1 Peter 4:1-11
Living Differently in a World That is not Our Home • Sermon • Submitted
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Introduction
Introduction
**Possible personal story to start message about suffering for Christ
Because Christ suffered he told us to expect suffering ourselves because we are His followers …
This is what Jesus meant when he told his followers to pick up their cross and follow him (Matthew 16:24).
A quick web search will bring up 100 verses about suffering … Some teach us what our mentality should be when we suffer.
3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
Does this mean that if you follow Christ you’ll always be persecuted and experience suffering? The answer is NO! But we shouldn’t be surprised when it happens. (1 Peter 4:12)
Big Idea: The reward of a life lived for Christ, even if we suffer, far out weighs anything the world has to offer!
Goal: Because life is not always easy, we need each other … Life Groups … “Doing Life Together!”
Message Title: A Different Attitude about suffering and serving (Live your life)
1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. 2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4 They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. 5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.
7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
There’s a lot of suffering in the book of 1 Peter and 2 Peter doesn’t get much better!
**Sight some scriptures (Nero … persecution)
In order to Live Differently … Differently Attitude about Suffering and Serving (4)
1. Prepare for Suffering
1. Prepare for Suffering
1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.
**Mark Driscoll - 14 kinds of suffering in the Bible
Demonic Suffering - attack (Job)
Disciplinary Suffering - correction from God (Israel)
Persecution Suffering - association with Jesus Christ (Paul)
Empathetic Suffering - people you love are hurting (Jesus wept)
Apocalyptic Suffering - increase of evil at the end (Jesus - Matt 24)
Are we definitely going to suffer for being a Christian? To some degree at some point in your life.
(Examples: a student who takes a vow of purity, a college student who refuses to party, an adult who refuses to cut corners or cheat )
“Arm yourselves” (military term)
We are to have the same intentions and courageous attitude and mind set that Christ had towards suffering. (Same attitude when Pau writes about the Armor of God - Ephesians 6:10-18)
As one commentary puts it, this doesn’t mean that believers should actively seek martyrdom:
(Example: Michael’s missions trip to China … “I always wanted to get arrested for handing out Bibles!”)
Many Christians are already defeated in their battle against sin … not willing to surrender everything … not willing to sacrifice anything in the battle. (Are you ready to be “done with sin?”)
29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
1 Peter 1. In the Last Days, Christians Should Have an Attitude of Commitment (1–2)
“I beg you to remember that there is no getting quit of sin—there is no escaping from its power—except by contact and union with the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Spurgeon)
Arm yourself with what?
“Same attitude”
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!
Jesus didn’t have a mindset that He was Jesus and therefore He deserved an easy life … no suffering
*A different attitude about suffering and serving … (1) Prepare for suffering
2. Do the Will of God
2. Do the Will of God
2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.
**KC missions trip … Church service in KFC @ Rest Stop … Sunny May … 80 - What am going to do with the rest of my life? … made a lasting impression on our students.
**The fear of missing out
1 Peter 2. In the Last Days, Christians Should Live with an Attitude of Wisdom (3–6)
Sadly, many Christians (in their heart of hearts) think that they have not spent enough time doing the will of the ungodly. They want to experience more of the world before they make a full commitment to godliness. This is a tragic mistake and takes a path that leads away from eternal life.
1 Peter 4:1-3 describe the believers who are “done with sin” … How? They learned to obey God more faithfully … even if they’ve had to suffer because of it.
“you spent enough time doing this stuff” … sadly some are still stuck in this mess! There’s hope today!
Debauchery (Sensuality … a lack of restraint) Where do you lack restraint? (spending money, over eating, anger, tongue)
Lust (Self indulging / evil cravings) What evil desires dominate you?
Drunkenness (a temporary state which leads to poor decisions) What are you prone to be addicted to?
Orgies (an occasion for excessive eating or drinking - this can include debauchery) What sexual sin or other sin entices you?
Carousing (Drinking parties) What social sin tempts you?
Detestable idolatry (forbidden or disgusting worship of any material that represents another god)
4 They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. 5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
**They will give an account!! (Galatians 6:7)
3. Be Ready
3. Be Ready
7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.
Be ready for the return of Christ … it’s going to happen!
**Scripture references
We need to be ready for the return of Jesus Christ! Peter mentioned this idea earlier in chapter 1:
13 Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.
“you may pray” - I wonder if you release the importance of prayer? Personal and congregational
Many Christians are so fixated on the signs leading up to the return of Christ, I wonder if it has driven them deeper in prayer!?
4. Love & Serve
4. Love & Serve
8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
What does this verse mean?
What it doesn’t mean
We can’t forgive sins (no man can) … only Jesus can forgive sins
Doesn’t mean we cover up sins … Church discipline** (a few scriptures)
9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
**Possibly use the Albanian home illustration
10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
**Identify some of the gifts of the Spirit as well as service gifts listed in scripture.
On The Bench
Illustration - Ugly Americans
Back in 1963 there was a movie starring Marlon Brando called “The Ugly American”. It was a fictional story, but it dealt with the very real perception of Americans overseas. We were seen by many as “Ugly Americans”. People in other countries have viewed American tourists and American businesspeople as being loud, arrogant, demanding, thoughtless, ignorant, and intolerant of people who weren’t like them.
Illustration - The Albanian Home
In Albania, hospitality is evidently very common. It is part of their culture. It stems from the fact that before Communism, most Albanians were Muslims. A guest, even if he is a total stranger, is offered some tobacco to smoke and given a seat next to the hearth--a place of honor. If he has traveled far, the woman of the house will wash his feet. He is served coffee and after that invited to the table to eat. Every house is supposed to keep special food ready in case there are guests. The key to it all is an old Albanian saying--"an Albanian’s house belongs to God and His guests."