Background
(1 Pet 1:1 NKJV) Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
In this letter, the Apostle Peter is addressing Jewish Christians who had been persecuted and fled their homes and lands. These people were called the Christians of the Dispersion and lived in the Asian provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.
1 Peter was a circular letter that was meant to be read and passed on to these Christians who were scattered. Peter wrote this letter to encourage these Christians in the midst of their suffering.
The Holy Spirit was preparing the believers of Asia for the fury of the neurotic Roman Emperor Nero that was about to be unleashed. In 64 A.D., a great fire broke out in Rome which destroyed much of the city and economically devastated the Roman population. Most suspected that the Roman Emperor Nero intentionally set the fire himself. In his record of the events of this time, the historian, Tacitus, states that "to get rid of the report, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace" (Tacit. Annals XV).
By implicating the Christians for this massive act of arson, Nero successfully capitalized on the already-existing public suspicion of the followers of Christ and executed many. The forms of execution used by the Romans included systematic murder, crucifixion, and the feeding of Christians to lions and other wild beasts. Tacitus records the following in his Annals: "...a vast multitude, were convicted, not for the crime of starting fires but for being haters of the human race. And in their deaths they were made the subjects of sport; for they were wrapped in the hides of wild beasts and torn to pieces by dogs, or nailed to crosses, or set on fire, and when day declined, were burned to serve as lights for the streets at night."
In this letter, Peter attempts to provide an explanation for the "fiery trial" these first century Christians were already starting to experience and the fiery trial that was to come (1 Peter. 4:12).
Today Christians all over the world are under fire for their faith. Even in the United States of America, Christians are being persecuted because of their faith in Jesus Christ. You see, the Bible says the “Faith without works is dead…” A song says, “If you call yourself a Christian, show some sign.”
Many Christians in the USA aren’t being persecuted because they call themselves Christians per se, but because of their Christian practices; because of their Christian testimony or lifestyle.
If you witness Christ in your life—somebody is not going to like it.
If you stand against unrighteousness—somebody is not going to like it.
For example, in February 2010 two street preachers were shot and killed in Florida. Tite Sufra, 24, and Stephen Ocean 23, were shot and killed in Boynton Beach, Florida, where they evangelized, after meeting 18-year-old Jeriah Woody, local police said.
"They witnessed to Jeriah Woody for fifteen minutes until he got a phone call and told the preachers he 'had to go'. "As they walked away, Woody suddenly started walking back toward them. Sufra walked up to greet him and was killed with a shotgun blast at point blank range. When Ocean ran, he was shot in the back. After he fell, Woody shot him in the head execution style."
Not only are Christians being shot on the streets they are being gunned down in our churches." In March of 2009, Pastor Fred Winters was murdered while preaching in his pulpit in Maryville, Illinois. In September, a pastor and associate pastor were both shot in a Lakeland, Florida church.
Last year Jim Pullion was killed while holding pro-life signs in front of his granddaughter's Owasso Michigan high school.
In the public school systems across the nation teachers are being fired for expressing their personal beliefs on Facebook.
In one case, gay right activists are calling for a Christian teacher to be expelled from her job after she described homosexuality as sinful on her Facebook page.
This month the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments Oct. 5 in a case that could have a serious impact on what the definition of a minister is and who has defining rights. The deeper issue in the case is whether the federal government should have the authority to decide for faith-based institutions what defines a minister and who can be hired and fired.
In April 2009 the U.S. House approved a federal "hate crimes" bill that would provide special protections to homosexuals but leave Christian ministers open to prosecution should their teachings be linked to any subsequent offense, by anyone, against a "gay [person]."
A Christian couple from Orange County, Calif., was fined in September for holding Bible studies and for what city officials called “a regular gathering of more than three people” in their homes. The city said the couple violated a municipal code that prohibits "religious, fraternal or non-profit" organizations in residential neighborhoods without a conditional-use permit."
In June, the Dollar General Corporation fired one of its store managers for playing Christian music in its store. The complaint did not come from a customer, but from one of her employees. The Dollar General Corporation has received numerous phone calls from individuals within the community asking the chain to reconsider its decision; so far it has fallen on deaf ears.
I can go on and on to show you how hostilities toward Christians are increasing. This morning’s text was inspired by God to be a source of encouragement to Christians living in Peter’s time as well as Christians living, and facing persecution for their faith, today.
Peter wanted his readers to know:
That they should view their suffering through the agonies of Jesus.
There was a divine purpose in their suffering.
There was a proper response the Christian should have to suffer.
Christians suffer so that they might become more like their Savior, Jesus Christ.
By the time we get to chapter four where our text is found, Peter has already given his readers several reasons to “hang in there” in the midst of their suffering.
In 1:2, he has called them the "elect according to the foreknowledge of God." God had “hand picked” them out from among the people of the world. They were saved, sanctified and sealed and nothing that anyone could and would do to them would change that!
In verse 3-4, he writes to them about a “living hope” and an “undefiled and incorruptible inheritance which has been reserved and is being protected for them in heaven.”
* The Christian’s hope is Jesus Christ!
* The Christian’s citizenship is in heaven!
* The Christian’s inheritance has been reserved and guarded for them in heaven!
In verse 5, Peter conveys to his readers truths about their eternal security. He writes that they are “kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
In verse 13 to 21, Peter encourages his readers to rejoice in spite of the trials they are undergoing. He encourages them to be obedient, alert and holy because they were redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus.
At the end of chapter one and into chapter two, Peter reminds them that they were “born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever…” And since they were born again by the Word of God, they were to be actively “laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word…”
What Peter is saying here is that if the Word of God saved you and delivered you and washed you—if you have seen that the Lord is gracious by the Word of God then as newborn babes, you ought to desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.”
At the beginning of chapter two Peter also lets us know that Christians are called out from among the world. He lets us know that Christians are “living stones” that are built up into a spiritual house where Jesus is the “Chief Cornerstone” and for those who believe, “precious.”
Also in chapter two, Peter teaches his readers how they are to have an attitude of submission while living in the midst of a society that is anti-Christ and anti-Christian.
In verse 11-12 he exhorts them to submit to a pattern of good conduct. He says, “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.”
Imagine being chased from where you lived; the home you worked long and hard to buy and furnish—the place where your family has its roots. It would be easy for you to become bitter and want to get back.
In verse 13-17, Peter even exhorts them to submit to the government: “Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake…” In other words, whether you are of the Tea Party or Occupy Wall Street, Christians are not to participate in any protest against the government (Romans 13)—you bring about change through the political process, if there is one, and you appeal to the higher authority and last but certainly not least, you pray—crying out to the Lord God for change.
In verse 18-20, Peter tells his Christian readers to submit to their masters—even the unreasonable ones. We would say today, “Do what your employer or boss tells you to do without insubordination and rebellion.” The Christians honor God when he or she bears up with a good attitude when being treated unjustly.
In chapter three, Peter encourages Christian wives suffering in their marriages to submit to their husbands.
In verse one he says, “Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives…” You reach an unbelieving husband with the Gospel by your lifestyle, not preaching to him…not putting Gospel tracts around his beer cans or posting them on the TV while he’s watching the game.
Peter encourages Christian husbands suffering in their marriages to love their wives, not to leave them. In verse seven he writes, “Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.”
Notice both in 3:1 and 3:7 Peter uses the word “likewise.” Some translations have it, “In the same way.”
When Peter uses the word "likewise" he refers to the previous context of this letter. The context deals with how to get along in a world that is anti-Christian.
Peter has just dealt with how to get along with people who call you evildoers because you are a Christian. He has just told his readers how to get along with a government that persecutes you because of your faith and bosses who mistreat you because of your faith.
He deals with each of these hotspots of human suffering in the Christian community by focusing on the supreme example of the One who has already run the race of suffering. In other words, Peter is saying to his readers, "Check out Jesus--He's been there, He's experienced that." Jesus has been down the path of suffering and now He is calling you and me to walk in His footprints.
1 Pet 2:21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
1 Pet 2:22 "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth";
1 Pet 2:23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;
1 Pet 2:24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed.
1 Pet 2:25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Immediately after this Peter says, "Wives likewise" and in verse seven, “Husbands likewise.” Peter was saying, "In the same way" as Jesus Christ responded to suffering, you follow in His steps.
In the same way that Jesus committed no sin, you wives and husbands walk likewise.
In the same manner Jesus had no deceit in His mouth, wives and husbands don’t lie to one another.
In the same way when reviled, He did not revile in return, wives and husbands don’t despise one another and don’t try to get even with one another.
