1 Peter 4:1-11 - Living for God’s Glory

Introduction

It’s been quite a while since I’ve seen someone (usually a middle-aged man with a crazed look in his eyes and a disheveled appearance generally)… I can’t remember the last time I saw a man like that holding up a sign saying, “The End is Near.” Such a message (it seems) is usually intended to sober everyone to the impending disaster… To do what? I’m not really sure.

It was 1987 when the punk-rock band R.E.M. released their hit song, “It’s the End of the World as We Know It,” and as the chorus goes, they “feel fine.” The lyrics are chaotic – randomly including earthquakes and jellybeans – but the fast tempo and reassuring chorus made many think of it as a dance and party song.

I suppose that’s fitting. From the 1960s until very recently, teens and young adults (from GenX and the Millennial generation) have seemed to present both a pessimistic apocalypticism and a carefree – “enjoy it while you can” – attitude. Prince might have released “Party Like it’s 1999” in 1982, but I graduated high school in 1999, and this song seemed to capture the mood pretty well.

Others have taken a similar perspective about the near future (at least in the West), and they have decided that the response to impending disaster should be preparation. “Doomsday preppers” have built shelters, stockpiled small armories, and generally tried to construct a home and property that can survive without outside assistance (especially food, water, and power).

Some Christians in America have had their own way of dealing with the coming end of the world. “Prophecy” and “End Times” ministries have been a thing since as far back as I can remember, and these often try to interpret news headlines alongside various Bible verses. Some have gone so far as to predict the coming of Christ based on world events.

Now, I’m not making any judgments about prepping or enjoying freedoms while you can – I think it’s good to prepare, but bad to worry; and I think it’s good to enjoy freedoms, but bad to waste time, treasure, and talent.

However, I would strongly encourage you to avoid any so-called “Bible teacher” who spends a lot of time trying to calculate where we are on the eschatological timeline. These guys tend to be disastrous – both in their life and teaching – and the Bible explicitly warns us against trying to make predictions.

It is interesting, though, that our passage this morning presents an entirely different framework for Christians to think and speak and act in light of the coming apocalypse. In our passage, Peter says, “The end of all things is at hand,” but his call for Christian living in the meantime is quite ordinary.

If the end of all things is near, what sort of people ought we to be?

Where should we place our focus – our time, our effort, and our resources?

May God help us to believe His word today, and may He help us to live well in light of what He teaches us here.

Scripture Reading

1 Peter 4:1-11 (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. 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. 

7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 

10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.

To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 

Main Idea:

Christians must break from their past, live with one another in light of their shared future, and steward God’s various gifts in the present – all to God’s glory.

Sermon

1. Break from the Past (v1-6)

I’m so glad for the realistic and direct way the Bible speaks. In this first section of our passage (v1-6), we read about a realistic perspective of what sinners want and what they do, we have a direct call for Christians to turn away from their once-sinful lives, and we have a realistic description of what we should expect.

Sinners sin – it’s what they “want to do” (v3).

What do “Gentiles” or sinners “want to do” (v3)?

They want to “live in sensuality” (v3).

The old word for this is “licentiousness,” and it denotes an utter self-abandonment to excess and pleasure-seeking.

They want to indulge their “passions” (v3).

This word can certainly refer to sexual passions or lust, but it has a broader use as well.

It carries the idea of being driven around by one’s base appetites – living only for the pleasure of the moment.

They want to engage in “drunkenness, orgies, [and] drinking parties” (v3).

As much as our culture may have differences from that of the ancient Roman world (they had no cell phones, no industrial equipment, and no penicillin), human nature and activity hasn’t actually changed all that much.

Drunkenness (or mind-altering drugs) tends to go right along with all sorts of debased activities.

Their lives and loves are shot through with “lawless idolatry” (v3).

This phrase includes both the “lawlessness” and the “idolatry” of sinful living.

Sinners do not obey God’s laws, and they do all sorts of things God prohibits, because they have exchanged the true God for some other deity of their own making.

Christians were once sinners, but they have “ceased from sin” (v3).

Peter is clear here that Christians were once just like other sinners.

This is what the Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 6 – “Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, your were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Cor. 6:9-11).

Here in our passage, Peter says that Christians “do not join” with sinners anymore. Rather, they have “ceased from sin” (v4, 1).

