I Peter 4:1-11

1. Intro.
1. Peter continues his discussion of the Christian’s relationship to others
2. Peter calls us to bear our cross and to be like Christ
2. we are to arm ourselves with the mind of Christ - 4:1
1. Christ has given us an example in that He suffered for us [suffered for us in the flesh]
1. Christ could cheerfully submit to the worst suffering, but He could never submit to the least sin
2. the best argument for not committing sin is the suffering of Christ
2. with the mind of Christ, we too can suffer for others [with the same mind]
1. the mind of Christ does not just happen, we must arm ourselves
1. the picture is that of a soldier putting on his armor to protect himself in battle
2. we must arm ourselves with the same purpose which motivated our Savior to suffer
3. His purpose was to do the will of the Father, and finish His work
2. outlook determines outcome
1. our attitudes are our weapons
2. weak and wrong attitudes will lead us to defeat
3. having the right mind is very important
3. the result of having the mind of Christ [hath ceased from sin]
1. not saying that such a Christian has reached a place of sinless perfection
2. temptation has lost its appeal and power with such a man
1. those who have made the will of God their life objective and suffered for it, are no longer dominated by sin
2. they have conquered the lust of the flesh, and now their thing is doing the will of God
3. they that die for the faith [suffered in the flesh] are free from sin
3. how to live the rest of our days - 4:2 [live the rest of his time]
1. the Christian should not live his life following the lust of men, but doing the will of God
2. two philosophies are contrasted in this verse
1. the man who does not know God is driven to satisfy his own appetites
2. the Christian, who has a proper perspective on life, enjoys a singleness and clarity of purpose
3. the Christian should not live to gratify fleshly desires, but to accomplish the will of his Father
4. true conversion makes a marvelous change in the heart and life of the believer
5. salvation alters the mind, judgment, affection, and conversation of every one who experiences it
4. what it was like in the past - 4:3 [the time past of our life]
1. before salvation, the Christian way have been completely absorbed in following the lust of the flesh
2. in time past we walked in sin
1. a series and course of sinning
2. a persisting and progress in it
3. with delight and pleasure
3. the particular sins they walked in come under three headings
1. immorality [lasciviousness, lust]
2. drunkenness [excess of wine, reveling, banqueting]
3. idolatry [abominable idolatries]
5. what others think of the change - 4:4-6 [wherein they think]
1. they no longer understand us [think it strange] - 4
1. unsaved people cannot understand the change that a believer experiences when they trust Christ
1. they do not think it strange when people wreck their bodies, homes and lives because of sin
2. let a drunkard become sober, or an immoral person pure, and people will think he lost his mind
3. unsaved people are blind to spiritual truth, and dead to spiritual enjoyment
2. to them we are strange because we can no longer enjoy sinful "fun" with old friends
3. true conversion will result in a true change in our life
4. we may not indulge ourselves with them, but we can remain friendly
5. we will always be looking for an opportunity to share our faith with them
2. they speak evil of us - 4
1. the best behavior of a Christian will not prevent slander from the lost
2. they judge the Christian and find him to be out of line with their worldly standard
3. their judgment is based on incomplete knowledge
3. one day they shall be called into account before Almighty God - 5
1. there is an appointed day for this judgment to begin
2. they will be called into account by the One who knows all things
3. this judgment will include all the living and all the dead
4. the gospel has given hope to those that are now dead - 6 [to them that are dead]
1. the believers that are now dead have suffered the judgments of man [judged according to men...]
2. those believers still did the will of God, in spite of the abuse they received form man [but live...]
6. be ready for the coming of Christ - 4:7-11 [the end of all things is at hand]
1. a cause for hope
1. Christ is going to return real soon [at hand]
2. what a wonderful day that will be
3. don’t give up now, for Christ is about to appear
2. be sober -7
1. means to be sober minded
2. a warning about wild thinking, especially in regard to prophecy
3. to face things realistically, and to be free from delusion
4. a sober minded saint will have a purposeful life, and not just drifting through life
5. a sober minded saint will exercise restraint and not be impulsive
3. watch unto prayer - 7
1. "watch" carries the idea of being alert and in control, just the opposite of being drunk or asleep
2. we should not get lazy in prayer, or allow our prayers to become routine
4. have real love for others - 8
1. exercised towards all men, even towards enemies, but especially towards the saints
2. this is the most important thing a Christian can do [above all things]
3. this is the sum and substance of the law, and the fulfilling of it
4. without this, there is only a mere knowledge of the Gospel, and a vain profession of it
5. the value of such love [shall cover a multitude of sins]
1. not a man's own sins, but the sins of others
2. not from the sight of God, for only the blood and righteousness of Christ can cover sins
3. from the sight of men against whom they are committed, and others
4. true love, thinks no ill, but puts the best meaning upon the words and actions of fellow Christians
5. true love takes no notice of injuries or offenses, but overlooks them, bears them, and forgives them
5. be a lover of strangers - 9 [hospitality]
1. hospitality made mission work possible
2. this service should be done gladly [without grudging]
1. don’t treat them as if they are a burden
2. don’t make them feel as if they have over stayed their welcome
6. use the gifts that God has given us - 10-11
1. we ought to minister because we have "received the gift" - 10
1. "minister" is a general word that refers to all kinds of service rendered to others
2. the use of spiritual gifts is a part of the Christian stewardship [as good stewards]
3. as stewards of our Lord’s goods, we must use the talents given to us as He directs
4. since we have been divinely empowered, we have a responsibility to use the gift properly
5. if we fail to do our part, then the Body of Christ suffers and someone else must pick up the slack
6. these gifts for service demonstrate God’s "manifold grace" in the life of a believer
2. two types of Christian ministry - 11
1. one type of ministry is through the spoken word
1. "oracles of God" refer to the words that come from God’s mouth
2. the preacher or teacher ought to proclaim the words spoken by God
2. the second ministry is performing deeds of kindness
1. helping people is a ministry
2. all of us can be involved in this ministry
3. we should perform it "as of the ability which God giveth"
4. "giveth" expresses the idea of equipping for the task
5. the motivation for using our spiritual gifts is to give glory to God
1. God should be glorified in the use of our gifts, not ourselves
2. since the ability and strength for the ministry come from God, why does a man boast?
3. Jesus Christ is God, and Peter ascribes everlasting praise and dominion to Him