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Trial

Trial

Part 13: Suffering to Serve

1 Pt. 4:1-11

Pastor Mark Driscoll 01hr:15mn Viewed 37,423 times in about 3 years

It’s much easier to recognize the idols of other cultures than our own. We recognize that we shouldn’t give our time, treasure, and talent to a wooden statue- but we fail to see that we may worship sex, money, power, or comfort.

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TEXT: 1 Peter 4:1 – 11
PREACHER: Pastor Mark Driscoll
DATE: April 19, 2009
God uses suffering for good and wants us to use our suffering to serve others. When you suffer…
h3. Don’t Go into Yourself; Go Out to Jesus (1 Pet. 4:1 – 2)

Jesus is our substitute; he suffered in our place.
Jesus is our example; he shows us how to endure suffering and serve others with it.

Go Out to New Life (1 Pet. 4:3 – 6)
When hardship comes, we are tempted to go back to our old way of life. Suffering must not be an occasion to worship false gods (idols) and embrace sin. Identify your idols (1 Pet. 4:3):

Sensuality – Where do you lack restraint?
Passion – What evil desires dominate you?
Drunkenness – Where are you prone to addiction?
Orgies – What sexual sin entices you?
Drinking parties – What social sins tempt you?
Debauchery – What grotesque things are you fond of?
Maligning – Who do you enjoy hurting?

Destroy false gods by replacing them with the worship of God in Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit.
h3. Go Out to Community (1 Pet. 4:7 – 9)
When we suffer, we are tempted to retreat from others. Instead, we need to go deeper into community to grow in love for God and others.

To the emotional: keep your head
To the independent: pray
To the impatient: keep loving one another
To the discerning: cover the sinner in love
To the loners: show hospitality
To the complainers: stop grumbling

Go Out to Ministry (1 Pet. 4:10 – 11)
Everyone is a steward (including those who are suffering). God equips stewards in two general ways:
*1. Words – * counseling, leading, teaching, preaching, singing, writing, encouraging
*2. Works – * physical labor, financial giving, hospitality
h3. Go Out to Worship (1 Pet. 4:11)
Everyone everywhere is worshiping at every moment, becoming more and more like a false god or more and more like the true God. Repent of idols, worship Jesus, and reflect his glory. Suffering is a great occasion to reflect God’s glory.

1 Peter 4:1-11

4:1 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. 3 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. 4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; 5 but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.

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 Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Quotation information.

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