Living for God. Suffering for Being a Christian. 1 Peter 4:1-19

1 Living for God Suffering for Being a Christian 1 Peter 4:1-19.

2 Living for God Suffering for Being a Christian 1 Peter 4:1-19, 1. Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2. That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 3. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: 4. Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: 5. Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. 6. For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. 7. But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 8. And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 9. Use hospitality one to another without grudging. 10. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 12. Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

3 13. But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 15. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. 16. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 17. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18. And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 19. Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. Introduction: I. Coffman outlined, divided this chapter as follows: A. The security of the faithful in judgment (verses 1-6). B. The destruction of Jerusalem prophesied (verses 7-11). C. Special instructions to Christians as the approaching terror develops (verses 12-19). II. Black and Black summarize the chapter as follows: A. Peter again encourages his readers to face up to persecution and continue living for God.

4 B. They need to avoid falling back into their old lifestyle of sin. C. Their former friends will abuse them for the changes they have made, but they need to follow Christ in his willingness to suffer. Commentary: Living for God I Peter 4:1, Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; I. Forasmuch, therefore, since, as Christ suffered in the flesh, his body, A. This is clearly a reference to the death of Christ on the cross. B. Because of Christ s sacrificial death, certain things follow including: II. arm yourselves also with the same mind, attitude, A. We are to have the same sacrificial attitude as demonstrated by Christ. 1. Philippians 2:5, Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 2. Christians are to think as Christ thought. 3. What a difference this would make! B. This mindset is a military arrangement for the Christian against the wiles of the devil.

5 III. because, for he that, who has suffered in the body, flesh has ceased from sin, is done with sin. A. Those who have become Christians, died to sin, must have nothing more to do with sin. 1. Romans 6:1-7, What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. 2. Christ did not die to enable us to continue to live in sin. 3. Christ died to enable Christians to live in righteousness. B. John 1:8, 10, He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 1. Christ did not cease to sin. He never sinned. C. Black and Black quoted The New Living Translation to give the meaning of this passage: 1. For if you are willing to suffer for Christ, you have decided to stop sinning.

6 1 Peter 4:2, That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. I. As a result, you should no longer live the rest of your earthly life, time in the flesh A. Romans 6:8-14, Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. B. Those who have the attitude of Jesus and suffer for doing God s will, as Black and Black observed, have gotten out of the sinning business. II. to the lusts of men, for evil human desires, III. but rather for the will of God. A. 1 Peter 3:18, 19a, For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; 1 Peter 4:3, For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:

7 I. For the time past may suffice to have wrought the desire of the Gentiles, you have spent enough time in the past A. Like other lists of sins in the New Testament, this list was not intended to be exhaustive, but rather representative of all sins. B. The Christians to whom Paul wrote once lived in sin, but no longer did so. II. and to have walked in; doing what pagans choose to do- A. The past was more than sufficient for living in sin. B. Coffman wrote, Surely you have already had enough of such things. C. Romans 6:21, What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. D. 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10, Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. E. lasciviousness, debauchery, F. lusts, G. winebibbings, drunkenness, H. revellings, orgies, I. carousings, J. detestable, abominable idolatries.

8 Note: Black and Black categorize these sins as those of sexual immorality (vv. 1 and 2) those associated with alcohol consumption (vv. 3, 4, 5) and to pagan worship (v. 6). 1 Peter 4:4, Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: I. Wherein they think it strange that you run not, do not plunge with them A. The Christian life seems strange to those who live in the way of the world. II. into the same excess of riot, flood of dissipation,... A. It is most difficult to live in just a little sin. 1. It is next to impossible for an alcoholic to take one drink and quit. 2. Evil multiplies and becomes a flood. B. Black and Black define dissipation as wickedness or wild living. III. speaking evil of you, they heap abuse on you, blaspheme. A. When Christians refuse to live in sin, the world ridicules them. B. These Christians had been, before their conversion, involved in this evil lifestyle. C. Their former friends in sin could not understand their changed behavior and verbally attacked them. D. Black and Black pointed out that Christians live a countercultural lifestyle.

9 1 Peter 4:5, Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. I. Who, they will have to, shall give account to him A. Sinners who abuse Christians have a certain fate; they will stand before the judge of all the earth. II. that, who is ready to judge III. the living and the dead. A. Acts 10:42, And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. B. 2 Timothy 4:1, I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; C. Matthew 25:31-46, When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto

10 them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. IV. There is a time of reckoning coming! A. Sinners will be punished! 1 Peter 4:6, For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. I. For to this end, this is the reason the gospel was preached even to the dead, those who are now dead, A. With eternal judgment in mind the gospel was preached. B. The gospel was and is preached to those who are dead in sin, spiritually dead. C. The gospel had been preached to millions while they lived who are now physically dead. II. so that they might be judged indeed according to men in the flesh, in regard to the body, A. Christians are subject to death as is everyone.

