Here, verse 4, 1-11, that's on page 1220.
Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourself also with the same attitude.
Because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin.
As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.
For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do,
living in debauchery, lust, drunkness, orgy, carousing, and detestable adultery.
They think it's strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation,
and they keep abuse on you.
But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
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.
The end of all things is near.
Therefore, be clear-minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.
Above all, love each other deeply,
because love can convert all multitude of sin.
Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others,
faithfully administering God's grace in its various form.
If anyone speaks, he shall do it as one speaking the every word of God.
If anyone serves, he shall 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 forever and ever.
Amen.
Thank you, Arvita.
Please keep your Bibles open to 1 Peter chapter 4.
And we'll pray.
Father, we ask that these words that I speak would be
as the very words of God,
words of truth about you,
about how we should live in this world.
Lord, we pray that these words would change us,
that they would transform us,
and show us how to live as we should.
Father, we pray this so that in all things
God may be praised through Jesus Christ,
for as to him be the glory and the power forever and ever.
Amen.
A very close friend recently told me a true story about himself.
He was about 16 at the time,
and they were away on a school geography trip.
When it came to their bedtime,
he got into his sleeping bag,
and with his torch,
began to read his Bible.
For fear of being seen by his mates,
he pulled the bag up over the top of him
and snuggled away, way down.
Someone heard some rustling of pages
and shouted over,
what are you doing?
To which there was a muffled replied,
I'm eating sweets.
The conversation continued,
give us one.
I can't, it's my last one.
Sometimes it's easier to tell lies
than to tell the truth.
Now, if you're a Christian,
you will identify with that.
It's easier to conform to the world
than to live for Christ.
You see, if we do speak out for Christian truth,
if we stand up for Christian values,
you will struggle.
You will get hit.
So to avoid any kind of grief or hardship,
well, we behave like everyone else.
So rather than say no to another drink,
we have another one,
and then another one,
and then soon the whole evening
is out of control.
Instead of explaining our views
on marriage or abortion,
we politely excuse ourselves
from the conversation
before we're even asked.
Rather than speak against racist talk,
we keep quiet.
After all,
we don't want people making jokes of me.
Instead of making it clear
that I am a Christian,
we change the subject
and talk about the match last night.
We live like the world.
We conform.
We begin to blend in
so that we escape
any kind of suffering or struggle.
Now, if you've ever experienced that,
it's a normal temptation
for every Christian.
We all feel that pressure
to just blend in and fit in.
So how can we keep living for Christ
rather than conforming to the world?
How can we make sure
we still follow Jesus
rather than drift away?
Well, we must remember two realities.
One past and one future.
We're to live in the light
of Christ's death on the cross,
which is a past event,
and we are to live in the light
of Christ's return at the end,
which is a future event.
So first,
here's the encouragement
to live for Christ
instead of conforming to the world.
First, we live in the light
of Christ's death on the cross.
Looking back to the cross,
shapes and affects
how I live my life today.
First, we are done with sin.
Look at verse 1, chapter 4.
Therefore,
since Christ suffered in his body,
arm yourselves also
with the same attitude,
because he who has suffered
in the body is done with sin.
The suffering of Christ
takes us back to the cross of Christ.
And what happened when Christ died?
Well, have a look back
to chapter 3, verse 18.
We're told very clearly,
chapter 3, verse 18,
that when Christ suffered,
when Christ died,
he died for sins,
once for all,
the righteous for the unrighteous
to bring you to God.
When Christ died,
it was a death for us.
In other words,
he exchanged places with us.
He took on himself
all our unrighteousness.
That's all the things
I've ever said,
thought and done
that are wrong.
Christ took it all on himself
and suffered the punishment
that we deserve.
He suffered hell
for you and for me.
So when Christ suffered
on the cross,
he dealt with our sin.
Look at verse 18.
Once for all.
It's dealt with.
It's finished.
It's done.
Chapter 4, verse 1.
Therefore,
in the light of what Christ has done,
since Christ suffered
in his body,
arm yourselves also
with the same attitude.
In other words,
we now are to think about
our sin
in the same way
that Christ has treated
our sin.
That's important
that we make that connection.
We are to think about
our sin
in the same way
that Christ has treated
our sin.
So if Christ has dealt
with my sin,
I am to consider
that my sin
has been dealt with.
If Christ is judged
for my sin,
I am to consider
that my sin
is no longer
held against me.
If Christ has forgiven
my sin,
I am to consider
myself
and live
as a forgiven
child of God.
