Sermon notes December 8th, 2024

1 Peter 4

There is a close connection between this section and the preceding chapter. We have been considering Christ as an example of One who suffered unjustly. He suffered at the hands of wicked men for the cause of righteousness. Since this was so, His followers should arm themselves with the same mind. We should expect to suffer for His name. We should be prepared to endure persecution sickness and disease because we are Christians.

1. Whoever has suffered in the flesh because he has rejected sin, that is in the body, it has cost him, he has ceased from sin. The believer is faced with two possibilities here in our western culture, sin or suffering. On the one hand, he can choose to live like the unsaved people around him, sharing their sinful pleasures, and thus avoid being picked on by his old cronies at the bar who don’t understand the decision he  made. We call that persecution. Or he can live in purity and godliness, bearing the reproach of Christ, and suffer at the hands of the wicked. You say that’s ok call me what you want, but don’t call me late for Heaven.

James Guthrie, a martyr, said just before he was hanged, “Dear friends, pledge this cup of suffering as I have done, before you sin, for sin and suffering have been presented to me, and I have chosen the suffering part.”

1. When a believer deliberately chooses to suffer persecution as a Christian rather than to continue in a life of sin, he has ceased from sin. This does not mean that he no longer commits acts of sin. 
2. But that the power of sin in his life has been broken. When a man suffers because he refuses to sin, he is no longer controlled by the will of the flesh. Consider this in our world today:

4,998 Christians were Murdered in 2023

Thirteen Christians a day were killed for their faith in 2023, on average. Nigeria remains the deadliest place to follow Jesus; 82% of killings happened there. Violence only eased during Nigeria’s elections, which accounted for a drop in the number of Christians killed globally compared to 2023.

14,766 Churches and Christian Properties Attacked

The number of attacks on churches and Christian-run schools, hospitals and cemeteries has exploded in 2023, up seven-fold compared to the previous year. It’s been driven by mob violence in India, church closures in China, and attacks in Nigeria, Nicaragua and Ethiopia.

295,120 Christians Displaced

When countries are de-stabilized by war or extremism, Christians are at risk. In 2023, the number of believers forced to flee their homes more than double. Across the most dangerous countries for believers in Sub-Saharan Africa, about 3% of all Christians are displaced.

1. We don’t have a clue what persecution really looks like or feels like. Has anyone even heard or seen these numbers of persecution on our national or world news? Of course not! So, if we in America do not see this kind of persecution;
2. What should our Christianity look like? We should be on fire for Jesus. But we are so comfortable sitting in our churches we seldom think about who’s gone to hell today, literally through death. We are one of the richest nations in the world with religious freedoms, yet people are dying every day going to hell because no one invited them to church, “where we are free to do so”! We need to wake up, revival starts here. 
3. Our health in the USA is considered "bad" compared to other developed nations due to a combination of factors including: high healthcare costs, limited access to insurance for many people, a system focused on treatment rather than prevention, poor diet and lifestyle habits, and significant socioeconomic disparities impacting health outcomes across different populations. Do you realize there are additives and food preservatives that are not allowed in other nations because they believe these things are killing people, yet we consume them daily. We do suffer in America, with health problems, sickness and disease, all of us. Can we relate persecution to our health problems? My answer is no.
4. But in a way we can, you may not get threatened with our life because of your love for Jesus, at least not right now. But what about when sickness or disease strikes in your home, or in your family? Will you cry out to Jesus, “WHY ME”!! or will you say in your heart, Jesus suffered in the flesh, and this is nothing compared to what He went through. When we learn to do this, you allow your life to minister to others.

1 Peter 4:1-3                                 New King James Version

1   Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 

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. 

3    For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. 

1. Peter is writing to some, who before their conversion, had lived in all the moral corruption of the Gentile world. There had been enough of that kind of life! As Christians, they are new creatures, and the old sins should be abandoned. The remaining years of life belonged to God and should be given to Him. People become like what they worship. When they abandon the true God, their moral standards are automatically lowered. These lowered standards permit them to engage in all sorts of sinful pleasures for which they/we have an appetite. This is why idolatrous religions breed sin and degradation.

1 Peter 4:4-6

4    In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. 

5    They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 

1. Verse 4 describes the common experience of those who are saved from lives of outward corruption. Their former cronies think they have gone mad and accuse them of being religious fanatics. They think it as a form of insanity because Christians will no longer participate in dance clubs, worldly parties full of sex and immorality. 
2. Your clean, moral life condemns the sinner in them; no wonder they hate the change in you!
3. Though the ungodly blaspheme Christians in this life, they will give an account for every word and deed at the Judgment of the Great White Throne. The Lord is ready to judge the living and the dead. Clearly it is the unbelievers whom Peter has in mind here.

