Today’s Message

This Sunday was one of those where the flow as was preplanned did not happen just as God suggests might at times happen: The preparations of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord (Proverbs 16:1).  So, here is a summary of the message that was preplanned:

Text:  I Peter 4:1-2, Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.

We have been talking about true believers as residents of an upper story (all are born in the lower story, but those who embrace Jesus as Lord are lifted to a new life).  The text refers to “us” and to “yourselves”.  Who are these people?  We find our answer earlier in the letter:  Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. (1:18-21).  The people referred to in 4:1 are those who have been redeemed by faith in the substitutionary death of Jesus for them.  They have bowed the knee at the cross in repentance and love. 

So what marks those “residents” of the upper story?  Five things here:

1. They have a rich love, joy, and worship of Jesus.  They have hearts full of admiration and humility.  They are amazed by God’s grace and love.  I Peter 1:8, Whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.
2. 4:1, “Therefore…as Christ suffered…with the same mind” ties us back to 2:11 and following verses which teach the believer to summit which often means suffering.  Such should not be surprising as it was seen in Jesus (3:18) and in Noah (3:20).  The believer knows that suffering serves to spread the gospel and bring people to Jesus (3:14-16), so they accept suffering knowing God is allowing and using it. 
3. “has ceased from sin” – The upper story dwellers used to be full of wantonness of 4:3 (lewdness, lusting, excesses, riotous living, partying, and idolatry).  They now, being transformed in salvation, reject that lifestyle, fight against those old ways and will be fully freed from them in time.
4. “but for the will of God” – The upper story people are all about God’s will in their lives.  And what is God’s will?   Be holy (I Peter 1:15), obey fully as did Jesus (John 17:4), and do good to all men – even enemies (Galatians 6:10, Matthew 5:44).  God’s will is to keep the Ten Commandments:  1. God!  Not angels, your church or a man.  2. All of God – don’t box God up for use when needed.  3. God’s name guarded and exalted.  4. Work hard six and rest one, as did God.  5. Value the family per God’s format.  6. Life is sacred.  7. Sex is sacred.  8. Be a good steward.  9. Be just.  10. Be content and be thankful.  What does one do to find God’s will?  Romans 12:1-2, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.  God will reveal His perfect will to those who are passionate about His will, aggressively turn away from the world and have a mind fixed on God – filled with God’s Word. 
5. 4:6, “those who are dead…but live according to God in the spirit.”  Those in the upper have a mind on eternity and Heaven.  Colossians 3:1-2, “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above…Set your mind on things above”.  We learn of Heaven from Revelation 4, Eternity from Revelation 21, and pieces in other places.  If one gathers the themes of the world’s music or what man talks of, five themes surface:  love, joy, peace, beauty and worth.  I believe Heaven is the fullness – the perfection – of the five.  1. God is love – relationship with Him and others will be perfect.  2. “In His presence is the fullness of joy,” Psalm 16:11.  3. Peace for there will be the Prince of Peace, Isaiah 9:6.  4. Beauty. “That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord,” Psalm 27:4.  And 5. “Give to the Lord glory and strength. Give to the Lord the glory due His name”, Psalm 96:7-8.  From the Westminster Confession:  “The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”  And the soul will find its worth!  So Heaven is love, joy, peace, beauty, and worth found in life with an awesome God.