Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the fleshLighthouse Bible Church
Sunday March 8, 2020
Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh
1 Peter chapter 4 and 5
1PE 1:1-9 As you may remember first Peter began by showing us the perfect inheritance that we as believers in Christ have reserved in heaven for us thanks to the love of Jesus Christ. In later chapters we learned about longing for Gods word, putting aside the old ways, being submissive and humble to authority, proper treatment of our spouses, among other things. The readers are exhorted that as Christs death put an end to his suffering for the sins of the world, they ( who have suffered from fleshly pursuits) should arm themselves with the same purpose (to be dead to sin) as Christ was.
. How can they be dead to sin? By trusting in Christ. And to live the rest of the time in the body for the will of God and not for the lusts of the flesh.
This is referenced further in Rom 6:6-7 Rom 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. Rom 6:7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
The “dead” here refers to being “dead to sin” which comes from Romans 6:11: Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus
. Here, the contrast is made that to be “dead to sin” is to be “alive to God in Christ Jesus.” Those who have come to faith in Jesus no longer have to allow sin to control their lives. Instead, we offer ourselves to God to serve His purposes.
Rom 12:1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. Rom 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
To be dead to sin does not mean we are sinless. Paul made clear that he continued to struggle with temptation and sin in Rom 7:19-20
Rom 7:19 For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. Rom 7:20 But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me”
(If Paul could call himself the “foremost of sinners” (1Ti 1:15), then we should certainly expect to continue our conflict with sin until we reach heaven.) It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.
To be dead to sin means we no longer need to be controlled by our sin nature. Romans 6:17 teaches that.
Rom 6:17 But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, Rom 6:18 and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.
Rom 6:19 I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification
Before Christ, we were “slaves” to sin. Now we have a new Master. Sin continues to exist, but we are no longer dominated by it.
As Christians, we have God’s Spirit within us to empower us. However, we still face temptation and must guard against sin with God’s help. We can live “dead to sin” as we follow Christ, knowing that our Lord will one day remove the curse of sin altogether (Rev 22:3).
Eph 6:11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. Eph 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual
Eph 6:13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. What is this “armor of God” and where do we purchase it?
Eph 6:14 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, Eph 6:15 and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;
Eph 6:16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Eph 6:17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
This armor has been described by many bible scholars as items of clothing and defensive armor beginning with: The belt of truth i.e. Gods truth as written in the scripture The breastplate of righteousness that believers receive positionally at salvation
The boots of the Gospel of peace (Through Christ). The shield of Faith (in Christ and His promises) The helmet of salvation (eternal protection by our Lord) The sword of the Spirit (knowledge of God’s word)
These are the armor of God and can’t be purchased but are given freely by God through His grace to believers as a tool to fight the battle against the forces of evil.
Rom 12:1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
Rom 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
So in verses 7 thru 11 Peter is repeating and rephrasing the message from chapter 3 exhorting these mostly Jewish believers to use sound judgement and be sober in spirit for prayer.
Continuing he repeats the theme from chapter 3 to practice love for the brethren with hospitality and to use our gifts as from the Lord so that He may be glorified through Jesus Christ. (when He returns)
Peter tells us that some suffering can be testing our faith and we should rejoice in it as when we are reviled for the name of Christ we are blessed and will rejoice with exultation at the revelation of His Glory.
He also warns not to suffer for doing wrong and that since the judgement of believers comes first we should be trusting in God and obedient to do what is right during our life.
Peters message to the elders is similar to his previous chapters message except it is specifically directed at those in authority in the church. They are told to shepherd the flock with care and integrity not as bosses or tyrants but setting good examples.
In verse 5 and 6 these elders are told to remain humble casting their worries on the Lord so they may be exalted at the proper time. This means not exalting themselves but trusting the Lord to do it in His timing which may be at the judgement seat of Christ.
In verse 5 Peter also adds the younger men to this message telling them also to be humble and subject to the elders. Pastors and elders are not gods and are not to be treated as such or put on a pedestal.
They are however to be respected and supported as the ones who rule according to God’s instruction are worthy of double honor as we see in 1Ti 5:17.
1Ti 5:17 The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. 1Ti 5:18 For the Scripture says, "YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING," and "The laborer is worthy of his wages."
Verses 8-11 exhorts these elders and younger men to be sober in spirit and resist their adversary which is Satan and demons. As we studied earlier in Eph 6:11-17 they along with all believers can resist evil by putting on the armor of God and remembering that others have and are suffering for Christ.
Peter finishes up with a message of love and blessing of peace to all believers.
Summary: “Therefore” is referring to the message in chapter 3 verse 18-22 which described Christs suffering for the sins of man. Since Christs death and resurrection paid the penalty for sin believers can be “dead to sin” and live for God’s will rather than for the lusts of the flesh.
Being dead to sin does not mean we are sinless, but that we are not guided by sin but by Gods word. Before we believed we were slaves to sin but now we are freed from being dominated by the flesh.
We can use the “armor of God” in Eph 6 to battle to forces of evil. We may be called to suffer for Christ which will result in blessing at the judgement seat of Christ.
Pastors and elders are commanded to shepherd the flock with eagerness and humility, trusting God for their blessings in God’s timing. Younger men are told to be subject to the elders and be humble in spirit.
All are told to be sober of spirit and be alert to satanic influences trusting that God will perfect us at the proper time.
Eph 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Joh 11:25-26 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?"
Joh 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
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