JUST FOLLOW JESUS! —-The Praxiology of Christ’s Suffering

Introduction

Story about Doing what is right even when it may not be popular

We are right in the middle of our 4 part mini -series on the suffering of Jesus as the example that Doing the Will of God is always Better even when it includes suffering.

two weeks ago we looked at the Theology of Christ’s Suffer from 1 Peter 3:18 which is the gospel message.

1 Peter 3:18 (ESV)

18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God…

Then last week we looked at a typology of Christ’s Suffer. in verses 18-22

a typology is a person thing or event that foreshadows Christ or his actions in the new testament

Peter uses the suffering of Noah and The story of the flood as a fore-shadow of Believer's baptism in the New Testament .

and he shows the church that both are a picture of the vindication that comes through the suffering of Jesus Christ specifically through his death, burial and resurrection.

His point in this typology is to prove to the church that God’s Will is always best- even when it includes suffering

in the next 9 verses Peter is going to give us the

Praxiology of Christ’s Suffering.

Praxiology- the Study of Human action and conduct

So here we have Peter speaking to this young church and he says your actions and conduct need to look like Jesus

“If you want to live according to God’S will your actions must look like Jesus.”

and He opens up our text today in chapter 4 verse one by saying

1 Peter 4:1 (ESV)

1 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking,…

Peter is saying “ CHURCH YOU NEED TO to look and live like Jesus - Especially when you are being persecuted for doing what is right

He’s saying this is what the Praxiology of a Christ follower should lookl like.

Peters desire is for the church to view their suffering the same way Jesus saw his own.

Jesus understood that his suffering was essential for Gods will to be done.

Jesus- knew that the father’s will of redeeming mankind Required him to suffer to the point of death even the death on the cross.

and so He willingly went through His suffering Knowing that Gods will is always best.

friends

It is only through Christ’s suffering that he paid our debt of sin in full

It is only through Christ’s suffering that he made a way for us to spend an eternity with a perfect holy righteous God

Do you understand that Jesus died completely in your place for your sins because that was the only way for you to come to God.

I love how Peter says ARM YOURSELVES WITH THIS WAY OF THINKING-meaning there is a spiritual battle going on for control of your mind.

Just because you have been saved and made New in Christ doesn’t mean the spiritual battle is over-

Today is Palm Sunday - A day where we are to celebrate King Jesus arrival into Jeruselem as the victor- Its means to be a foreshadow of Christ’s victory over sin.

When Christ rose from that grave He declared victory over death and hell meaning that those who are in him will never experience spiritual death in the lake of Fire.

but even though we have been given new life in Christ, Our sinful nature still wants to keep control of our minds and hearts.

This is the Battle of the wills

Our will verses Gods will,.

Paul speaks about this internal batlte

in Romans 7:14-19

Romans 7:14–19 ESV

14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. 15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.

Paul is simply saying that there is a spritual battle going on for control of your heart..

and this is why Peter says “Christian Arm your selves with the same way of thinking as Christ

If you are going to overcome the desires of yoru natural heart and live your life for the will of God You must think like Jesus. YOU MUST FOLLOW JESUS!

And so for the next 9 verses He is going to show the church four Christ like attitudes that we must have in order to live our lives according to God’s will and not our own.

Four Christ-Like Attitudes to Live According to God’s Will

Have a right view of your sin

1 Peter 4:1–3 ESV

1 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. 3 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.

Peter begins by saying that whoever has suffered for doing what is right has ceased from Sin.

Let me start by tell you what Peter is not teaching here:

He is not teaching the idea that we can live sinless lives here on this earth if we would just suffer enough for Jesus. or if we would just try hard enough

We know this because Peter’s entire point in chapter 2 was teaching the church that they must choose to avoid sinning and to look like Jesus in every relationship they are in.

Meaning this is a life long battle we are are going to be in

Peter is saying that when you chose to do Gods will instead of evil you have chosen not to sin.

you have ceased from allow that sin to control your mind,

In order to have the right attitude in our suffering we need to have the right attitude toward our sinfulness.

Peter in verse 3 says “Christian the time for letting Sin rule your life is over.”

You have spent enough of your life wasted on the sinful pleasures of this world.

When You put your faith an trust in Jesus Christ for your salvation, That old selfish man was put to death with Christ on that Cross and you have been made brand new with a new heart and a new purpose- and that purpose is to do the Will of God the Father.

Peter knew how hard it was to lose the right perspective of our sin.

Do you understand that the pleasures this world lives for are all about ones self?

