You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama.
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That song and some others that we've sung already this morning are laying out for us the essence of this morning's sermon.
There's a distinct choice there, right?
All this world or Jesus?
I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold or houses or lands or fame or applause.
Jesus himself was faced with a pretty dramatic choice like this, wasn't he?
There he was in the garden.
Was it going to be his own path?
Or was it going to be God's path?
He's in agony.
The sufferings of the cross are looming before him.
The abandonment of his friends is a present reality.
The anxiety of his spirit is so intense.
He's sweating drops of blood.
Father, he prays.
If there's another way that avoids this terrible suffering ahead of me, I would like that.
I don't relish the thought of drinking the cup of your wrath.
That's a lot of physical and emotional energy arguing for going his own way.
And yet his spirit trusts his father.
He decides suffering is better than sin.
Submitting to God's will better than serving his own.
Not my will, but yours be done.
It's not an easy choice, right?
But Jesus chooses to stand in our place as Peter has told us,
once for all, for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.
Now, this morning, Peter says,
that choice is to shape your lives too.
Not just his, our lives.
As those united to Jesus, following Jesus, living as his people in this world,
this choice is to shape our lives.
1 Peter chapter 4.
Let's see what this means for us in these first six verses.
God's holy word, always and unfailingly the best thing to shape our lives.
Since, therefore, Christ suffered in the flesh,
arm yourselves with the same way of thinking.
For whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin.
So as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh,
no longer for human passions, but for the will of God.
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.
With respect to this, they are surprised when you do not join them
in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you.
But they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
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.
Father, we give you thanks for your word,
and we ask for that spirit
to teach us this morning,
and more than that, to give us Jesus,
to show us him,
to so work in our hearts
that we would want more and more and more of Jesus.
Amen.
Peter has given us
some hard passages to understand recently, hasn't he?
This passage is easier to understand.
Good news.
It's just harder to live.
You know, I think those may be the worst
kind of passages in some ways.
I can't plead ignorance,
and neither can you.
I've decided to approach this text a little differently today.
First, I'm just going to walk through it
briefly,
so that we're on the same page about what it means.
And then,
talk for a little bit about what it means in our lives,
for us specifically.
So, first, what's the message
of these verses?
Again, it's in the context of suffering, right?
Specifically, suffering as God's people.
Peter's already pointed out
that suffering brings opportunity
to share our hope, right?
That suffering with Jesus means we will also celebrate
Jesus' victory with him.
And now, this passage
highlights the choice
that we've been talking about.
The threat of suffering
presents
a life-shaping choice
between your sin
and your Savior.
Listen, verse 1.
Since, therefore,
Christ suffered in the flesh,
heading to and on the cross, right?
Arm yourselves
with the same way of thinking.
Jesus evaluated,
was it going to be his way
or God's way?
Disobedience
with comfort
or obedience
with suffering?
And he chose obedience to God
with suffering.
He chose that to be the best way.
So now,
you have real spiritual warfare
that you are engaged in
every day,
so you need to take up
that same mindset
with you.
When I must choose
sin or suffering,
I suffer.
When I must choose
myself
or my Savior,
Jesus.
Every time,
Jesus.
Now, that may sound simple, right?
Hey, you're in church, you know?
Sin or Jesus?
Which one's right?
But we need to acknowledge
our default mindset
is avoid suffering, right?
Anybody else?
I don't like it at all.
My comfort,
my ease,
my success,
my pleasure,
whatever it is,
that needs to be pursued
at all costs.
That's the way
I'm used to thinking.
So this life-shaping choice
is no simple matter.
When was the last time
you chose
to suffer?
That happens to you.
You don't pick that, right?
But choose suffering
over sin,
Peter says,
for whoever
has suffered
in the flesh
has ceased
from sin,
so as to live
for the rest of the time
in the flesh,
no longer for human passions,
but for the will
of God.
Do you hear the choice
between self
and Savior,
sin and suffering?
This verse is not saying
that if you have ever suffered,
then you will never sin again.
That's not what it's saying.
Rather,
if you are willing,
like Jesus,
to choose painful suffering
in order to follow God's will,
you're making a break
with sin.
