End Week 15 Begin Week 16

Refuting Cult Theology: 1 Peter 4:6-9

Hook – we begin by tackling a hard and potentially controversial verse…

And in so doing, we learn some good habits

6For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

  • 3 Options
  • 1) Preached to those who are now dead, when they were alive
  • Context: 1 Peter 1:10–11 (NKJV) 10Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, 11searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.
  • Sets context for 1 Peter 3:19-20 as well
  • 19by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, 20who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.
  • Two reasonable interpretations
  • Preached to the now dead pre-flood people
  • Preached to fallen angels
  • One unreasonable one
  • You can get saved after death
  • 2) Preached to those who are spiritually dead that they might become saved and be rejected by men (fits context) and received by God
  • In the sight of the world “you have lost everything for your faith in Christ”
  • No, I’ve gained it all!
  • “He who loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will keep for eternal life”
  • This is NOT exclusive of the 1st option
  • 3) Preached to those who died and later heard the gospel that they might be saved after death
  • This is the most radical
  • Not supported by the rest of the Bible
  • A good example of bad Bible study techniques
  • Eisegesis vs exegesis
  • Ex – out of
  • Eis – into
  • You don’t get this doctrine from the text
  • You come to the text WITH this doctrine! And confirm it.
  • Mormonism – 3 heavens
  • Step 1 – Teach 3 heavens
  • Telestial, Terrestrial, Celestial
  • Step 2 – quote 2 Corinthians 12:2 (NKJV) 2I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven.
  • Step 3 – conclude that your teaching is right
  • WRONG –
  • birds, space, God’s throne
  • Read the verse
  • Check the immediate context
  • Compare relevant scriptures
  • Clear teachings inform us on unclear ones
  • 1 Pet 3:18 “being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the Spirit”
  • Contrast “judged according to men in the flesh but live according to God in the Spirit”
  • It seems that they were alive and then killed by persecution but will live forever
  • This reminds us of the hall of faith people
  • My thoughts
  • I’m not totally sure… it’s somewhat vague
  • But we don’t build new theology on unclear passages
  • Laz and rich man (Lk 16)
  • Let’s not forget to APPLY!
  • We are caught between 2 judgments
  • This world’s
  • Or God’s
  • Conclusion
  • Decide what kingdom you are about
  • Don’t even TRY to get along
  • Serve God’s will
  • See suffering with Christ’s attitude
  • Turn from and don’t return to the worldly life

7But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.

  • End of all things
  • More about final states than a cessation of all activity
  • The same word used here represents a fully grown person, not a dead one.
  • Annihilation of all things would be a different Greek word
  • Was Jesus’ supposed to come right away?
  • Matthew 24:4–14 (NKJV) 4And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 5For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 6And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8All these are the beginning of sorrows. 9“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.
  • Since the resurrection, we are only waiting on the return of Christ!
  • Imminent vs immediate
  • Immediate = going to happen now
  • Imminent = hanging threateningly over one’s head
  • So, begins a list of instructions on how to respond to the passing nature of the worldly system and the coming kingdom of Christ
  • The first – be serious and watchful in your prayers
  • Elsewhere we are told
  • Pray in the Spirit
  • A connection with God
  • Fervently
  • Always
  • In everything
  • Serious – sober minded
  • Vs 3 spoke harshly against drunkenness
  • Clear mind
  • Praying when sleepy?
  • Repetitious prayers, vain
  • Matthew 6:7 (NKJV) 7And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.
  • Vain repetitions would be annoying
  • This is, I think, a case against adopting pagan habits
  • “Spiritual formation”
  • Let’s NOT think them spiritual
  • It’s a study in how to fake spirituality
  • We can make our own repetitions
  • The main point is that they aren’t VAIN!
  • Matthew 6:8–13 (NKJV) 8“Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. 9In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. 11Give us this day our daily bread. 12And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. 13And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
  • In this manner
  • Holiness/glory to God
  • Prayer involves worship, because it approaches a perfect, holy, loving Creator
  • God’s kingdom and will
  • Prayer involves submission
  • Posture of seeking HIS will
  • 1 Jn 5:14 “if we ask anything according to His will He hears us”
  • Daily bread
  • What do you need, actually
  • Rely on God for it
  • Prayer isn’t a place for greed but for need
  • Forgive us
  • Speaking of needs…
  • The greatest needs of man are spiritual
  • Our greatest spiritual need is grace!
  • Constant supply of grace
  • As we forgive
  • A willingness to forgive…
  • God doesn’t let us get away with spiritual darkness in our hearts..
  • Unforgiveness
  • Prayer is serious business
  • We approach God almighty
  • We seek His help
  • It’s not about being whipped into a frenzy
  • Watchful
  • Watchman – on the wall, looking for signs of trouble, what is leading to what?
  • Asking for prayer requests..
  • Uh… … …
  • OH YEAH! THAT!
  • Where is the need? Pray it
  • View the news as a prayer list
  • Pray over people… cover them in prayer! Cover yourself!
  • Prayer
  • Changes minds
  • … list examples of watchful prayers
  • “Peter, I have prayed for you”
  • That was Jesus’ prayers, not mine!
  • Oh yeah? Whose name do you pray in???

8And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”

  • Theology apart from love is bad theology
  • Love is the grand application
  • Above all things
  • There is a time for…
  • It’s always time to be loving
  • Fervent love – intense or sincere
  • Not just love (acceptable behavior)
  • Love!
  • If you love me, I want you to love each other
  • “if you… you WILL love each other”
  • “cover a multitude of sins”
  • Daily grace – I need it
  • So do “they”
  • Don’t flip the switch
  • Grace like the grace of Jesus

9Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.

  • Hospitable –
  • Sharing
  • What’s mine is yours
  • The extreme example of lack of hospitality is Sodom
  • How we treat strangers
  • Ah, the grumbling
  • Complaining, whispering, quarreling
  • With this we somewhat undo our own reward
  • It’s the flesh
  • “God loves a cheerful giver” 2 Cor 9:7
  • Can’t do it without grumbling???
  • It’s a sin issue
  • Which treasures are more important?
  • These on earth or those in heaven?
  • Matthew 10:42 (NKJV) 42And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.”