Arm Yourself with the Mind of Christ
Arm Yourself with the Mind of Christ for Suffering
1 Peter 4:1-11
Introduction:
Already looked at the suffering of Christ 3:18-22
Appears to be saying that Christ suffered for us, we can expect to suffer for Him
Therefore we are to arm ourselves with the same mind
See 2:21-25
I. Reasons why we can expect to suffer
Why can Christians expect to suffer?
1. We have ceased from sin 1b-2
As a believer we are now striving to live a life free from sin and pleasing to God
Romans 6:6-11
Old man was crucified with Christ
We do not serve sin
We do serve a living Savior
*Affects our attitudes, actions, where we go, what we do
*This makes us different from the world
World tends to tease, and cause to suffer that which is different from it
Go to any elementary school in the country and watch
Reasons we have ceased from sin (reasons we say no to sin)
1) Sin caused Jesus to suffer
How can we enjoy something that caused such pain and suffering?
He became sin and bore the full weight of it (not a pretty picture)
2) We now enjoy the will of God 4:2
Not now trying to please men, but please God instead
Family and friends cannot understand why the will of God is greater than the will of men.
Enjoying the will of God comes from being made alive in Christ
Not something that we force upon ourselves or make ourselves desire it comes naturally.
2. They remember your past lifestyle vv. 3-5
1) They remember that you did what non-believers did
Ø Lewdness: Lasciviousness: Sexual sins
Ø Lusts: Sinful desires, we often associate with sexual by Bible any sinful desire
Ø Excess wine: drunkenness
Ø Reveling: Wild parties.
Ø Banqueting: drinking bouts and parties
Ø Abominable idolatries: illegal idol worship
You did what they did, followed world
2) They now see an about face
You don’t run with them, don’t accompany them in doing these things
In the same “flood of dissipation” or KJV “excess of riot.”
Idea is riotous living
They don’t understand so they speak evil.
Fascinating:
Don’t think it strange when people:
Wreck their bodies, destroy their homes & families, ruin their lives going from sin to sin
But let him come to Christ and it is considered strange
Why?
A. They don’t understand
B. Your life may incriminate them
Acts 26:19-25 Festus to Paul
Mark 3:21-24 People to Jesus (These were friends and family)
3. We preach the gospel to them vv. 5-6
By both our new lifestyle and the spoken word
1) God is going to judge
Just by our new lifestyle alone we proclaim this truth
2) We preach the gospel
The gospel itself flies in the face of man’s desired message
*Man wants to believe that he is good
*Gospel emphasizes that man is not good and needs someone else
*Religion today: You either are good enough or you can be by following a set of rules.
Interesting: If we are going to suffer it is better to suffer at the hands of man than the hands of God.
II. Challenges with the end in mind vv. 7-11
1. Be sober
Be self-disciplined and self-controlled, not running after the whims of the world.
Be serious about the things of God
2. Watch to prayer
Watch here = a calmness
Talking about a calmness of mind as we see the end approaching
We can face suffering with a calmness that leads to prayer
3. Have a fervent love v. 8
Above all things: Before all things in order of importance
Fervent: stretched out: extended out to reach the one loved
Not waiting for them to come to us
For one another: Especially for those in the body of Christ
Covers a multitude of sins: Doesn’t pass on sin, gossip
Helps deal with sin properly
4. Show hospitality without grumbling
Idea is helping those that were traveling to minister the Gospel
They were in need of food and shelter
Do all you can to help the ministry
5. Use you spiritual gifts vv. 10-11
God gave the gifts and abilities
Use them to glorify God
Christian life is about service