1. The apostle Peter wrote two of the New Testament "epistles" [letters]. 2. In his first letter,: a. Peter addressed a number of responsibilities that God has given to Christians b. Peter showed how Christians must fulfill these responsibilities, even when doing so results in persecution from unbelievers c. Peter emphasized how Christ suffered for doing the Father's will. 3. This lesson is a study of the information presented in 1 Peter 4:1-6. 4. In these verses Peter discussed the fact that Christians are to be armed with the same mind as Christ. Discussion:
I. (vs.1-2) PETER GAVE THIS ADMONITION: "ARM YOURSELVES LIKEWISE WITH THE SAME MIND"
A. (vs.1a) Peter was teaching Christians to be armed with the same mind as Christ who "suffered for us in the flesh." 1. The Lord's suffering was mentioned earlier in: a. 2:21-24 b. 3:18. 2. According to Hebrews 5:8-9, Christ was "made perfect" through the things He suffered. B. (vs.1b-2) A Christian who suffers for doing the Lord's will has learned how to rise above sin. 1. He no longer lives for the purpose of fulfilling his earthly desires. 2. Rather, he lives to do the will of God. C. Developing the mind of Christ is also taught in Philippians 2:5-9. II. (vs.3-5) PETER SHOWED HOW THOSE WHO ARE ARMED WITH THE SAME MIND AS CHRIST MAY BE MISTREATED BY UNBELIEVERS
A. Christians who have armed themselves with the same mind as Christ no longer walk in the activities listed in vs.3 (1:13-14). B. Vs.4 shows how unbelievers may speak evil of Christians who do not live as they do. C. We learn from vs.5 that such people will give account to God (2 Thessalonians 1:3-9). III. (vs.6) PETER ILLUSTRATED THESE PRINCIPLES
A. The "dead" Peter mentioned were deceased when he wrote this letter. B. The Gospel had been preached to them when they were alive. C. They had been "judged according to men in the flesh." D. However, they lived "according to God in the spirit." IV. BIBLE CHARACTERS WHO WERE ARMED WITH THE SAME MIND AS CHRIST
A. Peter and John (Acts 4:1-3, 18-23, 31) B. The apostles (Acts 5:17-20, 25-29, 40-42) C. Stephen (Acts 6:9-15; 7:57-60) D. Early Christians (Acts 8:1-4) E. James (Acts 12:1-2) F. Peter (Acts 12:3-5) G. Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:49-52)
