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<h2><a onclick="return mV('1Pe',4,'1-');">1Pe 4</a> - Serving God in the Last Days</h2>
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<p>A. Attitudes for end-times believers.</p>
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<p class="c1">1. (<a onclick="return mV('1Pe',4,'1-2');">1-2</a>) In the last days, Christians should have an attitude of commitment.</p>
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<p class="c2"><span>Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of <i>his</i> time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.</span></p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">Since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind</span></b>: The commitment God calls us to have is nothing isn't greater than the commitment Jesus had in enduring suffering for our salvation. In the last days, we need to have a commitment to God that will endure through great struggles.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. Jesus communicated the same idea when He told us that anyone who would come after Him must take up his cross and follow (<a onclick="return mV('Mat',16,24);">Mat 16:24</a>). Taking up the cross meant that you were committed and not looking back!</p>
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<p class="c5">ii. <b><span class="c3">Arm yourself with the same mind</span></b>: Many of us are defeated in our battle against sin because we refuse to sacrifice anything in the battle. We only want victory if it comes easily to us. Jesus called us to have the kind of attitude that would sacrifice in the battle against sin (<a onclick="return mV('Mat',5,'29-30');">Mat 5:29-30</a>).</p>
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<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">He who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin</span></b><span>:</span> When a person has suffered physical persecution for the sake of Jesus, it almost always profoundly changes their outlook regarding sin and the pursuit of the lusts of the flesh. He is more likely to <b><span class="c3">live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God</span></b>.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. "Whoever has suffered for doing right, and has still gone on obeying God in spite of the suffering it involved, has made a clear break with sin." (Grudem)</p>
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<p class="c1">2. (<a onclick="return mV('1Pe',4,'3-6');">3-6</a>) In the last days, Christians should live with an attitude of wisdom.</p>
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<p class="c2"><span>For we <i>have spent</i> enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles; when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with <i>them</i> in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of <i>you.</i> They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 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.</span></p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles</span></b><span>:</span> Peter realizes we all spent enough time living like the world. Now we are called to live like Christians. It is a profound, and foolish, waste of time for Christians to live like the world, and we must simply stop being double-minded and start living as Christians.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. Sadly, many Christians (in their heart of hearts) think that they have <i>not</i> <b><span class="c3">spent enough</span></b> time doing the will of the ungodly. They want to experience more of the world before they make a full commitment to godliness. This is a tragic what a mistake, and takes a path that leads <i>away</i> from eternal life.</p>
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<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">They think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation</span></b><span>:</span> When the world looks at our godly living, they <b><span class="c3">think it strange</span></b> that we do not follow them in their <b><span class="c3">flood of dissipation</span></b> (wastefulness). If life lived after the flesh is anything, it is a <i>waste</i>.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. <b><span class="c3">Speaking evil of you</span></b>: When we don't participate in the sin around us, we convict those who practice their sin, and they don't like that - so they speak evil of us.</p>
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<p class="c5">ii. "It does not matter how your good deeds are received by men. If you are like God, you will find them received with contempt and ingratitude." (Meyer)</p>
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<p class="c4">c. <b><span class="c3">Lewdness</span></b> means to live without any sense of moral restraint, especially in regard to sexual immorality and violence. When we look at this list (<b><span class="c3">lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries</span></b><span>)</span>, we see just how little fallen man has progressed in the last 2,000 years.</p>
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<p class="c4">d. The magnitude of their foolishness will be displayed on they day when <b><span class="c3">they will give an account to Him who is ready to judge</span></b>. Even if one seems to live the "good life" living by the world's rules, their life will be a waste in the measure of eternity.</p>
