The document discusses 1 Peter 4:1-11, which encourages Christians to arm themselves with resolve as Christ suffered, to live for God's will rather than human desires, and to keep their love for one another strong as love covers sins. It provides background context from other biblical passages on suffering for Christ, living in the spiritual realm through faith, and the imminent return of Christ. The closing section exhorts readers to pray, stay alert against Satan, and minister to fellow believers.

1. 1 Peter 4:1-5
Serving One Another

2. 1 Peter 4:1-11
What do you have to give up in this culture
because of your faith?

3. 1 Peter 4:1-11
Peter is burdened for these suffering
believers and writes First and Second Peter.

4. 1 Peter 4:1-11
In his first epistle Peter addresses the
subjects of the believer’s salvation,
sanctification, Christian behavior, witness,
and conduct.

5. 1 Peter 4:1-11
Peter reminds his readers that in spite of
how evil the world system may become
God’s children must be responsive to their
civic responsibilities and have exemplary
conduct in the Christian home.

6. 1 Peter 4:1-11
In today’s text, the apostle exhorts
believers to faithful witness that may
involve suffering for Christ but reminded
his readers that it brings eternal glory as
well.

7. 1 Peter 4:1 (HCSB)
1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in the
flesh, arm yourselves also with the same
resolve—because the One who suffered in
the flesh has finished with sin —

8. 1 Peter 4:1 (HCSB)
1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in the
flesh, arm yourselves also with the same
resolve—because the One who suffered in
the flesh has finished with sin —

9. 1 Peter 2:21 (HCSB)
21 For you were called to this, because
Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an
example, so that you should follow in His
steps.

10. 1 Peter 4:1 (HCSB)
1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in the
flesh, arm yourselves also with the same
resolve—because the One who suffered in
the flesh has finished with sin —

11. 1 Peter 3:18 (HCSB)
18 For Christ also suffered for sins once for
all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that
He might bring you to God, after being put
to death in the fleshly realm but made
alive in the spiritual realm.

12. 1 Peter 2:23 (HCSB)
23 when reviled, He did not revile in return;
when suffering, He did not threaten, but
committed Himself to the One who judges
justly.

13. 1 Peter 4:1 (HCSB)
1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in the
flesh, arm yourselves also with the same
resolve—because the One who suffered in
the flesh has finished with sin —

14. Romans 13:12 (HCSB)
12 The night is nearly over, and the daylight
is near, so let us discard the deeds of
darkness and put on the armor of light.

15. 1 Thessalonians 5:8 (HCSB)
8 But since we are of the day, we must be
sober and put the armor of faith and love
on our chests, and put on a helmet of the
hope of salvation.

16. Ephesians 6:10-11 (HCSB)
10 Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and
by His vast strength.
11 Put on the full armor of God so that you
can stand against the tactics of the Devil.

17. 1 Peter 4:1 (HCSB)
1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in the
flesh, arm yourselves also with the same
resolve—because the One who suffered in
the flesh has finished with sin —

18. Philippians 1:29 (HCSB)
29 For it has been given to you on Christ’s
behalf not only to believe in Him, but also
to suffer for Him,

19. 2 Timothy 3:12 (HCSB)
12 In fact, all those who want to live a godly
life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

20. 1 Peter 4:1 (HCSB)
1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in the
flesh, arm yourselves also with the same
resolve—because the One who suffered in
the flesh has finished with sin —

21. Romans 6:6 (HCSB)
6 For we know that our old self was
crucified with Him in order that sin’s
dominion over the body may be abolished,
so that we may no longer be enslaved to
sin,

22. Colossians 2:12 (HCSB)
12 Having been buried with Him in baptism,
you were also raised with Him through
faith in the working of God, who raised
Him from the dead.

23. Romans 6:10 (HCSB)
10 For in that He died, He died to sin once
for all; but in that He lives, He lives to God.

24. 1 Peter 4:2 (HCSB)
2 in order to live the remaining time in the
flesh, no longer for human desires, but for
God’s will.

25. Romans 6:11 (HCSB)
11 So, you too consider yourselves dead to
sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

26. Romans 12:2 (HCSB)
2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind,
so that you may discern what is the good,
pleasing, and perfect will of God.

27. 1 Peter 4:3 (HCSB)
3 For there has already been enough time spent
in doing the will of the pagans: carrying on in
unrestrained behavior, evil desires,
drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and lawless
idolatry.

28. 1 Peter 2:15 (HCSB)
15 For it is God’s will that you, by doing
good, silence the ignorance of foolish
people.

29. Romans 13:13 (HCSB)
13 Let us walk with decency, as in the
daylight: not in carousing and drunkenness;
not in sexual impurity and promiscuity; not
in quarreling and jealousy.

