1 Peter 4

“Keeping On” In the midst of persecution and suffering.

Christ’s Suffering and Ours 3:18-4:6

1 Therefore {2:19-24; 3:18}, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh {physically}, 

arm {equip} yourselves also with the same mind {way of thinking, understanding, resolve, purpose}, 

for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from {finished with} sin, 

·      Suffering and persecution have a way of putting life’s priorities in their proper order.

·      Suffering does not give us a license to sin. Suffering doesn’t earn us a compromise with sin.

·      Romans 6:6&11 6 ”knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.“

·      Keep on walking in the newness of life. 

Ø  Don’t let the pain or the suffering cause you to go back to the old life.

2 that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men {human desires, carnal passions}, 

but for {now on} the will of God. 

·      What should believers be living for?

·      2 Corinthians 5:15 ”and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.“

·      Who are you living for? Your self or the LORD?

3 For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles {heathen, pagans, godless}—

·      Be done with your past lifestyle. Leave it alone.

·      What do unbelievers live for? 

when we walked in lewdness {unrestrained behaviors, shameless conduct}, 

lusts {sensuality, evil desires, carnal passions, fleshly pursuits}, 

drunkenness {living under its influence and under its condemnation}, 

·      1 Corinthians 6:9-11 ”Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. ”And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.“

·      Galatians 5:19-21 ”Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.“

revelries {orgies}, 

drinking parties,

and abominable idolatries. 

4 In regard to these, 

they {the old friends} think it strange {they’re surprised} 

that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation {excessive riot, wild living, debauchery, waste}, 

·      Who are you running with? 

Ø  “Tell me who you run with, and I’ll tell you what you are.”

speaking evil of {slander} you. 

·      They’ll love you as long as you’re using what they’re using and living for what they’re living for.

·      You find out who your real friends are when you want to get right with God and do better for yourself and want to help people find the Lord Jesus Christ.

5 They will give an account to Him

who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 

·      Christ was ordained by God to judge the living and the dead.

·      The Lord Jesus Christ will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom.

6 For this reason {v5} the gospel was preached also to those {believers} who are {now} dead,

that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, 

·      NLT: “although they were destined to die like all people.”

but live according to God in the spirit {because of what Christ has done}. 

·      See 1 Peter 3:18.

Serving for God’s Glory 7-11

7 But the end of all things is at hand {near}; 

·      Romans 13:11 ”And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.“

·      James 5:8 ”You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.“ 

Ø  Now is not the time to have a divided heart.

·      1 John 2:18 ”Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.“

Ø  We are seeing a world that is being prepped for the coming of the Antichrist.

therefore be serious {sober, disciplined} and watchful in your prayers. 

·      Prayer must be an end-time priority for the Church.

·      Keep on praying.

8 And above all things have {maintain} fervent love for one another, 

·      Love has a way of wavering during stressful times, or times of extreme adversity.

·      Keep on loving.

·      Life has its share of suffering so love must be a priority, especially in the Church. 

·      1 Corinthians 13:4-8 teaches us what fervent love looks like.

for {Prov. 10:12} “love will cover a multitude of sins.” 

9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling {murmuring, complaining}. 

·      Persecution was forcing these Christians from their homes.

·      Persecution was putting these Christians in conditions where food was sparse.

·      Keep on practicing hospitality.

10 As each one has received a gift,

minister it to one another, 

·      Keep on being a servant.

·      Use your God-given gift to serve each other.

·      Romans 12:6-8 ”Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.“

as good stewards of the manifold grace {different gifts} of God.

·      1 Corinthians 4:1-2 ”Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.“

·      1 Corinthians 12:4-7 ”There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:“

11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles {words} of God. 

·      Keep speaking God’s word, nothing else, nothing less.

·      Those who would speak for God must speak God’s word.

·      We are to speak to build people up and impart grace to others, the way the word of God speaks to us.

If anyone ministers {serves}, let him do it as with the ability {strength} which God supplies, 

that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, 

·      We are to do all things for the glory of God, not self-glory.

to whom belong the glory and the dominion {sovereignty} forever and ever. Amen.

Suffering for God’s Glory 12-19

12 Beloved, do not think it strange {be surprised} concerning the fiery trial which is to try {test, prove}you,

as though some strange {unusual} thing happened to you; 

13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, 

·      James 1:2-4 ”My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.“

that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

·      If we endure, we shall also reign with Him.

14 If you are reproached {ridiculed, reviled, insulted} for the name of Christ, blessed are you, 

·      Matthew 5:11 NLT ”“God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are My followers.“

for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

On their part He is blasphemed,

but on your part He is glorified. 

·      Our greatest goal is to get people to glorify God.

15 But let none of you suffer as 

a murderer, 

a thief, 

an evildoer, 

or as a busybody {meddler} in other people’s matters. 

·      If you are busy for the Lord and His body, you won’t have time to be a busybody. If you are about the Father’s business, you won’t have time to be in everybody’s business.

16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, 

let him not be ashamed, 

but let him glorify God in this matter {NU: name, having that Name}.

·      Acts 5:41 ”So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.“

17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; 

and if it begins with us first, 

what will be the end of those who do not obey {believe, reject} the gospel of God?

18 Now {Prov. 11:31} “If the righteous one is scarcely saved {saved with difficulty}, 

Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?” 

19 Therefore {closing point on suffering} let those who suffer 

according to the will of God

commit their souls to Him in doing good, 

·      Keep on doing good.

·      Have you committed your soul to Him to do good? 

·      What are you committed to?

·      2 Timothy 1:12 ”For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.“

as to a faithful Creator.“

·      Life in Christ can be painful, but God is faithful.

·      It’s a lie that God won’t give you more than you can handle. 

If He allows more than you can bear, it’s because He wants you to know that He is the One wh