The transformation from unbeliever to believer is a profound reorientation of life. This change is not merely about adopting new beliefs but involves a complete shift in how one lives, aligning with God's will and moving away from past sins. The passage in 1 Peter 4:4 highlights the stark contrast between a life driven by sinful desires and a life committed to Christ. This transformation is a testament to the power of Christ to change lives, calling believers to live differently and reflect God's love and holiness in their daily actions. [02:28]
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age." (Titus 2:11-12, ESV)
Reflection: What specific area of your life needs reorientation to align more closely with God's will today?
Day 2: The Urgency of Leaving Sin Behind
The time spent in sin before conversion is considered sufficient, regardless of its length. This serves as a call to cease sinful behaviors and dedicate the rest of one's life to God's purposes. The urgency of repentance is underscored by the reality that continued indulgence in sin can harden the heart, making genuine change difficult. Believers are reminded that their time is limited and should be spent in pursuit of holiness, living for God's will rather than human passions. [03:09]
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, ESV)
Reflection: What is one sinful habit you need to leave behind today, and how can you take a step towards repentance?
Day 3: Recognizing the Destructive Nature of Sin
The sequence of sins listed in 1 Peter 4:4 illustrates a progression from bodily desires to idolatry. Understanding this sequence helps believers recognize the destructive nature of sin and the importance of breaking free from its bondage. Sinful behaviors, driven by bodily desires, lead to a life of bondage and ultimately idolatry. The call to transformation involves moving away from these destructive patterns and embracing a life that aligns with God's will. [06:19]
"Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry." (Colossians 3:5, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a pattern of sin in your life. What steps can you take today to break free from its hold?
Day 4: Embracing Misunderstanding for Christ
The transformation in a believer's life often surprises those who knew them before, leading to misunderstanding and even maligning. This is part of the Christian journey, as believers are called to live differently and bear witness to Christ's transformative power. Despite initial resistance or hostility, the new way of life can ultimately win others to Christ. Embracing this misunderstanding is part of living out one's faith authentically and courageously. [09:20]
"Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived." (2 Timothy 3:12-13, ESV)
Reflection: How can you respond with grace and love when faced with misunderstanding or hostility because of your faith?
Day 5: The Urgency of Repentance and Holiness
Delaying repentance can harden the heart, making genuine change difficult. The reality of judgment underscores the urgency of living for God's will, reminding believers that their time is limited and should be spent in pursuit of holiness. This transformation is not just about personal change but also about impacting others, as a life lived for God can be a powerful testimony to His grace and love. [05:10]
"Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:13, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to urgently pursue holiness, and how can you start today?
Sermon Summary
In 1 Peter 4:4, we delve into the profound transformation that occurs when unbelievers become Christians. This change is not merely a shift in belief but a radical reorientation of life. The passage contrasts the past life of sin with the new life in Christ, highlighting the costs and dynamics of this transformation. The time before conversion is described as sufficient for indulging in sinful desires, emphasizing that any time spent in sin is enough. This serves as a call to live the rest of our lives according to God's will, not human passions.
The list of sins in verse 4—sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry—illustrates the depth of the change. These behaviors represent a life driven by bodily desires, leading to bondage and ultimately idolatry. The transformation involves moving away from these destructive patterns and embracing a life that aligns with God's will. This change often surprises those who knew us before, leading to misunderstanding and even maligning. However, this is part of the Christian journey, as we are called to live differently and bear witness to the transformative power of Christ.
The passage also warns against the danger of delaying repentance, as continued indulgence in sin can harden the heart and make genuine repentance difficult. The urgency of living for God's will is underscored by the reality of judgment, reminding us that our time is limited and should be spent in pursuit of holiness. This transformation is not just about personal change but also about impacting others, as our new way of life can ultimately win others to Christ, despite initial resistance or hostility.
