Caleb Walker

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Review: Last week we looked at how we need to be prepared to give unbelievers an answer for the hope that is in us through the grace of Jesus Christ. We can live with great hope and confidence in the sufficient work of Christ in the cross in His death and resurrection. And baptism is the first step of obediently openly giving testimony to others that we are a follower of Christ.

Title: Our Faith

Text: I Peter 4:1-11 (ESV), “Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh,^[a] arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, ² so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. ³ For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. ⁴ With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; ⁵ but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. ⁶ For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.

⁷ The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. ⁸ Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. ⁹ Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. ¹⁰ As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: ¹¹ whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

Memory Verse: I Peter 4:10, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:”

Theme: Believers grow in spiritual maturity when we seek to do God’s will.

Introduction: In this week’s lesson we see that communication’s message and the manner of communicating that message are equally important. In this in-between season between Jesus’ resurrection, ascension and soon return how we live matters. This passage is filled with clear, blatant instructions, warnings and encouragements for how to do this in accordance with God’s will.

     We are equipped with everything we need to battle sin and live in accordance with God’s will. Packing for a trip: Some people pack way in advance, some the night before, some pack extras, and some the bare minimum. For the journey of the Christian life, God has filled our proverbial suitcases with everything we need.

Opening Discussion Question (s): What kind of packer are you when it comes to getting ready for vacations? Why does it matter that believers have everything they need to grow in spiritual maturity?

Context: Just like the Asia Minor believers when we suffer, God uses it to grow us. In I Peter 1:6-7 Peter describes suffering in this way, “⁶ In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, ⁷ so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” It’s like gold tested and purified in the fire of affliction.

• Christ exemplified suffering (1:11).
• God watches over the sufferer and repays the inflector of the suffering (2:12).
• It’s a tool that leads to spiritual maturity (3:14-15).
• These believers—and we—have a living hope (1:3).
• God will show us grace by completing the work He began in us (1:10).
• In Christ’s suffering He entrusted Himself to the One Who judges justly (2:23).
• Because of the healing wounds of Christ, believers did not need to fear at the judgement (2:24)

Peter knew that believers suffer for the highest of purposes, God’s glory. The word glory is stated nine times in these five chapters.

• Suffering results in honor, praise and glory at Christ’s revelation (1:7).
• Humanity’s glory is fading (1:24).
• The glory of Jesus’ resurrection (1:21)
• Believer’s will be called by God to his eternal glory (5:10)
• There’s a crown of glory (5:4)

Chapter 4 continues the theme of the book, how believers can live out their faith while suffering. No matter what it takes, no matter the sacrifice God calls us to make, we should stay faithful. We have all we need to grow.

     On a personal note, I was checking in with one of our FHC network interns this morning to make sure they were doing well as they prepare for their internship, and they were. And I was reminded of the admonishment from Jeremiah 1 where Jeremiah feels to young, too ill equipped, and God reminds Him, when God calls, He equips. That’s the reminder God is making through Peter here, as well. Know this, when God calls you—my friend—He’ll equip you. It’s that simple. Will it be easy? No. Will there be sacrifice? Yes. Is Jesus worthy of this glory? You bet.

Main Points:

1. Purpose (I Peter 4:1-3)

“Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh,^[a] arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, ² so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. ³ For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.”

A. The worth of suffering 

• He says, “Therefore,” meaning based on the worthwhile sufferings for Christ that are a blessing, not a curse from the end of chapter 3.

B. The war of suffering

• When he says, “arm yourselves,” (hoplisasthe) he’s using the military connotation of soldiers armoring up for battle. This mindset in suffering that we are armed and that we need to arm ourselves is a key when facing suffering for Christ.

C. Suffering’s witness

• When we suffer in the flesh it’s a marker of a transformed life by Christ, an assurance of our genuine faith.
• When he says, “² so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh …” he’s reminding them of the temporary nature of their present lives, and that they could pass away before Christ’s return.

D. The wisdom of suffering

• We should have a biblical view of the time God has given us, and we should use it for His kingdom. One cross reference they give is Psalm 90:12, “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” There is wisdom in the midst of suffering when we see the time God has given us here as temporary to be stewarded well before He calls us home.

E. The way of suffering (v. 3)

• In verse 3 we see a radical difference between the sinful practices of the lost gentiles and the way the Asia Minor believers (and we) were to live. None of those sins should be named among God’s people. There is a starkly different way God has set for the believers, and we must not stray from that path.

Discussion: How can we keep God’s will at the center of our lives? How does spiritual maturity help us to do that?

II. Judgement [Punishment] (I Peter 4:4-6)

“⁴ With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; ⁵ but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. ⁶ For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.”