You're turning your back
on sin and saying,
I'm going this way
and you're breaking
from sin.
You're setting your life
on a course
to pursue God's priorities
and His plan for you
over your own
selfish passions.
Now,
we all know suffering
can drive us
to turn in rebellion
from God,
to turn our back on Him
and to turn to self.
It's,
I don't want anything
to do with Him anymore.
This hurts too much.
But the one choosing
to suffer for Jesus
has determined
the path of Jesus
is more worthwhile
than the path
of sin.
And listen,
Peter says,
whether you've been
living for yourself
nine years
or 39 years
or 99 years
walking in this direction,
that's quite enough.
the self-indulgence,
the unbridled pursuit
of pleasure,
food,
drink,
sex,
material possessions,
being your own authority,
whatever it is,
enough of that!
You've got something
so much better!
Of course,
others around you
won't understand
that you do.
They'll be surprised,
right?
That you're not just
carried along
this overwhelming
current
of me-ism,
of self-indulgent living
because
what they will say
could possibly
be better for you
than whatever
you want
or whoever
you want to be.
Right?
I mean,
this just makes sense.
How could anything else
be better for you
than you?
We buy that lie
every day,
don't we?
You're weird,
Christian.
don't be surprised
when you don't fit in.
In fact,
they will
malign you.
At least mocking
with their words,
if not attacking you
with their actions.
You should expect
to be strange
because you are
a stranger
in this world.
It's not your home.
If you're following
Jesus' path,
the world
in which you live
is not your home.
So when people
malign you,
verse 5,
remember,
they will be called
to account.
There is a judge
for all of us.
No one maligns
anyone made
in God's image
without God
noticing.
sin.
So,
the good news
of Jesus
has been
preached to everyone.
Even those
who are now
dead,
it was preached
to them
in their lifetimes
because God's judgment
is real
and we need
to be saved
from it.
So that even
though we will
still die
in this mortal
life,
we might have
the hope
of living
forever
because of
Jesus'
death
and resurrection.
You see the choice
set before us
though
in this passage?
Follow
the path
of Jesus
and suffer
or
go with
the flow
of everyone
else around you
and avoid
some of that
suffering,
maybe a lot
of it,
and just
go along.
Live for yourself.
The choice
is described
well in
Moses'
life
in Hebrews
chapter 11.
By faith,
Moses,
when he was
grown up,
refused to be
called the son
of Pharaoh's
daughter,
choosing rather
to be mistreated
with the people
of God
than to enjoy
the fleeting
pleasures of sin.
He considered
the reproach
of Christ
greater wealth
than the treasures
of Egypt
for he was
looking to
the reward.
You see
the choice
that he had?
Choose
suffering
with God
over pleasure
with sin.
Reproach,
that means
shame
and people
maligning you.
Reproach
with Jesus
over treasures
in this world.
The threat
of suffering
for following
Jesus gives
you that choice.
Do you see that?
Will I
shape my life
along my
Savior's path
or down
my own path?
Peter is
calling us
to prepare
to suffer
for following
Jesus.
But I think
if I'm honest
and for many
of us
in our world
we're still
thinking something
a little bit
less dramatic
of a choice.
Maybe I can
have my cake
and eat it
too.
I don't
really have
to choose
do I?
I mean I've
been able
to claim
Jesus
and live
pretty comfortably
for myself.
I've been doing
that a long
time pastor.
It's not that hard.
You can get
away with it.
Can't I just
manage this
dynamic?
You know
keep them
both happy.
I'll even
lead my kids
to believe
that they can
have and do
whatever they want
so that they
don't view
Jesus as costly
and reject him.
I don't want
that to happen.
I bet that was
only a tough
choice in Peter's
day.
Not
anymore.
The problem
is it's
not
just
back then
is it?
This is actually
the normal
way
for
Jesus'
followers.
God's people
through history
have been
living this
difficult choice
life or death
even
at the highest
level
as they
follow in the
footsteps of
their suffering
Savior.
This is
what it means
to follow
Jesus.
Just think
with me for
a few minutes
this morning.
