Advice For The Christian Life Pt. 1
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: 4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: 5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. 6 For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging. 10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
It’s been wisely stated: When Satan knocks at your door, let Jesus answer.
The devil never takes time off from his attack—he is always working and doesn’t care how he accomplishes his plan to defeat and destroy.
5 For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.
In light of what we have studied thus far, Satan knows that when we successfully navigate through difficult waters in our lives, we have a greater testimony and impact on others.
And that’s the last thing that he wants to happen…He will look for new ways to attack us so as to minimize that impact.
Knowing this, the Holy Spirit, through Peter, gives us some practical advice here in these verses. There are 4 things we are given
Number 1, he advises us to...
I-Stay Armed
I-Stay Armed
1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
When a soldier lays down his weapon, he is defenseless for that moment. If the enemy sees him in this condition, he will no doubt attack. The devil waits for those moments when we let down our guard. We cannot afford to live a single moment of our lives without protection.
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
The battle is intense and we tire easily in our own strength. Sometimes even after the greatest victories spiritually, it is easy to lose our focus, and we can give place to the enemy.
God promises strength through these weary moments and reminds us to stay armed!
There are two things given in this verse that we can arm ourselves with.
The first thing we are arm ourselves with is a Victorious Master...
The first thing we are arm ourselves with is a Victorious Master...
1 Peter 4:1 (KJV 1900)
1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh,
Never rely on your experience as your teacher. Our example should always be Christ.
We may have some victories in our lives—but Jesus Christ was victorious in every test. He never sinned! And we must always look to Him for our encouragement and example. He has already run this race successfully and we would be foolish to ignore His “coaching” at this point.
We are reminded of the work of Jesus here:
• He paid for our sins;
• He preached to the spirits;
• He gave us salvation through His death, burial, and resurrection;
• and He reigns from on high!
The Lord Jesus has all power in heaven and on earth. His physical suffering in the flesh did not detour Him or defeat Him, but was used to accomplish God’s purposes for eternity! In this section Peter is giving a strong argument for Christian’s to respond to suffering the way the Master responded to sufferings.
Our present position as Christian’s is based on the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ suffered for us in the flesh! He died on the cross for us to pay the price for our sins and He rose again to seal the deal! Our present position as saints is because of Jesus and our present position in suffering is because of Jesus.
The second thing we are to arm ourselves with is a Vigilant Mind...
The second thing we are to arm ourselves with is a Vigilant Mind...
1 Peter 4:1 (KJV 1900)
1 ...arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
The direction of our thoughts will form the direction of our lives. Far too often we allow our minds to think about wrong without any intention of doing that wrong. But Satan knows if he can infiltrate our thinking, he will infect our testimonies.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Peter gives a compelling argument and a strong reason to respond to suffering in a Christ-like manner.
Peter reminds the church of the Lord’s position now, in heaven reigning on high with all power, and he also reminds the church of the Lord’s position then, He suffered for us in the flesh.
When persecution and trials came Jesus stayed focus on the Father’s will! He came to do the Father’s will and He finished His work!
Kenneth Wuest wrote, “The Christian needs the heaviest armor he can get, to withstand the attacks of the enemy of his soul. To have the same attitude toward unjust suffering that the Lord Jesus had, will cause us to react toward this suffering as He did.”
“Arm yourselves” is not preached much in today’s culture! Christianity today in many cultures has no demands, requires no sacrifice, expects no change, calls for no repentance, prepares for no battle!
John Phillips wrote, “We need all of the protection we can get to prepare ourselves for the battles ahead. God does not promise to carry us to the skies on flowery beds of ease. God does not hand out colorful brochures offering good health, prosperity, wide popularity, and a long life to those who accept Christ. Those who array themselves in such flimsy robes are in for a shock.”
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
The first piece of advice we find is to Stay Armed…The second piece of advice is to...
II-Stay Aimed
II-Stay Aimed
The old saying is, “He who aims at nothing hits it every time.”
God saved you for a reason. His plan is perfect and He has given us everything we need to accomplish that purpose for His glory. God may reveal His plan one step at a time or may call us to a lifetime of service, but either way we must stay aimed on what He has placed before us.
16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;
We must stay aimed so we do not waste time!
We must stay aimed so we do not waste time!
1 Peter 4:2 (KJV 1900)
2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men,
What a waste to live our lives for things that will not last past this lifetime.
The choice is not between pleasure and misery but between pleasure and pleasure.
The question is in the duration of that pleasure.
There is pleasure in sin, but it doesn’t last. But God promises a pleasure that is forevermore.
11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life:
In thy presence is fulness of joy;
At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Don’t waste a moment of your life on pleasures that are not only fleeting but in the process often fatal. If you want your life to count—live it for something that outlasts it!
Missionary C.T. Studd said, “Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last”
Only God’s will and His work will outlast this present world.
Dedicate yourself today to use your time for that which will count in eternity.
We must stay aimed because we have a worthy target!
We must stay aimed because we have a worthy target!
1 Peter 4:2 (KJV 1900)
2 ...but to the will of God.
When we are born again, we have a new passion! Our new passion is to be a passion for living for Jesus the rest of our lives!
15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
The rest of our days should be lived all out for the will of God! We should no longer live the rest of our time in the flesh for the lusts of men.
God’s will is perfect according to Romans 12:2.
It is impossible to improve on perfect.
Your best plans can never match God’s perfect will. You won’t be disappointed at the Judgment Seat of Christ if you “stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.”
How much better to suffer through some trials but hit the target, than to have a carefree life but miss the mark of God!
10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God:
Thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
It’s the will of God that lost people be saved!
It’s the will of God that you live for Jesus with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength!
It’s the will of God that we give thanks to Him!
It’s the will of God that we stand perfect and complete!
We have a new purpose and it is the will of God!
Close only counts in horseshoes...Certainly coming close to the will of God will not count for much when we meet the Lord. When it comes to God’s plan, we want to hit the bulls eye!
Conclusion
Conclusion
Satan will try to pull you away from God and His people when the trials come. He not only wants to destroy you but all of God’s work. Stay Armed, and stay Aimed,
There are two more things in this passage that we will look at next week: stay Adamant, and stay Agreeable!