1 Peter 4:1-6
This morning we studied an amazing text that reminded us that suffering is not defeat, but rather an opportunity for victory.
They killed Jesus, but He wouldn’t die
They threw Him in hell, but He wouldn’t stay
They told Him not to rule, but He squashed them under His feet
Suffering can lead to victory.
BUT I WANT YOU TO HEAR ME
It is not guaranteed that suffering will lead you to victory.
Suffering can lead you to defeat.
This is why the Bible says, “To him who overcomes”
Suffering leads to an opportunity for victory, but it is not automatic.
We must make sure we know how to approach suffering.
And the way to approach suffering
Is the same way Jesus approached it.
BY FOLLOWING JESUS EXAMPLE
WE CAN BE VICTORIOUS IN SUFFERING.
This is why Peter starts this text by saying,
”Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose”
Peter wants us to “arm” ourselves with the purpose and sufferings of Christ.
The word “arm” is HOPLIZO.
It speaks of weaponry; it is a war term that literally means
“to take up your arms, or to put on your armor.”
Before we examine what the armor is, it is beneficial for us
To talk for a second about what a persecutor
Is trying to achieve by causing you to suffer.
Matthew 5:10 “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:11-12 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
2 Timothy 2:8-9 “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel, for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned.”
Three reasons we suffer.
The Presence of Righteousness
The Person of Jesus
The Preaching of the Gospel
When people persecute you, it is to cause one of three things.
They either want you to stop living righteous…
Or they want you to deny Jesus…
Or they want you to abandon the gospel…
Our battle then becomes
How to keep those three things from being compromised.
IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT THAT YOU REALIZE THE TRUE DANGER:
SPIRITUAL DANGER
That is what Peter is going to show us here in our text this evening.
There are four aspects of armor we must maintain.
#1 A GODLY PASSION
1 Peter 4:1-2
The first thing Peter says we must maintain is a godly passion.
A passion so strong that we are willing to lay down our lives for God.
Then the issue of sin is not really an issue.
“because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin 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.”
Many people think Peter is referencing death here.
That once we die or “suffer in the flesh” then sin is finished.
While that is true, we know this is not the case because of verse 2. The effects of this suffering cause you to “live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.”
When the enemy comes to persecute you or to make you suffer,
One of the most vital defenses you can have
Is a passion for God that is stronger than your passion for comfort.
If you want obedience worse than you want comfort,
Then the enemy cannot cause you to waver.
You remember the life of Paul.
Here was a guy who suffered in the flesh.
Acts 21:7-14 “When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and after greeting the brethren, we stayed with them for a day. On the next day we left and came to Caesarea, and entering the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we stayed with him. Now this man had four virgin daughters who were prophetesses. As we were staying there for some days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.'” When we had heard this, we as well as the local residents began begging him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” And since he would not be persuaded, we fell silent, remarking, ” The will of the Lord be done!”
But let’s see why he was so willing to suffer.
Philippians 1:21 “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
Philippians 3:10-11 “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”
CAN YOU SEE WHY SUFFERING COULDN’T GET PAUL TO DENY JESUS, STOP PREACHING, OR FORSAKE RIGHTEOUSNESS?
He loved God too much.
Think of the apostles.
Acts 4:17-20 “But so that it will not spread any further among the people, let us warn them to speak no longer to any man in this name.” And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
These people loved God too much to fall to such persecution.
But ultimately the example is Jesus.
There are reasons Jesus never fell away.
He had tunnel vision, and that was to be obedient to the Father.
John 8:28-29 “So Jesus said, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me. “And He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him.”
Matthew 14:13-21 “Now when Jesus heard about John, He withdrew from there in a boat to a secluded place by Himself; and when the people heard of this, they followed Him on foot from the cities. When He went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and felt compassion for them and healed their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to Him and said, “This place is desolate and the hour is already late; so send the crowds away, that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away; you give them something to eat!” They said to Him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.” And He said, “Bring them here to Me.” Ordering the people to sit down on the grass, He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food, and breaking the loaves He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds, and they all ate and were satisfied. They picked up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve full baskets. There were about five thousand men who ate, besides women and children.”
Personal Hardship couldn’t delay Him
Private Influence couldn’t distract Him
Problematic Circumstances couldn’t discourage Him
Pleasing His Father couldn’t disappoint Him.
Hebrews 12:1-2 “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Jesus turned suffering into victory because He was wearing His armor.
He had a godly passion that would not allow Him to falter in the face of suffering.
WE MUST HAVE A PASSION FOR GOD’S WILL IN OUR LIVES
#2 GENUINE PURITY
1 Peter 4:3
I love what Peter says here.
It really squashes a false evangelism philosophy that has been circling for years.
I don’t know how many times I’ve heard the philosophy that before you can evangelize a person you must first build a relationship with him.
