1 Peter 4:7-19 Peter's summary of surviving judgment and why it is so important

1 Peter 4:7–11 (ESV) — 7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.


• "The end of all things is near." - what does this mean? 
• Nearly all the NT writers say the same thing, and yet they were wrong! why?
• This is an orthodox view and a theological  concept -- "imminence of Christ"
• How does the idea of imminence fit with the  Author's purpose so far?
• In order to be willing to suffer, we have to believe that somehow it is  worth it
• We have to believe that we are strangers and foreigners in this world (else we would feel cheated)
• We have to believe that this world is not our reward
• "Clear-minded... self-controlled" KJV says  "serious"- what is the point here?
• The ASV, by putting a comma after the first verb, keeps the two commands as distinct duties: (1) They must maintain a personal disposition of balance and self-control as they face life, and (2) they must be alert in mind and attitude so that they can pray. Dallas Theological Seminary. (1982; 2002). Bibliotheca Sacra Volume 139 (139:246).
• The phrase, “for the purpose of prayer” (εἰς προσευχάς, “unto, with a view to prayer”) implies that prayer is a normal and expected activity of the Christian life, but it is easy to become distracted and unfitted for its performance. “Prayer” is a general term and includes prayer in all its aspects. Dallas Theological Seminary. (1982; 2002). Bibliotheca Sacra Volume 139 (139:246).
• The author now gives two basic communed commends,  what are they?
1. Mutual love
2. Mutual service
• How does this all fit with the idea of suffering  and that the end is near ?
• We need each other. The body is  a community of believers. If we are  to survive, we need each other
• It is too easy to get sidetracked into disputes between brothers and sisters. Mutual love can cover a multitude of sins
• There is an important truth stated in  regards to spiritual gifts, what is it? 
• We each have been given a gift  (1 Cor 12:7; Rom 12:6)
• We are not just a gaggle that gather together for mutual support. We have unique gifts which are essential to our witness and our ability to survive the onslaught in a world that deeply hates our worldview
• Peter generally places the gifts in two  broad categories, speaking and serving.
• You could also say "out-front" and  behind the scenes"
• In God's minds, these qualities are  equally important, although in  our sinful minds, we place more  importance on the "out - front" gifts


1 Peter 4:12–16 (ESV) — 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.


• This passage, verses 12-19, is a summary of the entire letter. What points is Peter making?
• "Don't be surprised at the fiery trial." Why?
• The world hates what we believe
• The world is ignorant and foolish and our lives are a threat to their way of life
• "Rejoice that you are sharing in Christ's suffering." Why?
• He did not deserve it
• His life was a perfect witness of the Father to the world
• "If you are insulted, you are blessed …" Why?
• You are being the witness that God has cause you to be
• You are not living as if this world was your home, but you are living as a stranger and foreigner
• "Don't suffer as a … evildoer." Why?
• Your witness is critical. That is why we are here. This is not our reward
• Peter differentiates suffering though in  two classes, what are they?
1. Suffering you deserve
2. Suffering you don't deserve,  which is not necessarily in the name of Christ!!
• Suffer as a Christian, not because you are a Christian
• This is key for me, because I  always have wondered if I  really suffered since it was  not apparently related to the  gospel (Job's was not apparent either)


1 Peter 4:17–19 (ESV) — 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.


• Two groups of people are mentioned in these verses about suffering. Who are the two groups?
• In a sense, the whole world is being judge, believers and unbelievers
• Yes, Jesus paid for our sins completely, but there is still a judgment on the world that even the OT verse alludes
• There is also a great throne judgment for the believer and unbeliever, for believers it is a judgment on how we lived our Christian life
• This judgment on earthly may be related -- how do we respond to suffering? How do we reflect Jesus on earth
• The KEY is that our judgment is very LIGHT compared to the what the ungodly will undergo


APPLICATION: Brainstorm how we apply this passage …