Slides: Armed With Jesus' Attitude (1 Peter 4:1-11)

Jesus suffered

Christ suffered for you… He bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness. (2:21, 24)

For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. (3:18)

Armed With Jesus’ Attitude

• Reject sin; live for God. (4:1-6)

• Bond with band of believers. (4:7-11)

• Rejoice to face enemy fire. (4:12-19)

¹ Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. ² As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.³ For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. ⁴ They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you. ⁵ But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.⁶ For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

Armed With Jesus’ Attitude

• Reject sin; live for God. (4:1-6)

• Bond with band of believers. (4:7-11)

• Rejoice to face enemy fire. (4:12-19)

⁷ The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. ⁸ Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. ⁹ Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

Love, love, love

You love him. (1:8) Now that… you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. (1:22) Love the brotherhood of believers. (2:17) Love as brothers. (3:8) Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. (4:8) Greet one another with a kiss of love. (5:14)

¹⁰ Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. ¹¹ If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Stewards of grace

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace. (4:10 ESV)

• Speak: apostle, prophet, pastor, teacher, evangelist, tongues,

• Serve: encourage, lead, help, give, show mercy, heal, do miracles

God’s life within us

• Christ’s mind and sufferings

• God’s will, words, and energy

• Spirit’s glory and goodness

Armed With Jesus’ Attitude

• Reject sin; live for God. (4:1-6)

• Bond with band of believers. (4:7-11)

• Rejoice to face enemy fire. (4:12-19)

¹² Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³ But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. ¹⁴ If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. ¹⁵ If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. ¹⁶ However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.¹⁷ For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? ¹⁸ And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” ¹⁹ So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

Stupid suffering

• Harmed by wild parties & idols

• Punished for crimes or meddling

• Damned for rejecting God’s gospel

Smart suffering

• Denying old urges and habits

• Facing attacks of worldlings

• Enduring purifying judgments

• Embracing God’s patient plan for us in a fallen creation

Joy under fire

The prison years did not seem too long for me, for I discovered, alone in my cell, that beyond belief and love there is a delight in God: a deep and extraordinary ecstasy of happiness that is like nothing in this world. (Richard Wurmbrand)

Love for the lost

It was in prison that we found the hope of salvation for the Communists. It was there that we developed a sense of responsibility toward them. It was in being tortured by them that we learned to love them. (Richard Wurmbrand)

Armed With Jesus’ Attitude

• Reject sin; live for God. (4:1-6)

• Bond with band of believers. (4:7-11)

• Rejoice to face enemy fire. (4:12-19)

Armed With Jesus’ Attitude

• Cross-shaped living: suffer with Christ as decisive break from sin.

• End-times living: watch, pray, love, serve, share God’s gifts and grace.

• Joy-filled living: embrace suffering with Christ as the path to glory