passionate intensity”

Run to them!

4. Be hospitable to one another. This is one of the greatest actions we can do to one another. The reason there is high emphasis on a hospitality committee. The very action of outpouring love.

5. Minister to one another. “God’s ministry- be good stewards”- Example of the church that shut down.

6. Rejoice through the suffering.