Embracing Suffering: Living Out Our True New Nature

Devotional

Day 1: Living Out of Our True Nature in Christ

Through Christ’s suffering, believers are called to arm themselves with the same resolve, choosing to live not for human passions but for the will of God. This means recognizing that our old, alienated ways—living for indulgence, numbing pain, or seeking acceptance by conforming to the world—are now in the past. In Christ, we have been brought near to God, given a new nature, and empowered to resist the pull of our “second nature.” Even when suffering tempts us to return to old habits, we are invited to embrace the way of Jesus, trusting that suffering for righteousness’ sake is the path to true life and restoration. [37:49]

1 Peter 4:1-3 (ESV)
"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, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. 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."

Reflection: In what area of your life are you most tempted to return to old patterns when you are suffering, and what would it look like to “arm yourself” with Christ’s resolve in that area today?

Day 2: The Hope of Resurrection Overcoming Alienation and Death

Even though suffering and death are realities in this world, the gospel proclaims that Jesus’ victory extends beyond sin and alienation—even over death itself. Because Christ suffered, died, and was raised, those who trust in him are promised resurrection life. This hope reframes our present suffering and alienation, reminding us that death is not the end, and that God’s Spirit enables us to live now in a new way, anticipating the fullness of life to come. [47:40]

1 Peter 4:6 (ESV)
"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."

Reflection: How does the promise of resurrection change the way you face suffering or alienation today?

Day 3: Clear-Minded Prayer in the Midst of Suffering

In times of trial, it is easy to let our minds become clouded by pain, fear, or the desire to numb ourselves. Yet, Peter calls us to be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of our prayers. When we are clear-headed, we are able to see reality from God’s perspective, bringing our desperation and need to him rather than turning to self-indulgence or withdrawal. Prayer becomes the lifeline that connects us to our true identity and God’s sustaining grace, especially when suffering tempts us to give up or grow cold. [51:09]

1 Peter 4:7 (ESV)
"The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers."

Reflection: When you are tempted to numb your pain or withdraw, what would it look like to pause and pray instead, asking God for clarity and strength?

Day 4: Love That Covers and Restores Community

Peter exhorts believers to keep loving one another earnestly, because love covers a multitude of sins. In seasons of stress, suffering, or alienation, it is easy for love to grow cold and for wrongs to provoke further distance. Yet, persistent, steadfast love breaks the cycle of alienation, forbearingly covering wrongs and restoring unity. This kind of love is not about emotional intensity but about choosing to act for the good of others, even when it is costly or vulnerable. [55:10]

1 Peter 4:8 (ESV)
"Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins."

Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience your forbearance and steadfast love today, and how can you take a concrete step to cover rather than expose their faults?

Day 5: Practicing Gracious Hospitality and Serving with God’s Strength

Living out our new nature means making room for others—practicing hospitality without grumbling and using our gifts to serve one another as good stewards of God’s grace. True hospitality and service often involve loss, inconvenience, or vulnerability, but they are ways we embody Christ’s welcome and generosity. When we serve and host in God’s strength, the focus shifts from ourselves to God’s glory, and our community becomes a living display of his grace, inviting others out of alienation and into belonging. [59:50]

1 Peter 4:9-11 (ESV)
"Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 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."

Reflection: What is one specific way you can open your home, your time, or your resources to someone this week, practicing hospitality or service even if it costs you something?

Sermon Summary

Alienation is a universal human experience—alienation from ourselves, from one another, and from God. We often find ourselves doing the very things we wish we wouldn’t, feeling alone even in a crowded room, or hiding from God in shame. This sense of separation is not our true nature, but a “second nature” we’ve learned in a world marked by sin and brokenness. Yet, in Christ, we are offered something radically different: a restored, “third nature,” a return to our truest selves as God intended.

Jesus suffered in the flesh to bring us back to God, to put us back together, and to break the cycle of alienation. His suffering was not just an example, but a victory over the powers of sin, death, and judgment. Because of his work, we are no longer outsiders, no longer defined by our alienating past or our old patterns of numbing pain and seeking comfort in lesser things. Instead, we are invited to arm ourselves with the same resolve as Jesus—to embrace suffering, not as an end, but as a way to participate in his life and victory.

Suffering tempts us to retreat, to indulge, to numb, or to compromise. But Peter calls us to a different response: to be clear-minded and sober, to pray, to love earnestly, to show hospitality without grumbling, and to use our gifts to serve others. These are not just moral imperatives, but invitations to live out of the new nature Christ has given us. Prayer becomes our lifeline, especially when suffering clouds our minds and tempts us to alienation. Love, especially in times of trial, is persistent and covers wrongs, breaking the spiral of hurt and isolation. Hospitality, even when it costs us, is a way of making room for others as Christ has made room for us. And serving with the strength God supplies ensures that all glory goes to him, not to ourselves.

