The End is Near! 1Peter 4:1-11

The Bucket List is a movie about two men, Edward Cole - a corporate CEO on top of the world and Carter Chambers - an auto mechanic, who met in a hospital room as cancer patients and there find out that they had a short time to live. Carter (Morgan Freeman) had once taken a college course where the professor gave the assignment to fill out a Bucket List of things you want to do before you kick the bucket. Carter starts his list. Edwards (Jack Nicholson) sees it and starts writing his own list. They decide to leave the hospital and embark on fulfilling the things on the bucket list. They did things like sky dive, race classic American muscle cars, and try to kiss the most beautiful girl in the world...all pretty frivolous things in this life or in eternity.

However, if you knew your time on earth was limited, what would you do?

It is! (1Peter 4:7) What will you do?

GETTING TO VERSE 7

• “Since therefore” or “Forasmuch then” re. 1Peter 3:18-22

  • Jesus' suffering ushered us (believers) to God.

  • God is gracious and patient, but the opportunity to accept salvation in Jesus alone, by faith alone is a limited time offer.

  • To reject the gospel is to choose eternal punishment.

  • Salvation is from sin and death, to life and holiness, by God, involving faith and faithfulness, demonstrated by water by which Noah was buoyed and in which believers are ”buried”

  • Jesus, at the right hand of God, with angels, authority, and power is the reason for our hope (v.15) and our leader in victory.

• Start packing a weapon / prepare for battle.

the same intentions (“mind” also Hebrews 4:12 ¹² For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.) as Christ...even a willingness to die Luke 9:23, 24 ²³ And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. ²⁴ For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

• Expect to surprise the world by not acting like them.

• Physical death to those who have accepted the gospel of Jesus only delivers them to a new level of life.

THE END IS NEAR (We knew in the '60s and '70s - the Jesus Movement, new Bible translations, new churches, church growth.)

• End = fulfillment, consummation, attained purpose...

• Near = approaching Romans 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

• Be Ready Luke 12:35-37 ³⁵ Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;
  ³⁶ And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.
  ³⁷ Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.

THREE BASICS TO BUILD UP

• Personal Holiness 4:7b

• Sound judgment – self-control, sober mind – spiritually observant. 2Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; , 2Timothy 3:15-17 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: ¹⁷ That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

• For the purpose of Prayer - forsake the world, cling to God's truth, seek God's purpose 1Corinthians 14:15 ¹⁵ What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. /Jude 20 ²⁰ But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, ; Hebrews 10:22 ²² Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.; 1John 5:14-16 ¹⁴ And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: ¹⁵ And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. ¹⁶ If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

• Mutual Love 4:8-9 Since believers still sin, only love that forgives and reaches out will maintain unity.

• Above all ... fervent(stretching or straining)... love for one another

• Hospitality (philoxenoi)= love strangers

• Without murmuring

• Spiritual Service 4:10-11a

• Each one (superlative) has received a special gift...1Corinthians 12:7,11 ⁷ But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. ¹¹ But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

• Gift of grace – not of merit – free and gracious sovereignly superintended by the Holy Spirit

• Use to serve (deacon) one another

• Good stewards – wise, obedient, managers of entrusted affairs

NOTE: The analogy and 1Corinthians 12:15-25 ¹⁵ If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? make obvious that to NOT use one's gifts weakens the local church because others cannot replace the unique giftedness of those who are not ministering.

• Two categories: 1)Speak – ie. teach, wisdom, knowledge, discernment...not human opinion

2) and Serve – administration, prayer, mercy, helps...not in human power

SO THAT GOD IS GLORIFIED THROUGH OUR SAVIOR JESUS

Jesus in Hell? 1Peter3:18-22

The Apostle's Creed states in the fourth tenet: “Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried: He descended into hell;” the Athanasian Creed (article 38) says the same. The Nicene Creed leaves out, “He descended into hell.” Though we draw our teaching and authority from the scriptures rather than from creeds, these statements are not inconsequential. Many Christians have grown up in traditions that regularly quote one of these and have come to accept the statements as Biblical truth.