Why?
Look at the rest
of verse 1.
because he
who has suffered
in his body
is done
with sin.
Through faith,
through my trust,
I am united
to Christ.
So the work
that Jesus did
on the cross
is now applied
to me
in my life.
So if Christ
has suffered
and dealt
with my sin,
then I too
am done
with sin.
I am no longer
living the rest
of my life
trying to deal
with it
because it has
been dealt
with in the past
once and for all.
And that means
our life now
has been changed.
It changes
everything,
verse 2.
As a result,
as a result
of Christ's death
on the cross,
we do not live
the rest
of this earthly life
for evil
human desires,
but rather
for the will
of God.
which takes
us to the fact
that not only
is our sin
done with,
but our past
has been put
behind.
We no longer
have to go
back.
We've a new
way to live.
Look at verse 3.
For you have
spent enough
time in the past
doing what
pagans
choose to do,
living the way
people who are
not yet
Christians
do.
Living in
debauchery.
That is,
living without
any moral
boundary in
place.
Doing what
you like,
when you like,
with who you
like.
So just think
about the
culture of
sleeping with
multiple partners.
It's living
without any
moral boundaries.
or, as he
goes on,
lust,
which is being
driven by your
own desires.
So you want
something,
you buy it.
You get fed up
with what you
have,
you change it.
drunkenness.
Drinking
without restraint.
One is
never enough.
Orgies,
which is
wild living,
indulging in a
cocktail of
sex and drugs,
whatever it
takes, and
doing whatever
you like to
experience that
ultimate high.
Carousing,
which is
another word
for drinking
parties.
Drinking
copious amounts
at the
Christmas party
or the
nightclub
or wherever
you might
hang out.
Detestable
idolatry.
Replacing
God with
other things
and with
other people.
So making
sport or
your work
or your
family or
your girlfriend
or boyfriend
more important
to you
than God.
Now I
think that
verse 3
is a fairly
accurate picture
of how
people live.
And without
pointing fingers
I think we
can all see
ourselves in
there.
Because each
one of us
have pushed
the moral
boundaries.
We've all
replaced God
with other
things.
We've all
searched for
fulfilment and
satisfaction,
whether it's
through sex
or shopping.
But,
look at
verse 3,
you have
spent enough
time in
the past
living like
this.
In other
words,
it's now
time to
move on.
We no
longer have
to live
this way.
Because of
Christ's death
on the cross,
we are done
with sin.
A decisive
break has
been made
in our life.
The past
is put
behind us
and now
we are
living for
Christ.
So when
you get
invited out
to your
work Christmas
party or
round to
your neighbours,
when you're
walking down
Patrick Street
and you see
all the
things that
you want
for Christmas,
you don't
have to
indulge.
You don't
have to
conform to
the way of
the world.
Your past
has been
dealt with.
You've
now got
a new
way to
live for
Christ.
And of
course,
when we
put the
past behind
and now
live for
Christ,
it comes
at a
great
cost.
Look at
verse 4.
Verse 4.
They think
it's strange
that you
do not
plunge
with them
into the
same flood
of
dissipation
and they
heap abuse
on you.
Again,
it's a
very
graphic
picture.
Society
has
plunged
into a
flood of
dissipation.
Strange
word,
but it
basically
means that
we have
indulged,
we've
jumped into
a flood
of a
life of
excess.
We just
are never
ever satisfied.
We're always
wanting more.
We crave
more sex,
more drink,
more shopping,
bigger homes,
bigger salaries,
new cars,
new gadgets.
It's the
way in
which the
world thinks.
But as
Christians,
of those
who've
left the
past,
we no
longer need
to indulge
in
excesses.
So if we
find ourselves
in conversation,
talking with
people,
or simply by
the way
that we
live,
when we
say that,
well no,
sex is
confined to
the marriage
of one
man and
one woman,
if we
stop at
one drink
or at
no drink,
if we
make obedience
to Christ
more important
than favour
with friends,
you're going
to get
hurt,
you're going
to get
abuse,
you're going
to be mocked,
you're going
to be laughed
at.
There is
going to be
a cost
if we
leave the
past behind
and live
for Christ.
So because
of Christ's
death on
the cross,
we no
longer have
to conform
to the
world,
the past
is behind,
we now
have a new
way to
live.
So we're
done with
sin,
the past
is put
behind,
and we're
prepared for
the future,
all because
of what
Jesus has
done on
the cross.
Look at
verse 5.
