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We Have Lived Here Long Enough

Sermon by  Thomas Thornhill Jr

Passage: 1 Peter 4:1-3

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STUDIES IN 1 PETER (22)

 

NOTE: Tonight, we continue our study of 1 Peter.  While normally presented on the 1^st Sunday of the month, because of personal circumstances, I will not be here the next 2 Sundays.  So I have decided to present this lesson this evening instead.

We are continuing our study of 1 Peter.  Peter is addressing the suffering of Christians for the cause of Christ.  That has been his emphasis throughout this letter.  In our last lesson we addressed the purpose of baptism and how in that we put on the new man.  In this lesson and passage, we address what it means when we put on the new man.

 

1. Arm yourselves
   1. Since Christ suffered for us – recall how the final point of our last lesson addresses Christ having gone to heaven. He completed His work.
      1. This reminds us of previous passages in 1 Peter that address His suffering.  1 Peter 1:11,  2:21-24, 3:18.
      2. The point being that even as Jesus suffered, if we suffer we partake with Him in His sufferings –
         1. 1 Peter 4:13 – specifically stated, rejoice to extent that you partake in His sufferings.
         2. 2 Corinthians 1:6-7 – Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.
         3. Matthew 10:24-26; John 15:18-21 – Jesus told His apostles to prepare for this very thing
         4. Philippians 3:10 – speaks of fellowship with His suffering
   2. Arm yourselves with the same mind –
      1. A military term – a word that means to prepare and be focused.
         1. We need to do whatever is necessary to be ready to face difficulties. Soldiers are trained to face difficulties.
         2. Recall 1 Peter 3:15 – ready always to give a defense.
      2. Recall that our mind is to be like that of Christ Jesus – Philippians 2:5ff, 1 Peter 2:21ff, Hebrews 12:3 consider Him who endured such hostilities.
      3. Recall WHY He went though what He did – for us. Romans 5:6-8 – Christ died for us! 1 Peter 1:18-19 – we were redeemed with His precious blood.
      4. 2 Timothy 3:12 reminds us that all who desire to live godly will suffer persecutions. What are we doing to prepare ourselves for such?  Is our mind where it needs to be?  Is our LIFE where it needs to be?  That actually brings us to our next thought.
2. We have ceased from sins
   1. He who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin –
      1. As written, this seems confusing. How is this so? Does suffering mean we will never sin again? While that is our goal, likely it will not happen – cf. 1 John 1:8-10, 2:1-2, etc.
      2. This reminds us that in our suffering for His cause makes our resolve to be faithful stronger – thus the sins of the world are less appealing to us – they ought to be. Why?
         1. Consider this in terms of an investment in eternity. When you suffer you are paying a price, perhaps a very high price.  You may loose out on things you want to do, you may even physically and emotionally suffer.  But where you invest your resources is where you heart will be.  Consider Matthew 6:19-21, Colossians 3:2.  2 Timothy 4:6-8.
         2. Do not cast away your confidence – Hebrews 10:35-36 – do not cast away your confidence which has great reward; You need endurance; Galatians 6:9 – we will reap if we do not lose heart, etc.
   2. That we no longer live the rest of our time for the lusts of men (2-3)
      1. Because we are now Christians, we are no longer going to live our lives following the ways of the world. Be reminded that when you obeyed the gospel, you put off the man of sin –Romans 6:3-4, Ephesians 4:20-24.  When you are suffering, you commit yourself to God and Christ, and you GET SERIOUS about change in your life.  That is what HAS TO  happen!
      2. But for the will of God – this is what our lives are now about. Every passage that addresses the new man points to this.
         1. Paul – Philippians 1:21 – to live is Christ and to die is gain
         2. Galatians 2:20 – crucified with Christ;
         3. Galatians 5:24 – those who are in Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires;
         4. Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
      3. For we have spent enough of our past lifetime doing the will of the Gentiles
         1. How ever much time one spent in sin following of the ways of the world, it ought to be enough!
         2. Gentiles here is distinct from Christians (as Jews distinguished all others from Gentiles).
         3. In this expression we have resolve – this is one who has made up his mind where he is headed. Again we’re reminded that the past is that – cf. 1 Corinthians 6:11, “such were some of you…”  Titus 3:3ff – for we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, …