6    For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh but live according to God in the spirit.

1. Here again we come to a difficult passage, does this mean that the gospel was preached to people after they had died or while they were still alive? And who were these people? We went through this in detail last week. He’s making reference to all who died before the resurrection of Jesus.

Those who were in Paradise or Abrahams Bosom. 

 

1. Please understand we can also read it as you and me, we were dead because of our sin until the gospel was preached to us and we received our new life in Christ. 

 

2. Because of our valiant stand for the truth, you may have suffered at the hands of wicked men. In Peters Day they were martyred. These believers, though judged, or condemned, according to men in the flesh, were vindicated by God. They are now enjoying eternal life with Him.

1 Peter 4:7-8

7    But the end of all things is at hand; therefore, be serious and watchful in your prayers. 

1. This first is the admonition to be serious and watchful in your prayers. This was written in a time of persecution but the believer’s prayer life should be free from the distractions of panic and emotional instability brought on by stress: our fellowship with God should be undisturbed by circumstances.

8    And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” 

1. We must pay attention to our fellowship with other believers and have fervent love for all members of the household of faith. Such a love will not publicize the faults and failings of other believers but will protect them from public view. 

 

2. This does not mean all you need is love and all your sins are gone or covered. What it does mean, your love for those who sin against you covers their sin. 

 

3. The statement “love will cover a multitude of sins” (Proverbs 10:12) should not be taken as a doctrinal explanation of how sins are put away. The guilt and penalty of sins can only be removed by the blood of Christ. It means that true love is able to overlook minor faults and failures in other believers.

1 Peter 4:9-10

9    Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 

10    As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 

1. Each believer has received a gift from the Lord. Some special function to perform as a member of the Body of Christ.  1 Cor. 12:4–11, 29–31. 

 

 

1 Corinthians 12:4-11                    New King James Version

4   There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 

5   There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord.

6   And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 

7   But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 

8   for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 

9   to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 

10   to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 

11   But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

31   But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.

2. These gifts are a stewardship from God, He gives them and He controls them. They are not to be used for selfish gain but for His glory and for the good of others. These gifts and others were not meant for you, but for those around you.

1 Peter 4:11

11    If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

1. Even if a man is gifted to preach or teach, he must be sure that the words he speaks are the very words God would have him say every time he stands to preach. This is what is meant by the oracles of God. It is not enough for a man simply to preach from the Bible. He should also have the assurance that he is presenting the particular message intended by God for that audience at that time. This is the weight pastor’s carry.

1 Peter 4:12

12   Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 

1. The rest of chapter 4 contains exhortations and explanations concerning suffering incurred for the name of Christ. The word “suffering” and its derivatives are used twenty-one times in this Epistle.
2. The natural attitude for a Christian is to look on persecution as strange and abnormal. We are surprised when we have to suffer. But Peter tells us that we should consider it as normal Christian experience. We have no right to expect better treatment from the world than our Savior received. All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted according to 2 Timothy. 3:12. 
3. It is especially true that those who take a forthright stand for Christ become the object of savage attack. Satan doesn’t waste his ammunition on nominal Christians. He turns his big guns on those who are storming the gates of Hades.

1 Peter 4:13-15

13    but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 

14   If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. 

15   But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. 

1. A Christian should never bring suffering upon himself for his wrongdoing. He should never be guilty of murder, stealing, evil in general, or meddling in other people’s matters. There is no glory for God in this—only shame for the testimony of Christ.

1 Peter 4:16-17

16    Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.

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 the gospel of God? 

1. Peter contrasts the suffering of God’s people in this life with the sufferings of the wicked in eternity. The time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God. The time referred to is the dispensation of the church, which began at Pentecost and will continue to the Rapture. 
2. The house of God refers to the church. During this age, the church is undergoing judgment by the unbelieving world. Believers are experiencing their sufferings now, just as Jesus did when He was on earth.
3. If that is so, what will be the fate of those who do not obey the gospel of God? If Christians suffer now for doing good, what will the unsaved suffer in eternity for all their ungodly deeds?

1 Peter 4:18-19

18   Now “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?”

1. The same argument is contained in this verse, quoted from Proverbs 11:31: “If the righteous will be recompensed on the earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner.”
2. The righteous person is scarcely saved or saved with difficulty. From the divine standpoint his salvation was purchased at enormous cost. 
3. From the human standpoint, men are told, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate” (Luke 13:24). Believers are taught that “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). With all the dangers and temptations that beset a Christian, it is only a miracle of divine grace that preserves him for the heavenly kingdom.

19   Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.

1. But the true pathway of suffering for Christians leads to eternal glory. In view of that, they should continue to do right, no matter what the cost may be, and entrust their souls to the faithful Creator.