Explore how embracing your identity as a Christian 'exile' can transform your daily life. This powerful sermon delves into 1 Peter 4:1-11, revealing how suffering and union with Christ reshape our purpose. Discover the stark contrast between worldly living and God-centered living as we unpack Peter's teachings. Learn practical ways to live out your heavenly citizenship on earth, including using your gifts and words to serve God's kingdom. Understanding that you belong to Jesus—but not to this world—can radically alter your priorities, relationships, and actions. Find out how this perspective can fuel a life of love, service, and eternal impact in a world that's not our true home.
TWO WAYS OF LIVING 1 Peter 4:1-11
Christ's Example (vv.1-2)
1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. 2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.
III. The Transformation of Purpose
3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4 They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.
5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.
7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
Key Applications:
1. Live purposefully, knowing this world is temporary
2. Use your gifts and opportunities for eternal impact
3. Speak and serve as God's representative
4. Love and support the Christian community
BBCC Verse of the Week: 1 Peter 4:10a,11a (NIV) Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms… so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ..
1 Peter 4:1-11 - Study/Discussion Guide
4:1–2 Since therefore Christ suffered. The suffering of Christ again functions as a model and inspiration for the readers. Concerning the phrase whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, three different interpretations have been suggested: (1) Some suggest that this could refer to the suffering of Christ (“the one who has suffered”)—who, though he was not himself a sinner, took sin upon himself and then triumphed over it forever through his suffering and death. This interpretation seems unlikely, however, because “whoever” seems too broad and imprecise to be a clear reference to Christ. (2) Others have suggested that this is a reference to the believer being dead to the power of sin, as a result of having died with Christ (similar to Paul’s concept in Rom. 6:1–11). (3) More likely, Peter’s point is that when believers are willing to suffer, the nerve center of sin is severed in their lives. Although believers will never be totally free from sin in this life (cf. James 3:2; 1 John 1:8), when believers endure suffering for the sake of Christ they show that their purpose in life is not to live for their own pleasures but according to the will of God and for his glory. (ESV Study Bible)
The Coming Day: The Foundation of Ethics (4:7a). To say that “the end of all things is near” is to say that Peter believed, in some sense, that the end of history was imminent. That End involved the Final Judgment (4:6), and it was “near.” It is important for us to realize that Peter roots his ethical exhortations in 4:7b-11 in this perception of history and the judgment.
Exhortation Number 1: Pray (4:7b)…Thinking that the end of history is at the door and the Judge is about to enter through it can energize one’s prayers and lead to a specially effective focus in those prayers.
Exhortation Number 2: Love (4:8). Peter’s exhortation is that they are to love one another “deeply” (cf. 1:22); that is, they are to work at loving one another because doing so in the midst of stress is difficult. Since familial, business, and social relationships tend to become frayed and tested when difficulties arise, Peter urges them to love one another with great effort because he knows how much work it takes with the dark cloud of persecution and stress hovering above.
Exhortation Number 3: Be Hospitable (4:9). Hospitality is a specific example of loving one another—Hospitality formed the foundation of the Christian movement. Thus, the early church regularly expressed its love for one another within the context of hospitality.
Exhortation Number 4: Exercise Your Gifts (4:10–11a). That the End is near prompts Peter to exhort believers to love one another beyond the idea of hospitality; they are to use their gifts “to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms”
Whatever Christians are gifted to do, those gifts are to be exercised in such a way that they reflect their divine origin and purposes:
To God Be the Glory! (4:11b). Peter concludes his exhortation to use all gifts from God in a way that brings him glory with a doxology. (McKnight)
Discussion Questions:
next week – Read 1 Peter 4:12-19 Pastor Samuel Sutter // sam@BBCCOnline.org