      4. Peter gives 6 examples of former conduct. Compare this list to Galatians 5:19-21 – the “works of the flesh”
         1. Lewdness – a word meaning sinful abandon. This is one living life with a lack of moral restraint.  This is not one who engages in some secret sin or so-called “acceptable societal sins” (these are STILL sins and just as damnable), but one who flaunts his sinful condition – pro-abortionists and homosexual activists in the “pride parades” and activism engage in all sorts of lewd behaviors; People who brag about their immodesty and loose relationships. Mark 7:22 includes this in the list of sins that come from within and defile a man revealing his true heart.
         2. Lusts – an interesting word that actually means to have a strong craving. It is its context that determines whether it is good or not.  Jesus used the word to describe His desire to eat the Passover with His disciple (Luke 22:15; Philippians 1:23 – a desire to depart…).  BUT when the English word “lust” is used it is always in a bad sense (Galatians 5:16, Romans 13:14, 1 John 2:15-17, etc.).  This phrase is addressing someone who is giving in to their sensual desires, often with immoral pursuits and to the neglect of God and that which is good and decent.  James 1:13-15 speaks of the process of temptation that brings forth death.
         3. Drunkenness – this is the word for one who loses OR LOOSENS his mental faculties with alcohol (and you could add drugs to this). The KJV says, “excess of wine.”  In both the ancient and modern worlds, the abuse of alcohol has resulted in all sorts of immoral and violent actions.  As Christians, we should not get anywhere NEAR such things – 1 Thessalonians 5:22 – abstain from every form of evil.  Ephesians 5:18 warns not to be drunk with wine “in which is dissipation” – means to be out of control.  Friends, when we lose our sobriety, we are not in a proper mind to worship and serve God.
         4. Revelries – this would be reference to wild parties. NASB uses the word, “carousing”.  When we hear about the unrestrained drinking parties at colleges and night clubs, etc., we are see this word and its results.  It is also found in Galatians 5:21 as a work of the flesh & Romans 13:13 where we are to “walk properly as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness…”
         5. Drinking parties – KJV says, “banquetings”-
            1. Many see this term as associated with “social drinking” – parties where liquor is casually passed around, including wedding receptions, office parties, etc. where alcohol is freely distributed.
            2. This is not necessarily in the revelous way of the previous word.
            3. NOTE also that this text does NOT determine the amount, it is about being there. Typically, such events are not associated with godliness or pure behaviors.
         6. NOTE: Peter here mentions 3 levels of alcohol consumption – all of them could be associated with public, social events and appearances.
            1. Drunkenness can be anywhere, including your home. To whatever degree you lose sight of your sobriety, you are drunk.  And that begs the question: Is there such a thing as being “a little drunk”?  You either are or you are not!
            2. It is clear from this and other texts that the recreational consumption of alcohol is NOT necessary or even needed.
            3. While time will not permit a detailed study, you know my views about drinking alcohol today – DON’T!
         7. Abominable idolatries – as is often the case, many of these behaviors among the Gentiles were associated with idolatry. We are again reminded not to make the ways of the world into idolatry.  Flee from idolatry – 1 Corinthians 10:14; 1 John 5:21 concludes, “Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.”
      5. 1 Peter 4:4-6 notes that in regard to these (such as the list above mentioned” your friends think it strange that you no longer run with them doing these things, speaking evil of you. In our next lesson we will develop these verses in greater detail, but I want to conclude by noting concerning the above (especially the 3 levels of drinking) that your friends now know you are different – NOTICABLY different and it provokes a response.   THEN reconcile this with Matthew 5:13-16.

As noted, in our next lesson on this book, we will address a little further 1 Peter 4:4-6.  But for now, let us be reminded that when we face sufferings in this life for our faith, that our Lord did it first.  And also remember that when you do suffer, as you overcome it can make you stronger in the faith.  Finally, LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE!  We have seen in this letter what that produces for good.  Are you faithfully putting the Lord first?