All of this is possible because Jesus has gone before us. He was clear-minded on the way to the cross, loved us to the end, made room for us at his table, and served us even to the point of death. In him, we are invited to live differently—to embrace the little sufferings of love, hospitality, and service, and so to experience the beauty and goodness of God’s reign of life.

Key Takeaways

1. Embrace Suffering as a Path to Restoration Choosing to suffer rather than numb or avoid pain is not self-punishment, but a way to access the new life Christ has won for us. Suffering, when received in faith, breaks the power of sin and alienation, and draws us into deeper dependence on God. It is through suffering that we are shaped into our true selves, restored to communion with God and others. [37:01]
2. Persistent Love Breaks the Cycle of Alienation Earnest, steadfast love—especially in times of trial—covers wrongs and prevents the spiral of hurt and isolation from continuing. This love is not mere emotion, but a deliberate, vulnerable choice to forbear and forgive, even when we have been wounded. In loving this way, we mirror Christ’s love for us and create space for reconciliation and unity. [55:10]
3. Hospitality as a Costly Invitation True hospitality is not about perfection or abundance, but about making room for others, even when it costs us. Opening our homes and lives to others inevitably leads to loss and inconvenience, but it is a tangible way to embody Christ’s welcome. When we practice hospitality without grumbling, we participate in God’s work of drawing people near and breaking down barriers of alienation. [58:12]
4. Serve with God’s Strength, Not Your Own Using our gifts to serve others is not about self-fulfillment or recognition, but about stewarding God’s grace for the good of the community. When we serve in the strength God supplies, the focus shifts from ourselves to God’s glory, and our acts of service become means by which others experience his grace and presence. [60:14]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[27:16] - Preparing to Receive God’s Word
[28:02] - Reading from 1 Peter
[29:45] - Peter’s Call Amid Suffering
[30:41] - The Problem of Alienation
[31:21] - Alienation from Ourselves
[33:14] - Alienation from One Another
[34:56] - Alienation from God
[35:52] - Christ’s Suffering and Our Restoration
[37:01] - Arming Ourselves with Christ’s Resolve
[39:19] - The Temptation to Numb Suffering
[41:45] - Suffering as Access to New Nature
[43:12] - Being Maligned for Faith
[47:20] - Christ’s Victory Over Death
[50:07] - Living in the Last Chapter
[51:09] - Clear-Mindedness and Prayer
[54:37] - Persistent Love in Trial
[57:33] - Gracious, Scruffy Hospitality
[59:50] - Serving as Stewards of Grace
[62:38] - Jesus as Our Model and Host
[63:55] - Invitation to Live Differently
[64:56] - Closing Prayer and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 Peter 4:1-11 (ESV) —
> 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, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. 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. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 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.

> The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 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.

Observation Questions

According to Peter, what is the purpose of Christ’s suffering in the flesh? ([35:52])
What are some of the old patterns or behaviors Peter says belong to the “alienating past”? ([38:34])
What specific practices does Peter call believers to embrace instead of numbing or avoiding suffering? ([51:09])
How does Peter describe the way love should function within the community, especially during times of trial? ([54:37])

Interpretation Questions

The sermon describes “alienation” as a universal human experience. In what ways does Peter connect suffering with the process of restoration and becoming our “truest selves”? ([41:45])
Why might Peter emphasize being “clear-minded and sober-minded” as a response to suffering, rather than simply telling people to avoid sin? ([51:09])
The sermon says that “persistent love breaks the cycle of alienation.” What does it mean for love to “cover a multitude of sins,” and how does this challenge the way we usually respond when we’re hurt? ([55:10])
How does the idea of hospitality as a “costly invitation” reshape our understanding of what it means to welcome others, especially when it leads to inconvenience or loss? ([58:12])