Key Takeaways
1. Transformation in Christ: The change from an unbeliever to a believer is profound, involving a complete reorientation of life. This transformation is not just about adopting new beliefs but living a life that reflects God's will, moving away from past sins. [02:28]
2. The Sufficiency of Past Sin: The time spent in sin before conversion is deemed sufficient, regardless of its length. This serves as a call to cease sinful behaviors and live the rest of our lives for God's purposes, highlighting the urgency of repentance. [03:09]
3. The Sequence of Sin: The list of sins in 1 Peter 4:4 illustrates a progression from bodily desires to idolatry. Understanding this sequence helps us recognize the destructive nature of sin and the importance of breaking free from its bondage. [06:19]
4. Surprise and Maligning: The transformation in a believer's life often surprises those who knew them before, leading to misunderstanding and maligning. This is part of the Christian journey, as we are called to live differently and bear witness to Christ's transformative power. [09:20]
5. Urgency of Repentance: Delaying repentance can harden the heart, making genuine change difficult. The reality of judgment underscores the urgency of living for God's will, reminding us that our time is limited and should be spent in pursuit of holiness. [05:10] ** [05:10]
What does 1 Peter 4:3-4 say about the behaviors that characterized the past life of sin? How are these behaviors described? [01:31]
According to the sermon, what is the significance of the phrase "the time that has passed is enough" in 1 Peter 4:3? [03:09]
How does the sermon describe the reaction of others when a believer no longer participates in sinful behaviors? [09:20]
Interpretation Questions:
What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between bodily desires and idolatry as described in 1 Peter 4:3-4? How does this progression impact a believer's life? [06:19]
How does the concept of "arming yourself with Christ's mindset" relate to the transformation described in 1 Peter 4:1-2? What does this mean for a believer's daily life? [08:36]
In what ways does the sermon highlight the urgency of repentance, and how does this urgency relate to the concept of judgment mentioned in 1 Peter 4:5? [05:10]
Application Questions:
Reflect on your own life before and after becoming a Christian. What specific changes have you noticed in your desires and behaviors? How do these changes align with the transformation described in 1 Peter 4:3-4? [02:28]
The sermon emphasizes the sufficiency of past sin. How can you apply this understanding to areas of your life where you might be tempted to return to old habits? [03:09]
Consider the list of sins in 1 Peter 4:3. Are there any areas in your life where you still struggle with these behaviors? What steps can you take to break free from these patterns? [06:19]
How do you respond when others are surprised or misunderstand your new way of living as a Christian? What strategies can you use to handle such situations with grace and witness to Christ's transformative power? [09:20]
The sermon warns against delaying repentance. Is there an area in your life where you feel God is calling you to repent and change? What practical steps can you take this week to respond to that call? [05:10]
How can you "arm yourself with Christ's mindset" in your daily life, especially when facing challenges or temptations? What specific practices can help you align your thoughts and actions with God's will? [08:36]
Reflect on the urgency of living for God's will as described in the sermon. How can you prioritize holiness in your daily decisions and interactions with others? [05:10]
Sermon Clips
"Father I pray for your help we want to fully be transformed from the old human way to the new divine way the way that may bring maligning from others but brings your favor and can ultimately perhaps even win them I ask for your guidance now and help in Jesus name Amen." [00:01:02]
"For the time that has passed suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do living in sensuality passions drunkenness orgies drinking parties 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." [00:01:27]
"So as to live the rest of the time the time that remains after our conversion the rest of the time in the flesh not for human passions but for the will of God watch this rest of the time back to 3/4 for the time that is passed so now you've got the time that has passed and then conversion and then the rest of the time and we're supposed to live the rest of the time by God's will not human passions." [00:02:22]
"You want to know how much time is enough living in sin all the time that you lived up till your conversion you might be seven and that's enough time for living in sin or you might be 67 and have spent all your life living the way the Gentiles want to live and he says whatever it is it's enough for doing what the Gentiles want to do." [00:03:25]
"There are folks I've met them and have heard them say well I'll just sow my Wild Oats now and maybe when I'm old and can't have any fun anymore I'll repent and and go the way of God then I wonder if God might be pleased to use a text like this to say to them the Bible says that the time that is passed is enough for doing what the Gentiles want to do stop God says what you've sinned up to now is enough so don't do it anymore." [00:04:20]
"One of the reason that the time that his pass is enough it's because if you keep going in this way of living then you're going to run into the judgment of God very few people are able to repent when they're old if they have lived a life like this all their lives so it is huge to take into account this time versus what we saw here the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but the will of God." [00:05:10]
"Every time I see a list like this I ask is there any sequence to it sensuality what the Gentiles want to do this is there this is their bent their will sensuality passions drunkenness orgies drinking parties and lawless idolatry here's a suggestion maybe you should stop this video right now and just see if you can ponder any connection between these one two three four five six." [00:06:09]
"Sensuality is having a body that is constantly throwing up desires to you and you just give way to them so this is kind of a bodily oriented fleshly oriented existence and that's a dangerous thing because back in Chapter say Ford or is it 211 beloved I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh that wage war against your soul and so we're talking about a wanting to live in a certain way that is going to war against your soul and destroy it." [00:06:51]
"Giving rise to desires that you give way to giving rise to bondage to all kinds of things drink in one case maybe pornography maybe laziness maybe gluttony so you move from the body to the desires to the stuff that gets a matter of addiction and then other people join you and you you start having big orgies and drinking parties and you you you encourage each other in your sin that is so sensual and full of desires and full of bondage to drink in this case and then terminating on idolatry which has been explicitly forbidden in the law of God." [00:07:41]
"Arm yourself with the way Christ thought about suffering so that when you suffer in the flesh you cease from sin and the rest of the time you live not for human passions but for the will of God with respect to this they are surprised that you don't join them anymore in this same flood of debauchery this flood of debauchery you don't join them anymore in that and they malign you." [00:08:47]
"They are surprised when you don't join them anymore and just a few verses later in verse 12 it says we should not be surprised that they are surprised and malign us beloved do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you as though something strange were happening to you they are surprised when you don't join them in this lifestyle anymore and they malign you which becomes part of the fire the fiery trial and you are not to be surprised when they are surprised." [00:09:37]
"There is a huge difference between a Christian and the before Christ and the after Christ of the Christian life." [00:10:22]