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<p class="c4">e. <b><span class="c3">For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead</span></b><span>: </span>Peter also says that because of this eternal judgment the gospel was preached to the <b><span class="c3">dead</span></b>. The righteous <b><span class="c3">dead</span></b> know, and live in constant awareness of, the reality of eternity - and are rewarded by this understanding as they <b><span class="c3">live according to God in the spirit</span></b>.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. Peter has already told us that Jesus preached to the <i>spirits in prison</i>, preaching a message of judgment (<a onclick="return mV('1Pe',3,19);">1Pe 3:19</a>). Apparently during this same time, Jesus also preached a message of salvation to the faithful dead in Abraham's Bosom (<a onclick="return mV('Luk',16,22);">Luk 16:22</a>) who anticipated the work of the Messiah for them.</p>
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<p class="c5">ii. This preaching <b><span class="c3">to those who are dead</span></b> was not the offer of a second chance, but the completion of the salvation of those who had been faithful to God under their first chance.</p>
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<p class="c5">iii. In doing this, Jesus fulfilled the promised that He would lead <i>captivity captive</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',66,18);">Psa 66:18</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Eph',4,8);">Eph 4:8</a>) and would <i>proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to those who are bound</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',61,1);">Isa 61:1</a> and <a onclick="return mV('Luk',4,18);">Luk 4:18</a>).</p>
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<p class="c1">3. (<a onclick="return mV('1Pe',4,7);">7</a>) In the last days, Christians should live with an attitude of serious prayer.</p>
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<p class="c2"><span>But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.</span></p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">The end of all things is at hand</span></b>: If we really believe that we live in the last days, it is all the more appropriate that we give ourselves to prayer (<b><span class="c3">therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers</span></b>).</p>
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<p class="c5">i. Many Christians who believe that Jesus is coming soon based on prophecy charts and political events fail to apply that belief the proper way. They fail to applying themselves to more diligent prayer.</p>
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<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">Therefore be serious...in your prayers</span></b>: We must give ourselves to <b><span class="c3">serious</span></b> prayer. As we see the weight of eternity rushing towards us, we dare not take the need for prayer lightly.</p>
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<p class="c4">c. <b><span class="c3">Therefore be...watchful in your prayers</span></b>: We must give ourselves to <b><span class="c3">watchful</span></b> prayer, primarily having our hearts and minds watching and ready for the return of Jesus Christ. But this also means watching ourselves and watching this world, measuring our readiness for Jesus' coming.</p>
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<p class="c1">4. (<a onclick="return mV('1Pe',4,'8-11');">8-11</a>) In the last days, Christians should live with an attitude of love.</p>
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<p class="c2"><span>And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins." <i>Be</i> hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, <i>let him speak</i> as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, <i>let him do it</i> 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 dominion forever and ever. Amen.</span></p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">Above all things have fervent love for one another</span></b>: If these are the last days, how much more important is it to love those you are going to spend eternity with? In light of eternity, we must have <b><span class="c3">fervent love for one another</span></b>.</p>
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<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">For love will cover a multitude of sins</span></b>: Love does <b><span class="c3">cover a multitude of sins</span></b>, both the sins of the one loving and the sins of the one who is being loved.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. "Where love abounds in a fellowship of Christians, many small offences, and even some large ones, are readily overlooked and forgotten. But where love is lacking, every word is viewed with suspicion, every action is liable to misunderstanding, and conflicts about - to Satan's perverse delight." (Grudem)</p>
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<p class="c4">c. <b><span class="c3">Be hospitable to one another without grumbling</span></b><span>: </span>Love will show itself in hospitality. Christians should often open their homes to others and doing it all <b><span class="c3">without grumbling</span></b>.</p>
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<p class="c4">d. <b><span class="c3">As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another</span></b><span>:</span> Love will show itself as we give to the church family what God has given us as gifts. As we do so, we are <b><span class="c3">good stewards</span></b> of the many-faceted (<b><span class="c3">manifold</span></b>) <b><span class="c3">grace of God</span></b> given to us.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. In <a onclick="return mV('1Cr',15,10);">1Cr 15:10</a>, Paul makes it clear that he was what he was only by God's grace. But at the same time, <i>His grace toward me was not in vain</i> because Paul put his own God-inspired efforts to work with God's grace. <span > </span>The idea is that if we are <i>bad</i> <b><span class="c3">stewards of the manifold grace of God</span></b>, it is as if that grace was given to us in vain. That grace is wasted, because it only comes <i>to</i> us, and doesn't move <i>through</i> us.</p>
