OHBC Bible Study: 1 Peter 4:1-11

Throughout the New Testament, we read of the changed life that follows genuine conversion. When God forgives us of our sins, Christ’s righteousness is credited to our account, and the Holy Spirit takes up residence in our hearts; then old things pass away and all things become new (2 Cor 5:17). The lifelong process of becoming more like Christ begins. In 1 Peter 4:1-11, Peter reminds us that because of our citizenship in heaven, the world is not our home, and we become ambassadors of God’s kingdom. Moreover, like foreign tourists visiting another country, we may be the only way people get a picture of what God’s kingdom is like. As a result, the unbelieving world will either be drawn to or repelled by God’s grace and mercy.

Bible Study Outline:

I. Living with the Promise in View (1 Peter 4:1-6)

A. With the logical conjunction “therefore,” Paul says in essence, “Now, in light of everything just said about Christ, I [Peter] will provide believers with practical conclusions.”

B. Considering this newfound relationship with Christ, Peter urges his readers to “arm yourselves with the same way of thinking” (v. 1b).  In other words, believers should arm themselves with the mind of Christ.

C. Verses 1-6 provide six reminders of our newness in Christ that will help to arm us against an unbelieving world. Generally speaking, verses 1-3 focus on Christian behavior, and verses 4-6 on pagan response. 

1. We are no longer slaves to sin (v. 1c).
2. We do not spend our days pursuing the passions of the flesh (v. 2a). 
3. We desire to seek the will of God (v. 2b). 
4. We leave behind godless living (v. 3). 
5. We must bear the strange look of the world (vv. 4-5).
6. We must follow the example of believers who have gone before us (v. 6).

D. Our transformed life speaks without words when we live our Christian life before an un-Christian world. Verses 1-6 strongly encourage us to endure suffering. Christ has assured our ultimate victory amid an ungodly world.

II. The Importance of Mutual Love in End-Times Living (1 Peter 4:7-11)

A. When we know time is short, two otherwise neglected principles suddenly emerge: urgency and simplicity. Peter introduces this mode of end-times urgency and simplicity with the phrase “The end of all things is at hand” (1 Pet 1:7). Peter pictures Christ sitting at the right hand of God, awaiting the appointed time of His return.

B. What else should we do while we await Christ’s return? Peter encourages the household of faith to express sincere love for each other (1 Peter 4:8-11).

1. Christian love should be “fervent” (v. 8a). 
2. Christian love should be “forgiving” (8b).
3. Christian love should be “hospitable” (v. 9). 
4. Christian love should be “profitable” (vv. 10-11).

C. In verse 11, Peter gives two examples of “profitable” service by selecting two gifts from a broad list—a speaking gift and a serving gift. His point is that we should treat our giftedness as a unique responsibility and honor, relying on God’s strength and never forgetting that the message we proclaim is His message, not ours.

Conclusion:

In summary, our hopeful expectation in Christ’s return should motivate Christians to maintain a spirit of prayer (v. 7), stay fervent in love for one another (v. 8), be hospitable to one another (v. 9), and serve the Lord and the church with our spiritual gifts (vv. 10-11). These four commands answer Peter’s question, “What should we be doing in light of the any-moment return of Christ?”