The bases for speaking of Jesus descending into hell include 1Peter 3:19 along with Ephesians 4:8-9, Acts 2:27(Psalm16:10), and 1Peter 4:6 (and perhaps others). We want to discern the intent as well as the content of the scripture. We can best determine what the Holy Spirit was conveying through Peter by keeping the verses in the context in which they were written.

Words in this section of scripture that stand out:

ALSO - Christ also suffered. (as you are now suffering)

BRING - Jesus ushers us into relationship with God.

PROCLAIMED - can mean just to declare something, but this sense is rare in New Testament writings. Normal in NT – “to preach the gospel”

PRISON - to some held captive, most likely as punishment

SAVED - from ___, to ____, by _____, involving ____, demonstrated by _____

SUBJECT - what source is available as we go through suffering

SOME CLASSIC INTERPRETATIONS

• Between his death and resurrection, Jesus went into hell and gathered the Old Testament people who trusted Him and released them to heaven. (The Harrowing of Hell) – Roman Catholic

• Jesus, pre-incarnate preached repentance through Noah to people of his day who would eventually be destroyed in the flood. Augustine and most reformed theologians

• Jesus preached in the interval between His death and Resurrection, proclaiming His victory to the spirits of Noah's day who are confined in the realm of the dead or

  to imprisoned fallen angels who caused trouble in Noah's day (Genesis 6:2,4) John MacArthur and others

• Jesus proclaimed His victory to fallen angels at His Ascension into heaven. Jesus preached to those who once heard Noah but were now in prison and offered them a second chance. We can rule this one out by Hebrews 9:27 ...once to die but after this judgment... and by asking, “why these of all in eternal punishment?”

MacArthur points out:

• “in spirit” (His spirit, not the Holy Spirit) alive in spirit though His body is dead.

• “He went” denotes from one place to another

• “to the spirits” the word used is pneumasin rather than psuchai, the normal designation of human spirit or soul.

• “prison” = an actual place rather then merely a condition and compares this to the abyss or pit in Revelation 9:1-2 (though not the same Greek word) and points to 2Peter 2:4

Concluding that Jesus proclaimed victory to spirits that were: 1)under Satan's command in the days of Noah and 2)spoken of as “sons of God” in Genesis 6 who corrupted marriage and perhaps possessed men who married and 3)produced especially evil offspring (Nephilim); these spirits being in particular bondage waiting their final judgment at the end of time (not to be released by Satan at the fifth trumpet of Revelation 9)

ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE

Jesus did not go to Hell (punishment) – in Psalm 16:10 (quoted in Acts 2:27)“hell” and “corruption” are synonymous and speak of the grave – because His torment was finished on the cross. Rather, He went (in spirit) to Paradise to be with His Father, accompanied by the thief until His resurrection and eventual ascension.

THE PURPOSE OF THE PASSAGE That We May Know:

Jesus' suffering ushered us (believers) to God.

God is gracious and patient, but the opportunity to accept salvation in Jesus alone, by faith alone is a limited time offer.

To reject the gospel is to choose eternal punishment.

God's instrument of judgment of the wicked in Noah's day (the flood) was God's instrument of salvation to the faithful.

Salvation is from sin and death, to life and holiness, by God, involving faith and faithfulness, demonstrated by water by which Noah was buoyed and in which believers are”buried”

Jesus, at the right hand of God, with angels, authority, and power is the reason for our hope (v.15) and our leader in victory.

Rule of Engagement 1Peter 3:13-17

We live in a world that is hostile to the worship of and obedience to Jesus (not god necessarily, but Jesus Christ). Secular humanism has beaten down the life principles of submission to the Word of God and recognition of the only Way of God, Jesus. The process has killed values and knowledge / meaning. The result has been a degenerated society, promoted decadence, celebrated depravity, and a love affair with violence for the sake of violence.

Francis Schaeffer warned in his book, How Should We then Live? , that the result of modern man's loss of meaning and values would have a result that many will overlook – that result: “...that the elite will exist. Society cannot stand chaos. Some group or some person will fill the vacuum. An elite will offer us arbitrary absolutes, and who will stand in its way?” (published by Crossway, 1976) Christians will face more and more hostility from civil authorities and from unbelievers in the increasingly ungodly culture.

What is the strategy laid out in 1Peter?

