1 Peter 4:1-6 Cameron Jungles 2-27-2013

A Willingness to Suffer for Righteousness: 1 Peter 4:1-6

Review

Ø Respond in a godly way to suffering (3:13-4:11).

o Live righteously even through unjust suffering (3:13-17).

o Christ: victory through suffering righteously (3:18-22).

o Commit to renounce sin and suffer for the sake of Christ    (4:1-6).

1. A willingness to suffer for righteousness is an indicator of growth in holiness and that one has made a clear break with sin.

1 Peter 4:1

Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.

1 Peter 4:2

As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.

1 Peter 4:3

For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do--living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.

1. A life of holiness lived for God will invite the scorn and persecution of the world.

1 Peter 4:4

They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.

1. Those who persecute you because of your holy lifestyle will one day be judged by God.

1 Peter 4:5

But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

1. Embracing the Gospel and a holy life may invite the world’s scorn, but it will result in eternal life with God.

1 Peter 4:6

For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

John 11:25-26

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

Main Idea: Follow the example of Christ: Renounce sin and be willing to suffer for the sake of righteousness, because God will reward his people.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Cameron Jungels Eastside Baptist Church February 27, 2013 Wed PM Unless otherwise noted, the verses are in NIV.