Christian Living: btw the 1st and 2nd Resurrection

Introduction: Peter had a question that we also have to answer. “How can we allow truth to impact our way of thinking and our way of living?”

Choose How to Think

Choose How to Live

Choose Who to Glorify

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.

Choose How to Think (vs 1)

How Did Christ Think

Philippians 2:5–8 ESV

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

How to Think Like Christ

1 Corinthians 2:10–12 ESV

10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.

Let’s move from the mindset to the lifestyle

Choose How to Live (vs 2-10)

Human Passions

Spiritual Passions

Human Passions Follow the Will of Man

Gentiles wanted to live out sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, & lawless idolatry

Spiritual Passions Follow the Will of God

For Effective Prayers: be self-controlled & sober-minded

1000 Illustrations for Preaching & Teaching Beyond Self

During the early days of the Confederacy, Robert E. Lee was severely criticized by General W. H. C. Whiting. Most persons would have retaliated. One day, President Jefferson Davis invited General Lee to share with him his appraisal of General Whiting. The noble Virginian commended Whiting in highest terms. Whereupon, an officer took General Lee aside to remind him of General Whiting’s verbiage against him. To which Lee replied: “I understood that the President desired to know my opinion of Whiting, not Whiting’s opinion of me.”

Loving One Another (vs. 8)

Showing Hospitality to One Another (vs. 9)

Serving One Another (vs. 10)

Let’s move from the lifestyle to our purpose in life

Choose Who to Glorify (vs. 11)

Whoever Speaks - speak the truth

Whoever Serves - use strength that God supplies

Glorify God in Everything

Conclusion: To him BELONG glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen