October 23, 2012
DECLARE EARLY, DECLARE OFTEN.
1 Peter 4
Scott Coy
Central Truth
Though suffering for Christ may not be the litmus test for one's ultimate spiritual condition, one who follows Christ should expect rejection, prepare for humiliation, and live triumphantly in the midst of suffering. If suffering is not part of your journey, it may be time for a self-examination.
Key Verse | 1 Peter 4:3–4
For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries. In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you. (1 Peter 4:3-4)
1 Peter 4
Stewards of God's Grace
1 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, 1 4:1 Some manuscripts add for us; some for you arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. 3 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. 4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; 5 but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.
7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Suffering as a Christian
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory 2 4:14 Some manuscripts insert and of power and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And
“If the righteous is scarcely saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
3
4:18
Greek where will the ungodly and sinner appear?
19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
Dive Deeper | 1 Peter 4
This chapter drips with truth about love, suffering, prayer, righteous living, and serving -- but mostly suffering! Without question it is the "brand of the brotherhood." As those who identify themselves with Jesus, suffering is part of the package, and suffering is the thing we work hardest to avoid.
All of the followers of Christ in the early Church expected and received their portion of suffering and humiliation. The Romans used Christians for sport and served up families in the arenas to be killed by wild animals (Foxe's Book of Martyrs), 11 of the 12 disciples were killed for their faith, and believers around the world today are being martyred for following Jesus.
Where does that leave us? Have you ever been persecuted or even made fun of for following Jesus? Do people change the subject when you walk in a room because they know you will speak out against racism, abortion, gossip, you fill in the blank -- anything that Jesus would speak into?
He would have us stand for those who cannot stand for themselves, but do we? We often do not because we fear rejection: "he won't like me"; "she will think I'm trying to be Tim Tebow"; "I won't get the deal"; "I won't fit in"; and the list of weak, sad excuses entraps us all.
Jesus not only saved us from an eternity in hell, but He also called us to be lights in a dark world, to be examples of truth and light, and to suffer when necessary for the cause of Christ.
Don't worry, though. If you keep your faith silent and you live like the rest of the world, NO ONE will persecute you. Keep your head low, talk like the rest of your non-Christ-following friends, live life exactly the way you did before you knew Jesus, and above all, do not declare who you belong to, and then you will not have to suffer. Peter had it right, the time has come to stop carrying out the desires of the flesh, it is time to stand up for Jesus.
Keep reading below for the rest of the story . . . .
Discussion Questions
In a life long ago, I found it easy to get left off invitations, ignored during conversations that were questionable, and separated from opportunities that were not glorifying. To whom I belonged and what I was about was evident because of my vocation. Things changed when I entered the business world. I learned there were no "hall passes," and people weren't reading my bio from a former life -- they didn't care. My choice was clear: keep silent and fit in or declare and pay the consequences. I won some and lost some because I was slow to declare. I share often with my friends that wisdom will always call for us to declare early and declare often so we don't find ourselves wrestling with compromising situations. If we share in His suffering, we will share in His glory. C'mon, declare!
1. Can you name some situations in which you wished you had declared early?
2. What do you need to do to make declaring early a habit in your life?
WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY
October 22-26 (1 Peter 3 – 2 Peter 2)
Read 2 Peter 1:3-11.
• What does verse 3 say about knowing Jesus? What do we receive?
• Does this mean that we can then just sit back and do nothing?
Peter is very quick then to give us what we are to do. Make a list of these things. You should find seven things. For each one, discuss what it means and write out a definition. Then, look up the verses below for each one.
• Moral excellence: Philippians 4:8
• Knowledge: Proverbs 1:7, 9:10
• Self-control: Proverbs 16:32; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
• Perseverance: Romans 5:3-4; James 1:3
• Godliness: Proverbs 13:6; 1 Timothy 4:8
• Brotherly kindness: 1 Peter 1:22, 3:8
• Love: John 3:16, 13:35; 1 Peter 4:8
Discuss how each shows up in your life and which ones you need to put more effort into.
Peter gives all these things as a recipe for living a life that honors God. It is important to not leave any of them out, just as it is important to remember the sugar in the recipe below.
Activity: Go to the myrecipes.com website and get the ingredients for making sugar cookies (http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/sugar-cookies-10000001010479/). While making the sugar cookies, follow the instructions, but do not add the sugar when it says to. Then divide the dough in half. Now add half the required sugar to only one of the dough halves. Continue following the instructions and bake both batches of cookies. How do the ones without the sugar taste? Why did it make such a difference? When following a recipe, it is important to be sure you include all the ingredients.