It wasn't
just Moses
and then
Jesus of
course
facing this
choice.
Many of
Jesus'
own 12
disciples
were
imprisoned
for speaking
of his
name
and told
to stop.
Many of
them are
killed
for their
commitment
to him
but they
choose to
cling to
Jesus
rather than
their own
lives,
right?
Many of
the Christians
receiving
this letter
as you know
will soon
face
martyrdom
at the
hands of
Nero.
They're
going to
face
lions
in the
Colosseum.
They're
going to
be
burned
as
torches
for
Nero's
parties.
They don't
know that
yet.
Or
there is
another way.
They could
renounce
Jesus
publicly,
quit
following
his way
and they
could enjoy
their lives.
they could
live
several more
years
perhaps.
Tempting
you got to
say.
I mean
think about
the people
they loved.
Fast
forwarding
to 1527
George
Carpenter
was facing
execution
in Munich
Germany
because he
refused
to deny
Christ.
As they
took him
away on
his final
day a
friend came
up to him
and thought
he could
appeal to
him with
one final
request to
save his
life.
Think of
your wife
and children
he said.
Give up
Jesus
to keep
them.
It's a
powerful
appeal
and a
crucial
choice.
Carpenter
responded
my wife
and my
children are
so dearly
beloved unto
me that
they cannot
be bought
from me
for all
the riches
and possessions
of the
Duke of
Bavaria.
but for
the love
of my
Lord God
I will
willingly
forsake
them.
We read
a heart
wrenching
account
150 years
later in
Scotland
of the
two
Margaret's
two of
many women
who faced
death as
covenanters
in Scotland
for refusing
to acknowledge
the king
as head
of the
church over
Christ.
Jesus
alone
would direct
their worship
and their
lives.
Margaret
McLachlan
a widow
aged 70
and Margaret
Wilson
a farmer's
daughter
aged 18
were
condemned
together
to drown
in the sea
outside
Wigtown.
They tied
the elder
Margaret to
a stake
further out
at sea
thinking
that as
she died
first they
could still
spare the
younger one
and perhaps
not look
quite as
cruel as
she watched
the one
that she
looked up
to
and respected
struggle
and drown
they thought
she'll
back off.
As the
waves crashed
and the
elder Margaret
struggled
for air
they scornfully
asked the
younger one
what do you
think of her
now?
Think
said the
18 year
old
I see
Christ
wrestling
there
getting angry
at this
foolish young
girl they
decided to
make the
choice
easier
they would
put her
under the
waves to
stop her
reciting of
Romans 8
nothing can
separate me
from the
love of
God
and they
put her
under
and they
would pull
her up
gasping for
air to
give her
what seemed
at this
point an
easy choice
swear allegiance
to the
king and
breathe freely
or refuse
and go back
under
time and
time again
she chose
Jesus
until she
spoke her
final words
Christians
have
continued to
suffer in
our
country
in case
you didn't
think that
was a
reality
many many
we could
cite over
the years
producing
songs like
give me
Jesus
Martin
Luther King
Jr.
