Post by poetsunshine on May 31, 2010 15:42:55 GMT -6
LIVES CHANGED
I PETER 4:1-2..FORASMUCH THEN AS CHRIST HATH SUFFERED FOR US IN THE FLESH, ARM YOURSELVES LIKE WISE WITH THE SAME MIND; FOR HE THAT HATH SUFFERED IN THE FLESH HATH CEASED FROM SIN; THAT HE NO LONGER SHOULD LIVE THE REST OF HIS TIME IN THE FLESH TO THE LUSTS OF MEN, BUT TO THE WILL OF GOD.
I. LIVE AS GOD LIVES. V 1-6
Since Christ suffered physically, we too must strengthen ourselves with the same purpose; for whoever suffers physically is no longer involved with sin.
From now on, we must live the rest of our earthly lives controlled by God’s will, not by human passions.
For we have spent enough time in the past doing what the heathen like to do. Our lives were spent in indecency, lust, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and the disgusting worship of idols.
Now the heathen are surprised when we do not join them in the same wild and reckless living, and so they insult us.
They must give an account of themselves to God, who is ready to judge the living and the dead. This is why the good news was preached also to the dead, to those who had been judged in their physical existence as all men are judged; it was preached to them so that is their spiritual existence they may live as God lives.
II. GOOD MANAGERS OF GOD’S GIFTS. V 7-11
The end of all things is near. We must be self-controlled and alert, to be able to pray. Above everything, love one another earnestly, for love covers over many sins, open our homes to each other, without complaining.
Each one of us must use the special gift we have received from God for the good of others, as a good manager of God’s words; whoever serves, must serve with the strength that God gives us so that in all things praise may be given to God through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the power for ever and ever.
III. SUFFERING AS A CHRISTIAN. V 12-19.
Let us not be surprised at the painful test we are suffering, as through something unusual were happening to us.. Rather be glad that we are sharing Christ’s sufferings, so that we may be full of joy when his glory is revealed.
Happy are we if we are insulted because we are Christ’s followers; for this means that the glorious Spirit, the Spirit of God, has come down on us.
None of us should suffer for being a murderer, or a thief, or a criminal, or for trying to manage other people’s business.
If we suffer because we are a Christian, don’t be ashamed of it. But thank God that we bear Christ’s name.
The time has come for the judgment to begin, and God’s own people are the first to be judged. If it starts with us, how will it end with those who do not believe the word from God?
As the scripture says, “If it is difficult for good men to be saved, what will become of godless and sinful men?
So then, those who suffer because this is God’s will for them, should by their good deeds trust themselves completely to their Creator, who always keeps his promise.
I PETER 4:1-2..FORASMUCH THEN AS CHRIST HATH SUFFERED FOR US IN THE FLESH, ARM YOURSELVES LIKE WISE WITH THE SAME MIND; FOR HE THAT HATH SUFFERED IN THE FLESH HATH CEASED FROM SIN; THAT HE NO LONGER SHOULD LIVE THE REST OF HIS TIME IN THE FLESH TO THE LUSTS OF MEN, BUT TO THE WILL OF GOD.
I. LIVE AS GOD LIVES. V 1-6
Since Christ suffered physically, we too must strengthen ourselves with the same purpose; for whoever suffers physically is no longer involved with sin.
From now on, we must live the rest of our earthly lives controlled by God’s will, not by human passions.
For we have spent enough time in the past doing what the heathen like to do. Our lives were spent in indecency, lust, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and the disgusting worship of idols.
Now the heathen are surprised when we do not join them in the same wild and reckless living, and so they insult us.
They must give an account of themselves to God, who is ready to judge the living and the dead. This is why the good news was preached also to the dead, to those who had been judged in their physical existence as all men are judged; it was preached to them so that is their spiritual existence they may live as God lives.
II. GOOD MANAGERS OF GOD’S GIFTS. V 7-11
The end of all things is near. We must be self-controlled and alert, to be able to pray. Above everything, love one another earnestly, for love covers over many sins, open our homes to each other, without complaining.
Each one of us must use the special gift we have received from God for the good of others, as a good manager of God’s words; whoever serves, must serve with the strength that God gives us so that in all things praise may be given to God through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the power for ever and ever.
III. SUFFERING AS A CHRISTIAN. V 12-19.
Let us not be surprised at the painful test we are suffering, as through something unusual were happening to us.. Rather be glad that we are sharing Christ’s sufferings, so that we may be full of joy when his glory is revealed.
Happy are we if we are insulted because we are Christ’s followers; for this means that the glorious Spirit, the Spirit of God, has come down on us.
None of us should suffer for being a murderer, or a thief, or a criminal, or for trying to manage other people’s business.
If we suffer because we are a Christian, don’t be ashamed of it. But thank God that we bear Christ’s name.
The time has come for the judgment to begin, and God’s own people are the first to be judged. If it starts with us, how will it end with those who do not believe the word from God?
As the scripture says, “If it is difficult for good men to be saved, what will become of godless and sinful men?
So then, those who suffer because this is God’s will for them, should by their good deeds trust themselves completely to their Creator, who always keeps his promise.