HAVE A PASSION FOR GOODNESS. “...zealous for what is good” (ESV)

l Good – agathos = goodly, benefactor, kind, kindly

l Psalm37:3 “Trust in the LORD, and do good,”; 2Corinthians 9:8 “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”; Galatians 5:22 “ But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

l It is not self-righteousness. It is a God-enabled zeal / intentionality and intensity which produces a godly life – the aim of all believers and which results in loss of appetite for the world's ungodly attractions.

- Like CT Studd and the Cambridge Seven to China Inland Missions, then speaking then Central Africa http://www.traveltheroad.com/missions/missionaries/studd.php

= Lottie Moon from Virgina Plantation to North China died 50 pounds in harbor of Kobe, Japan 24 December 1912 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lottie_Moon

HAVE A WILLINGNESS TO SUFFER FOR RIGHT OR WRONG. “...if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed.”

Some examples of willingness to suffer for right or wrong:

l John Gibson Paton (1824-1907) Missionary to the New Hebrides:

Mr. Dixon, an elder in the church, told Paton, “Cannibals will eat you!”

(This was only nineteen years after two missionaries to the New Hebrides Islands were clubbed to death and eaten as soon as they landed, still within sight of the ship they disembarked from.)

To which Paton replied, “Mr Dixon, you are advanced in years now and your prospects are to soon be laid in the grave and there to be eaten by worms. I confess to you, if I but live and die by serving and honoring the Lord Jesus, it will make no difference to me whether I be eaten by cannibals or by worms And in the Great Day, my resurrection body will rise as fair as yours in the likeness of our risen Redeemer” http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Biographies/1482_You_Will_be_Eaten_by_Cannibals_Lessons_from_the_Life_of_John_G_Paton/

l Shonnie Moore's dad... heard to pray in the waiting area of the emergency room where Shonnie was taken paralyzed from her shoulders down... “Lord, we thank you for the events of this day...knowing that you are a loving Father and you will get glory from this...”

“ ...Have no fear of them, nor be troubled...”

HAVE A DEVOTION TO CHRIST “...but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy...”

Nate Saint, Jim Elliot, and Ed McCully, three college friends working as missionaries in Ecuador, had a burning desire to follow Jesus' command to take the gospel message into all the world. They had prayed for years for this primitive group that had never heard the redemption story of peace with God through the death of Christ. Now the men began to feel they should act soon or perhaps lose the opportunity for peaceful contact. The three men rounded out their team with two more: Pete Fleming and Roger Youderian.

Here were five common young men whose unifying distinction was less their inherited abilities or acquired skills than their commitment to seek God's will and to carry out his purposes for their lives. They were aware of the risk they were taking but felt it was justified, though they could have had no idea of the impact their martyrdom would someday have. www.atanycost.org/DidTheyHaveToDie.htm

Rachel Saint (Nate's sister) and Elizabeth Elliott (Jim's wife) stayed in Ecuador and lived among those who killed their loved ones and led those killers to Jesus.

HAVE A READINESS TO DEFEND THE FAITH “... prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,”

l Ready (convinced and standing by) Luke 22:33 (Peter);

l A defense – apologia, - an answer; and an account – logos -word

gentleness and respect – reverence for God and regard for His truth

You be ready God will do it.

- Don and Carol Richardson --- warring tribes give sons to enemy http://www.traveltheroad.com/missions/missionaries/richardson.php

HAVE A PURE CONSCIENCE “... having a good conscience” A pure conscience is possible when your actions and attitudes line up with God's Word. 1Timothy 1:5,19

l The only purifier of conscience - Hebrews 9:14; 10:19-22

Playing Tennis with Hand Grenades 1Peter2:13-3:12

Have you ever heard someone say (or maybe said yourself), “I don't get mad, I get even.” Have you heard of what you can do “after you turn the other cheek?” Have you looked for a bracelet with the letters: WWJWD (what would John Wayne do)? Do you believe Bruce Willis has really survived all those times of “getting even with the bad guy?”

If you answered “Yes.”...

