Because Of Calvary
I Peter 4:1-6
The name Norma McCorvey may not mean much to you, but most of you have heard the name "Jane Roe" Yes, the same Roe from the "Roe V. Wade" court case that brought about the legalization of abortion in 1973. Roe was the name used by McCorvey during that case. She was an outspoken lesbian who was pro choice and fought for the legalization of abortion. Several years ago she was working in an abortion clinic in Dallas Texas. The national headquarters for Operation Rescue (one of the leading pro-life Christian activist organizations) moved right next door to this clinic. Phillip Benham, the leader of this organization simply began talking to McCorvey. In spite of their differences he took an interest in her. He listened to her. He showed her love and compassion. As a result the two became unlikely friends. After some time, Norma McCorvey began visiting the offices of Operation Rescue, even volunteering to do a few odd jobs. The people at Operation Rescue showed her courtesy, warmth, and friendship. Then seven-year-old Emily, daughter of the office manager, invited McCorvey to church. McCorvey accepted the invitation and that very night she accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior. McCorvey was delivered from homosexuality and she began to volunteer regularly at Operation Rescue. She also became pro-life and is now an outspoken opponent of abortion .
What can cause such a drastic turnaround and difference in someone like Norma McCorvey? Only the saving power of the Lord Jesus Christ can do something so powerful. I recently read an article on the internet that asked the question “Has your life changed since you met Jesus?” Listen to one man's response: He says - “My life has changed in many ways since Jesus saved me, including breaking a 30-year drug habit overnight. The habit ended after, not before salvation. The filth that filled my head and spilled out of my mouth via speech no longer exists either. I was prideful, angry and arrogant, and would lose my temper over anything. That also has turned 180 degrees”
As I read each of the responses, not one person said “No, my life has not changed since I met Jesus”. But there was story after story of individuals who had accepted Christ and experienced a major difference in their life. Each person that is here today who has met Jesus will tell you that things are different with the Savior.
Years ago the Cathedrals had a song that told the story of a man who met Jesus and everything changed for him.
Thanks to Calvary, I am not the man that I used to be!
Thanks to Calvary, things are different than before.
While the tears ran down my face, I tried to tell them
Thanks To Calvary, I Don't Come here Anymore
On December 7th 1997 everything changed for me! That was the day that I met Jesus. I am far from perfect, you have been around me long enough to notice that. But as Rufus McDaniel said "a wonderful change in my life has been wrought since Jesus came into my heart." The Apostle Paul put it this way in - 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
If you have been saved you are a new person. You were lost and now you are found... You have gone from death unto life... You were a saint now you are a sinner... You were condemned now you have been set free. And this is possible because of the finished work of Jesus Christ at Calvary. I would like to walk through these verses and consider the thought "Thanks To Calvary Things Are Different" . The first thing I would like to examine is:
I. Because Of Calvary We Have A Different Calling - The Christian life begins with a calling. The Holy Spirit calls us unto repentance. Jesus gives us an invitation to salvation! This calling does not end with our conversion. It is not enough to trust Jesus as Savior we must make Him Lord of our lives. Notice:
A. As Christians We Are Called To Follow The Savior - v1 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;
Peter says that we should "arm ourselves with the mind of Christ" . We are to continually focus on Him. And we are to follow Him each and every day of our lives. Even if this means that we will face suffering. Christ suffered the cruelty of the cross of Calvary for us. We should be willing to suffer for Him if that is God's will. The Christian life is a constant battle. Here Peter uses terminology that Peter that refers to that battle - "Arm yourself". Before we will reach a place of willingness to suffer for Christ. We must put Him in His proper place...as our number 1 priority.
There was a time in Peter's life where he professed that he was willing to suffer for Christ. In fact he was so bold as to say that he would die for Christ. But peter failed, he denied Christ 3 times in one night. But that was not the end for Peter. Jesus did a great work in his life and Peter did suffer greatly and he did so willingly. Even as he penned these words he knew that there would come a day when he would die for the cause of Christ. Jesus told him in John 21 that there would come a day when he would be killed for his faith. Knowing what he knew and enduring the suffering that he had endured Peter still faithfully followed his Savior.
Peter was called to be an Apostle. And if you are saved you have been called to follow Jesus. Your life is not the same as it was before Christ. Your plans, purposes and priorities should be different. Are you faithfully following Jesus each day? Are you willing to continue to follow Him even if it brings suffering and pain? Remember this... the worst that can happen to you is death. And when you look at what is waiting for you on the other side it is also the best thing that could happen to you!
The Bohemian reformer John Hus was a man who believed the Scriptures to be the infallible and supreme authority in all matters. He died at the stake for that belief in Constance, Germany, on his forty-second birthday. As he refused a final plea to renounce his faith, Hus's last words were, "What I taught with my lips, I seal with my blood." And just after he uttered those words he received his great reward! - If it ever comes to the point of martyrdom for us, we can die with the hope of our eternal reward!
We are called to follow the Savior and along with this is the fact that:
B. As Christians We Are Called To Forsake Sin - v2 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.
We have been changed by Jesus and we have been cleansed by His blood. We are not to return or to continue in the sin that we have been delivered from. We are to pursue the Holy will of God. This is not possible if you follow after the desires of the flesh! As I mentioned Jesus is not only Savior He is Lord. When Jesus is Lord of our life, we are controlled by His Spirit. We cannot forsake sin on our own, but it is possible through Christ! Paul said in - Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Thanks to Jesus' work at Calvary you have the opportunity for a different life. Do not waste your time pursuing the lusts of the flesh and the pleasures of this world. - 1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
Our life before Christ was empty and meaningless. Now that we are saved we have a purpose. We have been called to be a part of something special. And this is possible thanks to Calvary. You are saved and you have been called to Follow The Savior and to Forsake Sin!
