GODLY LIVING IN AN UNGODLY WORLD
1 Peter 4:1-19
1 Peter 4:1 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, 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 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. 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 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 dominion forever and ever. Amen. 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 reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 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 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 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.
I want to speak on behalf of our young people especially, this morning. We had a great week at camp! I want to say to you parents and grandparents; your children were great to be with at camp. We didn’t have a minute’s trouble out of any of them. I would take them anywhere. Several of them made decisions for Christ this week.
Young people, I want to help you today with this message, “Godly Living in an Ungodly World.” I want you to be successful in your Christian life and I hope the message today will challenge you and all of us to live for Jesus for the rest of our days!
So, what does it take to live a godly life in a godless society? How can it you do it? What resources are available for us to accomplish godly living in this world? First, living godly in an ungodly world:
1. REQUIRES THE SAME MIND AS JESUS
1 Peter 4:1 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, 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.
If you and I are going to make it as a Christian, we are going to have to have the same mind as Jesus. We’re going to have to start thinking like Jesus would think. Paul said:
Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,
Proverbs 23:7a For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.
We must begin thinking like the Lord Jesus thinks! What you think about life, about your job, your school work, your church, your relationships with your friends, your leisure activities, etc. We need to have the same mind about those things as Jesus would have.
You say, Ok, Pastor, how to I get to the place where I start thinking like Jesus? YOU HAVE TO SPEND TIME IN HIS WORD. If you want to know what Jesus thinks about anything in life, you must read the Bible.
Psalm 119:9 How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.
Psalm 119:11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.
Listening to God’s word, hiding it in your heart through memorization will help you change your thinking. Looking at the life of Jesus in the Gospels and trying to live like He lived and talk like He talked and respond the way He would respond will help you to live a godly life. You MUST learn to look at life with chapter and verse eyes! What would Jesus have me to do in this situation?
2. REALIZES THAT YOU FACE THE SAME FLOOD AS JESUS
1 Peter 3:3 For we have spent 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. 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.
Godly living in an ungodly world means that you realize you face the same flood of evil and wickedness that Jesus faced when He was on this earth. Godly living means that you have to say NO to some things. The Bible records for us Jesus’ temptation by Satan in John 4.
ILLUST. Graduation night with Phillip Cagle. He offered me alcohol to drink. “Come on, Howard, it’s my graduation night! Celebrate with me!” Take me home!
Our children face the same lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, drinking, etc. The world is still evil! Our young people are still being tempted by the devil.
3. REFLECTS THE SAME LOVE AS JESUS
1 Peter 4:8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”
Godly living in an ungodly world means that we must have the same love as Jesus had.
Ephesians 3:19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
1 Thessalonians 4:9 But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;
1 John 2:5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.
1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
1 John 4:9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.
1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.
Jude 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
4. RELIES ON THE SAME ABILITY AS JESUS
1 Peter 4:9 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 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 dominion forever and ever. Amen.
To live godly in an ungodly world means that you will have to rely on the same ability that Jesus depended on during His earthly ministry. Jesus depended on the Holy Spirit. You and I must depend on the indwelling Holy Spirit to help us live godly in a godless world.
Matthew 10:19 But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
5. RESULTS IN THE SAME SUFFERING AS JESUS
1 Peter 4:12 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 reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 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 busybody in other people’s matters.
Now notice this last point: Godly living in an ungodly world—
REQUIRES THE SAME MIND AS JESUS
REALIZES THAT YOU FACE THE SAME FLOOD OF EVIL AS JESUS FACED
REFLECTS TO THE WORLD THE SAME LOVE AS JESUS
RELIES ON THE SAME ABILITY AS JESUS
IT RESULTS IN THE SAME KIND OF SUFFERING THAT JESUS FACED
Maybe you thought that if you do all of these things, everything would be easy for you! Not so! But you will face the same kind of suffering and persecution that Jesus and the apostles faced.
James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
Look at what Paul wrote to Timothy:
2 Timothy 3:12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
Matthew 10:17 But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. 18 You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.
Matthew 10:22 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.
John 15:21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said:
Matthew 5:11 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
When folks talk about you, slander you, or persecute you, then you’ll know that you must being doing something right!
Final word for parents: Make it easy for your kids to love and serve Jesus. When we have things at church, get them here. If they want to serve in an area in the church and they have to come early or stay late for something, you make it easy for them to do that!
Pray with your children and read the Bible. It doesn’t have to be an hour-long reading! But pray with them and read God’s Word with them. If you have very young children, try a book called “Little Visits With God” or “Leading Little Ones to God” by Marian Schoolland (a systematic theology book for kids). The Daily Bread devotional books are good for your older children.
Help your children to look at life with “chapter and verse eyes.”
Be faithful to church! When it’s time to be at church, don’t have the discussion, “Are we going to church tonight/today?” Just make up your mind and be there. When you’re on vacation, find a church to attend. We don’t have FWB churches everywhere, but we’ve got a bunch of them and I can tell you where they are if you’ll ask. And if you’re so far back in the woods someplace that it would take you 6 hours to get to church, have church in your campground! Teach the importance of being in church by having your family there!
Get involved in church! Don’t just come and sit! Find a place to serve in the church. Do something for Jesus and your church! Some of you can sing, or run a camera, or teach a class or operate the computer, etc. Let your children see you involved and help them to get involved as well.