...Then you could be the next contestant on the reality series: PLAYING TENNIS WITH HAND GRENADES*. In this game, an enemy of yours lobs a potentially destructive object, such as a hand grenade or an accusation or a half truth about you or someone/thing you love...and you respond by batting it right back at him. Only, then, he lobs it back at you. So you set up and really slam it over the net. ...But he still has time to return it... Do you attempt another volley and risk the explosion? ...Are you sure you can get him back. ...Will you be a chicken if you just run and take cover?...

*“Don't play tennis with hand grenades of evil; defuse them and chuck something good back.” from Rob Lacey, The Word on the Street, Zondervan 2004

CHRISTIAN, SUBMIT YOURSELF

• To the authority in Society 2:11-14

  • Your are free so use your freedom to submit.

  • By this God is glorified.

• To authority at Work 2:18-20

  • You are called (by name) to this. v.21

  • God commends you in it. v.19

  • Jesus set the example. vv.21b-24

• To authority in Family 3:1-7

  • This is how you grow in Christ (2:2) as a family.

PRACTICE AMONG BELIEVERS 3:8-ff

• Be Harmonious (same think)

• Sympathetic (suffering together)

• Be Kin / brothers (serving out of phileo)

• Be Kindhearted (literally: “have strong bowels”)= love deeply

• Be Humble enough to be courteous.

THE STANDARD: JESUS; THE SUBSTITUTE: JESUS; THE SHEPHERD: JESUS 2:21b-25

IT STARTS IN THE CHURCH AND EXTENDS TO THE WORLD 3:9-12

A CORROBORATION FROM THE APOSTLE PAUL Romans 12

Rom 12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Rom 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

...Rom 12:17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.

Rom 12:18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Rom 12:19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord."

Rom 12:20 To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head."

Rom 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

The idea of heaping burning coals on the head of your enemy is not for the purpose of causing them pain (though hot coals would certainly cause pain) but for the purpose of reshaping your enemy to the image of Christ as a blacksmith would use hot coals to reshape iron.

Your enemy, seeing your consistent good works will eventually glorify God. And if he doesn't, that is God's business and his punishment is God's business.

You might say:

“THAT'S EASY FOR YOU TO SAY.” YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT WRONG I HAVE SUFFERED AT THE HAND OF _________.”

“If I act kindly toward him, it will look like what he did was not bad.”

“This was real wrong. If I just 'let it go,' it will look like God and the universe are amoral.”

The question:

IS GOD REALLY TRUSTWORTHY? 1Peter3:12 - For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."

If that person has not been punished the way they deserve to be punished, you lay it down before God (Romans 12:19) and you leave God two possibilities:

1. That sin will be punished at the cross of Jesus when that person repents or

2. That sin will be punished in Hell when he refuses to repent.

And you can confess to God that you cannot improve on either of those two. (John Piper http://www.desiringgod.org/)

Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

*“Don't play tennis with hand grenades of evil; defuse them and chuck something good back.”

1Peter 1: 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

Some of Peter's earlier words: Acts 3:19-20 Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, ...

DEMONSTRATION OF DISCIPLINE 1Peter2:12-3:7

NOTE: The Holy Spirit seems to have impressed upon Peter that the distinct lifestyle of believers can be used to draw people to

Christ (here in verse 12 and 1Peter3:1-2). Jesus taught likewise (Matthew5:16)

This is NOT to say that we have no need to be ready to give a verbal testimony of our Hope in Jesus alone by faith alone(1Peter3:15); but when the word are spoken, the demonstration will be used of God to bring people to Himself(1Corinthians14:24-25)(2Corinthians9:11-12).

• Your Deportment (outward) should demonstrate your Discipline (inward). We will have to live lives that are more than just good. People here can out “good” you. Our action must be motivated by the blood of Jesus, God's love, His calling, and submission for the commendation of the Lord.

  • Citizens of heaven – by heavenly authority...but...Sojourners on earth – authorities here are (as with everything) heaven-appointed Romans13:1-7. vv.13-14

  • Submit yourself (hupotasso) v.13 for the purpose of showing-off Jesus. Submission is missing from most goodness, especially worldly goodness.

    • Lining yourself up in formation under the commander.