As we move further I would like to say:
II. Because Of Calvary We Possess A Different Character -v3 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:
Here, Peter describes the life of the believer before their conversion. It was a life of sin. Their actions were marked by evil and wickedness. These are the same actions we see in the lost man today. "Immorality, lust, drunkenness, wild parties and idol worship" - Many of Peter’s readers had been involved in such sins before salvation. Here they are told that they must never return to this lifestyle. All of the sins mentioned are results of following the lust of the flesh. Christians must separate ourselves from this type of lifestyle. We are told in Galatians 5:16 (to) Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
Nicky Cruz grew up on the streets of New York. He was the leader of a gang called the Mau Maus. His life was filled with violence. He trusted in his own strength to solve his problems. But when a persistent preacher proclaimed the gospel message in his presence, the heart of this street warrior began to melt. He accepted Christ as his Savior, and his life has never been the same.Now he speaks publicly throughout America, leading many city youths to faith in Christ. Because of Cruz’s testimony, hundreds of youths have been directed off the path of destruction that he once traveled. (Source: Nicky Cruz, Run Baby Run (Plainfield: Logos Books, 1968), entire book.)
As someone who has been in church most of his life I have seen the power of Jesus change peoples lives. I have seen alcoholics walk away from the bottle. I have seen addicts turn from their addiction. I have seen homosexuals delivered from that lifestyle. I have seen angry hateful old men become loving teddy bears. I have seen unfaithful husbands become devoted to their wives. I have seen neglectful Fathers become wonderful Dads. There is no limit to what Jesus can do in your life. And when He saves you, you will possess a new character
Not only is there a different calling and a different Character since we met Jesus, As believers we can also testify that:
III. Because Of Calvary We Run With A Different Crowd - In the past I ran with a different crowd of people. By the world's standards they were not "bad" people. And we were more than acquaintances, we were close friends. But when I fully surrendered to the Lord things changed. There were things that I did that I quit doing. There were places went that I quit going to. My conduct changed... My conversation changed... My interests changed. And it wasn't long before the phone quit ringing. Thankfully the Lord brought a new crowd into my life. The people that I spend the majority of my time with now are born again. Not only did I make some new friends, over time. I have been privileged to lead some of the old crowd to Jesus. And now we have a friendship that is closer than ever before. But there are some of those old friends who just don't understand our new life. Consider:
A. The Confusion Of The Old Crowd - v4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot
Peter says “They think it strange”. The old crowd does not understand the change that Jesus has wrought in our lives. They may become offended or resentful when we refuse to do what we used to do. When we are no longer interested in the wicked pleasures of this world the old crowd may become confused. Not only do they not understand our new life, they may attack us because of it. Notice:
B. The Contention Of The Old Crowd - "speaking evil of you'
These people who you thought were your friends may begin to slander you. Some will mock you. They will watch you and wait for you to fail, then they will quickly point out your faults. When you refuse to partake in their sinful acts they will call you self righteous. When you do falter they will call you a hypocrite. And this hurts! These actions may come from people who you have known your entire life. But Peter gives us some encouragement down in verse 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
Paul explains the heart of this problem in II Corinthians 2:15 Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing.16 To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume.
When we live as faithful Christians in front of our lost friends and acquaintances it will convict them! The question we must ask ourselves is, are we living in such a way.
Years ago the communist government in China commissioned an author to write a biography of Hudson Taylor with the purpose of distorting the facts and presenting him in a bad light. They wanted to discredit the name of this consecrated missionary of the gospel. As the author was doing his research, he was increasingly impressed by Taylor’s saintly character and godly life, and he found it extremely difficult to carry out his assigned task with a clear conscience. Eventually, at the risk of losing his life, he laid aside his pen, renounced his atheism, and received Jesus as his personal Savior.
Whether we realize it or not, our example leaves an impression on others. We should live as examples in front of the old crowd and we must be concerned about their spiritual condition. Consider for a moment:
C. The Condition Of The Old Crowd - v5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.
"Those who are not saved"... those who are guilty of walking in the wickedness that is descried in verse 3 will one day stand before the Great White Throne. Jesus Christ will preside at that judgment. There they will "give an account to Him" . And it is there that they will be condemned to the Lake Of Fire.
That old crowd may mock you for you faith, They may blaspheme the name of Jesus but on that day they will bow before Him!This should motivate us to live as examples in front of the old crowd.
There are many things that are different thanks to Calvary. We have seen three of them so far, but before we close I would like to give you one more.
IV. Because Of Calvary We Are On A Different Course - v6 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.
"Those that are dead" in this verse refers to those who had been saved while they were alive but had died before Peter penned this epistle. - Though they were dead physically, they were alive in their spirits. These people heard the preaching of the Gospel and trusted in Christ as Savior. And those of us who have heard the preaching of the Gospel and have been born again can life this life with the same hope that they possessed. Because of Calvary we walk a different path, we are on a different course. We have a different future and eternal destiny. We possess eternal life through Jesus Christ! Verse 5 and 7 speak of two different courses for 2 separate groups of people. Those who are saved and those who are lost. Jesus spoke of this in - Matthew 7:13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. - Those who are saved are on the path that leads to eternal life. And this is only possible because of Jesus' work at Calvary.
Some Deacons were questioning young boy who wanted to join church about his salvation. How'd you get saved? He said, "Well, I done my part & God done His part." When asked about what he meant, he said, "My part was the sinning. God's part was the saving".
That is true for each of us. who are saved. And thanks to Christ's finished work we can boldly proclaim ...Because Of Calvary things are different.