30. 1 Peter 4:4 (HCSB)
4 In regard to this, they are surprised that you
don’t plunge with them into the same flood of
dissipation—and they slander you.

31. 1 Peter 2:12 (HCSB)
12 Conduct yourselves honorably among
the Gentiles, so that in a case where they
speak against you as those who do evil,
they may, by observing your good works,
glorify God in a day of visitation.

32. 1 Peter 3:16 (HCSB)
16 However, do this with gentleness and
respect, keeping your conscience clear, so
that when you are accused, those who
denounce your Christian life will be put to
shame.

33. 1 Peter 4:5 (HCSB)
They will give an account to the One who
stands ready to judge the living and the dead.

34. Hebrews 9:27 (HCSB)
27 And just as it is appointed for people to
die once—and after this, judgment—

35. Matthew 12:36 (HCSB)
36 I tell you that on the day of judgment
people will have to account for every
careless word they speak.

36. Romans 2:16 (HCSB)
16 on the day when God judges what
people have kept secret, according to my
gospel through Christ Jesus.

37. 1 Peter 4:6 (HCSB)
6 For this reason the gospel was also
preached to [those who are now] dead, so
that, although they might be judged by
men in the fleshly realm, they might live by
God in the spiritual realm.

38. John 5:25 (HCSB)
25 “I assure you: An hour is coming, and is
now here, when the dead will hear the
voice of the Son of God, and those who
hear will live.

39. Ephesians 5:14 (HCSB)
14 for what makes everything clear is light.
Therefore it is said: Get up, sleeper, and
rise up from the dead, and the Messiah will
shine on you.

40. 1 Peter 4:6 (HCSB)
6 For this reason the gospel was also
preached to [those who are now] dead, so
that, although they might be judged by
men in the fleshly realm, they might live by
God in the spiritual realm.

41. 1 Peter 3:18 (HCSB)
18 For Christ also suffered for sins once for
all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that
He might bring you to God, after being put
to death in the fleshly realm but made
alive in the spiritual realm.

42. John 5:29 (HCSB)
29 and come out—those who have done
good things, to the resurrection of life, but
those who have done wicked things, to the
resurrection of judgment.

43. 1 Peter 4:7 (HCSB)
7 Now the end of all things is near;
therefore, be clear-headed and disciplined
for prayer.

44. 2 Peter 3:10 (HCSB)
10 But the Day of the Lord will come like a
thief; on that [day] the heavens will pass
away with a loud noise, the elements will
burn and be dissolved, and the earth and
the works on it will be disclosed.

45. 1 Peter 4:7 (HCSB)
7 Now the end of all things is near;
therefore, be clear-headed and
disciplined for prayer.

46. 1 Peter 5:8 (HCSB)
8 Be sober! Be on the alert! Your adversary
the Devil is prowling around like a roaring
lion, looking for anyone he can devour.

47. Matthew 26:40 (HCSB)
40 Then He came to the disciples and found
them sleeping. He asked Peter, “So,
couldn’t you stay awake with Me one
hour?

48. 2 Timothy 1:7 (HCSB)
7 For God has not given us a spirit of
fearfulness, but one of power, love, and
sound judgment.

49. James 5:16 (HCSB)
16 Therefore, confess your sins to one
another and pray for one another, so that
you may be healed. The intense prayer of
the righteous is very powerful.

50. 1 Peter 4:8 (HCSB)
8 Above all, keep your love for one
another at full strength, since love
covers a multitude of sins.

51. 1 Peter 1:22 (HCSB)
22 By obedience to the truth, having
purified yourselves for sincere love of the
brothers, love one another earnestly from
a pure heart,

52. 1 Peter 3:8 (HCSB)
8 Now finally, all of you should be like-
minded and sympathetic, should love
believers, and be compassionate and
humble,

53. 1 Peter 4:8 (HCSB)
8 Above all, keep your love for one
another at full strength, since love
covers a multitude of sins.

54. Proverbs 10:12 (HCSB)
12 Hatred stirs up conflicts, but love covers
all offenses.

55. James 5:20 (HCSB)
20 he should know that whoever turns a
sinner from the error of his way will save
his life from death and cover a multitude of
sins.

56. Application
First, take a moment a think about
“the time past of your life” and how
gracious and good God has been to
save you and make you one of His
servants.

57. Application
Second, ask the Lord to help you
understand that suffering and even
death is part of the Christian life.

58. Application
Third, depend upon God’s strength to
help you minister to your brothers
and sisters in Christ.

59. Application
And fourth, give the Lord the praise
and glory for every opportunity you
have been given and now have to
serve Him and the body of Christ.

60. Blessing
May the hand of the Lord be upon you (1 Kings
18:46, KJV).
May the Word of the Lord be with you (2 Kings
3:12, KJV).