Lesson 70
Study of
First Peter Chapter 4
Review:
Summary
1. These
believers like many today, didn't understand the purpose of the testing that
they were experiencing.
2. They
discovered very quickly after believing in Christ that not every aspect of life
went smoothly, like they might like.
- a common ploy of the evangelist, leave the impression that
once you believe in Christ everything will be rosy in life.
3. As they patiently learned BD, the truth, and
began to live it out their lifestyles changed and they separated from paganism
and wham! They were hit with a fiery test, were maligned, slandered
by their friends and even family.
4. These
tests, UNDSF, were in reality an opportunity for them to faith rest trusting in
Him to provide the resources needed and as they worked through the tests
produce DGP.
5. The
greater the test, the greater the opportunity for DGP. Also the greater the glory
for God.
6.
Rejoicing, having inner happiness is possible even in the face of testing is
possible as you consistently trust Him, faith resting the situation.
7. Peter's exhortation here is to continually
arm yourself, your thinking with DVPT and then to prayerfully approach the
test.
8. Our living union with Christ
involves not only our union with him in his death and resurrection (
1 Pet.
If you are reviled for the
name of Christ, "If"
is a first class, and you are!
- These people were receiving
this verbal assault as a result of doing what is right!
While in the NT its use is
associated with the indignities and maltreatment experienced by Christ, that He
endured during His ministry leading to the cross.
Example: Matt. 27:44; Mark
15:32; Rom 15:3; Heb 11:26; Heb 11:26
for the name of Christ
The word name is very
important in the WOG because it is not just identifying an individual but
indicates His person, character, authority and power.
Rather, the reproaches had been hurled at them
"in connection with" the name of Christ and the revelation associated
with it.
The picture is consistent with the words of Jesus
to His disciples, "You will be hated by
all because of My name," (Matt.
- They
and many today around the world are experiencing UNDSF for applying truth,
living out the will of God, that is doing what they know is right according to
the Word.
- Example: Acts
you are blessed, even in the midst of the UNDSF you will be
spiritually blessed as a result of your using the doctrine you know in dealing
with the suffering.
Jesus in
the Sermon on the Mount gave us the principle in Matt. 5:11; also Lk 6:22
Also
noted this in James 1:12
Blessed is a man who perseveres under
trial
- Blessed maka,rioj points to a state which the
believer is able to experience in his/her life even amid adverse external
circumstances.
Next follows the reason for
being blessed as one does the right thing while undergoing UNDSF.
because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
Peter's point here is that
this Spirit of glory who is God rests upon you.
- verb rests (avnapau,w) pres. mid.
Summary!
1. The
greater the intensity of the reviling or verbal insult that we might under go the greater is the opportunity for application of truth
and the greater the reward at the JSC.
2. Blessed indicates the status of the believer
who utilizes the spiritual resources in the midst of the suffering.
3. In a very real sense the reviling and insults
received by the advancing believer is evidence of
their sonship and position in Christ and the reality of their living out the
truth.
4. The believer who spends a majority of their
life out of fellowship doesn't have to be concerned about this type of
suffering that is for the name of Christ but does have to be concerned about
discipline to get them back on track spiritually.
5. The rest experienced by the believer is the
consequence of living in the Word empowered by the Spirit of glory who is the
spirit of God.
Make sure that none of you
suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler;
Peter's list, which is not intended to be
exhaustive, deals with clear-cut extremes. The state of being blessed he just
described demands that their lives should agree with their Christian
profession.
In case they might have missed it Peter is drawing
a contrast between UNDSF and deserved suffering for sin in the life.
Next is listed several
categories of sin nature activity listed in 2 groups (not easily seen in the
English translation)
1. murderer - (foneu,j) max
violation of a person created in the image of God
2. thief - (kle,pthj) violation
of one's personal property
3. evildoer - (kakopoio,j) a general
term for any criminal activity
4. troublesome meddler - (avllotriepi,skopoj) refers to
one who interferes in the affairs of another
Summary!
1. No matter how severe the persecution, or
suffering that your under, there is no excuse for reacting with criminal
activity, max sin nature rulership.
2. Not only are 3 of the 4 categories listed
criminal activity and punishable under law but all are also sins to be avoided
by the advancing believer.
3. We must know that as a believer to become
involved in any of these activities the suffering that results in deserved,
punitive, discipline.
4. This
discipline is designed to wake you up and get you back on track utilizing the
grace resources and reestablishing correct priorities in life.