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<p class="c5">ii. "<i>Manifold grace</i> is many-coloured grace. As when a ray of light breaks into a spray of many hues, so each of us receives God's grace at a different angle, and flashes it back broken up into some fresh colour." (Meyer)</p>
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<p class="c4">e. <b><span class="c3">If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies</span></b><span>:</span> Every part is important, each has its job to do. A man was rebuilding the engine to his lawn mower, and when he finished, he had one small part left over, and he couldn't remember where it went. He started the engine and it ran great, so he figured that the part was useless - until he tried to stop the lawn mower, and it wouldn't stop! Even the smallest, seemingly least important part of the body of Christ is important.</p>
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<p class="c4">f. As we serve <b><span class="c3">one another</span></b>, we do it with the strength God provides, <b><span class="c3">the ability which God supplies</span></b> - so that to Him <b><span class="c3">belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever</span></b>.</p>
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<p>B. Understanding your time of trial.</p>
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<p class="c1">1. (<a onclick="return mV('1Pe',4,'12-13');">12-13</a>) Enduring trials with the right attitude.</p>
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<p class="c2"><span>Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 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.</span></p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">Concerning the fiery trial which is to try you</span></b>: Instead of thinking of trials (even <b><span class="c3">fiery</span></b> trials) as <b><span class="c3">strange</span></b> occurrences, we see them as ways to <b><span class="c3">partake of Christ's sufferings</span></b>. And if we partake of His sufferings, we will also partake of His <b><span class="c3">glory</span></b> and <b><span class="c3">joy</span></b>.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. Peter once told Jesus to avoid the suffering of the cross (<a onclick="return mV('Mar',8,'32-33');">Mar 8:32-33</a>). "Once it seemed strange to the Apostle Peter that his Master should think of suffering. Now he thinks it strange that He could have imagined anything else." (Meyer)</p>
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<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">Partake of Christ's sufferings</span></b>: We can only <b><span class="c3">partake</span></b> of Jesus' sufferings because He partook of our humanity and sufferings. He became a man and suffered so that our suffering wouldn't be meaningless. It is good to share <i>anything</i> with Jesus, even His suffering.</p>
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<p class="c4">c. <b><span class="c3">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</span></b><span>: </span>Our tendency is to embrace the glory and the joy, and to avoid any sharing of Jesus' suffering. Or, we morbidly fixate on the suffering and forget that it is but a necessary prelude to the <b><span class="c3">glory</span></b> and <b><span class="c3">joy</span></b>.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. We should never deny the place of suffering in building godliness in the Christian life. Though there is much needless pain we bear through lack of knowledge or faith, there is also necessary suffering. If suffering was a suitable tool to teach Jesus (<a onclick="return mV('Hbr',5,8);">Hbr 5:8</a>), it is a suitable tool to teach His servants.</p>
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<p class="c4">d. <b><span class="c3">To the extent</span></b> implies a measure. Those who have suffered more in Jesus will rejoice more at His coming in <b><span class="c3">glory</span></b>.</p>
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<p class="c1">2. (<a onclick="return mV('1Pe',4,'14-16');">14-16</a>) The difference between suffering as a Christian and suffering as an evildoer.</p>
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<p class="c2"><span>If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed <i>are you,</i> for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters. Yet if <i>anyone suffers</i> as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.</span></p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">If you are reproached for the name of Christ</span></b>: Suffering for <b><span class="c3">the name of Christ</span></b> is a blessing, because it shows that we really are following Jesus, and that we suffer because we are identified with Him.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. Peter, as much as anyone, would recognize that such times rarely are felt as a blessing at the moment, and that such times only feel like agony. Yet God knows how to bring blessing out of suffering and weakness.</p>
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<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified</span></b><span>: </span>We expect the world to blaspheme Jesus. But He should always be <b><span class="c3">glorified</span></b> among Christians.</p>
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<p class="c4">c. <b><span class="c3">Let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody</span></b>: Suffering as <b><span class="c3">an evildoer</span></b> is deserved and brings shame to the name of Jesus. Peter recognizes that not all suffering that Christians experience is suffering in <b><span class="c3">the name of Jesus</span></b>.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. We understand when Peter writes about the suffering that might come to the <b><span class="c3">murderer</span></b>, the <b><span class="c3">thief</span></b>, or the <b><span class="c3">evildoer</span></b>. Yet we shouldn't be surprised that he also includes the <b><span class="c3">busybody in other people's matters</span></b>. Such people <i>do</i> suffer a lot of grief and pain, but not for the sake of Jesus!</p>