In the same way while suffering, Jesus did not utter threats, wives and husbands, act like Jesus. i.e., “If you don’t change, I’m leaving you!”
In the same way Jesus committed Himself to His Father who judges righteously; wives and husbands, when suffering unjustly in your marriage, cry out to God and place your trust and hope in Him!
The message Peter has conveyed to his readers thus far is that no matter what your state in life, whether you are a citizen of an oppressive government, an employee working in a harsh work environment or a wife or husband in an unhappy marriage, look to Jesus! Learn at how He handled adversity…watch how He always did the will of His Father and walk in His steps.
So this brings us to chapter four where Peter writes the text for our message. Using this text, I would like to leave you with three points that Peter makes as he encourages us how to respond as we live in a world that hates us because it hates our Savior.
Arm yourself with the attitude Christ had concerning death.
Abstain from the lusts of men.
Acknowledge the time in which you live.
Arm yourself with Christ’s attitude concerning death
1 Pet 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,
Here Peter is referring to the death of Christ. Jesus “suffered for us in the flesh.” This is another way of saying that He died for us.
But Jesus didn’t stay dead; He got up! He rose from the grave! He triumphed over death! He had victory over death and the grave! So Peter goes on to say, “arm yourselves also with the same mind…”
Peter is saying that if Jesus died for us, we should have the mindset and attitude that we are ready to die to ourselves or even die a physical death because in death the Christian triumphs; in death there is victory because of the resurrection!
What Peter is teaching here is not new theology to the Christian. In Matthew chapter 10 verses 38-39 Jesus said, “Take up your cross and follow Me." He also said, "If any man is not willing to take up his cross, having denied himself, he's not worthy to be My disciple."
When He said to them, "Be willing to deny yourself and take up your cross," they knew exactly what He was talking about because a cross was where people got executed. Jesus was saying be willing to die for Me...Be willing to give your life.
Think about this…
* If you are ready to die for Jesus and the Gospel, then getting out of bed on Sunday to get to church on time shouldn’t be too hard.
* If you are ready to die for Jesus and the Gospel, then giving ten percent or more of your money shouldn’t be too difficult.
* If you are ready to die for Jesus then bearing up in a difficult marriage shouldn't be an unreasonable expectation.
* If you are willing to deny yourself and take up your cross, then opening up your mouth to tell someone of their need for the Savior should not be all that difficult.
Since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind!
Peter says at the end of verse one (chapter four), “he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin.” In other words, if you die, you no longer have to worry about struggling with sin and resisting sin. You no longer have to worry about the effects of sin on your life.
Remember the encouraging words found in Revelation 21:4, “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
How do you do the will of God when your faith is under fire? Arm yourself with Christ’s attitude concerning death!
Abstain from the lusts of the men
Peter goes on in verse two and writes that the person who has the attitude of Christ when it comes to sacrifice “should no longer live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.”
The Bible teaches that before a person is saved, they see things through the lenses or the grid of the world. In Ephesians 2 Paul writes, “you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, … we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.”
Peter goes on in verse 3 of our text: “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.”
In other words, what the world said we did. We did it because everybody was doing it. It was like jumping into the river’s rapids where the strong currents of water took us wherever it wanted.
The way we talked, the way we walked and the way we thought was all dictated by the world. The clothes we wore, they food we ate was all dictated by the world.
Did you know that the world’s pulpit and preacher is the media? The world has a way of getting into your life and it starts with invading your thought life or your mind. This is why Paul says in Romans 12:2, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”
Let me prove to you that the world has more influence on you than you think.
This Bud's for…You.
Nike – Just do it.
The best part of waking up is…. Folger's in your cup
Subway – Eat fresh
If you've got the time…we've got the beer
Maxwell House – Good to the last drop
You're in good hands with…Allstate
Burger King – Have it your way
The incredible, edible…egg.
M&M’s – Melts in your mouth not in your hands
"Bob Evans. Down on the…Farm."
Walmart – Save Money, Live Better
KFC, It’s finger lickin’ good!
Energizer – Keeps going and going and going
McDonald’s – I’m loving it
LG – Life’s Good
The worldly influence the Bible refers to is a lot more subtle than a line from a commercial. The world’s philosophy trickles down into the areas of our lives that affect how we think and how we act.
A Chinese proverb states,
“Sow a thought, reap an act,
Sow an act, reap a habit,
Sow a habit, reap a character,
Sow a character, reap a destiny.”