This is not an absolute statement – Christians who “suffer in the flesh” because of righteousness (i.e., they are treated badly by sinners because they turn away from sin) have “ceased from sin” entirely, absolutely, completely.

But this is a generally true statement – Christians who “suffer in the flesh” because of righteousness have “ceased from sin” truly, consistently, intentionally.

This is not perfection, but resolve and reputation.

Indeed, it is precisely the behavior of “ceasing from sin” that leads to “suffering in the flesh” (v1).

Sinners are “surprised” by Christian conversion, and they “malign” (v4).

They “think it strange that you do not plunge with them” (NIV84).

They “heap abuse on you” (NIV84).

They “speak evil of you” (KJV).

Sinners don’t graciously and joyfully live alongside converted people who have now turned away from sinning and turned toward righteousness – i.e., doing “the will of God” (v2).

Sinners don’t want Christians to “impose their morality” or “be all judgy” about their sin.

Sinners don’t want Christians to remind them that the day is coming when God will judge “the living and the dead” (v5).

But this is exactly what Christians must do!

Sinners “will give an account to him who is ready to judge” (v5).

Peter reminds his reader that sinners may seem to be enjoying their sin for a time, and sinners may even seem to have an upper-hand on Christians for a time, but a day is coming when God will judge them.

The strange phrasing that Peter uses in v6 is simply referring to the reality that death seems to be the worst end for anyone who lives only for this world, but even if Christian die, they are still better off, since they are yet alive (in a very real sense), and they are awaiting the resurrection.

Therefore, Christian, break from your past & prepare to suffer for it (v1).

Friends, I wonder if you’ve ever been accused of being too up-tight or too prudish or too good.

If you haven’t, then why not?

Is there no sinner in your life who feels uncomfortable being around you… at least sometimes?

If you are not a Christian, then why is it that you feel a sense of condemnation when a Christian friend does not join you in sin?

They don’t get offended by your moral standards (your self-discipline or scruples); why are you offended by theirs?

Could it be that the Christian moral standard actually touches some deep inner sense that God will actually judge you one day?

Brothers and sisters (for those of us who are loving and following Christ), how are we preparing ourselves to be resilient?

If we are not going to be hermits (which we should not), then we will to rub shoulders with other people who don’t believe what we do and don’t live as we do.

We must prepare ourselves to engage with them.

We must know what we believe and why.

We must learn to be OK with the fact that some sinners don’t like us, some sinners don’t agree with us, and some sinners are actually working against us.

And we must learn to be jolly warriors – loving Christ and loving others, even as we turn away from sin, distance ourselves from the sinful ways of sinners, and remind them that God will judge what is right on the last day.

Christian, we must break from our past, leave our sinful lives behind, and strive toward holiness… but we are going to need help to do it.

2. Look to the Future (v7-9)

Peter offers two ways for Christians to be helped in this effort – the effort to “live for the rest of the time in the flesh… for the will of God” (v2): first, Peter gives a reminder of the future, and second, he gives a command to live well with one another. Thus, you might say that this second point of my sermon is to look to the future… together.

Peter urges Christians to remember the future… and that it’s near.

Peter says, “The end of all things is at hand” (v7).

Peter said God is “ready to judge the living and the dead” (v5).

So, his reminder here is something like a mother might tell her children in the afternoon hours – “Your dad is coming home.”

For the obedient child, there is nothing to fear in such a warning.

Actually, the obedient child may feel a sense of joy and anticipation – “Daddy’s coming home, and I can’t wait to see him… I know he will be glad to see me!”

But for the disobedient child, there is fear in the warning.

The rebellious and disobedient child feels a sense of dread and anxiety – “Daddy’s coming home, and he will not be happy with me for the way I’ve been acting…”

At this point in our passage, Peter means to encourage and motivate obedient children of God, so there is no fear here, but sobriety – he means to wake them up to what they should be doing.

And what should Christians be doing?…

Peter commands Christians to live well with one another.

I see three commands in v7-9:

First, “be self-controlled and sober-minded” (v7).

These two – self-control and sober-mind – are basically synonymous, and they have a wide application.

In the context, the focus of the mind and conduct is to be calibrated according to the nearness of Christ’s return – the “end of all things is at hand,” so think, speak, and act with that in mind!