could have
chosen a
safer path
and avoided
suffering to
enjoy fame
and family
that was
increasing
this is what
he said in
his Nobel
Prize acceptance
speech he
saw the
choice we're
talking about
and that he
chose to
suffer with
the oppressed
even if it
cost him his
life
and then he
concluded
most of these
people the ones
he's identifying
with will never
make the headline
and their names
will not appear
in who's who
yet when years
have rolled
past and when
the blazing
light of truth
is focused on
this marvelous
age in which
we live
men and women
will know
and children
will be taught
that we have
a finer land
a better people
a more noble
civilization
because these
humble children
of God
were willing
to suffer
for righteousness
sake
he chose
Jesus
and suffering
and he gave
up his life
Elizabeth Elliot
you thought I was
through with
stories didn't
you
Elizabeth Elliot
didn't give up
her life
she did lose
her husband
Jim who
famously died
in 1956
at the hands
of the
Aucca people
in Ecuador
she chose
to encourage
him to go
share Jesus
even in the
face of
suffering
in fact
he died
and a few
years later
she took
her young
daughter
Valerie
back to
the same
tribe
with the
same
potential
risk
of
suffering
because she
wanted to
share the
hope of
Jesus
with them
no matter
the cost
she later
wrote of
suffering
the deepest
things that I
have learned
in my own
life
have come
from the
deepest
suffering
and out
of the
deepest
waters
and the
hottest
fires
have come
the deepest
things
I know
about
God
people
who say
such
things
in the
words of
Hebrews 11
make it
clear they're
seeking a
homeland
if they'd
been thinking
of that land
from which
they had
gone out
they would
have had
opportunity
to return
but as
it is
they desire
a better
country
that is
a heavenly
one
therefore
God is not
ashamed
to be called
their God
for he has
prepared
for them
a city
they sought
and God
promises
to those
who suffer
as they
follow
Jesus
in obedient
suffering
a better
city
this is
the way
of God's
people
over here
person
after person
in country
after country
y'all there
are books
upon books
you could read
of God's
people following
Jesus
and suffering
time fails
me
to share
of those
who for their
choice
to stand
with Jesus
have been
disowned
by their
family
so many
of my
friends
in India
rejected
by friends
passed over
for promotions
left out
of the in
crowd
uninvited
to parties
mocked
on social
media
see it
doesn't have
to be a
life or
death
choice
today
to be a
significant
one
Peter says
to people
not yet
facing
that life
or death
choice
start
arming
yourselves
with this
way of
thinking
start now
choosing
to live
costly
obedience
to Jesus
and the
small choices
that will
shape your
life
to be headed
this direction
to break
from sin
to leave
it behind
to leave
behind selfish
indulgence
living for
me
and to
follow
God's
will
and what
he wants
think about
Jesus
big choice
in the
garden
that we
talked about
was rooted
in a
smaller choice
in the
wilderness
when Satan
tempted him
to be king
of the
whole world
without the
suffering
and Jesus
said
no
it was rooted
in a smaller
choice on the
road
when Peter
pleaded with
Jesus to
take the
path of a
conquering king
rather than a
suffering servant
and Jesus
said
no
such a
path
is of
Satan
he
recognized
it
didn't
he
we have
many
small
choices
already
to choose
the path
of our
savior
over
ourselves
suffering
with God
over
pleasures
with sin
I want you
to think
this morning
of small
choices
in your
life
maybe even
ones you'll
make
this afternoon
it may be
when you're
tired
at the end
of the day
and your
kids are
arguing
disrespectfully
and you
came home
just wanting
a moment
of peace
and you
could
explode
they are
attacking
the very
thing you
long for
or
you could
choose to
suffer
the pain
of swallowing
your own
plan
to engage
with the
patience
of Christ
it may
be the
small
choice
of what
to do
with the
unexpected
bonus
check
when your
eyes start
getting big
and the list
of things
you'd like
to indulge
in is long
and think
of what
all this
could do
or
will you
commit
to seek
first his
kingdom
now
with some
of this
income
because he
says
eternal
investments
are worth
making
even when
we suffer
