078 1 Peter 4:1-11 - Following The Example of Christ in the Last Days - a podcast by Dr David Petts - Pentecostal preacher, former AoG Bible College Principal

1Peter.    Talk 10.    1 Peter 4:1-11

 

Introduction

 

As we saw in our last two talks,  Peter is offering special encouragement to Christians who are suffering and reminds them of the sufferings of Christ. This theme continues in the opening verses of Chapter 4.

 

Read:

1 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.

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.

 

 

 

Comments

 

1-2 Follow the example of Christ

 

1 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,

 

The Amplified Bible is very helpful here.

“Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh [and died for us], arm yourselves [like warriors] with the same purpose [being willing to suffer for doing what is right and pleasing God], because whoever has suffered in the flesh [being like-minded with Christ] is done with [intentional] sin [having stopped pleasing the world],”

1 Peter 4:1 AMP

 

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.

 

As we’ll see next time, later in the chapter Peter encourages his readers to share in the sufferings of Christ.

 

3-6 Don’t follow the example of the Gentiles

 

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, (I.e. to Christians who have now died)

that though judged in the flesh the way people are (it is because of sin that our bodies die),

they might live in the spirit the way God does.

 

 

 

7-11 Living in the last days

 

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.

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