Session 4: 1 Peter Chapter 4 - Suffering and Serving

 The general theme is: Heaven our Hope.

Verses 1-2: Equip ourselves in the battle against sin and for holiness.  We need to have a commitment - like Jesus to God - to endure in these last days.

The ESV says "arm yourselves with the same way of thinking" - saying "I'm willing to sacrifice for the sake of Jesus Christ.

The same mind that Jesus had that sent Him to the cross to sacrifice.

Note: When we have suffered physically for Christ, we are finished with sin.  It changes something in you when you battle persecution.  You realize what's really important.  We will do verse 2.

Verse 3: It's enough! List of sins that mark the past life of a believer.  Our culture is still doing this today!

Verse 4: It's strange to this world but not in the ancient world.  It was blatant.  Endure the slander.

Verse 5: They will give an account.

Verse 6: Who are these dead? Two options:

1. The faithful ones who died before the cross

2. Christian community those who died as martyrs

Verse 7: Jesus Christ is coming again.  So...be disciplined and earnest in prayer.

Verses 8-11: Should also result in these things.  Does it also make us a person of love and not only prayer.  Covers sins flaws.  Doesn't mean enabling.  Sin sometimes needs to be exposed.

Verse 9: Hospitality.  Don't grumble about it.

Verse 10: Use your gifts. Use them to serve others.  Church less spectators and more participants.  Notice he connects gifts to being a steward of the manifold grace of God.

Steward = manager

Manifold = many facets

God has given us His grace so that we would be a steward of it (1 Corinthians 15:10).

Verse 11: God supplies.

Verse 12: Back to addressing suffering Christians.  Fiery trials - don't think it strange or be surprised by it.  We can have the conception that because we belong to Jesus, life will be happy and easy - not so!

Verse 13: But rejoice.  Partake in Christ's suffering.  Were the sufferings of Jesus full of meaning?  Full of significance? Yes! Same for us.  We should never deny suffering building godliness in our life.

Verse 14-16: Big difference in suffering as a believer and an evil doer.  Praise God for the privilege of suffering for His name.  Don't be ashamed.

Verses 17-19: God doesn't punish us with suffering but purifies us through it.  Entrust ourselves to God.

Summary: Be stewards of God's grace.

1. Be self-controlled

2. Sober-minded

3. Keep loving earnestly

4. Show hospitality

5. Use gifts given to serve

6. Suffer well

Next: Session 5 - Chapter 5 For Shepherds and Sheep