07-03-2022 The Will of God (1 Peter 4:1-19)

The Will of God 1 Peter 4:1-19 1 Peter 3:17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. Peter has urged us to live by God's will, but what does it mean to live by God's will? 1 Peter 4:1-11 Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same understanding—because the one who suffers in the flesh is finished with sin— 2 in order to live the remaining time in the flesh no longer for human desires, but for God’s will. 3 For there has already been enough time spent in doing what the Gentiles choose to do: carrying on in unrestrained behavior, evil desires, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and lawless idolatry. 4 They are surprised that you don’t join them in the same flood of wild living—and they slander you. 5 They will give an account to the one who stands ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this reason the gospel was also preached to those who are now dead, so that, although they might be judged in the flesh according to human standards, they might live in the spirit according to God’s standards. 7 The end of all things is near; therefore, be alert and sober-minded for prayer. 8 Above all, maintain constant love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Be hospitable to one another without complaining. 10 Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let it be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, let it be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. What does it mean to live by God's will? What is it to live by the will of God? Living by the will of God means to be done with the former life. Living by the will of God involves several specific patterns of behavior. A disciplined prayer life (vs. 7) A turning to one another in constant mutual love (vs. 8) Practice hospitality without complaining (vs. 9) Living by the will of God means using the gifts God has given you in service to the common good (vs. 10-11). The fundamental sign of the Spirit in Acts is people being asked to do what they don't want to do. Acts 10:11-16 11 He saw heaven opened and an object that resembled a large sheet coming down, being lowered by its four corners to the earth. 12 In it were all the four-footed animals and reptiles of the earth, and the birds of the sky. 13 A voice said to him, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat.” 14 “No, Lord!” Peter said. “For I have never eaten anything impure and ritually unclean.” 15 Again, a second time, the voice said to him, “What God has made clean, do not call impure.” 16 This happened three times, and suddenly the object was taken up into heaven. Acts 10:45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were amazed because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.