They
will have
to give
an account
to him,
so all
those who
live a
life of
excess
and indulging
a life
without Christ
will have
to give
an account
to him
who is
ready to
judge the
living
and the
dead.
God.
Now I
don't think
it's saying
that we're
to exclude
ourselves.
You see,
judgment is
coming and
every one
of us
will have
to give
an account
before God
and everything
is going to
be laid out
before God.
No one is
going to
escape,
nothing is
going to
be excused,
our whole
life before
God will
be exposed,
shown up
for who
we are
and what
we've
done.
So when
I am
tempted
to conform
to the
world,
when I
start
considering
and thinking
of living
like everyone
else so
that I
fit in
and escape
being laughed
at,
remember
judgment
is coming.
I am
going to
have to
give an
account
before God.
But
if we
trust in
Christ,
if our
hope is
in him,
we are
not just
looking
forward to
judgment,
we are
looking
forward to
glory,
to something
better and
something
greater.
Yes,
we may
face
insults,
yes,
people may
laugh at
us because
we have
left the
past behind
and we are
now living
for Christ,
but the
best is
yet to
come.
Look at
verse 6.
For this
is the
reason the
gospel was
preached even
to those who
are now
dead.
So he's
saying,
look,
there are
people who
have died,
but before
they died,
they heard
the gospel,
they heard the
good news about
Jesus Christ and
his death on
the cross.
Verse 6.
So for this
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.
In other
words,
they will
die because
of their
sin,
they will
physically
die,
all sin
leads to
death,
but,
look at the
end of
verse 6,
but they
will live
according to
God in
regard to
the spirit.
In other
words,
the gospel
is telling
me that
just as
Christ died
for my
sin,
but was
raised to
life in
the spirit,
so I
will die
because of
my sin,
but I
am going
to be
raised to
life.
All of
us will
die because
of sin
in our
life,
but because
Christ took
the judgment
on the
cross,
I will be
raised to
share his
glory.
Rather than
suffering hell
for eternity,
I will
enjoy heaven
for eternity.
So when
I am
tempted to
conform to
the world,
when I'm
tempted to
think that
all there
is is
this life
and just
fit in
for an
easier life
so I
don't get
laughed at,
so I
don't get
mocked,
when I
fit in
with this
kind of
life,
I need
to think
back to
the cross
and remember
that Christ
suffered for
my judgment.
He has
given me a
new inheritance
that I
might share
in his
glory.
I have
everything
to look
forward to
so I
don't have
to indulge
today
because I
have everything
to come.
So,
as we
seek to
live life
in this
world,
first,
we must
live in
the light
of Christ's
death on
the cross.
Remember
that our
sin is
done with
we have
put the
past
behind
and we
are looking
forward
to a
new
future.
But there's
a second
way in
which we
are to
live,
and that
is to
live in
the light
of Christ's
return at
the end,
which is a
future event.
Look at
verse 7.
The end
of all
things is
near.
It's a
short,
simple
statement
to remind
us that
Christ is
coming
again.
And when
Christ returns,
we will
experience our
glorious and
eternal
inheritance in
all its
fullness.
Let's remind
ourselves of
what that
inheritance is.
Go back to
chapter 1,
verse 4.
Because Christ
is going to
come again,
this is what we
have to look
forward to.
We have an
inheritance,
verse 4,
that can never
perish,
spoil,
or fade,
which is kept
in heaven
for you.
Down at
verse 9.
Because of
this, we are
receiving the
goal of our
faith, the
salvation
salvation of
our souls.
So we can
look forward
to Christ
coming, and
when he
comes, we
will receive
the goal of
our faith, the
salvation of
our souls.
We will
enter a world
untouched by
the pain and
heartache of
death.
We will
experience a
world unspoiled
by the selfish,
evil actions of
people.
We will enjoy a
world that is
unfading through
the course of
time and
seasons.
So as we
look forward to
Christ coming
again, it
will shape how
I live today.
In particular,
it shapes how
I serve and
support my
church family
as we seek to
live for Christ.
For Christ has
put us into a
church family as
people who are
going to help
us through this
life.
So, three
things that the
way Christ's
return will
shape us.
First, we
pray for the
church family.
Look at verse
seven.
The end of all
things is near.
Christ is coming
again.
Therefore, be
clear-minded and
self-controlled so
that you can pray.
So, instead of
thinking that
suffering as a
Christian in this
world is never
ever going to
end and that
there's no hope
beyond this
life, he
says we are
to wait
patiently to
look for
Christ's return
and as we
wait for his
return, we're
to pray.