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<p class="c4">d. <b><span class="c3">If anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed</span></b><span>:</span> Suffering as a Christian is nothing to be ashamed about, even through the world may despise the suffering Christian. Instead, we should <b><span class="c3">glorify God <i>in</i></span></b> these matters.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. We don't glorify God for suffering. But we do glorify Him <b><span class="c3">in</span></b> suffering, and we glorify Him for what He will accomplish in us and through us with the suffering.</p>
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<p class="c4">e. <b><span class="c3">As a Christian</span></b>: "The word <i>Christian</i> is found in the New Testament only here and at <a onclick="return mV('Act',11,26);">Act 11:26</a> and <a onclick="return mV('Act',26,28);">26:28</a>; it means 'follower of Christ' - not 'little Christ', as some popular explanations claim." (Grudem)</p>
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<p class="c5">i. Christians were first known as "disciples," "believers," "the Lord's disciples," or "those who belonged to the Way" before they were known as Christians, first at <a onclick="return mV('Act',11,26);">Act 11:26</a>.</p>
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<p class="c1">3. (<a onclick="return mV('1Pe',4,'17-19');">17-19</a>) Committing your soul to God in the midst of suffering.</p>
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<p class="c2"><span>For the time <i>has come</i> for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if <i>it begins</i> with us first, what will <i>be</i> the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now "If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?" Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls <i>to Him</i> in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.</span></p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God</span></b><span>: </span>In the context of suffering, Peter tells us that judgment begins at the house of God. God uses suffering as a <b><span class="c3">judgment</span></b> (in a positive, purifying sense) for Christians (<b><span class="c3">the house of God</span></b>) now.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. Now is our time of <i>fiery trial</i> (<a onclick="return mV('1Pe',4,12);">1Pe 4:12</a>); the ungodly will have their fire later. The fire we endure now purifies us; the fire the ungodly will endure will punish them.</p>
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<p class="c5">ii. We must always remember that there is never any punishment from God for us in our sufferings, only purification. For the Christian, the issue of <i>punishment</i> was settled once and for all at the cross, where Jesus endured all the punishment the Christian could ever face from God.</p>
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<p class="c5">iii. The same fire that consumes straw will purify gold. The fire is the same, but its <i>purpose</i> in application is different, and its <i>effect</i> is different upon the straw and the gold. Even so, Christians do suffer some of the same things the ungodly do, yet the <i>purpose</i> of God is different, and the <i>effect</i> is different.</p>
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<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">If it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?</span></b> Peter's sobering application is clear: if this is what God's <i>children</i> experience, what will become of those who have made themselves His enemies? How can they ever hope to stand before the judgment and wrath of God?</p>
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<p class="c5">i. Christians can rejoice that the sufferings they face in this life are the worst they will ever face, throughout all eternity. We have seen the worst; those who reject Jesus Christ have seen the <i>best</i> of life their eternal existence will ever see.</p>
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<p class="c4">c. <b><span class="c3">Those who suffer according to the will of God</span></b><span>: </span>Peter again draws a distinction between those <b><span class="c3">who suffer according to the will of God</span></b> and those who suffer otherwise. Not all suffering is the will of God.</p>
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<p class="c4">d. <b><span class="c3">Commit their souls to Him</span></b>: <b><span class="c3">Commit</span></b> is a technical word used for leaving money on deposit with a trusted friend. Such a trust was regarded as one of the most sacred things in life, and the friend was bound by all honor to return the money intact. It is the very word Jesus used when He said, <i>Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Luk',23,46);">Luk 23:46</a>)</p>
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<p class="c5">i. So when Christians <b><span class="c3">commit their souls to Him</span></b>, they leave their souls in a safe place. God is <b><span class="c3">a faithful Creator</span></b>, and we can give ourselves to Him as pliable clay in His hands.</p>
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<p class="c4">e. <b><span class="c3">Faithful Creator</span></b>: So much of the agony we put ourselves through in times of trial and suffering has to do with our disregard of God's faithfulness, or of His place as Creator. He <i>is</i> our sovereign <b><span class="c3">Creator</span></b>, with the right to do with us as He pleases. Yet He <i>is</i> <b><span class="c3">faithful</span></b>, and will only do what is ultimately best for us.</p>
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