1 Peter 4 (Kyle McCallum)
1 Peter 4
- So many Christians are terrified of persecution and do everything to avoid it
- This is why so many churches are decaying and dying in America
- They are afraid to suffer
- They compromise on what they know is the truth and what they believe
- The world tells us to believe in Satan and what he has to offer you
- Jesus does not want us to avoid persecution
- Peter is writing to this church in Turkey that is going under heavy persecution
- Emperor Nero is blaming a lot of things on Christians
- Killings, arrests
- This church is doing what is right with their faith
- They are standing true to their faith in God
- Emperor Nero is blaming a lot of things on Christians
- 1 Peter 4:1
- “Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,”
- Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of persecution and suffering
- His crucifixion
- He did this to pay for our sins because He loved us
- He did not only suffer at the cross
- He was being hated on throughout His whole ministry
- Pharisees
- The Jews
- Even His own disciples ran away
- Why did He have to suffer?
- Mark 3:1-6
- “He entered again into a synagogue; and a man was there whose hand was withered. They were watching Him to see if He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. He *said to the man with the withered hand, “Get up and come forward!” And He *said to them, “Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save a life or to kill?” But they kept silent. After looking around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, He *said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately began conspiring with the Herodians against Him, as to how they might destroy Him.”
- Jesus went to the synagogue and found a man with a withered hand
- The Pharisees were watching Jesus
- Pharisees were these “higher beings” that everyone worshipped and thought they were so mighty
- The Pharisees told Jesus that He is not allowed to heal the man’s withered hand on the Sabbath
- Jesus had the boldness to stand up against the Pharisees, a man-made religion
- He is an outlaw
- This is an awesome example to follow
- We need to live as outlaws
- Not outlaws that do not follow the laws
- Stand up for our faith in a loving way
- Jesus threatened their power and authority
- Jesus calls the Pharisees hypocrites later on in Matthew
- “He entered again into a synagogue; and a man was there whose hand was withered. They were watching Him to see if He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. He *said to the man with the withered hand, “Get up and come forward!” And He *said to them, “Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save a life or to kill?” But they kept silent. After looking around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, He *said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately began conspiring with the Herodians against Him, as to how they might destroy Him.”
- Mark 3:1-6
- He was being hated on throughout His whole ministry
- Arm your minds and prepare for what is coming
- Having a war time mentality
- We need to adopt a war time mentality
- In the real world, this means knowing that things are different
- We need to be radicals for our faith
- His crucifixion
- Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of persecution and suffering
- “Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,”
- 1 Peter 4:2-4
- “so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries. In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you;”
- The world has a complete different set of values than God’s kingdom has
- World values
- Have fun, cease the day, drugs, sex, etc.
- This is Satan’s kingdom
- Jesus tells us that we have been brought out of that
- We have a completely different value system
- We are part of something so much better
- We have an important purpose
- We are bringing the truth to people
- We are giving the people the key to leaving the world system
- Nothing is more scary to Satan that Christians fighting for their faith in God
- This is why Satan throws distractions and persecution at us
- What can be more important than telling people about Jesus Christ?
- NOTHING!
- We want them to have a relationship with God and be in heaven with us eternally
- This is life and death
- Ephesians 6:11-12
- “Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
- Our priorities are in Jesus Christ
- We are fighting against the ruler of the world system
- “Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
- People are living in spiritual ignorance
- We need to wake them up
- We need to wake them out of death and bring them into life
- “so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries. In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you;”
- 1 Peter 4:5-6
- “but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God.”
- These people in living in death and ignorance right now
- People do not know how to make life work on their own
- Loneliness
- People do not know how to make love or relationships work
- They are slaves to the world system values
- We are showing people this love and this life
- We need to fight for this and make this an important part of our lives
- These people in living in death and ignorance right now
- “but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God.”
- 1 Peter 4:7
- “The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.”
- We are only here for a certain amount of time
- We do not last physically forever
- All the decisions that we make are important
- You are either fighting for the kingdom or dying
- The stakes are high!
- “The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.”
- 1 Peter 4:8-11
- “Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever.”
- This is our weapon
- We are not out to smash or kill people
- We cannot force anything on them
- We are engaged in spiritual warfare
- Our most effective weapon is love
- Important things
- Love for outreach
- They need to see the example that the Body of Christ makes
- This is shocking to them
- Invest in love
- Looking for opportunities to love people
- Fight for the kingdom
- The best way to get through persecution is to depend on your love relationships with your brothers and sisters in Christ
- Love for outreach
- This is our weapon
- “Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever.”
- 1 Peter 4:12-13
- “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.”
- Do not be surprised by the persecution
- A lot of churches really try to avoid persecution
- A persecution is a fiery ordeal
- This is intense!
- It is amazing how rare persecution is happening…
- Except in China, they have been facing persecution for a very long time
- These people are true radicals for God
- They are doing something right if they are being persecuted
- Except in China, they have been facing persecution for a very long time
- Going through persecution to test you
- Find the weak Christians who are not totally on board for Jesus
- You are either for or against Christ
- James 4:4
- “You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”
- There is no in between!
- School, work and family are important
- But not more important than fighting for Jesus
- “You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”
- We are fighting for something extremely important!
- It is scary being bold for your faith and facing persecution
- It is too important to let trite things stop us from preaching the good news
- Do not be surprised by the persecution
- “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.”
- Why is being persecuted worth it?
- 1 Peter 4:14
- “If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.”
- If you suffer for Christ then you are honored
- You have power in the Lord’s eyes
- At this point, you know you are doing something right when you are being persecuted
- “If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.”
- 1 Peter 4:14
- 1 Peter 4:15-16
- “Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.”
- Do not suffer for being a jerk or a murderer
- Do not be unloving and evil
- Hate is Satan’s weapon in the world
- Do not be ashamed
- “I’m kind of embarrassed that I am a Christian”
- Do not let this stop you
- Do not suffer for being a jerk or a murderer
- “Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.”
- 1 Peter 4:19
- “Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.”
- Entrust your souls to God
- He is totally loving and trustful
- When we give our lives, priorities and trust over to Him, He gives us everything
- He can take care of us
- He is that freaking powerful
- People get discourage and down because it can be hard to do ministry when facing persecution and getting your priorities right
- God realizes that we are to crappy to handle our lives by ourselves
- He is the one who lifts us up
- Entrust your souls to God
- “Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.”
- Galatians 6:9
- “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.”
- Do not get tired or weary
- We know we are going to win
- We have God on our side
- “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.”
- If you do not know Jesus Christ, check it out!
- He has such an exciting life to offer you!
- You get to be powerful when you start to fight for a cause that is worth it!
- If you are Christian, fight!
- Do not be afraid!
- Be a radical!
- Do not be discouraged by persecution!
- You are doing right when you face persecution!
- When people deny you, they really are not denying you, they are denying God
- You can get through persecution and be powerful with God’s help and guidance
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