49. The New Life is Different Life

The New Life is a Different Life

Introduction: We live in a country of tremendous freedom at this point. We have seen the slow but steady encroachment of persecution of Christians begin. But the church of God has been under assault for much longer than the recent years of persecution and prosecution of Christians for standing up for their faith here in the US. The assault has not come from without but from within. It is the unbiblical teachings that have made their way in, watering down sound doctrine with a weak gospel that saves no one and a view on sanctification that is anything but sanctifying as it seeks to keep just behind the moral values of our society. Even still the wolves in sheep’s clothing are not satisfied with lagging a little behind but now want to embrace the wickedness of the day. And for what? To be embraced by the world at the expense of being right with God.

Jas 4:4  Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

And if you are an enemy of God, it will only lead to disaster for you. But whether you are flying a jet that crashes into a mountain at 600 MPH or a single engine prop plane that crashes into a mountain at 120 MPH the destination and the result are still the same. With the antinomian’s mantra of “we are no longer under the Law but under grace” and on some on the reformed side placing sin under the banner of Christian liberty I quote Inigo Montoya from the Princess Bride “You keep using that word (or in this case, phrase), I do not think it means what you think it means”

1 Peter is a difficult letter. He is not calling for believers to be holy and blameless in the best of times but in the worst. Under growing persecution and suffering his message was not, hey take a break from the faith and its requirements, rather it was urgings, exhortations and commands to press on in obedience. Over and over, I am reminded of the suffering of members of our own congregation, of uncertainties we face, of all the pressure we are under between health and economic issues. Just as Satan afflicted Job for the purpose of causing Job to curse God, he afflicts us. And yet we have the blessed assurance that Jesus is ours. And it is because of this glorious divine assurance of the mighty working of God that we embrace this letter and all that it holds in the glorious doctrines we have seen and also, it’s commands.

1Pe 4:1-11  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.  (7)  But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.  (8)  And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "LOVE WILL COVER A MULTITUDE OF SINS."  (9)  Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.  (10)  As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.  (11)  If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

The last time we were together there were three points. 1. Our Example in Christ 2. Our New Mindset in Christ 3. Our New Life in Christ meaning our union and communion with Him. He was united to us in the likeness of our flesh, His incarnation and we to Him in His death.

This morning we will look at the practical implications of our new purpose and new life in Christ with just 2 Pts.

This new life is a life of Contrast.

This new life is a persecuted life.

Before we move into our points, I’d like to make a couple of general observations. First, The sins listed in the verse three are an explanation of the phrase “for the lusts of men’. When we speak of the ‘lusts of men’, it is sin of self-indulgence and the love of self rather than love of others. Men refers to mankind in general and not men as a gender so it is all inclusive. There is a stark contrast between the old and new life.

Secondly, this new life is lived in a community. It is in the community of the saints. In the community of the saints is strongly implied though not explicitly stated as it was a letter circulated to the churches throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. This is in accordance with the clear teaching of Scripture. Paul says that the church is the body of Christ. The body of Christ has purpose and function as a whole and in parts.

Eph 4:11-16  And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,  (12)  for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,  (13)  till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;  (14)  that we should no longer be children, tossed to and for and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,  (15)  but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—  (16)  from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

The purpose is growth both qualitatively, in regard to maturity and quantitatively, both as the Lord blesses as we sit under the ministry of those whom God has gifted for His church.

Heb 10:24-25  And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,  (25)  not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

There is also our personal interaction with one another in fellowship and encouraging, spurring one another on in the faith. This word consider means to ponder, give thought to.

We are not only to live this new life in the community of the saints but also within the community of “Gentiles”, meaning the unsaved, the world. In Jesus own words Joh 17:11-18  "And I am no more in the world; and yet they themselves are in the world, and I come to Thee. Holy Father, keep them in Thy name, the name which Thou hast given Me, that they may be one, even as We are.  (12)  "While I was with them, I was keeping them in Thy name which Thou hast given Me; and I guarded them, and not one of them perished but the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.  (13)  "But now I come to Thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy made full in themselves.  (14)  "I have given them Thy word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.  (15)  "I do not ask Thee to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one.  (16)  "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.  (17)  "Sanctify them in the truth; Thy word is truth.  (18)  "As Thou didst send Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.

And in the community of “Gentiles”, meaning the unsaved, the world. In Jesus own words

Mat 5:14  "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.

One of the purposes of us living in the world is to be gospel light. Proclaimers of God 1 Pet 2:9; Examples of Christ like living, 1 Pet 2:12; and to everyone who asks you to give an account of the hope that is within you 1 Pet 3:15

The brevity of life – so as to live the time in the flesh for the will of God. There are many verses for the brevity of life. Jas 4:14  Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Psa 90:10-12  The days of our lives are seventy years; And if by reason of strength they are eighty years, Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away.  (11)  Who knows the power of Your anger? For as the fear of You, so is Your wrath.  (12)  So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Psa 144:4 Man is like a mere breath; His days are like a passing shadow.

We live in a dream world where there is the false assurance of the certainty of another day. If this life was the sum total of our existence then there would be good reason to be morbid about the lack of assurance of another day. But this life isn’t it. There is life beyond this, eternal life with joys unspeakable. 1Thess 4:13-18 Paul talks about those who are ‘asleep’. Why does he refer to those Christians who have died as those who are asleep? Because sleep is a temporary condition. Though our bodies are at rest in the ground, our souls are with Christ where He is to be joined again on day of His return. There is no comparison to the temporariness of this life versus the eternity we will spend in heaven. Paul said in Rom 8:18  For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

This New Life is a life in Contrast - 1Pe 4:2  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. 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. 