the loss
of things
we'd really
like to
have
here
it may
be the
small
choice
to
overeat
gluttonously
because
you're
seeking
comfort
and a
little bit
more food
or alcohol
and this
is what's
going to
get me
through
I'll
find my
comfort
there
rather
than
in
Christ's
love
it may
be the
small
choice
to choose
your
wife
over
the
woman
on the
screen
night
after
night
after
night
in
faithfulness
to
God's
direction
even
when
she
is
really
frustrating
you
this
passage
warns us
bigger
choices
follow
those
smaller
ones
and they
tend
to
follow
the
same
path
maybe
the
small
choice
to
refrain
from
a
gossip
fest
and
feel
and
seem
to your
friends
like
the
outsider
like
you
don't
even
belong
and
say
I'm
going
to
suffer
that
hurt
to
obey
God's
commands
about
my
words
and
maybe
the
small
choice
of
the
Sabbath
that
God
has
given
you
as
a
gift
in
which
to
enjoy
him
and
rest
and
relish
him
as
your
true
treasure
but
man
you've
learned
that
your
business
can
really
benefit
can
make
a little
bit
more
if you
work
through
Sunday
you've
seen
that
your
kids
can
really
excel
in their
activities
a little
bit
more
if they
play
through
Sunday
so many
choices
that we
face day
in and
day out
to train
our
hearts
to long
and live
not
for human
passions
but
for
the
will
of
God
he's
the
one
who
made
us
and
loves
us
young
people
I'd
like
to
try
to
have
a
youth
moment
but
every
time
I do
I
start
crying
so
it
makes
it
really
tough
this
is
for
those
of
you
who
used
to
come
sit
on
the
steps
up
here
when
we
have
a
children's
moment
but
I
want
you
to
know
how
much
I
love
you
is
that
I'm
not
going
to
ask
you
now
to
come
sit
on
the
stairs
okay
I
just
want
you
to
listen
you
can
stay
right
where
you
are
and
I
know
that's
important
to
you
but
so
many
times
you
already
face
these
choices
and
I
want
you
to
know
that
the
suffering
you
face
is
real
even
the
things
that
seem
small
you're
in
friend
groups
where
daily
you have
the
choice
to
make
fun
of
others
or
be
made
fun
of
and
it's
one
or
the
other
malign
or
be
maligned
watch
that
movie
or
stay
home
alone
go
indulge
in
something
illegal
or
immoral
at
that
party
or
feel
left
out
FOMO
that's
fear
of
missing
out
is
a
real
thing
for
adults
and
for
young
people
I
want
you
all
to
know
I've
spent
this
won't
surprise
you
perhaps
but
many
nights
in
my
younger
years
alone
yeah
sure
pastor
well
you're
kind
of
nerdy
like
that
doesn't
make it
easy
I
spent
sometimes
feeling
a sense
of
self
righteousness
like
I
was
better
than
those
kids
who
wouldn't
invite
me
to
their
party
because
they
didn't
want
me
making
them
feel
guilty
about
the
things
they
were
indulging
in
sometimes
I
remember
feeling
left
out
I
didn't
feel
anything
good
about
me
I
felt
uncool
I
felt
foolish
for
not
recognizing
all
of
the
apparently
wonderful
things
that I
should
be
enjoying
how
much
fun
I
could
be
having
and
that
is
a
tough
place
to
be
you're
in
that
spot
a
lot
I
want
to
tell
you
from
my
own
experience
that
following
Jesus
is
worth
it
that
the
pleasures
of
sin
are
not
ultimately
fulfilling
the way
they
sometimes
sound
but I
want
you to
hear
it
more
importantly
from
God's
word
listen
the
time
past
is
enough
you
may
think
you
haven't
passed
a lot
of
time
yet
he
doesn't
give
a number
of
years
he
doesn't
say
not
well
let me
try a few
more
things
first
and just
see
hey
Peter
I
haven't
gotten
to go
to
college
yet
that's
the
time
when I
get
to do
all
of
these
things
and live
for myself
and then
afterwards
I'll
follow
Jesus
no
that is
the way
of
comfort
and self
it is
not
the way
of
Jesus
listen
to me
it is
never
too
early
to agree
with God
that the
time
past
is enough
of living
for self
it is
not
too
early
you
don't
have
to
try
real
hard
to
find
yourself
on
this
path
swept
away
in
this
flood
of
debauchery
Peter
says
there is
an
active
enemy
there is
plenty
of
people
telling
you
to
be
who
you
want
to
be
and
find
yourself
and
do
what
feels
good
to
you
and
if
you
just
drift
along
if
you
just
say
I
don't
want
to
make
this
choice
you
will
drift
along
in
that
flood
through
middle
school
and
through
high
school
and
through
college
and
that's
the way
the
current
goes
if
you're
just
floating
along
you'll
get
washed
away
in
that
that's
why
I'm