• Free – made so by the Son of God John8:32,36...but...Willing servants of God v.16 Colossians3:24; Ephesians6:6 (from the heart – the new one given you when you received Jesus as Savior)

  • Honor all

  • Love the brotherhood

  • Fear God

  • Honor the king/ruler v.13

Submission - What does it look like? Where do you do it...in what situations? Can you live that way today? What difference does it make?

• What does it look like?

  • Philippians 2:4-8 Jesus made himself an obedient servant.

  • John 13:3-16 Jesus took a towel, a basin, and water and began to wash His disciples' feet.

  • 1Peter 2:22-24 Jesus committed Himself/entrusted Himself to God, who judges righteously.

It looks like confidence enough in the wisdom, power, judgment of God to make yourself line up under someone else.

• Where do you do it?

  • Under earthly government v.13

  • to an employer v.18

  • to a husband 1Peter 3:1

  • to church elders Hebrews 13:17

  • to one another Ephesians 5:21

• Can you live that way today? What about Galatians 3:28? In terms of function, not essence or value.

  • 1Corinthians 11:3 versus John 10:30; John 1:1 Jesus says: “All authority is given to Me in heaven and in earth.” Matthew28:18 But also says: “My food is to do the will of Him that sent Me.” John 4:34 God's design demanded that the Son's function be to submit to the Father in the beautiful act of humiliation,though in essence and nature Christ and God are the same.

  • In marriage, husband functions as head ... though there is mutual submission and complimentarianism. 1Corinthians7:3-Husband render due benevolence. Ephesians5:22, 1Peter3:1- “your own husband.” - not all men but to the one you possess.

• What difference does it make?

  • Testifies to unbelievers and glorifies God 1Peter2:12, 3:1

  • Precious / of great price to God 3:4 (I.e. Mark13:3 alabaster box)

  • Reverses the curse of Genesis 3:16 (see Genesis 4:7)

  • Unites the body of Christ, the church (universal and local) 1Corinthians 11:33(the instruction); 1Cor.10:16-17(the aim)

  • Follows Jesus' command and His example

  • Salvation and participation in the kingdom and body of Christ when you submit His plan for your life. Mark 8:34,ff

God's Call for Troop Withdrawal 1Peter2:9-17

“These colors don't run!” That used to be the attitude of most of the citizens of the USA. We like to think we can take on anyone or anything. However, one of the directives in the section of scripture we will consider today is, “Don't fight, withdraw,” in regard to fleshly lusts. God has drawn us (believers) out from single citizenship of the world. He calls us to withdraw from the lifestyle of the world. And yet, He commands us to engage in submitting to ruling civil authorities. And these things are addressed to believers who are harassed by the society in which they live.

To make the riches of His glory known (Romans 9:23), ²³ And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
²⁴ Even us, whom he hath called,

God calls believers to:

SEPARATION

• A Chosen People (16 out of 23 times the Greek word for "chosen" is translated "elect") v.9; Deuteronomy 7:6-9 ⁶ For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.
  ⁷ The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people:
  ⁸ But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
  ⁹ Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; God did the choosing by/because of His sovereign grace.

It is totally a God thing and therefore:

• Disallows pride John 1:12-13; Ephesians 2:8-9 John1 ¹² But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
  ¹³ Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

^{Ephesians 2: 8} For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
⁹ Not of works, lest any man should boast.
¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Some are want to say,”I come from a long line of Christians/ preachers/ Baptists/ etc. Actually our only heritage is a long line of men and women lost, dead in sin, without merit whom, in spite of all that, God loved.

• Exalts God Romans9:23(intro); 2Thessalonians 2:13 ¹³ But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

• Promotes holiness (consumes with gratitude)Romans 6:17 ¹⁷ But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

• Gives strength (since it is irreversible) Colossians 1:19-20 ¹⁹ For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
  ²⁰ And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

• Produces joy (a sure hope in the midst of a sinful world) 1:21; Colossians 1:5 ⁵ For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;

• A Royal Priesthood v.9: Exodus 19:6 ⁶ And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

o Royal – kin of King Jesus Romans 8:16-17(heirs and joint heirs with Christ); Isaiah 9:7; Revelation 20:6 Isaiah9:⁷ Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

Rev.20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

o Priests – Exodus 19:6; ministers Isaiah 61:6 Exodus19: ⁶ And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

Isaiah61:⁶ But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the

Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.

o Ruling with Jesus 1Corinthians 6:1-4 ¹ Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? (cont)
² Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
³ Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
⁴ If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.