I read to you out of “Purpose Driven Church”
“We must learn to think like unbelievers in order to win them” (pg. 189)
For some reason people think it is important to be in the world enough
So that we don’t lose contact with the world.
All that is, is an excuse for Christians to
Continue in a self-serving, sinful lifestyle without feeling guilty.
I would agree that in evangelism we do need to be able to identify with those we are trying to reach. But did you catch what Peter said?
“For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles”
You do not have to entertain the things of the world.
And if you want to sum up the things Peter mentions,
It can be summed up in two categories: DRINKING & SEX
Understand this is some of what the unbelieving world
Would like to drag you in to.
Your armor is that you have genuine purity.
Genuine purity is armor against such temptations.
Remember what Peter already taught us?
1 Peter 2:12 “Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.”
1 Peter 2:15 “For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.”
1 Peter 3:16 “and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.”
Jesus taught this as well.
Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
If you are willing to compromise your purity,
You are not ready to have victory in the midst of suffering.
One of the aims of persecutors is to get you to compromise purity.
You must have that decision solidified in your mind.
Jesus did.
1 Peter 2:22 “WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH;”
Hebrews 4:15 “For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.”
Matthew 4:1-11 “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'” Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, ‘HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU’; and ‘ON their HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP, SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.'” Jesus said to him, ” On the other hand, it is written, ‘YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.'” Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'” Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.”
WE MUST BE UNWILLING TO COMPROMISE AS WELL
There is no reason why a Christian should sin.
Your armor will help you stand strong and turn suffering into victory
Godly passion, Genuine purity
#3 GALLANT PERSEVERANCE
1 Peter 4:4-5
Now, if you don’t live like the world, you can expect something. This is what Peter says.
“In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you”
The word surprised translates XINEZO
It depicts utter amazement and shock.
A lost world cannot fathom why you wouldn’t be willing to join them in sin.
This is one of the reasons many of us
Never suffer at the hands of sinners.
We have never shocked sinners
By our unwillingness to join with them.
However Peter’s implication here is that you
Persevere bravely in the face of this suffering.
Ephesians 6:10-13 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 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. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.”
If all you have is perseverance, then use it.
It is armor in the midst of suffering.
If you have solidified that you will not cave in, then you are protected.
Jesus had this tool.
Luke 22:42-44 “saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him. And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.”
Mark 15:31-32 “In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes, were mocking Him among themselves and saying, “He saved others; He cannot save Himself. “Let this Christ, the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, so that we may see and believe!” Those who were crucified with Him were also insulting Him.”
Or how about persevering against discouragement?
Matthew 17:14-18 “When they came to the crowd, a man came up to Jesus, falling on his knees before Him and saying, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is a lunatic and is very ill; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. “I brought him to Your disciples, and they could not cure him.” And Jesus answered and said, “You unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me.” And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured at once.”
Christian
WE MUST ALSO BE TOTALLY COMMITTED
And do not worry about them, they will get what is coming to them.
Verse 5, “but they will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.”
This was precisely how Jesus did it.
1 Peter 2:23 “and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;”
It takes a Godly passion, Genuine Purity, Galant perseverance
#4 GOSPEL PREACHING
1 Peter 4:6
The piece of armor Peter is referring to is our commitment
To preach the gospel even to those who are dead in spirit.
It may seem like the gospel is an ineffective tool when it falls upon dead ears, but this is not the case.
Wednesday night I shared about my airplane ride home.
Throughout the course of the trip, he called me “an extremist”, and a “poster child for the type of people that infuriate him.”
This man was dead in spirit.
But do you know what I noticed?
Even though he was dead, he still squirmed in his seat
Every time I quoted Scripture.
There is power in the gospel.
You remember what Paul said.
Ephesians 6:17 “And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
This was an aspect of Jesus.
Many times we get so blinded in His miracles that we forget
His main priority was to preach the gospel.
Matthew 4:17 “From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Luke 8:1 “Soon afterwards, He began going around from one city and village to another, proclaiming and preaching the kingdom of God. The twelve were with Him,”
Mark 1:35-39 “In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there. Simon and his companions searched for Him; they found Him, and said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.” He said to them, “Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for.” And He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out the demons.”
Mark 2:1-5 “When He had come back to Capernaum several days afterward, it was heard that He was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room, not even near the door; and He was speaking the word to them. And they came, bringing to Him a paralytic, carried by four men. Being unable to get to Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Him; and when they had dug an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic was lying. And Jesus seeing their faith said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
Did we not mention that one of the reasons we suffer is because of the gospel. For this reason we must be all the more committed to it.
They want you to deny Jesus, so maintain a passion for God.
They want you to stop righteousness, so maintain a genuine purity.
They want you to abandon the gospel, so preach it constantly
And do all this with gallant perseverance
This is how you find victory in the midst of suffering.
This is how you keep from being in spiritual danger
This is how Jesus did it, and it will work for you.
1 Peter 5:6-11 “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
