If You are Willing to Suffer for Christ (1 Peter 4)
This week we are talking about “Decisions.” I want to address one specific decision, the decision to follow Jesus. If you have not decided to do so, you need to consider doing so. But if you have decided to follow Jesus, you need to examine the level of commitment necessary to successfully execute that decision. In relation to that level of commitment I would offer this bold proclamation;
If You are Willing to Suffer for Christ, You Have Decided to Stop Sinning
Read 1 Peter 4:1-5
We live in a very indulgent culture. Burger King tells us that "we can have it our way." Comcast brings entertainment into our home "on demand" Even the church is being impacted. With the coming of the Emerging Church we live in a time, accurately described by the apostle Paul when he told Timothy;
(3) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;
(4) and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. (2Timothy4:3-4)
In an effort to rewrite the gospel in a way that will appeal to the postmodern culture, we are told that the Gospel as we know it is far to dogmatic and arrogant to appeal to the masses. Instead we need to find a more moderate, acceptable gospel. Sound biblical doctrine is being termed dangerous and divisive! The passage that we will consider tonight says that suffering in the flesh is the prerequisite to stop sinning.
1Peter 4:1 SO, SINCE Christ suffered in the flesh for us, for you, arm yourselves with the same thought and purpose [patiently to suffer rather than fail to please God]. For whoever has suffered in the flesh [having the mind of Christ] is done with [intentional] sin [has stopped pleasing himself and the world, and pleases God],
So my question for you tonight is; is your decision to follow Christ, just superficial or intellectual, or is it worth suffering in the flesh to accomplish? If it is that is an indication that you have decide to stop sinning and truly enter into the abundant life that Jesus promised!
1. Jesus Christ Set the Standard for Discipleship
Read 1 Peter 3:18
Jesus made it clear that following Him would cost you something
The Cost of Discipleship
Luk 9:57-62
(57) Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, "Lord, I will follow You wherever You go."
(58) And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head."
(59) Then He said to another, "Follow Me." But he said, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father."
(60) Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God."
(61) And another also said, "Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house."
(62) But Jesus said to him, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."
Jesus did not go out and beg people to follow Him. He was and still is looking for total commitment.
2. We Can Decide Follow Him Because We Have the Mind of Christ
1 Corinthians 2:16 (Amplified) “For who has known or understood the mind (the counsels and purposes) of the Lord so as to guide and instruct Him and give Him knowledge? But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart.”
Romans 12:1,2
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, (must cost something) holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Philippians 2:3-5
(3) Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
(4) Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
(5) Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.
3. When We are Willing to Undergo Suffering (or self sacrifice, as He Himself Did), We are Done with Sin (our decision) read twice
Romans 8:18
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
1 Peter 4:2
(2) that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.
The world does not have this option, but in Christ we do!
The world will not understand but each will be judged individually for the decisions made in this lifetime. So in view of all that was spoken, what decision will you make tonight?....................