So Peter writes, “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 his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.”
Peter is telling us that we need to arm ourselves with the same attitude of Christ. Christ was willing to die if it meant that He was accomplishing the Father’s will. He said, “Not my will but Thy will be done.”
In other words, we used to live for ourselves, fulfilling the lusts of men but now we live for the will of God like Jesus did.
Peter continues in verse 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.”
Peter is referring to our “BC days” (Before Christ) where as an unbeliever we lived like unbelievers. But Peter says in verse two that (as a Christian) you have committed your life to follow the Lord Jesus Christ as a result you no longer live the rest of your time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.
Peter was exhorting his readers to arm themselves with the attitude Christ had concerning death. Their lives belonged to Christ who purchased them with His own blood. If their obedience to Christ brought death, they triumphed because to be absent from the body was to be present with the Lord Jesus Christ.
They were to abstain from the lusts of men. Before they became followers of Jesus they spent a lot of time doing the will of the world, the flesh and the devil, but now they needed to be focused on doing the will of God.
Thirdly, they were to acknowledge the time in which they lived.
Acknowledge the time in which you live
1 Pet 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.
The Message paraphrases this verse of the Bible to say: “Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer.”
If Peter wrote more than two thousand years ago that “everything in the world is about to be wrapped up” how close are we to that today?
The Bible tells us the things that must happen before the end of all things come. We call these events in time “prophecies.” Many of these Bible prophecies have already been fulfilled or are within sight of being fulfilled.
* For example, in Zechariah 12:1-5 (Written: between 520 and 518 BC), the Bible foretells that Jerusalem would become an international problem. In Zechariah 12, the prophet said that there would come a time when the surrounding nations would besiege Jerusalem and Judah (the area around Jerusalem), and that all the nations of the world would gather against Jerusalem, but that God ultimately would save the city and its people.
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of this prophecy is that it is predicated on Jerusalem being a city of critical interest to the rest of the world. And it just so happens that Jerusalem is the only city in the world that is of interest to the rest of the world.
* Jesus in Luke 21:29-31 tells us that when Israel blooms again, the Kingdom of God will be near. Jesus said that when the fig tree blooms again, people will know that the End Times and Kingdom of God is near. Some Christian scholars believe that the fig tree represents the nation of Israel. This passage is sometimes interpreted to mean that the End Times would not begin until sometime after the nation of Israel regains sovereignty. When Jesus made this prophecy about 2000 years ago, Israel was ruled over by the Roman Empire. The people of Israel did not have sovereignty over their own land during that era. But, after centuries of exile, the Jews were able to return to Israel and reclaim sovereignty, in 1948.
1 Pet 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.
In Matthew 24:14 Jesus says that in the End Times the Gospel will be preached to the entire world. The Bible also says that after this happens, the end times will come. The Bible has been preached throughout the world for a long time. But now, with the increasing worldwide availability of television and the Internet, there is greater potential for the Gospel to be preached to everyone, everywhere.
* Revelation 11:9-10 lets us know that in the End Times, the world would be able to see events at the same time. The prophecy says that people all over the world will be able to simultaneously witness the death of two prophets. This of course would have been difficult before the advent of television and the Internet. But it is now common for people worldwide to simultaneously witness events via television or even on a smartphone.
1 Pet 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.
* The Book of Revelation envisions an army of 200 million (9:16). As the world's population has risen above 7 billion, it is increasingly possible for a coalition of countries to amass an army of 200 million, and this would have been unthinkable even 100 years ago. Reports show that China has an army of 200 million by itself.
* Revelation 13:16-18 tells us that in the End Times people would be forced to receive the mark of the beast. The Bible says that there would come a time when a powerful leader would force people to receive a "mark" on or in their right hand or forehead, and that no one would be able to buy or sell unless they had that mark.
* When the book of Revelation was written some 2000 years ago, it would have been nearly impossible for a world leader to force everyone to receive such a mark. But, today, with modern technology, it would be much easier. People are already implanting microchips under their skin for medical reasons and for security.
If believers considered themselves living in the End Times in Peter’s day, we are much closer to the return of Jesus Christ in our day. So what are we to do? Peter says…
* Arm yourself with the attitude Christ had concerning death.
* Abstain from the lusts of men.
* Acknowledge the time in which you live.