Application Questions

The sermon talks about how suffering tempts us to numb, retreat, or compromise. When you face pain or discomfort, what is your usual “second nature” response? Is there a specific area where you tend to avoid or numb rather than face suffering with Christ’s resolve? ([40:13])
Peter calls us to be “clear-minded and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.” When you’re stressed or suffering, how does it affect your prayer life? What would it look like for you to make prayer your “lifeline” in those moments? ([53:13])
Think of a relationship where you feel distant or hurt. What would it mean to practice “earnest, steadfast love” that covers wrongs, rather than withdrawing or holding a grudge? Is there a specific step you could take this week? ([55:10])
The sermon describes hospitality as “making room for others, even when it costs us.” What are some practical ways you could open your home or your life to someone this month, even if it’s inconvenient or messy? ([58:12])
Serving with the strength God supplies means the focus is on God’s glory, not our own. Are there ways you’ve been serving out of your own strength or for recognition? How might you shift your mindset to serve as a steward of God’s grace? ([01:00:14])
The sermon says that Jesus “made room for us at his table” and served us even to the point of death. How does remembering Jesus as your host and servant change the way you think about loving, welcoming, or serving others? ([01:03:07])
The idea of “embracing the little sufferings of love, hospitality, and service” is central to this passage. What is one “little suffering” you could choose to embrace this week as a way to participate in Christ’s life and victory? ([01:04:22])

Sermon Clips

It is not good for man to be alone, right? Like, Adam sees all of creation. There's not another like him. God creates woman, and poetry comes out of his mouth. Bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh. And this is the most true thing for us. It is our first nature. That we were not meant to be alone, and God creates another. And this isn't just about marriage. It's about another human being to share life in this world. We were never meant to be alone. That's the most true thing about us. [00:33:13] (29 seconds) #CreatedForConnection

But we can be in this very room with all of these people in it. And we can feel very alone. We can do this to ourselves, even in this place. We can come in, and we just don't feel like talking to anyone. We just don't feel like being here, maybe. We want connection and friendship, but we choose to withdraw to the edges of this room. We loathe the passing of the peace, because we have to talk to people. Or maybe we don't loathe it. We dance around like fireflies during the passing of the peace, but we don't ever really land. Fine is our favorite answer. We feel this alienation. [00:34:08] (43 seconds) #LonelyInCrowds

Christ Jesus suffered to bring us to God. To, in other words, put us back together again. Again, Jim called it this third nature to return to our true self before the fall. Where we don't cut seat belts, and don't know why. And where we don't eat the thing in bed right before we go to sleep. Where we don't run and hide during the passing of the peace. We stop trying to cover ourselves up. This is why Jesus suffered in our place, was our substitute. And for this, God vindicated him. [00:36:07] (32 seconds) #JesusRestoresTrueSelf

But here, that second nature, for it to be second nature, there had to be a first nature that was more true, more real. Jesus suffered in the flesh to bring us back to God. To give us a third nature, a different way of being. But Peter seems to say, access to this third nature, this redeemed first nature, to have access to it, what does he say? We need to suffer. Because to choose to suffer, Peter says, instead of acting out of what is second nature to us, seems kind of crazy. [00:41:40] (35 seconds) #SufferingLeadsToNewNature

We suffer now. We feel alienated by this suffering. We respond to that suffering by choosing late night chips to numb our pain. We respond to our suffering by maligning back when we're maligned. But we don't have to. Jesus has bought you. He's brought you to God. He's conquered the sin that oppresses you. He's suffered so we can take up arms. And by taking up arms, I mean do the opposite, which is Peter's point. Take up arms by choosing to suffer. [00:45:27] (31 seconds) #ChooseSufferingNotRetaliation

Living in this final chapter, we should pray so we might, instead of choosing to live out of this second nature and alienation, that we might pray to live instead out of what the Spirit has implanted in us, a new nature like Jesus in our true selves. Prayer born of desperation. Suffering brings us to this place where we can avoid or numb. And instead, Peter says, be clear-minded so you can pray. Submitting to the reality seen from God's perspective. However evil this time may be, we need to see reality from God's perspective so we pray. [00:52:52] (40 seconds) #PrayThroughSuffering

How do we live the third nature? We are hospitable. Right? This is inviting someone in. It's making room. It's making dinner. It's hosting them in your home to stay with you. It can be scruffy hospitality. Like we're in the South. I've experienced like beautiful hospitality here in the South. But it doesn't have to be that. Like it can truly just be like a can of Coke and a bagged salad and rotisserie chicken from Costco. Like scruffy. The point is you're making room. You're opening yourself up to another. You're inviting someone in. [00:57:29] (50 seconds) #ScruffyHospitality

Serve in the strength God supplies. Now God is the end point here, right? When I preach to you, I stand up here and preach God's word. The end point is God. Not me. This morning, every morning, God alone gets glory. When you come here and you serve, the call Peter makes to you is serving God's strength so God gets the glory. [01:00:07] (27 seconds) #ServeWithGodsStrength

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