Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.
Do what it says.
James 1:22
1st Peter Chapter 4 - Living against the grain
Sunday services on May 15, 2022
Living Against the Grain
1st Peter 4
CIT: Live in light of eternity, and recognize that those who follow after Christ are living pursuing after the man of sufferings.
CIS: We are called to live in complete contrast to the world, we are to live kingdom minded pursuing the upward call of Christ.
SO: To encourage an attitude of joy, and to prepare and rejoice when you share in the sufferings of Christ.
MO: Devotional
Intro: This series through the book of 1st Peter has had one single common thread, that thread is that christians are called into a world of suffering. We are called to suffer for Christ and to not only be unashamed of our suffering but to also thrive and shine brightly despite it all. This has been the common theme throughout the passage. When we are born again and when we go through suffering we are close to Christ. He is the joy set before us, he is the prize of our life.
Christians nowadays don’t live like this here in U.S we tend to live very comfortable lives, with a few trials here and there and then we retire and collect seashells and golf.
Peter is urging an audience who is so far removed from us that it is hard to compare our two situations. Peter is preaching to slaves, in an empire of tyranny. He is preaching to subjugated women who are subject to the whims of their husbands fully and totally.
Nevertheless this message is just as applicable today as it was in 65 a.d or so when it was written.
May we never forget our roots and may we press on towards the end goal of our faith. May we walk the road of suffering and share in the glory of Christ.
T/S: Let’s stand for the reading of God’s word.
1. Don’t get entangled up in the things of this world
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, 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. 3 For 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. 4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the
same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; 5 but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
6 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.
Exp: Do you think that today if I were to take you to North Korea and preach in the underground church and you were captured and you were tortured for Christ you would go back home to the united states and settle down and go back to constant sin? If you lost a limb or an eye for the defense of Jesus and his word and in the line of bearing a testimony for Christ you would continue wasting away in front of the Tv or sit on your cell phone?
This is what Peter is referring to here, he is making a plain and common statement saying simply that if you are willing to suffer for Christ, your sin looks like a pretty pitiful replacement for the joy of the Lord. Who wants to get drunk when they have tasted Christ!? Who wants to go back to their sin when they have been set free from its bondage.
One of the reasons that Christianity in the United States is considered so weak is that it is in fact WAY too easy as a christian to avoid all discipline and all suffering and still claim to be one.
There are people who walk 10 miles through the jungle or past communist guards just to go to church. We can’t even get out of bed early enough to make it to church some days.
You have near unlimited resources to the gospel and God’s word is right in front of you and at your fingertips if you have even a basic smart phone. There are people now who don’t even have a bible in their language.
The world doesn’t get this. They don’t understand how you live this way. They gawk and mock and make light of the faith which you profess. Too many times we compromise with the world and we don’t live like this.
Ill: Richard Wurmbrand once said “A Faith that can be destroyed is not faith”
Trust me this man would know. He wrote a book called tortured for Christ. In his book he describes his 13 year imprisonment in the 1950’s for his outspoken Christian faith. This man is brutally tortured for 13 long years. He is beaten until he passes out. He was locked in an ice box until he was near death and then thawed out and placed back in it. He was brainwashed with constant repeated messages after severe sleep deprivation.
Repeating the same message “Christ is Dead” and “Give up” At one point they put him into solitary confinement for 3 whole years.
During all of this Richard held on to Jesus. He had memorized great portions of scripture and each night he wrote himself a sermon and preached it to himself. He shared his faith with the guards every day in between beatings. He led people in prison to Jesus moments before their execution. In the 60’s he was ransomed by church people in Norway for 10,000$ and was able to go free.
He then dedicated the rest of his life to sharing about the plea of the underground church.
App: This is the faith Peter is talking about, this is what he is speaking about here in this passage. A backwards against the grain without explanation faith that defies the logic of this world.
I love that passage in the book of revelation where the Martyrs are sitting underneath the throne in heaven crying out to God. When will justice come? They are given this answer that they must wait until their number is fulfilled. They are told to wait a little while longer in peace.
This is the interpretation of verse six that most closely aligns with the passage and its intent. That those who are dead are eyewitnesses to the gospel story. This is not some sort of baptism for the dead or second chance limbo humbo jumbo. Remember we must let scripture interpret scripture. We must use clear passages to interpret unclear passages.
T/S: Let’s press on
2. Use your Gifts, and be prepared for fiery trials
7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice in so far as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
Exp: The end of all things is near. There are two meanings to this one. One is that many of his audience were living in the region of Judea and Judea was about to be wiped off the map by emperor Titus in his sack of Jerusalem. Israel was about to cease to exist as a nation. (Until the 1940’s) Some of his audience was about to go through a literal apocalypse and see the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. This is where Masada happened and the Jews we scattered once again all over the known world.
The other interpretation is for us now. Jesus is coming! Soon! Let you theology be hung on that peg. Jesus is coming soon. Whats our instructions? Love one another earnestly. Love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality without grumbling. (Its easier to forgive a brother than a friend)
Each has a gift
Verse 11: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies
Let this one speak to those who share God’s word. Let this one speak to your burnout. If you are serving on your own strength you will burn out.
You will. Serve only on the strength that God gives.
Ill: Beloved. You really want to go against the grain? Try this. Don’t just bear suffering, or endure suffering. Rejoice in suffering.
The Word Chairo (Khah ee ro) means to keep on rejoicing. It's the same word that Paul uses in Philippians 4:4 rejoice in the Lord always again I say rejoice. This isn’t some fancy pants fake happiness when you are in pain. People can see right through that. This is authentic joy despite outward circumstances. This is seeing Christ through your tears, this is living against the grain.
(My mom’s apple tree)
App: Be glad endure the pain and walk forward in victory. Go to work with a smile. This isn’t about overburdening yourself. Of course you should have balance in your work and in your ministry. This is about drawing from a wellspring of strength that comes from Emmanuels veins. This about resting in the palm of Jesus and understanding that suffering produces righteousness.
T/S: It is worth it.
3. Judgement for the household of God
14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” 19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
Exp: This is where the body of Christ comes in, we are called to be an encouragement to one another and not a burden. We are called to bear up insults and handle discouragement well, because you are not handling it alone. Especially if you suffer as a christian. Let him glorify God in that name.
Judgment begins in the household of God. Meaning this. One we are to hold each other up in judgment. We are called to prune each other and help each other out.
You want to offend Christians? Tell them to judge one another.
Yet this is our calling.
Does that contradict Christ?
“Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
Matthew 7:3
No absolutely not. It does mean that we all must judge each other without hypocrisy. It does mean that we must be careful not to be smacking people with out own logs as we try to remove specks. But it also means we don’t allow specks to ruin the vision of a brother.
Peter said it here in chapter 4
Love covers a multitude of sins.
App: Do you have people in this room that you can honestly approach and have them point out sin in your life? Do you have accountability in your walk with God? This is why I love mens group, we are there to sharpen each other. Building each other up helps us demolish things that need to be torn down.
The church is called to help each other out. To disciple each other. I encourage you build relationships that do just that. Find honest men and valiant women who can help sharpen and guide you in a way that you can accept.
Response.
Grab a brother and grab a sister.
Pray for them.
(Closing prayer)