11 B. Black and Black gave two possible interceptions of this passage, viz,. 1. They die physically like men, but they rise to live in the spirit like God. 2. They are judged according to the standards of men but live according to the standards of God. 3. Black and Black believe interpretation #2 above agrees better with the context and the verbal abuse suffered by Christians because of their righteous Christian living. III. but live according to God in regard to the Spirit. A. Christians live now and in the hereafter in keeping with God s Spirit. B. Consequently, Christians enjoy the hope of glory now and the enjoyment of glory in the world to come. C. Therefore, Christians are not to be discouraged by the opposition of sinful men! 1 Peter 4:7, But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. I. But the end of all things is at hand; near: A. Statements of this kind were to encourage watchfulness and preparedness by Christians, Coffman observed. 1. Romans 13:12, The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 2. James 5:8, Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

12 3. 1 John 2:18, Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. 4. Revelation 1:3, Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. B. For all of us death is at hand, around the corner. C. The destruction of Jerusalem occurred only five years after Peter wrote this book. D. To the Jew, the destruction of Jerusalem, the temple and the nation of Israel was certainly to them the end of all things. E. Black and Black wrote, Peter shared with James, Paul, and other early Christians the opinion that the Second Coming of Jesus was at hand. 1. The second coming has been delayed because of the Lord s patience in not wanting anyone to perish. II. Therefore be of sound mind, clear minded A. In view of the coming, cataclysmic events, Christians must be of sound and clear minds. III. and be self-controlled, sober, unto prayer, -so that you can pray. A. Sober-mindedness is essential to acceptable prayer before God. B. Black and Black wrote, Peter calls for clear thinking and selfcontrol because the end is near and in order to facilitate prayer. C. 1 Peter 3:7, 12, Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that

13 your prayers be not hindered. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. 1 Peter 4:8, And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. I. Above all things A. The most important thing is here identified. II. being fervent in your love among yourselves, love each other deeply, A. In view of the intense persecution to befall Christians, the thing of utmost importance is deep, fervent love among the disciples. B. This would certainly strengthen them when persecution fell upon them. III. for, because love covereth over a multitude of sins. A. Love causes us to overlook our fellow Christians faults. 1. Proverbs 10:12, Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins. 2. James 5:20, Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. 3. 1 Peter 2:17, Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. 4. 1 Peter 3:8, Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

14 B. In unity there is strength! 1 Peter 4:9, Use hospitality one to another without grudging. I. Offer, use hospitality, one to another A. In view of the coming persecutions, hospitality among Christians would be of utmost importance, essential to the survival of many. B. Hospitality demonstrates love. 1. Romans 12:13, Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. 2. Hebrews 13:2, Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. II. without murmuring, grumbling, grudging. A. Hospitality that is grudgingly offered with murmuring and grumbling was counter productive. B. Christians could not withstand intense persecution while murmuring and grumbling among themselves! C. Remember what happened to the murmuring Israelites in the wilderness. 1 Peter 1:10, As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. I. According as each has received a gift, each one should use whatever gift he has received

15 A. Any talent or ability a Christian has, whether natural or supernatural, is a gift from God and should be used as God intended. B. Hospitality is a gift to be used. C. Romans 12:6, Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; II. ministering it among yourselves, to serve others, A. Our gifts are to be used to minister to our fellow-christians and others. III. as good stewards of the manifold grace of God; faithfully administering God s grace in its various forms. A. We are responsible for how we use talents, abilities God has entrusted to us. 1 Peter 4:11, If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. I. If any man, one speaks, II. speaking, he should do it as one speaking the oracles of God; A. Coffman reminds us that oracles is a word which refers in Scripture to : 1. the laws given to Moses. a. Acts 7:38, This is he that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the

16 mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us: 2. the Hebrew scriptures. a. Romans 3:2, Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God. 3. the word of God. a. Hebrews 5:12, For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. B. It is the duty of Christians to respectfully speak the word of God in love. 1. Those who set about to teach the word of God have a great responsibility. 2. The word spoken must be the same as if God were speaking through them, total truth. 3. The word must be spoken with the attitude God would have when speaking them. III. if any one man ministers, serves, A. It is the duty of Christians to respect others and minister to them in love. B. Speaking and ministering, serving, are both essential if we are to please God. IV. ministering as of the strength which God supplies: he should do it with the strength God provides,