This life is not all there is, and so we should live as though our King is coming to bring about a renewal of all things – He will judge the wicked, and He will reward the righteous.

Brothers and sisters, how are our prayers and our thoughts and our actions reflecting an eager anticipation of the return of our Savior and King?

Second, “keep loving one another earnestly” (v8).

Note here that Peter’s commands are not for extraordinary or unusual activities, but rather for basic or ordinary Christian living in real relationship with other Christians.

As we’ve talked about many times before, “love” is the most-repeated command for Christians, and “love” is not merely sentiment or feeling but commitment and action.

In fact, Peter says that Christians should “love one another earnestly” or “fervently” (KJV) or “deeply” (NIV84).

This is a serious love, a diligent love, a consistent love… one that “covers a multitude of sins” (v8; i.e., it is persistently forgiving)… one that sacrifices convenience and comfort for the sake of others.

Brothers and sisters, how might we increasingly show this kind of love to fellow church members, knowing that we depend on one another to be faithful until Christ returns?

Third, “show hospitality to one another without grumbling” (v9).

This word “hospitality” is literally the “love of strangers” – it is typically associated with opening your home to those who are not family.

A broader application (and one for our day) might be to open our lives in such a way so as to welcome those who are different from us.

Remember, this is a command to “show hospitality to one another,” so there is a special focus here on strangers within the church family.

There are certainly NT commands to show hospitality more broadly, but let’s feel the weight of this command.

Friends, how are we opening our lives to other church members so that they feel welcome and at home with us?

How are we fostering and encouraging the sort of tight-knit relationships with one another that we will need when we suffer for doing good?

How are we making newer Christians (or Christians newer among our church family) feel as though they are deeply loved and connected?

This is not only a positive command to “show hospitality,” but also a negative prohibition to do it “without grumbling.”

It is one thing to open our lives begrudgingly to people we don’t know as well, but it is another thing entirely to do it with joy and grace.

Friends, there are times when Cass and I fantasize about being empty nesters.

We look forward to that day when the day-to-day chores of parenting kids in our home are over – when they have to pay their own bills, clean their own messes, and annoy their spouse (God willing) instead of us.

But we also remember that these days are precious, and we genuinely enjoy the good times with our sons.

It is true that genuine hospitality costs us a lot (time, energy, grace, patience, etc.), but what a tragedy it would be if we only focused on the cost and not the benefits.

Brother and sisters, Christians must break from their past, and we must join in with one another… looking to our future together, and committing to sober, loving, and hospitable lives intermingled with one another.

3. Steward God’s Gifts (v10-11a)

Of course, all of this is possible because of God’s grace. We cannot do this on our own; we need God’s transformative work and power. And this is exactly what Peter turns to next.

Here in v10-11, Peter teaches and commands Christians to understand that the “gifts” they have – their time, treasure, and talent; their opportunities, resources, and capabilities – these are gifts of “God’s varied grace,” and they are to be “stewarded” in “service” to one another.

Peter says, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace” (v10). And then Peter gives two categorical examples – one, speaking, and the other, serving.

Speaking

Peter says, “whoever speaks, as one who speaks the oracles [or “words” (NIV84) or “utterances” (NASB)] of God” (v11).

This is referring to the need (1) to speak to one another or teach one another or counsel one another and (2) to let the word of God inform and shape our words or teaching or counsel.

We must teach one another.

The Apostle Paul commands Christians, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom” (Col. 3:16).

And the word of God must inform and shape our counsel and teaching.

The Bible teaches us that “the word of God” is that which “works in” us to produce faith, spiritual growth, and holiness (1 Thess. 2:13).

It is the “right handling of the word of truth” which deserves God’s “approval” (2 Tim. 2:15).

It is the “abiding” “word of God” that produces strength and the ability to “overcome the evil one” (1 John 2:14).

Brothers and sisters, we do not need more worldly wisdom or home remedies or pop psychology. We need more Christians in our lives speaking the word of God to us.

When we need counsel (about a job situation or family problem or life decision), let’s make sure to talk with a mature believer about our situation.

When we give counsel, let’s make sure to cite some Bible with it or to cite biblical principles that uphold our counsel.