• Gentiles are surprised when we live differently and don’t participate in all of these lost, sinful behaviors. The meaning is astonishment and bewilderment. The Gentile pagans were led by Rome vs. the Christian believers being led by the Holy Spirit. The stark difference engendered such hatred that the Gentiles responded with persecution. Lifeway says, “I Peter implies that social persecution was strongest and most common” (p. 80).
• The Gentile pagans engaged in unrestrained parties and carousing, the word being “asotias,” carrying with it the meaning of wastefulness and dissipation. It’s that attitude of the original sin of Adam and Eve that says in its heart, “Don’t tell me what to do, I can do what I want, I’m independent, I’m not accountable, “Eat, drink, and be marry for tomorrow we die!”
• The contrast to this is what Jesus saves us into, Romans 12:1-2, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.  ² Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
• The moment the believer learns the sweetness of yieldedness to the Holy Spirit, the safety of surrender, and structure of the local church—these moments—are the moments where the believer discovers the true freedom God saved them for. To fight this at the vaporous lie of independence is a miserable existence.
• We are warned against this behavior:

Ephesians 5:18, “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,”

Titus 1:6, “if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination.”

• The key word is “malign” (CSB, “slander”) as social ostracization was a prevalent form of persecution in this setting, harsh words and accusations. Peter used the word “blasphemy” to point to the fact that the ultimate target of their persecution was God Himself.
• Verse 5 shows they’re accountable, there’s a judgement, a punishment for this. God always has the last word. Psalm 73 wrestles with this.

Doctrine: Last Things. Page 142 quote: “The unrighteous will be consigned to Hell, the place of everlasting punishment. The righteous in their resurrected and glorified bodies will receive their reward and will dwell forever in Heaven with the Lord.” (Leader Guide)

I Corinthians 3:10-15, “¹⁰ According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled^[a] master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. ¹¹ For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹² Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— ¹³ each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. ¹⁴ If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.”

Revelation 20:11-15, “¹¹ Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. ¹² And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. ¹³ And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. ¹⁴ Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. ¹⁵ And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”

The work of Christ in the gospel: If you are watching or reading this and you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, I rejoice with you. If you do not, please allow God’s Word and these warnings to compel you to give your life now to Jesus Christ once for all. He loves you, designed your life, designed you in His image for fellowship, and Genesis reminds us that everything He made was good. But sin (defying God) entered. Romans 3:23 says we’ve all sinned, and Romans 6:23 says the payment for our offenses toward God in our sin is what you’ve just read. Sin creates brokenness in our lives that makes us sense how different our lives are from God’s originally intended design for us. But the promise of John 1:12 and 3:16 and Romans 10:9 is that if you repent (turn from) sin and believe God the Son, Jesus came and lived the holy life in your place that you could never live on your own and royally messed up—as have I—that Jesus lived a holy life, died paying for your sins (personalize it; past, present, and future) that he rose the third day defeating your sin and the grave, and you call on Him and prayer and ask Him to save you, you will be saved. Repent and believe solely in Him, and give him complete control over your life, as Lord. You can pause this video and do that right now. Just tell Him. If you do, please comment or email me, and I’ll follow up with you to resource you to connect you to a solid local church near you, so you can start growing in your relationship with Him, so that you can recover from your sin and brokenness and pursue His good design for your life.

• Verse 6 counters the commonly held belief that believer’s faith died with them, pointing to the assured hope of eternal life, believers knowing this, unbelievers unable to comprehend. To die as a believer is to enter into an amazing eternal life. Faith is made sight.

Discussion: How should knowing we will give an account to Jesus affect Christians’ lives each day?

III. God’s Glory [Praise] (I Peter 4:7-11)

“⁷ The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. ⁸ Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. ⁹ Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. ¹⁰ As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: ¹¹ whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

• The end of all things heightens expectancy and urgency.
• We need to be alert and sober-minded in our dependent prayers, as time is limited before we’re in His presence.
• In verses 8-9 believers are to show continual love and hospitality. Which this, this makes sense doesn’t it? Prayerful believers are loving toward other believers.
• Verse ten reminds us that we’ve received spiritual gifts from God to use to bless others (c.f. Romans 12:3-8; I Cor. 12:1-11).
• He ends this section with pointing us to the reminder that these things have a direct result in God’s economy as they lend toward God receiving the praise and glory! And isn’t that what these Asia Minor believers needed to be reminded of? What they were going through and the way they carried themselves, behaved, loved and showed hospitality, prayed, remained expectant and urgent, served others with their spiritual gifts, all things are meaningful and not wasted and they contribute to God receiving glory!

Discussion: Why are spiritual gifts important to the life of the church? Why is it important to exercise those gift in a responsible manner?

Closing: Thank you for teaching God’s Word faithfully and accurately and for being apart of this disciple-making community.

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• Devotional to prepare hearts or to reinforce knowledge from the lesson or for discussion amongst accountability groups throughout the week

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As we are only 14 days until resurrection Sunday this Easter, let me encourage each of us to have gospel conversations with our ones that they may be saved