1 Peter 4:12-19 Live for the Name of Christ

Introduction: Peter has just finished encouraging us to love and serve one another with the gifts that God has Given us in Christ Jesus. Gifts that Christ suffered and died to purchase in order to pour out on us by the Holy Spirit. Peter now for the third time discusses suffering trials. He has previously said trials will strengthen our faith, trials unite us to be like Christ as those filled with the Spirit to suffer for doing good and not evil. This is glorious because we suffer strengthened and indwelt by the Holy Spirit. And once more he reminds us that our suffering indeed judgement starting with the House of God vindicates the Spirit of Christ in Us and reminds us

Read: 1 Peter 4:12-19

[12] Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. [13] But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. [14] If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. [15] But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. [16] Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. [17] For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? [18] And

“If the righteous is scarcely saved,

what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”

[19] Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. (ESV)

#1 Say It Again for those in the Back

#2 Suffering as a Christian

#3 Cleanup Your Own House First

#4 Entrust Your Soul to your Faithful Creator

#1 Say It Again for those in the Back v. 12-15 (Running Commentary and Reinforcement).

[12] Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. [13] But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. [14] If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. [15] But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler.

A) v.12 is an escalation Dan Doriani points out that Peter goes from saying “who will harm if we do good” to “if we should suffer, let us still do right” to Don’t be surprised trials are coming!” Once more because we follow Christ and Jesus himself says, John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (ESV)

B) Jesus has overcome the world, and we can rejoice even in suffering because we have the same Spirit of Glory as He did on Christ in his earthly sufferings. We have this because he gives him to us poured out on his people.

So pulling 1 Peter together righteous suffering causes us to share in what Jesus suffered, to be strengthened in faith, to silence evil, to give an answer for the hope in us, and to be blessed because we are honoring the name of Christ, and are indwelt by the Holy Spirit.

#2 Suffering as a Christian (look in v. 16).

[16] Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.

A) Peter highlights our Identity as A Christian – The term Christian or “Christianus” follower of Christ, it is likely an insult a slur, just like the word puritan, fundamentalist, and bible-thumper is used. And Christians said fine, we do follow Jesus. Just like with these other words certainly there are negatives intended and the ancient world accused Christians of drunken love feasts, of atheism, of being bad citizens, but they flipped it around, Dan Doriani says call me “puritan” Yes, I do aim for purity and integrity” call me bible-thumper, “Yes, I do read and honor God’s word.” - Let him not be ashamed but let him glorify God in that name,

Do not let the Insult immediately push you to shame and compromise with Truth and convictions. From a position of being unashamed you may clarify Strawmen and misrepresentations, but do not let reviling immediately drive you to discussing faith and commitments from the unbelievers terms. There is a time for persuasion and discussing terms and such but do not let satan through shame and suffering and persecution and name calling move the entire battlefield from the battlefield of truth to the battlefield of compromise. By your commitment to following Christ Glorify God in the name of Jesus. Be Not Ashamed.

#3 Cleanup Your Own House First (look in v. 17-18).

[17] For