And if we have a good handle on Scripture (which is not as common among Christians today as we’d like it to be), then let’s understand that this is a gift of God to be used for the benefit of other Christians around us.

The first category of help we need to live faithfully in anticipation of Christ’s coming is speaking – “whoever speaks, as one who speaks the oracles [or “words” (NIV84) or “utterances” (NASB)] of God” (v11).

Serving

Peter says, “whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies” (v11).

This is referring to our need (1) for Christian service or ministry and (2) for the strength of God to do it.

We must serve one another.

The Apostle Paul commanded, “do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh [i.e., for sin or self-indulgence], but through love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13).

As we have freedom and opportunity and the occasion to do it, let’s serve one another in practical ways that meet needs, that show love, and that encourage spiritual growth.

We need God’s strength to serve.

How is it that the Bible says Christians may “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord” (Colossians 1:10)?

How can Christians “bear fruit in every good work” (Colossians 1:10)?

How can Christians “endure” with “patience [and] with joy” (Colossians 1:11)?

Answer: “being strengthened with all power, according to [God’s] glorious might” (Col. 1:10).

Brothers and sisters, let’s not wait for someone to ask for our help, let’s not spend all of our free time pursuing our own pleasures, let’s not imagine that Christian love/service is a one-way street.

When we notice a need among our church family, let’s consider our ability to meet it and make an effort.

When we are making plans for our free time, let’s consider how we might invest more of it for the benefit of others.

When we are feeling distant or unconnected from our church family, let’s not wait for others to reach out to us… but rather, let’s consider how we might invest ourselves in deepening those relationships by serving others.

Friends, by speaking and by serving we help one another break from our past, we help one another anticipate our future, and we help one another live faithfully and grow spiritually while we wait.

If you’re not investing yourself this way, then I wonder how well you’re doing breaking from your past, anticipating your future, or living faithfully in the meantime.

Are you consistently turning away from sin?

Might you be helped by engaging more with church members throughout the week?

Are you regularly encouraged by the hope of glory?

Might you be helped by pursuing deeper relationships with other church members?

Are you growing in faithfulness and spiritual maturity?

Might you be helped by getting yourself around more mature believers more regularly?

Conclusion

As we come to our conclusion today, let’s notice how Peter ends this section of his letter. He’s been going on for a couple of chapters now about how Christians are to live as exiles in the world, as witnesses for Christ, and as persevering children of God… even as they face hostility and persecution of various kinds.

Our passage today has been something of a summary of all that Peter has been teaching and commanding for a while now, and his general call here is (as I’ve been saying):

that Christians ought to break from their old way of living (the way they lived before they began to follow Jesus),

that they ought to anticipate their shared future (they will be alive and glorious with Christ),

and that they ought to live with one another in real relationship (stewarding their gifts of time, treasure, and talent, using them to speak to and serve one another).

But all of this is not (itself) the goal or end or purpose. Turning from sin, anticipating Christ’s return, and Christian living among the local church are all driving toward a greater goal – namely the glory of God.

See it there in v11. Peter says, all of this is “in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1 Pet. 4:11).

Brothers and sisters, what are we living for?

Are we living for momentary pleasure? Then, the end is near… eat, drink, and be merry… for tomorrow we die.

Are we living to build and preserve our own little kingdoms? Then, let’s hoard our resources, let’s build our bunkers, and let’s prepare for the worst by insulating ourselves from the chaos and destruction that is coming.

But if we are living to glorify God, then our thoughts, words, and deeds will be much different from others around us.

The end of all things is at hand, so let’s not join with sinners in their sin… let’s turn away from our past, and let’s call sinners to repent and believe while there’s still time… even if they mock and malign us for it.

The end of all things is at hand, so let’s live well with one another in light of our shared future… it is glorious, and we can be encouraged.

The end of all things is at hand, so let’s steward God’s various gifts… let’s speak to one another the words of God, and let’s serve one another as we have the ability and the opportunity.

If we will do these things, then God will be glorified in and through us… as the watching world notices that the people of Christ in the world are not like the rest. We may be mocked and maligned, but we are not living for the praise of the world. We are living for the praise and glory of our Savior and King… and He is worthy of every bit of it.

“To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (v11).

May God help us to do it, and may He glorify Himself through us.