These are the original teaching notes from this passage.
I Peter 4:1-11
Review…
- Grace for SUFFERING – I Peter 3:13–5:14
- We should count ourselves BLESSED – when we SUFFER – FOUR reasons!
- BECAUSE we do not need to be AFRAID like the world – we have a FATHER who provides…
- BECAUSE it will cause people to ASK – we need to be able to tell them about Jesus…
- BECAUSE it will bring them SHAME – when we have GOOD conduct in Christ…
- BECAUSE it is the WILL of God – to SUFFER for doing GOOD!
- The SUFFERING of Jesus…
- SUFFERED for an example – He SUFFERED once for the sins of men – the Cross!
- SUFFERED for a purpose – the just for the unjust – that He might [subjunctive] bring us to God!
- SUFFERED for a season – He now sits at the right hand of the Father!
The right MIND…
- 1st – The Mind of Christ… vs. 1–2
- 1st – ARM yourself… vs. 1
- Therefore – since Christ suffered for us in the flesh – arm yourselves also with the same mind!
- THEREFORE – in light of the EXAMPLE Jesus gave to us …
- SUFFERING – for the sake of others [the cross] so that they might be saved…
- ARM [imperative] – only here in NT – to equip and prepare for BATTLE
- Not physically – we are not to take up ARMS – we are ARM our MIND!
- MIND [ἔννοια] – 2x in NT – how we THINK – the BATTLE is in our THOUGHTS!
- The idea is we need to be mentally prepared for the BATTLE…
- We need to understand that we are in a FIGHT – and get the TOOLS to win it!
- II Corinthians 10:4-5 – “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God… bringing every THOUGHT into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”
- We are in a BATTLE for the hearts of minds of those who do not know Jesus…
- Not a battle we fight with knives and guns – we fight by SUFFERING for the lost…
- We ARM our mind to accept the RIDICULE – face the HARDSHIPS – endure the SHAME…
- Knowing that it is through our TESTIMONY – people will come to know Christ!
- Philippians 2:5 – “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus…”
- 2nd – STOP sinning… vs. 1
- For he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin!
- When we SUFFER like Jesus – taking up OUR cross to die to ourselves – Luke 9:23
- The RESULT [passive] of the SUFFERING we go through – is we STOP [cease] sinning…
- CEASE – to be completely [perfect] set free from the bondage of SIN!
- BEFORE we came to Jesus – our MINDS were ruled by SIN…
- We did not SIN because we wanted to – we were SLAVES to SIN…
- But through our SUFFERING – we have the MIND of Christ…
- We now have a CHOICE – we are set FREE from SIN!
- Romans 6:22 – “Now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life.” [NLT]
- 3rd – Change of MIND… vs. 2
- He no longer should live the rest of his time [on earth] for the [desires] of men!
- Do not miss the key word here – TIME – what do we do with our TIME…
- We ONLY have so much TIME – so much LIFE to spend…
- From the moment we are born – the clock starts ticking – counting down our days!
- The question becomes – what we DO with the LIFE that we are given…
- Do we invest it in our DESIRES [ἐπιθυμία] – the cares of this world and riches…
- If that is how we spend our TIME – we are wasting our most valuable resource – our TIME!
- Mark 4:19 – “The cares of this world – the deceitfulness of riches – and the DESIRES [ἐπιθυμία] for other things entering in choke the word – and it becomes unfruitful.”
- But for the will of God!
- What is the WILL of God – to spend TIME and KNOW Jesus – John 6:29
- Are we worried and troubled about MANY things…
- Rushing around and busy – no TIME to spare – no TIME to sit at Jesus feet…
- That is why we are worried and troubled – we did not find TIME for Jesus…
- When we make the TIME to sit at Jesus feet – everything else falls in place!
- Luke 10:38-42 – “Jesus answered and said to her – Martha – Martha – you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed [to sit at the feet of Jesus].”