My pleasure

my happiness my enjoyment,

my glory

Brothers and sister- You have been redeemed from this selfish sinful way of thinking?

Peter says in verse 2

1 Peter 4:2 ESV

2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.

God’s will is for you to look like Jesus in all you do. To be the voice of the gospel message to this world. So that God is glorified in your life.

In verse 3 Peter lists a bunch of really gross sins

1 Peter 4:3 (ESV)

living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.

We like to look at this list and think “well Im not that bad- in fact I dont do any of these gross things.”

Illistration of Brownies

How many of you love Fresh baked brownies?

You know What I actually brought a pan of brownies with me that Amy made this morning/

(Hold iit up smell it.)

ASK: would anyone here like a fresh baked brownie?

Hand out a couple… But dont eat it yet.

After handed out- Say “I forgot to mention that Stako my dog helped make these brownies.

Amy thought it would be interesting to put just a little chunk of dog poop into the brownie mix. EXAGERATE UPON THIS.

it still looks amazing it still smells delicious- In fact I doubt you would even know there was a little poop inside.

Now how many of you would eat this brownie?

No one in there right mind-

The whole brownies are ruined because of that little bit of poop.

***Ok I didn’t really put poop in there - you can eat your brownies..

Church do you understand this is what your little sin in your life does. - It corrupts the whole character.

those sins tat you still love - still carry with it the death penalty the penalty that Christ paid for with his life.

The question we need to ask ourselves when we are tempted to sin is do I love my sin more than I love my savior?

If you chose to sin you are telling Jesus that I love this pleasure more than I love you!!.

Friends if you are going to do the will of the God in your life-

If you are going to live for his glory and not your own even when it involves persecution, You must first have a right response to your own sinful heart.

`You must see your sin as You must choose to love your savior more than your sin. you must chose do what is right even when it includes suffering.

Peter goes on in verses 4-6 to tell the church that in order to live according to the will of God we must …*

Have a right towards the Lost 4-6

1 Peter 4:4–6 (ESV)

4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; 5 but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.

Peter is saying that unsaved people dont understand the radical change that Jesus makes in someone’s Life.

and because they cant understand this radical change, it makes no sense to them why their friend who is just like them, no longer wants to join in the party with all of the pleasures of this world.

And Peter says at the end of verse 4 that the worlds response to this strange change in their friend's lifestyle is to vilify them with their words and actions.

We see this all the time. Dont we

Many times When someone comes to Jesus they become an outcast in this world.

I have spoken with many of you - How you have had friends and coworkers and even family turn their backs on you because you now live for Christ and not the pleasures of this world.

In verse 5 Peter gets to the heart of it. He reminds the church that without Christ everyone of their former friends will be judged in the end for how they lived this life.

and in verse 6 He points the church back to the gospel message.

Friends The radical message of the gospel that can change your life is the same radical message that can change the hearts of those who are still lost.

How do you view the unsaved people in this world.?

Do you see them as the enemy- those who only want to persecute ?

Remember before Christ saved you you were the enemy of God

Do you see them as a bunch of idiots because they only do selfish things/

Friends remember their eyes are blinded to the truth - They dont know Christ!

the only reality they know is to do what ever brings them the most pleasure, the most comfort and the most glory

Remember Jesus words as he hung on that Cross As the crowds angrily screamed at him and cheered on his death

He cried out FATHER FORGIVE THEM FOR THEY DONT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

Christ’s attitude towards the lost was to give everything He had to provide a way for those same people who stood their mocking him on that tree to come to God.

Friends Peter is telling the church that in order To do the will of the Father you must have the same attitude towards the lost as Christ… this means that you see the lost not as the enemy of the church but as its mission

You have patience with them as you wait for God to open their eyes

You have love for them -knowing that the truth makes no sense

and you have persistence in the way that you live and speak the gospel message consistently in your life.

trans: in Verse 7 Paul goes on and says

1 Peter 4:7 ESV

7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.

3. Have a right attitude of the future

We need to view eternity as attainable- Meaning it should be our goal.

In Revelation 22:20 the apostle John quotes the words of Jesus where He proclaims “Surely I am coming soon.”

Christ is coming back for his church. and when he does He will take us to our eternal home with him in heaven for ever.

Friends do you live your life with eternity in view?

Remember the philosophy of this world is all about the moment- What will bring me the most pleasure right now in my life.

ILLuSTRATION OF THE ROPE

Have a long rope with about 8 inches of red tape on the end.

Points

We are created to live forever

think of this rope as picture of eternity - if Every inch is 20 years of life then this rope is only the first 24000 years of forever….

the red (4 inches) represents our life here on earth 80 years.