17 A. In all our ministering we are to do it with the strength which God provides. B. We are to minister in God s way, not according to human wisdom. V. so that in all things VI. God may be praised, glorified through Jesus Christ, A. God is to be honored by all we Christians do! B. Our actions and speech are to give glory to God through Christ. C. Scriptures: 1. 1 Peter 1:3, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 2. 1 Peter 2:12, But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; VII. To him, whose is the: A. glory, B. dominion, power, C. for ever and ever. VIII. Amen. Note: This doxology brings this section of Peter s writing to an end, a conclusion. (Black and Black)

18 Suffering for Being a Christian 1 Peter 4:12, Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: I. Beloved, Dear friends, A. 1 Peter 2:11, Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; B. Christians are to be dear, beloved friends. C. This expression introduces a new section in the book, Black and Black concluded. II. do not be surprised, think it not strange concerning the painful, fiery trial among you, you are suffering,... A. Christians should not be surprised when fiery, burning trials come upon us. 1. Fire can be used to destroy or to refine. May we use it to refine us and make us pure! 2. 2 Timothy 3:12, Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 3. John 15:18-20, If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love its own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

19 4. Revelation 18:9, 18, And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city! B. Included in fiery trials are the burning of Christians at the stake under Nero in Rome. 1. Fiery trials may also include all intense persecution of whatever kind. 2. The fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you is preferred. a. 1 Peter 1:6, 7, Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: III. which comes upon you to prove you, A. Persecutions certainly test us. B. Many fail this examination. IV. as though a strange thing happened unto you, as though something strange were happening to you. A. Don t think persecution of the righteous is anything unusual or unexpected. 1. John 15:18-21, If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world

20 V. Why me Lord? would love its own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me. 2. 1 Thessalonians 3:3, That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. 3. 2 Timothy 3:12, Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 1 Peter 4:13, But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. I. but insomuch as A. To the extent II. you are partakers of Christ s suffering, participate in the sufferings of Christ, A. Christians partake in Christ s suffering by being persecuted for doing the same things Christ did and preaching the same things Christ preached. B. Philippians 2:10, That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

21 III. rejoice; A. 1 Peter 1:6-8, Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: B. 1 Peter 2:21-25, For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. C. 1 Peter 3:18, For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: D. 1 Peter 4:1, Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; IV. that at the revelation of his glory, when his glory is revealed A. When Christ returns in glorious victory, we will share in his glory if we remain faithful.

22 B. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10, And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. C. 1 Peter 1:7, That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: V. you also may rejoice with exceeding joy. A. Our present joy in Christ is a foretaste of glory divine. 1. 1 Peter 1:3-6, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 1 Peter 4:14, If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. I. If, when you are insulted, reproached because, for the name of Christ,

23 A. If, when we are reproached/ridiculed for serving Christ, we are blessed/happy because God s and Christ s Spirit (both one and the same) abides with us! 1. The Spirit is the Holy Spirit. 2. 1 Peter 2:12, Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 3. 1 Peter 3:14, 16, But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. 4. Matthew 5:10, 11, Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. II. blessed are you; III. because the: A. Spirit of glory and B. the Spirit of God

24 C. Isaiah 11:2, And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; D. God is with Christians in all their suffering for Christ. E. rest(s) upon you. IV. Otherwise these early Christians could not have remained so loyal to Christ under such terrible persecution. 1 Peter 4:15, But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. I. For let none of you suffer as a: If you suffer, it should not be as a A. Christians are not to suffer for doing wrong. 1. Amen! Period! B. Murderer, 1. How easy it would have been for persecuted Christians to have rationalized retaliation against their tormentors. 2. 1 Peter 2:19, 20, For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 3. 1 Peter 3:17, For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. C. thief, D. evil-doer, or any other kind of criminal behavior,

25 E. or even as a meddler in other men s matters: 1. Coffman wrote that the idea is that some assume, presume to become bishops of other people s business. 2. Meddling in other people s business might well have increased antagonism against the meddler and increased persecution. 3. The Greek word used here for meddle is used only here in the New Testament. 1 Peter 4:16, Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. I. However, when, if you, any man suffer as a Christian, A. Those who are persecuted because they are Christians have nothing of which to be ashamed (to feel guilty), but should glorify God having been chosen to share in the sufferings of our Lord. 1. Our suffering is to be only for righteousness sake. 2. Matthew 5:10-12, Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. B. The word Christian is used only three time in the New Testament. 1. Acts 11:26, And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much

26 people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. 2. Acts 26:28, Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. 3. 1 Peter 4:16, Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. II. do not be, let him not be ashamed; A. If we suffer for sin we most certainly ought to be ashamed! B. Watch selected television programs and be amazed at the total absence of shame C. Those who are to be ashamed are people who persecute the saints. III. but let him praise, glorify God in this name, that you bear. A. We share in Christ s sufferings here that we may share in his glory in the world to come! 1. 2 Peter 3:12, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 2. Philippians 3:10, That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; B. Isaiah 62:2, And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name. 1. It was customary for followers to take the name of the leader with the addition of ian.