- 1st – ARM yourself… vs. 1
- 2nd – The mind of man… vs. 3-6
- 1st – Our PAST… vs. 3
- For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles!
- We already wasted enough TIME doing the WILL of the GENTILES [unsaved]
- Our TIME as an UNBELIEVER was defined by having always [perfect] WALKED in:
- 1 – LEWDNESS – an outrageous and shameless LACK of MORALS!
- 2 – LUSTS [ἐπιθυμία] – craving or longing for what we do not have – forbidden things!
- 3 – DRUNKENNESS – only here NT – doing FOOLISH things because of too much WINE!
- 4 – REVELRIES – describing a riotous – half drunken parade to pagan gods [Mascara]
- 5 – Drinking PARTIES – only here NT – a party where alcohol is the purpose!
- 6 – Abominable IDOLATRIES – literally unlawful [Law of God] worship of false gods!
- A familiar list – Galatians 5:19-21
- Paul gives an almost identical list to the one given here by Peter [many of the same words]
- Peter calls them the WILL of the GENTILES – Paul calls them the WORKS of the FLESH…
- Either description – the RESULT of this kind of life is clearly defined!
- Galatians 5:21 – “Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
- No wonder we are told we already WASTED enough TIME living for the world…
- Is it no wonder God allows SUFFERING to WAKE us up – change our MIND…
- So we realize what life is really all about – redeem the TIME – and start living for Jesus!
- 2nd – Their PRESENT… vs. 4
- In regard to these [the way we used to spend our TIME]
- They think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of [self-indulgence]!
- THEY – those who are NOT saved – always [present] think we are STRANGE…
- Because we NO longer RUN with them – in the same FLOOD of self-indulgence…
- FLOOD – only here NT – pouring out till the container OVERFLOWS…
- Self-INDULGENCE – only here NT – the negation of the word [σῴζω] – to NOT be saved!
- The world CANNOT figure out why we are NOT rushing to JOIN them…
- As they OVERFLOW with SINS that DESTROY them – wasting their TIME!
- The co-worker who does NOT understand why you will not go to the BAR after work…
- The friend who does NOT understand why you are committed to your MARRIAGE…
- The WORLD does NOT have a moral compass – and do NOT understand why we do!
- Speaking evil of you!
- Speak EVIL [βλασφημέω] – the word YOU – is in italics…
- Meaning they are not speaking evil of US – their lives BLASPHEME the LORD…
- This might seem like a FOOLISH thing for them to do – but they are BLINDED…
- They think it is STRANGE [passive] we do not follow them – they do not see the END!
- II Corinthians 4:4 – “The god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not – lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ… should shine unto them.”
- They are HARDENED by their SIN – so they do not want to HEAR the Gospel…
- Satan uses their SIN to keep people from seeing Jesus – BLIND them to the truth…
- That his only purpose – is to keep them OUT of heaven!
- 3rd – Their FUTURE… vs. 5
- They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead!
- GIVE [ἀποδίδωμι] – accounting term to pay off a DEBT…
- ACCOUNT [λόγος] – could also be translated as Word [Jesus]
- To THE one who is ready to judge the LIVING and the DEAD…
- We will all stand one day before Jesus to be judged!
- The LIVING…
- LIVING [spiritually] – those who LIVE for Jesus…
- II Corinthians 5:10 – “We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ…”
- The judgment seat – BEMA seat – not speaking of the judgment of sin…
- But the award seat – where awards were given to athletes at the Olympics!
- The Olympic games began in Greece – it was well known event in Biblical times…
- Every two years the Isthmus games were held in the city of Corinth…
- Those who competed had to train hard in order to win a laurel [leaf] crown!
- Living for Jesus is a DAILY choice – it takes work and commitment on our part…
- We CHOSE to take the TIME to get into the Word – make TIME to pray…
- We make the TIME to attend Bible studies – grow in our faith…
- Not so we can earn a temporary CROWN – but an eternal CROWN!
