The Christian’s Attitudes

I. THE PAST LIFE—vv.

A. The suffering—vv. . Christ suffered pain, therefore, we too will suffer if we follow Him.

1 Peter 4:1–2 LEB

Therefore, because Christ suffered in the flesh, you also equip yourselves with the same way of thinking, because the one who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, in order to live the remaining time in the flesh no longer for human desires, but for the will of God.

B. The separation—v. . All sins of the past must be left completely behind. Compare with .

1 Peter 4:3 LEB

For the time that has passed was sufficient to do what the Gentiles desire to do, having lived in licentiousness, evil desires, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties, and wanton idolatries,

2 Corinthians 5:17 LEB

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come.

1 Peter 4:3 LEB

For the time that has passed was sufficient to do what the Gentiles desire to do, having lived in licentiousness, evil desires, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties, and wanton idolatries,

2 Corinthians 5:17 LEB

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come.

1 Peter 4:3 LEB

For the time that has passed was sufficient to do what the Gentiles desire to do, having lived in licentiousness, evil desires, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties, and wanton idolatries,

C. The surprise—v. . Your former friends will laugh at you, since you no longer will partake in their sinful practices. Expect the non-Christian to persecute and even ridicule you.

D. The Spirit—vv. .

1.) Responsible—v. . Responsible for your actions and deeds.

2.) Rejection—v. . Those rejecting Christ will be judged by God. Compare with .

II. THE PRESENT LIFE—vv.

A. The Christian’s prayer—v. . Watch—keep awake. Pray!

B. The Christian’s patience—v. . Patience is a form of love and charity. A Christian with real love will have patience.

C. The Christian’s personality—v. . Be kind and share with others. Being selfish shows a lack of Christ in your life.

D. The Christian’s part—v. . “God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God’s many kinds of blessings”—LB.

E. The Christian’s preaching—v. . All Christians after accepting Christ become preachers. Compare with .

III. THE PRAYERFUL LIFE—vv.

A. Partakers—vv. . Be happy for trials and problems. Rejoice when these things come your way. By accepting these, we become partakers with Christ.

B. Persecution—v. . “Be happy if you are cursed and insulted for being a Christian, for when that happens the Spirit of God will come upon you with great glory”—LB.

C. Purity—v. . No Christian should suffer because he is a troublemaker, or because of sinful living.

D. Patience—v. . “But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being in Christ’s family and being called by His wonderful name”—LB.

E. Purging—vv. .

1.) Cleansing—vv. . Judgment begins with the Christian. If Christians don’t live right, we can’t win the sinner.

2.) Consecration—v. . When you suffer, be patient. God will take care of you, and help you.

Croft M. Pentz, Sermon Outlines for Christians, Dollar Sermon Library Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1975), 29–30.