We're to pray
for each other
so that we
will keep on
living for
Christ and
not conform to
this world.
Through our
prayers for each
other, our
prayers for the
church family, we
keep each other
strong until
Christ returns.
So, how am I
going to make
sure that I
reach eternity
and that I
reach that
goal?
It's going to
be through the
prayers of each
other.
So, I'm going to
ask you, will
you pray for
me?
Will you pray
for me that I
will remember the
promise that
Christ is coming
again?
That my
struggles are not
going to last
forever?
That I have an
inheritance that
can never perish,
spoil or fade?
Will you pray
for me that I
will keep living
for Christ and
not conform to
the world?
You see, I do
need you to pray
for me.
And we all
need to pray for
each other that
we will keep
faithful and keep
going to the
end.
That's why God
has placed you
into this
church family
so that you
can have the
support and
the prayers of
others as we
wait for Christ.
So, pray for
each other.
Second, love
each other.
Verse 8.
Above all,
love each other
deeply because
love covers
over a
multitude of
sins.
love each other
and grief.
Listen, we
all get enough
hassle and
grief from
being a
Christian in
the world.
We know it's
tough out
there.
So, let's
not be down
on each other
in the church
family.
We get enough
headaches from
people, so
why should we
come to the
gathering of
God's people
and get more
upset?
that.
Verse 8 tells
us we're to
love one
another, not
remind each
other of past
failures.
It's not saying
that we should
ignore sin, but
where sin has
been confronted
and confessed, we
move on.
Because, verse 8,
love covers over a
multitude of
sins.
So, you imagine
what this would
be like.
you've had a
really hard
week.
Your friends
have given you
a rough time
because you're a
Christian.
You feel pushed
out and a bit
isolated.
And then you
arrive into your
church gathering,
you're meeting
with your church
family, and
somebody reminds
you of something
you did and
criticizes you
over some
small thing.
And you go,
I thought I was
here for support.
Well, we are
here for support,
not to remind
each other of
past failure.
And one of the
ways to love
and support
each other is,
look at verse
9, offer
hospitality to
one another
without grumbling.
That was a
real and
practical help
when Peter
wrote this
letter, because
as he wrote,
there were many
Christians who
were literally
being shut out
of their homes.
Because they
had taken a
stand for
Christ in
society, they
no longer had
a home.
They didn't
have belongings.
Chapter 1,
verse 1 tells
us they had
been scattered.
They had been
sent away.
So other
Christians had
to give them
a bed and
welcome them
in and give
them some
food and
somewhere to
stay.
And that's
the kind of
support and
encouragement
we're to give
to each other.
I remember
my parents
offering that
kind of
hospitality to
young Christians
who were not
welcome in
their own
homes.
For some,
our home
became like
a refuge.
It was a
place you could
just turn up,
be encouraged,
be prayed for.
Yes, it was
costly, it
took time,
money, and
energy.
And as a
little kid
wandering around
the house I
used to give
off, why do
we have to
have all these
people coming
all the time?
Well, simply
because Christ
is coming,
because he
has an
eternal
inheritance
ready for
us, that
means we
can give
everything in
this life
now towards
other people.
We can
open up our
homes and
make it a
refuge.
we can
welcome
people in
because we
have an
eternal home
and Christ
is coming
again.
So as we
seek to
live life
in this
world, which
is tough
and hard,
let's not be
down on each
other, but
love each
other deeply,
support each
other, invite
each other
into your
homes to
encourage one
another.
other.
So we
are to
pray for
each other,
love each
other, and
we are to
give grace
to each
other.
The church
family is
an incredible
place of
encouragement
and support
when we
live in a
world that
is hostile
towards us.
Look at
verse 10.
each one
should use
whatever gift
they have
received to
serve others.
So that's an
encouragement,
isn't it?
We all have
a gift, or
gifts from
God, talents
and abilities
given to us
by God, and
how do we
use those
gifts?
Look at the
rest of
verse 10.
We faithfully
administer God's
grace in
its various
forms.
You see, it's
God's grace
that's going to
sustain us
and keep
us until
Christ returns.
Have a look
over at
chapter 5
verse 10.
Chapter 5
verse 10.
And the
God of
all grace
who called
you to
his eternal
glory in
Christ,
so God
in his
grace has
given us
a future
to look
forward to.
After you
have suffered
a little
while,
so as we
seek to
live for
Christ in
this world,
we will
suffer.