• Holy Nation – set apart to have a relationship with God through Jesus. Positionally (vs practically) Sanctified Acts 26:18 (the Apostle Paul's commission)¹⁸ To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. This is what happened/can happen to you.

• Possessed (Purchased) People – Romans 3:25-26 ²⁵ (Jesus)Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation (a payment that not only settles the debt, but restores the relationship) through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
  ²⁶ To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

ILLUMINATION

• Publishers – of His excellencies Acts 1:8 ⁸ But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me

; 2:11 ¹¹ Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. ; Revelation 15:3 ³ And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. We are light, shining, reflecting Jesus

• Practitioners – Living in the light. Colossians 1:13 ¹³ Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

By His grace, we receive the light of God's truth and the righteous desire to obey it.

WITHDRAW FROM THE BATTLE vv.11-12 from fleshly lusts (1John 2:16 – lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, pride of life)

• Don't go there. “Abstain” Hold yourself off
• Run away. 1Corinthians 6:18 ¹⁸ Flee fornication. ; 2Timothy 2:22; ²² Flee also youthful lusts: 1Corinthians 10:14; ¹⁴ Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. 1Timothy 6:11… O man of God, flee these things (the love of money and the sorrows accompanying)…

u AVOID (from John Piper 1987) Some specifics to avoid

o Falling in love with the present world 2Timothy 4:10 ¹⁰For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica;

o Losing the horror of offending God's holiness 2Samuel 12:7-10 ⁷And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man…. ⁹Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight?… ¹⁰Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, The accusation was not of David violating the sanctity of marriage or the sanctity of life, but of despising God, the Holy One.

o Compartmentalizing life 1Timothy 3:2,4-5 ² A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; ⁴ One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity…; We say, “But he is a good, super talented, worker, or a good attender, or a good business man.. these are things we need…” MOSTLY we need (we need to be) godly men…godly in all areas to lead and keep us accountable.

o Disregarding the biblical mystery of marriage Ephesians 5:23 -The Mystery - verse 32 ³²This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

o Giving in to self-pity This was written to persecuted Christians. Here is how Paul avoided it. 2Timothy 4:16-17 ¹⁶ At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. forgiveness
¹⁷Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. faithfulness

DEMONSTRATION OF DISCIPLINE v.12-17

NOTE: The Holy Spirit seems to have impressed upon Peter that

the distinct lifestyle of believers can be used to draw people to

Christ(here and 1Peter3:1-2). Jesus taught likewise (Matthew5:16)

This is NOT to say that we have no need to be ready to give a verbal testimony of our Hope in Jesus alone by faith alone(1Peter 3:15); but when the words are spoken, the demonstration will be used of God to bring people to Himself

(1Corinthians 14:24-25). ²⁴But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged (convicted) of all:
²⁵And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth. Convinced and convicted – not only by what is said in church but by how what is said lines up with what he has seen on the street.

• Deportment(outward) should demonstrate your discipline(inward). We will have to live lives that are more than just good. People here can out “good” you. Out action must be motivated by the blood of Jesus, God's love, and His calling

• Citizens of heaven – heavenly authority
• Sojourners on earth – authorities here are (as with everything) heaven-appointed . vv.13-14 Romans 13:1-7 ¹Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God…
  
• Submit yourself v.13 to show-off Jesus Submission is missing from most goodness, especially worldly goodness.

• Free – made so by the Son of God John 8:32,36 ³²And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. ³⁶ If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

• Willing servants of God v.16 Colossians 3:24; Ephesians 6:6 (from the heart – the new one given you when you received Jesus as Savior) Colossians3:²⁴ Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. Ephesians6:⁶ Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;

• Honor all

• Love the brotherhood

• Fear God

• Honor the king/ruler

Our freedom and authority in Christ is not all about confrontation and casting out... It is also the freedom to back off, to shut up and just behave as a demonstration of our confidence in God who has fought and continues to fight our battles.

Can you trust Him to do that?