1 PETER CHAPTER 4 STUDY (– vv. 1-19)
Christ’s Example to Be Followed – Crucifying Passions
4 Therefore, since Christ suffered [a]for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 3 For we have spent enough of our past [b]lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. 4 In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. 5 They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh but live according to God in the spirit.
Serving for God’s Glory
7 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore, be serious and watchful in your prayers. 8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” 9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the [c]oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the [d]dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Suffering for God’s Glory
12 Beloved do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial, which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 14 If you are [e]reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. [f]On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a [g]busybody in other people’s matters. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this [h]matter.
17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 Now
“If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?”
19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.
Notes 1 Peter 4 Study – (vv. 1-5, v. 6, vv. 7-11, vv. 12-13, & vv. 17-19)
4:1-5: Though Peter refers here to specific activities and vices prevalent in that day (Peter’s time) is Asia Minor – where excessive drinking along with unspeakable practices took place in connection with the worship of various deities – there can be no doubt of the direct application of this passage to our own day and the condition from which many of us have come into the Kingdom of Heaven …
4:6: The dead are most likely those preached to “in prison” in Hades – (1 Peter 3:19) …
1 Peter 3:19
By whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison
4:7-11: Whatever gifts God has given to His people are to be used for the glory of God and in a spirit of love … (see- Romans 12:4-10; and 1 Corinthians Chapters 12-14) …
Romans 12:4-10
4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
Behave Like a Christian
9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another.
- We live out our faithful relationship to God in the Church, the Body of Christ – we are to serve with humility – (v. 3, sober thoughts – (v. 3), and proper use of our spiritual gifts – (vv. 4-8) … A proper ministry requires functioning together in diversity, and the seven gifts mentioned in (vv. 6-8) are not understood to be exhaustive, rather these gifts represent all the infinite gifts God has given to us, spiritual warfare can be exhausting but the power of God is the antidote we need to make it through, He is our strength …
“We are justified by faith meaning justified by working faith, how can one follow Christ with one foot in and one foot out … How is serving Christ only a declaration by mouth for some, when in fact the Bible teaches the opposite … How is faith alive if there is no work??? How is faith alive if there is no fruit??? True faith is one believing in Christ, and next it’s trusting all of oneself in the Lord and only in Him to provide all … Lastly true faith is being a teacher of truth and righteousness, and a witness signing the Lord’s victory hymns in our own lives …”
4:12-13: The fiery trial is the suffering of tribulations that tempt us to unfaithfulness, to the ruin of our faith … God’s people have always suffered unjustly, but in baptism the sufferings in which we partake are those of Christ Himself, which will ultimately bring great joy – (v. 13) …
4:17-19: Slander and persecution purify the Church for judgement, but persecutors and the ungodly – (V. 18) are heaping up condemnation for themselves … The severity of the present judgement of the righteous is evidence that the ungodly face a fearsome fate … Christians who suffer can always be confident that the Lord God is faithful – (v. 19) and good …
The hardest thing in our journey with Christ is being that example … This is something where I have struggled with in my ministry mainly due to my own internal and personal thoughts holding me captive … I struggle with the constant shelling of stories of how the wicked get away with something, when a saint gets burned for doing what’s right … No lie this eats me up inside, but I know the Lord wins in the end, just sharing my struggles like the Good Book says we should … I struggle with the lack of love and respect that is in our society today, these behaviors only motivate me more to shun evil and always do good … I struggle with the people who chose to have no compassion, but demands compassion and mercy be shown to them … With all my struggles I take away this from our study today, it’s clear we must continue to crucify our passions the old person, and live for the new person each day in Christ … I must prepare for the world that is to come, and know that the trials and afflictions that await me until than has no power over me (Temporary it's a fallen world that is passing away) , because Almighty Lord, and His Divine Power is all I need, I must remain faithful to Him, because He is always faithful if we remain in Him and He in us …”
JPCE Spiritual Talk
“NEVER HOLD BACK”
All roads lead to Christ
Christ is in our midst
Peace be with you all
In Christ – Love Jared W. Campbell
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