- James 1:12 – “He shall receive the crown of life…”
- The DEAD…
- DEAD [spiritually] – those who do NOT live for Jesus…
- Will stand before the WHITE throne – to be JUDGED for how they LIVED their lives…
- There will be TWO sets of books opened – the BOOKS and the Book of Life!
- Revelation 20:11-12 – “Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it… And I saw the dead – small and great – standing before God…”
- If a name is not found written in the Book of Life – the BOOKS are opened…
- They are then JUDGED according to their LIVES – recorded in the books…
- Everything they did – every word they said – every thought…
- Not to see if they will go to heaven or hell – but to show why they will go to hell!
- 4th – The Gospel… vs. 6
- For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead…
- They might be judged according to men in the flesh – but live according to God in the spirit!
- The GOOD news [εὐαγγελίζω] – was preached to the DEAD [spiritually]
- So they might [subjunctive] be JUDGED here [in the flesh] – realize they are SINNERS…
- Then they would CHOSE [active] to LIVE for God – in the power of His SPIRIT!
- We do NOT share Jesus out of some sense of obligation – or for some reward…
- We share the GOSPEL – because EVERYONE will be JUDGED by God…
- And we want them to see their sin NOW – and cry out for FORGIVENESS…
- Rather than at the WHITE throne – and be JUDGED…
- Hell is not temporary – hell is the SECOND death – eternal separation from God!
- 1st – Our PAST… vs. 3
- 3rd – The mind of the believer… vs. 7-11
- 1st – Near the END… vs. 7
- But the end of all things is at hand – therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers!
- It is IMPORTANT we recognize the DAYS we are living in…
- We are NEAR [ἐγγίζω] the end of ALL things – the RETURN of Jesus Christ…
- The end is CLOSE – CLOSER today than the day when Peter wrote this!
- Romans 13:11 – “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…”
- We are in the LAST DAYS – the return of Jesus is CLOSER today than when we were saved…
- Jesus is coming to rapture the church – take us to heaven – I Corinthians 15:51
- It could happen next week – it could happen today – it could happen right now!
- 2nd – WHAT to do… vs. 7-10
- THEREFORE – in light of the DAYS we live in – we are given FOUR things to do:
- 1 – SERIOUS [σωφρονέω] – compound word – to have a SAVED [σῴζω] mind… vs. 7
- We MUST [imperative] make sure that GOD is in control – guiding our lives…
- Because what good will it do if we share Jesus with others – only to fall into sin ourselves!
- 2 – WATCHFUL [νήφω] in prayers – we must [imperative] calm [watchful] – by praying… vs. 7
- Because when we PRAY our perspective changes – we see other people in a new light…
- We no longer see lost SINNERS – instead we see our God who is their SAVIOR!
- 3 – Above all things have [constant] love [ἀγάπη] for one another… vs. 8
- For LOVE [ἀγάπη] will cover a multitude of sins – Proverbs 10:12
- ABOVE all – meaning this is the MOST important for believers…
- But it is NOT a command [participle] – because it CANNOT come from us!
- The LOVE [ἀγάπη] of Jesus put Him on the cross to PAY for ALL of our sins…
- He is willing to FORGIVE everything we ever did – or will ever do…
- And when we realize ALL we have been FORGIVEN – it will CAUSE us to FORGIVE others…
- And when we FORGIVE – that LOVE will mark us as followers of Jesus!
- John 13:35 – “All will know that you are My disciples – if you have love for one another.”
- 4 – Be HOSPITABLE to one another – without grumbling… vs. 9
- HOSPITABLE [φιλόξενος] – we MUST [imperative] be friendly to strangers…
- GRUMBLING [imperative] – to COMPLAIN under our breath!
- There have been times when I am cleaning up the church – I start to COMPLAIN…
- Why can the people not at LEAST pick up their garbage…
- And the Lord taps me on the shoulder – who are you doing that for!
