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Sermons

September 6, 2020

Arm Yourselves With Christ’s Mindset About Suffering

Andy Naselli (North Campus) | 1 Peter 4:1-6

Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. 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. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 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.—1 Peter 4:1–6

Outline: Five Questions

  1. Why should you arm yourselves with Christ’s mindset about suffering (1 Peter 4:1)? Two reasons: (1) Because Christ suffered in the flesh and (2) because whoever has died to sin has ceased from participating in the sins that characterize non-Christians.
  2. For what purpose has a believer ceased from participating in the sins that characterize non-Christians (1 Peter 4:2)? In order to live for the rest of your life no longer for sinful human passions but for God’s will.
  3. Why is a believer committed to live no longer for sinful human passions but for God’s will (1 Peter 4:3)? Because you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do.
  4. How might non-Christians respond when a believer ceases from participating in sins that characterize non-Christians (1 Peter 4:4)? They are surprised, and they malign you.
  5. How does looking at the bigger picture motive believers about suffering (1 Peter 4:5–6)? Unless non-Christians repent and trust Christ, God will righteously judge them; that encourages and exhorts us to persevere, to endure suffering now in light of the future.