27 a. Herodian. b. Christian. 1 Peter 4:17, For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? I. The time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God, with the family of God; A. The judgment here in mind was the destruction of Jerusalem and the Jewish nation, Coffman believed. B. This judgment may well have been the fierce persecution of the church, the family of God, the house of God. 1. 1 Peter 2:5, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. C. Black and Black wrote, The context indicates that judgment is suffering. II. if it begins first with, at us, III. what shall the outcome be for them that obey not the gospel of God? A. If the persecution of Christians is so fierce, and it was, how much more will be the suffering inflicted on non-christian sinners. B. Do not renounce your faith in face of persecution because disbelievers have a far worse destiny awaiting them. 1 Peter 4:18, And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

28 I. If the righteous is scarcely saved, if it is hard for the righteous to be saved, A. This follows Jewish poetic form by saying the same thing twice. B. Rome persecuted Christians, but Jerusalem and the Jewish nation politic were destroyed. C. Proverbs 11:31, Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner. D. The fate of the disobedient will be far worse than the suffering of the righteous. (Black and Black) II. where shall the: A. ungodly and B. sinner C. appear? What will become of the ungodly and sinners? Note: The coming final judgment at he end of the age should inspire suffering Christians to be diligent under persecution because the wicked will suffer far more in eternity. (Black and Black) 1 Peter 4:19, Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. I. Wherefore, so then, II. let them also that suffer according to the will of God A. Suffer here refers to the death of Christian martyrs. B. Persecution appears to have been regarded by early Christians as the will of God.

29 1. 1 Peter 3:17, For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. III. commit themselves, their souls, their entire lives in well-doing unto a faithful Creator. A. The first century persecutors, suffering and the destruction of Jerusalem are reminiscent of the coming final judgment and eternal punishment. B. 1 Peter 2:23, Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: C. 1 Peter 1:9, Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. IV. and continue to do good.

30 Questions 1 Peter 4:1-19 1. How does Coffman outline 1 Peter 4? 2. Do you believe this outline correctly reflects the contents of this chapter? Give your rationale for your answer. 3. How do Black and Black summarize 1 Peter 4? 4. Do you agree with this summary? Give your rationale for your answer.

31 5. With what are Christians to arm themselves? How does this protect us from the wiles of the devil? Be specific. 6. How can it be said that those who have suffered in the flesh have ceased from sin? Can any human live totally above sin? 7. Contrast the lives of the disciples to whom Peter wrote before and after their conversion. 8. Before their conversion the people to whom Peter wrote had been guilty of,,,,,,,,,,. 9. Into what three categories did Black and Black place these sins?

32 10. Are we to hold pre-conversion sins against our fellow-christians? Look down on them for past sins? Do we ever do this? 11. Why did non-christians speak evil of Christians and think their behavior was strange? 12. Do people speak evil of you and think your behavior is strange? Why or why not? Is this good or bad? 13. Are you ready to give an account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead? If not, what can you do to be sure you are ready?

33 14. Why was the gospel preached to the dead? Explain what is meant by preaching to the dead? 15. What is meant by the expression, the end of all things is at hand? Two thousand years have come and gone since Peter wrote this. The world still stands and Christ has not returned. 16. In view of the fact that the end of all things is at hand, Christians are to be of, - and unto. 17. What did Peter say was above all things? Is this above all things in your life and church? Why or why not? 18. How does love cover a multitude of sins?

34 19. Christians are to use one to another without,. How well or poorly do we obey this command? 20. What gifts has God given you? 21. How are we to use the gifts God has given us? See verse 10. 22. Christians are to speak as the oracles of God. What does this mean? What are the oracles of God? 23. What is the purpose of all this? See verse 11.

35 24. What fiery trials were coming upon the readers to whom this letter was addressed? 25. Is it strange that Christians are persecuted for their faith? Why or why not? 26. Why are Christians to rejoice when persecuted for righteousness sake? 27. How can it be said Christians are blest when reproached for serving Christ? See verse 14. 28. Christians are never to suffer being,, or a in other s matters.

36 29. Why did Peter need to warn his readers not to be murderers and thieves? 30. How many times is the word Christian used in the New Testament? Where is the word found and what do these verses say? 31. What shall be the end of them that obey not the gospel of God? 32. What is meant by obey not the gospel of God? Really think about your answer.

37 33. If the is, where shall the and appear? Where will they appear? 34. Let them that according to the of their in - unto a. 35. Are Christians being persecuted now? If so, where? Why are Christians not persecuted more?