He will
himself
restore you
and make
you strong,
firm,
and steadfast.
God's
grace is
what's going
to keep
us until
the end.
God's
grace is
going to
keep us
going until
Christ returns.
But here's
the point.
How do we
get to
experience
God's
grace?
That grace
comes to
us from
God,
not just
straight to
us,
but God's
grace comes
through one
another.
The grace
of God
flows down
to God's
people,
and as it
flows into
God's
people,
so it
flows out
to each
one of
us through
the gifts
that he
has given
us.
So if we're
to experience
God's
grace,
it comes
through
people
to us.
And there's
two ways,
two main
ways we can
bring grace
to each
other as
we wait
for Christ's
return.
Look at
verse 11.
Here's the
first one.
If anyone
speaks,
he should
do it as
one speaking
the very
words of
God.
And here's
the second
one.
End of
verse 11.
If anyone
serves,
he should
do it with
the strength
that God
provides.
So two
major
gifts that
we all have
in some
way or
another.
We can
speak to
people,
and we
can serve
people,
and by
speaking and
by serving,
we bring
God's
grace into
each other's
life.
So let me
show you
what this
looks like.
Imagine
you're
struggling,
maybe you
are struggling,
to keep
going.
Your family
don't understand
you,
your friends
don't always
include you,
you've taken
a stand to
follow Christ,
to love him,
to walk with
him,
but you're
suffering for
it.
It's really,
really tough
to be a
Christian where
you are.
And you're
beginning to
think it's
not worth it,
I can't
keep going,
it's just
going to be
easier to
live like
everyone else,
just to
blend in,
keep quiet,
say nothing,
and escape
all the
hassle and
all the
grief.
love.
And then
God's grace
is poured
out into
your life.
God's grace
overflows into
your struggling
life.
How?
Someone comes
along to you
and speaks
to you a
word of
encouragement.
They get
alongside you
and they pray
for you.
they open
up the
Bible with
you and
they begin
to read a
little bit
from it,
reminding you,
Johnny,
Christ is
coming again,
your struggles
will end,
we're here
for you,
we're going
to support
you.
Another
person comes
along and
they serve
you,
they welcome
you into
your home
for dinner,
they give
you a secure
and safe
place where
you can
unload and
listen,
somebody can
listen to
all the
struggles that
you're going
through and
they go with
you and they
meet with
your friends
so that you're
not the only
Christian in
the group.
Through the
church family
we experience
God's
overflowing
grace into
our life,
sustaining us
and keeping
us as God's
people.
One of the
great ways to
do that is
just simply as
we're gathered
here.
when we
have tea
and coffee
how many
times do
we say
encourage
one another
and it's
for this
very reason
as you
speak to
one another
you are
speaking God's
grace to
each other's
lives.
That's why we
say come to
home groups.
It's not just
a meeting to
fill up your
week with,
it's not to
get God's
attention and
see how great
you are,
it's a place
to receive
God's grace
and it's a
place to
give God's
grace so
that we can
be built
up so
that we can
keep going
in the
faith.
The message
of 1 Peter
is so
clear.
The Christian
life is
tough,
it's hard
and it's
only going
to get
harder as
we go on.
God's
So how
are we
going to
face this
hostile
world in
which we
live?
Well
together we
look back to
Christ's death
on the cross.
We remember
that we are
done with
sin, the
past is
put behind,
we are to
consider our
sin treated,
dealt with,
done away
with and
looking forward
to what Christ
has prepared
for us.
So we look
back to his
death, we
look forward
to his return
at the end,
praying for
each other,
loving each
other and
pouring God's
grace as we
speak and
as we serve.
And as we
do this,
we will
continue to
live for
Christ and
we won't
conform to
the world.
God has
placed you
here with
your gift
so that we
can support
one another.
may God
give us
the help
that we
can do
it.
Let's
pray.
Amen.
In the
quietness,
let's just
think for a
moment.
of somebody
who we
can draw
alongside,
use the
gifts that
God has
given us
to bring
grace into
their life,
to help
them as
they seek
to live
for Christ.
Amen.
Noahe Mike
Father, thank you that Christ died for our sin,
has dealt with our past,
and given us a new way to live.
Thank you that you have given to us wonderful gifts,
and we pray that through us,
we would use those gifts to build one another up,
serve each other,
and speak your truth.
Father, help us to do that well,
so that we keep living for Christ,
and that we do not conform to the world.
We pray this in Jesus' name.
Amen.