Think about what you are living for in perspective to eternity.

too many times We live for the moment without thinking about eternity.

(grab the middle section of red) We make decisions for this section of our lives that we are living in right now

(grab the last inch of red) or even we spend our time working hard so that these last 20 years are enjoyable

But think about what really matters here- This life is nothing when it is compared to all eternity.

James 4:14 ESV

14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.

Friends when jesus came to earth he had eternity in view.

His entire life was lived so that he could bring many lost sinners into the family of God , so that they could have an eternity with Him.

Friends if you are in Christ your end goal is not these 4 inches its Eternity ( Show the white rope)

1 Corinthians 9:24–25 (NET)

24 Do you not know that all the runners in a stadium compete, but only one receives the prize? So run to win. 25 Each competitor must exercise self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable Crown, but we an imperishable one.

Friends this life is a race- its a sprint and the finish line is eternity- and those who are faithful in this race will receive a reward in heaven.

This why Peter urges the church that if you are going to live out the will of God in your life you need to be sober minded and self controlled- Dont let the temptations of this world distract you from what God has called you to be!

Keep your eye on the eternal prize!

Friends -we need to have a right prospect of your life in view of eternity. Dont get distracted by things that will only last for these 4 inches

Be Holy - Do whats right even when its hard

Look like Jesus- Even when it results in Persecution

Proclaim the gospel- Even wen it seems that no one will listen,

Why because those are the things that will last forever!

…To do the will of God means that you live your life with eternity in View. You value eternal wealth over the pleasures of this world.

Transition: Finally in verses 8-9 Peter tells the church that in order to do the will of God they must

Have a right attitude towards the church

1 Peter 4:8–9 (ESV)

8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.

We must view the church as Lovable

Why does Peter mention loving one another in the church? Because He knew how Hard it still is for saved sinners to get along.

its not easy living with other people LAUGH especially sinners who are selfish just like me.

Brothers and sisters How do yo view your church family?

Do you truly believe that God gave us each other as a gift.

Do you understand that God knew how hard it would be for you to do what is right in this sinful world …so he gave you the gift of the church- to help you, to encourage you, to hold you accountable to love you, to build you up in CHrist. to give you a place to live out your Christianity

Friends,God has put us here together to be a family t family that is meant to go through this life together.

Christian YOU WERE NOT MEANT TO GO THROUGH THIS LIFE ALONE- YOU NEED THE CHURCH AND THE CHURCH NEEDS YOU.

I love how Peter says Above all love each other!

Meaning - if there is one thing you have to do in order to be in the Will of God its to love one another in the church.

You cannot be in the will of God if you are not loving your brothers and sisters in Christ!

Peter is not saying to just love your pastor or the person your sitting next to this morning

He saying love your grumpy brothers, love your broken sister. love the One who is still struggling to over come their sin. Love the one who has offended you-

Why Because love is what helps you look past their sins and see them as a co heir in Jesus Christ.

In a couple of weeks we will look at the next few verses where Peter is going to speak about how this love results in Serving one another in the church.

But for today as we look at the big picture of this text I urge you to look around this room and if there is someone you are not loving - I pray that you make it right.

BRING IT HOME

Peter is exhorting the church to do what is right Even when it includes persecution,

and He simply says “church all you have to do is follow the example of Christ When he went all In to do the will of God the father. When he gave everything to redeem mankind from their sins.

God’s Will is not that you will be successful,

His will is not that you will be financial secure

His will is not for you to have comfort or pleasure or fame or wealth in this life

God’s Will- for you as His Child is to bring him glory through the way that you live your life as an example of Jesus. Living your life as a gospel proclamation to the world HE desperately wants to save.

Friends if we are going to live our lives according to the will of God even when it includes suffering for doing what is right

We must have the same mind as Christ when He went ALL IN

We must see our sin as Despicable

as something we want to rid our lives from forever

We must see the lost as Reachable

Not as the enemy but as our mission

We must See Eternity as Attainable

Living our life for the things that will last forever instead of the temporary pleasures of this world that will fade away.

We must see the church as Lovable

understanding that the church is gods gift to us so that we dont have to go through this life alone.

On this Pal Sunday when we are suppose to celebrate KING JESUS- Dont lose sight of what our king did in order to save you and Me

Friends our mission as a church is the same Mission King Jesus had when he came to this earth- Its the gospel- to make and equip disciples of jesus Christ- and in order fo us to accomplish this mission we must have the same mind as Christ- We must chose to live our lives according to the Will of God. We must do it for His glory. and must do it together.

pray