- If we cannot SERVE without COMPLAINING – then we should NOT serve…
- God does NOT need our help – and God will NOT make us do anything…
- If we SERVE – we should SERVE out of LOVE – LOVE for God and LOVE for others…
- Not just LOVING those who know – even more so STRANGERS!
- 3rd – Use the GIFT… vs. 10
- As each one has received a gift!
- GIFT [χάρισμα]- where we get the name CHARISMATIC…
- Speaking of the supernatural GIFTS that God gives to believers in the church…
- A total of 23 gifts listed in the NT – Romans 12 / I Corinthians 12 / Ephesians 4
- It comes from the root word – [χάρις] meaning GIFT or GRACE…
- The GIFTS are not earned – they are GIVEN to us by the Holy Spirit!
- I Corinthians 12:11 – “The same Spirit works all these things – distributing to each one individually as He wills…”
- Minister it to one another!
- We all have a GIFT [singular] – at least ONE – that we are to use to MINISTER [διακονέω]
- We are to ALWAYS [present] use that GIFT to SERVE one another!
- Not sure what our GIFT is – there is only one way to find out – step out and try…
- If God has given us a desire to WORSHIP – then step out and SING…
- If God has given us a desire to TEACH – then step out and SHARE…
- We will never be sure of what our purpose is – until we step out to find out!
- As good stewards of the manifold grace of God!
- STEWARDS [οἰκονόμος] – a servant in a great house…
- We have been given our GIFT – as our part in the CHURCH [house] of God…
- Our GIFT is one of MANY [manifold] the GRACE [χάρις] of God gives…
- That allows us to work together as the BODY of CHRIST!
- I Corinthians 12:12 – “The human body has many parts – but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ.” [NLT]
- We ALL have our place within the CHURCH – a purpose God gave us by GRACE…
- Each role is vital for the body of Christ to function properly…
- If any part is MISSING – or NOT serving – the whole body SUFFERS…
- We are many different parts – but we all come together as ONE family…
- Helping each other GROW and MATURE in our walk in Jesus Christ!
- 4th – HOW we do it… vs. 11
- [Since] anyone speaks – let him speak as the oracles of God!
- ORACLES [λόγιον] – 4x in NT – always used to describe the WORD of God!
- Women use an average of 20k words a day – men use around 7k words…
- We are going to SPEAK – the key is to make sure WHEN we speak…
- We SPEAK the ORACLES – the command or Word of God!
- Our words have NO power – we cannot bring conviction – change hearts…
- It is ONLY the Word of God that turns SINNERS into SAINTS…
- If the BIBLE were just an ordinary book – there would be no reason to share it…
- The last thing people need – is another OPINION…
- But the Bible is NOT the OPINION of men – it is the ORACLE of God – so SPEAK it!
- [Since] anyone ministers – let him do it as with the ability which God supplies!
- ABILITY [ἰσχύς] – to serve in the STRENGTH that comes from God…
- SUPPLIES [χορηγέω] – 2x in NT – to be the CHOIR director!
- In a great orchestra there are many instruments – with different sounds…
- If they all follow the conductor – then they blend together in beautiful harmony…
- But if an instruments gets out of tune – does not follow the conductor – disaster!
- We are ONLY effective in SERVING – when we do NOT do it in our own strength…
- And When we SERVE each other by following the CONDUCTOR!
- 5th – WHY we do it… vs. 11
- In all things God may be glorified [subjunctive] through Jesus Christ…
- To whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen!
- If we ARM ourselves with the MIND of Christ – understand the call to SUFFER for others…
- If we no longer waste our TIME on this world – but long for the WILL of God…
- If we share the Gospel with a lost world on the verge of eternal judgement…
- If we understand the time is short – and are serious – prayerful – loving to one another…
- Using our GIFTS – and in everything we say and do dependent on Jesus…
- Then our lives WILL bring GLORY to Jesus Christ as we shine for Him!
- 1st – Near the END… vs. 7