(1
Peter 4:1-6)
“Forasmuch
then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with
the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2That he
no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of
men, but to the will of God. 3For the
time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought
the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of
wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: 4Wherein
they think it strange that ye run not with themto the
same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: 5Who shall
give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.6For for
this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might
be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the
spirit.”
**The
militant Christian is to be….
1. Armed
with the Mind of Christ
A. Which
is a mind willing to suffer..
-This is the attitude Peter wants
us to have
-Which was the attitude of Christ
himself
(1 Peter 2:21-23)
“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps, who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when we was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.”
B. Two
reasons we should be willing to suffer…
1. Since
Christ suffered for us, he died for us, that we might live for righteousness
(1 Peter 2:24)
“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree,
that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes
ye were healed.”
2. He
who suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin
a. One
who endures hardship for Christ is not likely to allow sin to have dominance in
his or her life.
b. One
who has embraced the mind of Christ, and whose life is so influenced by him
that he suffers persecution is not in danger of succumbing to the weaker
temptations of the flesh. To such an individual these allurements lose their
appeal. Martyrs, in the hour of persecution and death, do not toy with
temptation or surrender to the seductions of the world.
-Militant in His struggle against
sin
a. Here is where the major battle
is to be fought…
1. There is a battle between one’s
soul and fleshly lusts
2. Unless we first win the battle
for our own soul, we are not likely to be of much help in winning the souls of
others.
---Therefore we need to remove the
plank out of our own eye first…
(Matthew 7:3-5)
“And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's
eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull
out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in
thine own eye? 5Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of
thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy
brother's eye.”
--Only by first being “spiritual”
ourselves are we prepared to help others.
(Galatians 6:1)
“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are
spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself,
lest thou also be tempted.”
B.Motivation for this struggle
against sin..
1. We have wasted enough of our
lifetime doing what is called “The will of the Gentiles”
a. What Paul speaks of in
(Galatians 5:19-21)
“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness,
lasciviousness, 20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance,
emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and
such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in
time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
2.Now it is time to live out the
rest of our life for “the will of God”
**As we think of ourselves “standing
strong for the faith and fighting the good fight of faith, let’s not forget
that the battle begins with ourselves.
-When the Militant Christian is
living out the rest of their life for the will of God, we need to be prepared
for the fact that we will…
***Likely to be Maligned***
A. Our
former companions will think us strange…
-because we no longer follow them
in their sin
-unable to persuad us from our new
course, they may resort to speak evil of you
-Some young Christians are troubled
by this peer pressure.
B.But when Maligned..
-We have reason to rejoice
(1 Peter 4:13-14)
“But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's
sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with
exceeding joy. 14If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon
you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.”
-Our response is to be one of love
and honourable conduct.
(1 Peter 2:12)
“Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that,
whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good
works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.”
**The Militant Christian is willing
to let God be the judge**
-We must remember who is the
Judge..
a.God is the judge of those who are
outside
b.They will have to give an account
to Him who is ready to judge..
(1 Peter 4:5)
“Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the
quick and the dead.”
-We must therefore be willing to
let God be the judge…
-Leave vengeance to Him
(Romans 12:19)
“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give
place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine;
I will repay, saith the Lord.”
-God will apply the justice when
necessary, we are called upon to offer His mercy until then…
1. Through the preaching of the
gospel
2.Through living lives of kindness
and mercy
(Romans 12:20-21)
“Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst,
give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with
good.”
*Conclusion:
-There is a place, then, for “militancy”
in the life of the Christian!
-But it is to be found in the way
we arm ourselves with the mind of Christ…
a. Fighting the spiritual warfare
that wages within
b. ‘Militant’ in our efforts to
live the godly life, do good and showing mercy.
Are you fighting the good fight of
faith? Are you even in the Lord’s army?
(1 Timothy 6:12)
“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life,
whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before
many witnesses.”
**If you would like to give your heart to Jesus today, repeat these words below:
'Dear Heavenly Father,i come to in the name of Jesus; Forgive me a sinner and wash me in your precious blood. Make this heart of stone to be made flesh, so that your word may be sown in it. Any addictions that i may have, remove them now in Jesus name! I've accepted Jesus Christ as my savior and believe that He died and rose from the dead! And from this day forward, i commit my life to you and seek for guidance and understanding in your word, as i walk in your path of righteousness, In Jesus name i pray, AMEN!!!'
If you have recited these words and meant them in your heart, you are saved and if the Lord would come today, you will be ready to go to Heaven!! I will keep you all in prayer, to continue to walk in the ways of Jesus Christ our Lord. READ, PRAY, SEEK and TRUST in Him and you will overcome this wicked world! **
I have also provided a link to the Full Gospel Holiness Church below, where you will find sermons from the word of God (no comprising to sin) but the Full truth to the Word of God! You can also view our contact information to email us or call us for prayer. May God bless you!
http://www.fghconline.com/
