December 11, 2011
Evening Service

I Peter 4

1. This morning Peter taught us how God wants us to treat one another.  Being kind, considerate, loving one another. 
2. He told how to act when we suffer persecution. 
3. He told us how Christ suffered for us.
4. He told us concerning the flood, and Noah, and that only eight souls were saved.
5. He likened this event of salvation to the Christians waters of baptism, and that the waters of baptism now save us.

 

Now let’s continue with chapter four:

 

Continuing with the sufferings of Christ:

1Pe 4:1-19 KJVR  Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;  (2)  That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 

• Without a doubt these are tough sayings, but possible if we so choose to do so. 
• To look at Christ’s sufferings, we think of Him in the garden.  When returning from praying His disciples had fallen asleep, and Jesus said, “could you not watch with me one hour?”
• What does the Lord think of my prayer life?  Do I get alone with the Lord in my closet, and tell Him my hearts desires, and needs.  And thank Him for what He does for me. 
• To live the rest of our lives without sinning is more of a chore than what Peter realizes, but it can be done, if we are willing to pay the price, and make the sacrifices, and the church is not willing to do that today.  The desire, and dedication for this kind of living is not found in most churches today.
• Jesus knew how the church would get, when He said, “will I find faith when I return?”
• And what is the will of God?   1Th 4:3-4 KJVR  For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:  (4)  That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor;
• It is the will of God to set yourself apart from the world for the service of God.  Jesus taught this when He said, “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
• All the admonitions for Christians are to be different than the world.  Separate yourself from all their wrong practices.  Follow as closely to the Lord’s teachings that you can.

 

(3)  For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:  (4)  Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: 

• Peter is living under Roman rule.  I have seen the movies of the wild parties, the barbaric actions of the gladiators, the sacrificing of human beings.  This is what Peter is saying to stay away from.  Anything that would mimic these actions, then or now.

(5)  Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. 

• Paul said it like this:  2Co 5:10 KJVR  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

(6)  For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. 

• Jesus said, Mar 14:38 KJVR  Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.

(7)  But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 

• This is something the Lord warned us of continually in His teachings, WATCH AND PRAY.

(8)  And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 

• This to me is one of the most important statements that Peter makes in this chapter.

(9)  Use hospitality one to another without grudging.  (10)  As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

 

 

(11)  If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 

• We would consider the Bible as the oracles of God.
• Paul said everyone did not have the same speaking abilities, but to do it from the heart, and mean only good for the hearers, and to bring glory to God through Jesus Christ.

(12)  Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 

• Remember these fiery trials are going to come, and we are still to be submissive, and gentle.

(13)  But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.  (14)  If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 

• How people can speak evil of Jesus is beyond me.  I only know that it has to come from  satan filled people.

(15)  But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. 

• Just another admonition not to act like the world.

(16)  Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 

• There are a lot of torn up people out there.  Sometimes what they say is not what they really mean.  So you must discern if that is a soul in pain, and wanting deliverance, or is it a satan filled soul.

(17)  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?  (18)  And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?  (19)  Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

 

AND THIS IS WHAT WE ALL ARE DOING, TRUSTING THE KEEPING OF OUR SOULS TO GOD ALMIGHTY.