It is the old life once lived versus the new we are to live today. It was once living according to the will of the Gentiles versus live according to the will of God. But this text doesn’t say what the will of God is, does it? It does. When we see this text in light of the whole it becomes very apparent.

1Pe 1:13-15  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;  (14)  as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance;  (15)  but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,

1Pe 1:22  Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,

1Pe 2:1-2  Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking,  (2)  as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,

We are to be proclaimers of the goodness of God for His salvation. We are to be those who submit to governing authority, submission as a principle in daily living servants to master’s, wives to husbands, husbands to Christ.

1Pe 3:8  Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;

As Peter has in the previous chapters pointed out Christian conduct, he now refers to the conduct of those who live for ‘the lusts of men’, according to the will of the Gentiles.

The verb ‘having walked’ can also be translated as having pursued. It points to a patterned lifestyle. Course of sensuality means that a steady path enjoyment, it is the expression or pursuit of physical, especially sexual pleasure. This has a very broad meaning to include dressing in such a way as to draw attention to certain aspects of the human body, to provoke lust in the opposite sex. It also can include what we read, what we watch, what we participate in. The feeding of the flesh outside the God ordained borders God has set in His Word. Lust is strong sexual desire. Uncontrolled it burns like a raging fire that can be all consuming.

Pro 6:27-28  Can a man take fire to his bosom, And his clothes not be burned?  (28)  Can one walk on hot coals, And his feet not be seared?

It seeks fulfillment at any and all cost and has no respect for the law of God or the sanctity of marriage. Drunkeness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries. We look at this list of self-indulgence, it was their old life and immediately think of its opposite – love God (which is primarily shown in keeping His commandments) and love your neighbor. Jesus was with the Pharisees and the Sadducees when one of the lawyers asked Jesus - Mat 22:36-40  "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?"  (37)  Jesus said to him, 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.'  (38)  This is the first and great commandment.  (39)  And the second is like it: 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.'  (40)  On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."

That Law which has been written on the tablet of our hearts which we all affirm is good and holy. It is to this law that has been written on the tablets of the believers heart that I appeal to you. Do we want to know how to live a life pleasing to God? Look at the law. And that is why we must be diligent students of it. In studying the Law we see the following.

Exodus 20:1-17. Read it when you get home. Understand that it isn’t a list of don’ts but for every command given is host of positive applications. In fact I would say that all the New Testament commands given are but an exposition of the 10 commandments. For example. The command You shall not commit adultery is explained and commanded in Eph 5:25-27  Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her;  (26)  that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,  (27)  that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she should be holy and blameless.

Heb 13:4  Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

The Purpose of the Law is to teach us how to love.

Mat 22:36-40 "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" (37) And He said to him, "'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.' (38) "This is the great and foremost commandment. (39) "The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' (40) "On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets."

Joh 14:21 "He who has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me; and he who loves Me shall be loved by My Father, and I will love him, and will disclose Myself to him."

It is because the Law has been written on our hearts that we yearn for its instruction as the Psalmist did in 119.

Psa 119:15-20 I will meditate on Your precepts, And contemplate Your ways. (16) I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word. (17) Deal bountifully with Your servant, That I may live and keep Your word. (18) Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law. (19) I am a stranger in the earth; Do not hide Your commandments from me. (20) My soul breaks with longing For Your judgments at all times.

This is the life that is in contrast to the lusts of men. Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature. The old things have past away behold new things have come 2 Cor 5:17

Let us die daily to our sin and live for the will of God.

And when God has saved us there is radical change. The lights are turned on and the sinfulness of sin is made known, the grace of repentance is given and the redeemed say No more. And It is a verse 4 says that are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation.

Oh, that we might forever cast our eyes on our Lord Jesus Christ! For He has saved us from the living death in which we walked with no consideration of the state of our souls but rather pursuing that which appeals to the basest of animal instinct.

This New Life is a Persecuted Life – they maligned you

The word malign is translated from the same word that means to blaspheme. The idea of blasphemeo is that the words spoken hurt or smite the reputation of another. It means to destroy or discredit another's good name by speaking evil against them. In the context of the NT, the "reputation" or "good name" slandered or discredited is usually that of God or of His Truth.

Blasphemeo refers to a “malicious misrepresentation”. Note that in several of the New Testament uses of blasphemeo, we see that the actions of professed Christians can speak louder than their words and thus convey "malicious misrepresentation" of God and/or the Gospel to those who observe those actions. In such situations God and His Gospel have in effect been blasphemed. Thus Christians for their part must take care that they do not, by their own conduct, give cause for blasphemy against God or against his word.

The present tense indicates this is not a one time "pot shot" but a continual barrage of vilifying remarks from their former party pals.

The former friends are surprised, offended, and resentful because of the Christian’s lack of interest in ungodly pleasures.

Paul echoes those words in 2Ti 3:12  And indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

Mat 10:22  "And you will be hated by all on account of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.

Mat 24:9  "Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations on account of My name.

Mar 13:13  "And you will be hated by all on account of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he shall be saved.

And to those who know not the Lord, they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

Application: First and foremost let us make no provision for the flesh in regards to its lust.