Rev. David Holwick ZB
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
September 7, 1997
1 Peter 4:1-6
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I. It's party time!
A. Reason young people go to college - wild parties.
1) Epitomized by "Animal House."
2) The reality is not much tamer.
Newsweek article, 1994.
One out of 7 college students use marijuana at least
once a month, and the number is rising.
Drinking on college campuses is as heavy as ever.
Only 16% of college students claim to be nondrinkers.
College students spend $5.5 billion on alcohol each year,
more than they spend on books and soft drinks combined.
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B. My mild days at Wheaton.
1) No drugs, smoking, dancing, movies, not even cards.
2) Just Bible studies and ice cream sundaes.
C. Life is more than having a blast.
1) We have a decision on which way to go.
2) When you have made your decision, your lifestyle needs to
reflect it.
II. Think like Jesus.
A. Christ suffered.
1) Some focus on his death for our sins.
2) But death does not have to be implied, just the fact that
God's perfect son had to suffer unjustly.
B. We need to have the same attitude.
1) "Be armed" - aggressive, war-like imagery.
2) The unfairness of life does not have to defeat us.
a) It is an opportunity to let God's grace shine.
III. He who has suffered in the body is done with sin.
A. Several interpretations possible.
1) Jesus is one who suffered.
a) "Done with sin" would mean he did away with it.
1> Peter stresses Jesus' sinlessness.
b) But atonement doesn't seem to be in view.
1> "Done with sin" is unusual for atonement.
2> And note "rest of life" lived for God.
c) Passage is moving focus from Jesus to Christians.
2) Christians are purified by suffering. **
a) "Done with sin" is explained by 4:2.
1> We do not live for lusts, but honor God.
2> Does not have to mean we are perfect, but we are
moving away from majoring in sin.
b) Jews saw "flesh" as seat of sin.
1> When we suffer physically our desires are quenched.
2> You focus on what has real meaning.
B. Do you live for evil desires, or for God?
1) Because of Jesus, Christians must live differently. 4:2
2) We should be done with sin, because we have done enough sin.
a) Peter goes on to explain it in detail.
IV. Remember what you were saved from.
A. What pagans choose to do.
1) A focus on sex: Debauchery, lust.
2) A focus on excess: Drunkenness, orgies, carousing.
a) Wild living is nothing new.
1> Ancient Pompeii: brothels, bars, porno.
2> Actually, this may be what they did in their
temples!
3> But not just limited to other times, or other
people. YOU??
b) A sign of sophistication?
1> (T-shirt - "So many bars, so little time.")
2> Playground of middle class America: Atlantic City.
A> Sells excess as wholesome.
B> Untold ruined lives.
3) A focus away from God: Idolatry.
a) Desire can be a substitute God.
b) What we devote our time and resources on, is what
we really worship.
B. It can be hard to leave.
1) Assumption is that many Christians once lived like this.
a) Why go back to something that is deadly?
1> Relationships mean a lot to us.
2> Turning from lifestyle is seen as an attack on them,
and they reject you.
b) We need to make a clean break.
2) There is only one reason to risk all this...
V. Called on the carpet.
A. Everyone has to get an account to God.
1) Christians forgiven? Note only pagans are mentioned here.
2) The quick (=living) and the dead.
a) Refers to Second Coming.
b) Whole world to be judged by God.
B. Believing now makes a difference later.
1) We have a hope that outlasts death.
2) Preached to the dead...
a) Some tie in with 3:19, say there is second chance.
b) Better: dead believers are not at a disadvantage.
1> Our bodies may die, but spiritually we are alive.
3) No eternal judgment for us like others face.
William Willimon grew up in a big city church, but when he
became a pastor he went to a church in rural Georgia.
One Saturday he went to the funeral of a relative of somebody
in his church.
It was in a little country church of a different denomination.
He had never been to a funeral like this one.
The casket was open.
There was no service, just a sermon by their preacher.
The preacher pounded on the pulpit and looked over at the
casket.
He said, 'It's too late for Joe. He might have wanted to get
his life together.
He might have wanted to spend more time with his family.
He might have wanted to do that, but he's dead now.
It is too late for him, but it is not too late for you.
There is still time for you.
You still can decide.
You still are alive.
It is not too late for you. Today is the day of decision.'
Then the preacher told how a Greyhound bus had run into a
funeral procession once on the way to the cemetery, and
that could happen today.
He said, 'You should decide today.
Today is the day to get your life together.
Too late for old Joe, but it's not too late for you.'
Willimon was furious at that preacher.
On the way home, he told his wife, "Have you ever seen anything
as manipulative and as insensitive to that poor family?
I found it disgusting."
She said, "I've never heard anything like that.
It was manipulative.
It was insensitive.
Worst of all, it was also true."
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I. Christ suffered in the flesh - he physically died.
A. Since it was "for us," it should alter how we live.
1) Paul - reckon self dead to sin.
B. Suffer in body, done with sin.
1) Doesn't mean physical suffering has a purifying effect.
a) "done with sin" too strong for this.
2) It means Jesus' death affects us.
a) His death is in view. Stibbs
b) Our suffering as well. Mounce
II. We face a different judgment.
A. Contrast between "life past" and "life now."
1) Peter sees them as indulging in pagan revelry.
2) Expand... [keg parties?]
B. Although we will die, we will not be condemned.
1) No one can escape their final responsibility before God.
a) Jesus is either our Savior or our Judge.
2) "Quick and the dead." Acts 10:42; 2 Tim 4:1
a) Now dead - they had a chance to believe when they
were alive.
b) Second chance??
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