The Epistles of Peter & Jude Lesson 9: The Cycle of Suffering and Sanctification (1 Peter 4:1-6) “…he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin” -- 1 Peter 4:1

Suffering Leads to Sanctification Which Leads to More Suffering (1 Peter 4:1-6) As pilgrims, we must arm ourselves with the Christ-like mind of self-sacrificial suffering (4:1; Philippians 2:5) –Remember that Christ suffered for our sins (3:18) –His example motivates us to strive against sin (Hebrews 12:3-4) Those who have suffered and died with Christ will not readily choose to do wrong (2 Tim. 2:11; Galatians 2:20; Romans 6:6-7) –They will no longer live for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.

Suffering Leads to Sanctification (1 Peter 4:1-6) The Christ-like sufferer will no longer engage in… Lewdness: “lasciviousness” KJV, “debauchery” NIV. “Unbridled lust” (Thayer). Lusts: “Craving, longing, desire for what is forbidden” (Thayer). (Eph. 2:3; Galatians 5:24) Drunkenness: “excess of wine” KJV Revelries: “revellings” KJV, “orgies” NIV. “Feasts and drinking parties that are protracted till late at night and indulge in revelry” (Thayer) Drinking parties:“banquetings” KJV. Social drinking Idolatries: Note the plural. There is more than one way to commit idolatry (Col. 3:5; Eph. 5:5)

Sanctification Leads to More Suffering (1 Peter 4:3-6) Because the Christian lives a sanctified life, he will continue to suffer The world will “think it strange” that you do not enjoy the same worldly pleasures they enjoy, and that you refuse to drink and party with them. They will “speak evil” of you. –They may accuse you of thinking that you are better than everyone else, or they may make fun of your convictions and mock the idea of eternal judgment. They will give an account for this behavior to the Judge of the living & dead (Acts 10:42; 2 Tim. 4:1). –This is all the more reason the gospel was preached to such individuals!

The Epistles of Peter & Jude Lesson 10: Seriously Living the Sanctified Life (1 Peter 4:7-11) “…therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers” -- 1 Peter 4:7

Motivation for Sincere Sanctification (1 Peter 4:7) “The end of all things is at hand!” –“At hand” refers to something being near in place OR time (Philippians 4:5; James 5:8; Mark 14:42). We are in the last days; the next place that is at hand in God’s eternal plan for man is “the end of all things.” Barnes notes: “The word rendered “is at hand,” (η ̓ ́γγικε e ̄ ngike,) may refer either to proximity of place or time, and it always denotes that the place or the time referred to was not far off.” Therefore, be serious and watchful in your prayers! (Ephesians 6:18)

The Demonstration of Sanctification (1 Peter 4:8-11) “Above all things have fervent love for one another.” –This is the Christian’s “prime directive” (Colossians 3:14; Matthew 22:37-40; Romans 13:8-10; Galatians 5:14; 1 Corinthians 13) –Fervent love is love that is intense and “without ceasing” (Strong). It never fails (1 Cor. 13:8a) Such love will “cover a multitude of sins.” –Love takes the necessary steps and makes the necessary sacrifices to see that sin is forgiven (James 5:19-20; Psalm 32:1; 2 Cor. 2:8,10; Luke 17:3-4)

The Demonstration of Sanctification (1 Peter 4:8-11) Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. –Hospitality is to be extended to strangers and to all men, but the emphasis here is on extending it to brethren. (Hebrews 13:1-2; Romans 12:13; Galatians 6:10) We are to use the gifts we’ve received from God to serve one another as good stewards of His grace. –This principle applies to both the preceding & the following –Stewardship demands the faithful use of what we have been given (1 Corinthians 4:2) We should speak as the oracles of God. (cf. Titus 2:15; John 3:27) We should minister with all of the ability and power that God has provided The purpose of using our gifts is to glorify God in all things! (4:11b).

The Epistles of Peter & Jude Lesson 11: Suffering to the Glory of God (1 Peter 4:12-19) “Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.” -- 1 Peter 4:16