wanting
to
talk
to
you
this
morning
and
say
arm
yourselves
today
already
now
arm
yourselves
for
that
war
that
you're
finding
yourself
in
with
the
thinking
of
Jesus
suffering
painful
obedience
even
is
actually
better
and that
may seem
really weird
part of
why it
seems weird
is the
parties
seem
so
important
and the
adults
sometimes
they're just
telling you
that what
Christianity
means
this path
of Jesus
is just
make sure
you keep
quiet
and don't
step out
of line
that's
what it
means
to be
over here
no parties
over here
that's a
lie
being
in
relationship
with
Jesus
walking
on this
path
is
actually
where
true
life
is
now
you can
experience
it
now
knowing
his
love
for you
a life
free
from the
pressure
of
performance
and
listen
parties
forever
you
think
I'm
kidding
I'm
not
kidding
on the
authority
of
God's
word
if
you're
afraid
of
missing
out
on
any
of
this
you're
going
to
get
unending
parties
you don't
have to
go home
at
curfew
where
you're
dressed
perfectly
and so
you never
have to
feel
self
conscious
where
the
conversation
lifts
your
heart
rather
than
discourages
you
where
there's
food
and
drink
like
you've
never
tasted
here
there
are
celebrations
that are
unrivaled
in joy
you're
all
celebrating
the same
thing
together
God
promises
a better
city
to you
an
eternal
home
a life
full
and
joyful
you
can
trust
him
listen
struggling
for life
now
unending
hurt
for a
little
while
now
in
this
life
and
unending
love
and life
and
it's not
up to
you to
make it
happen
the
pressure's
not on
you
it's
given
to you
give
me
Jesus
every
time
it's
not
easy
young
people
you are
likely
to face
more life
or death
choices
than your
parents
or your
grandparents
right now
God is
calling you
with every
choice that
you make
for self
or savior
to make a
choice that
is going to
shape the
course of
your life
make choices
now that
shape your
life to
choose your
savior rather
than yourself
he is so
worth it
end of youth
moment
and time to
wrap up
maybe
maybe you're
thinking as
we read
this
I've made
some bad
choices
maybe some
small ones
maybe some
bigger ones
whatever
this passage
is honest
and clear
about the
judgment coming
for those
choosing their
own way
over
Jesus'
way
but way
more than
that
it highlights
that there
is a savior
who has
come to
bring hope
for all
who trust
in him
see
because of
Jesus'
choice to
suffer
that's where
this whole
passage
start
since
therefore
Christ
suffered
in the
flesh
because
he made
that choice
I was able
to say
to the
young
people
it's never
too early
to say
I'd rather
have
Jesus
it's also
I could
say to
you
never
too late
whatever
that's it
you say
I've lived
85 years
living for
myself
that's okay
that's enough
it's never
too late
to say
I'd rather
have
Jesus
today
you can
say
the time
past
is enough
of living
for myself
today
is the
day
of salvation
the good
news of
Jesus
has been
preached
to you
so that
you may
not
face
the judgment
of God
but rather
live with
him
the way
God
lives
so you
also
preach
that good
news
to others
that they
might know
the life
that Jesus
offers to
them
it may
at times
be
silence
that is
the safest
way to
avoid
suffering
right
you know
this
silence
about the
good news
of Jesus
silence
about the
hope that
you have
in him
not you
not about
the hope
of Jesus
not anymore
choose
even to
suffer
rather than
to be
silent
about a
king
so
gracious
a
friend
so
faithful
a God
who is
so
glorious
Jesus
suffered
Jesus
was maligned
Jesus
gave
his
life
not so
that you
might
pursue
your own
passions
and
pleasures
and
comforts
and avoid
all that
suffering
but so
that you
might live
with God
and find
in him
true life
unending
joy
purposeful
suffering
life
that lasts
the fulfilling
life that
you long
for
a choice
before us
this morning
my own
way
of endless
seeking
my
savior's
way
of
endless
celebrating
give
me
Jesus
let's pray
Jesus so
help us
that you
would be
more precious
to us
than all
the treasures
of this
world
help us
by your
spirit
to know
that's
where life
is found
help us
even in
our small
choices
to find
you
as the
one
our soul
longs
for
meet us
fulfill
us
comfort
us
we ask
in your
name
amen
for
more
information
visit us
online
at
southwood.org
to
of
that
all
we
had
so