Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 4:1-6 Prepare for Suffering

Context: Encouragement for believers: stand firm as exiles in a godless & hostile culture Ch 1. We have real & living hope in Christ, so we • Rejoice in suffering & Live holy lives Ch 2. God formed us into His new people who • Love one another & Live as God’s dwelling Ch 3. God calls us to live righteous lives • Honoring authority & Loving each other Ch 3b-4. Be ready to suffer for righteousness

Exposition v. 1. God calls us through Peter to arm ourselves, prepare for suffering. What kind of suffering? Asceticism? Suffering to gain righteousness? No, the suffering that can come from righteousness. But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed (3:14)

Peter gives us 5 Ways to Arm Ourselves for Suffering. The picture is of a soldier preparing for battle. “Arm yourselves with Christ’s thinking” Arming ourselves prepares us and protects for the fight.

1. Remember Christ’s suffering – v. 1a “Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh…” Christ suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God. (3:18) Our Lord and Savior suffered for OUR sins, not his own, to reconcile us to God. Peter says to think about suffering like Jesus thought about suffering. Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfector of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb 12:2) Jesus saw suffering as the path to joy and triumph.

2. Make a clean break from sin – v. 1b “whoever has suffered… has ceased from sin” For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. (Rom 6:14) Jesus has broken sin’s dominion over you through his suffering. God calls you out of sin and into a life of goodness and purity.

3. Recognize sin is a waste of life–v.3.“time that is past suffices doing what Gentiles do” You spent too much time already in sin – and it was a wasted life. A wasted life: “sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, idolatry.” “For the wages of sin is death” (Rom 6:23a) Don’t waste your life continuing in sin.

v. 4. Their response when you do not join them in sin: “surprised” & “malign you.” Their response requires our patience, not our judgment nor

1. God will Judge the living and the dead – v.5 “but they will give an account to him” On that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus. (Rom 2:16) God made a way for forgiveness & salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

2. We will triumph over death – v. 6. Difficult verse to understand. “The gospel was preached even to those who are now dead.” Who are the dead? Most likely: the dead are those who heard the gospel and believed, but then died.

Some argued: if I live in sin or live as a Christian, we both die, so what does it matter? It matters because Christians will be raised to life. As in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. (1 Cor 15:22)

Arm yourself for suffering. Think about suffering like Jesus did. 1) Remember Christ’s suffering – suffering for righteousness: path to joy & triumph 2) Make a clean break from sin – sin is no longer your master 3) Recognize sin is a waste of life – don’t waste another minute on sin 4) God will judge – the living and the dead will give an account 5) We will triumph over death – death and suffering will not be our end, but triumph

God’s Calling: The world NEEDS believers who CHOOSE to suffer for righteousness. Not some self-righteous attitude; but a REAL, authentic, distinct, Christ-exalting life.