Hope When Life is Hard Week 8

November 27, 2022 Preacher: Phil Courson Series: Hope When Life Gets Hard

Topic: Hope Scripture: 1 Peter 4:1–11

Hope When Life is Hard
Sunday, November 27, 2022

1 Peter 4:1-11
Introduction

Die to sin. Live for God. Love and Serve Others

I. Die to Sin (v.1,2)
We can have a different attitude toward sin when we serve God faithfully in the midst of
our suffering. We can forget just how ‘normal’ suffering is going to be in the Christian
life. Suffering and enduring persecutions is painful and uncomfortable, but we can have
a better perspective when we think about Christ enduring a much harsher life of
persecution.
v.2 – “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.”
“Therefore whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin means 'whoever has suffered
for doing right, and has still gone on obeying God in spite of the suffering it involved, has made
a clear break with sin'. The phrase has ceased from sin cannot mean 'no longer sins at all', for
certainly that is not true of everyone who has been willing to suffer for doing right, and several
passages in Scripture rule out the idea that anyone can be absolutely free from sin in this life. It
rather means 'has made a clear break with sin', 'has most definitely acted in a way which shows
that obeying God, not avoiding hardship, is the most important motivation for his or her
action'. Thus, following through with a decision to obey God even when it will mean physical
suffering has a morally strengthening effect on our lives: it commits us more firmly than ever
before to a pattern of action where obedience is even more important than our desire to avoid
pain.” Wayne Grudem
II. Live for God (v.3-6)
v.3 – “For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do living in
sensuality…v.4 – with respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in
the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you…”
We can remove certain lusts from our lives and look back and not desire them anymore
or even entertain them because of the victory in our lives.

We must remember our past sins do not define us or our future!

v.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.”

III. Love and Serve Others (v.7-11)
v.7 – “The end of all things is at hand…

Expectant looking is the antidote for apathetic living

Be ‘self-controlled’ and Be ‘sober-minded’
Loving everyone with God’s strength
‘Above all, keep loving one another earnestly…’
‘love covers a multitude of sins’
‘Show hospitality without grumbling’
Serving others through the gifts God gives to each of us:
v.10,11 – “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of
God’s varied grace; whoever speaks oracle 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.
“there is nothing more thrilling, more joyful, more meaningful, more satisfying than to
find our niche in the eternal unfolding of God's glory. Our gift may look small but as a
part of the revelation of God's infinite glory it takes on stupendous proportions.” J. Piper
IV. Conclusion

Die to sin. Live for God. Love and Serve Others

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