Lesson 5 for April 29, 2017

Peter invites us to live lives that are

at the height of Jesus’ life, in the
context of the Judgment.

Living in an exemplary way.

1 Peter 3:8-12.
Living in suffering.
1 Peter 3:18-4:2.
Living a new life.
1 Peter 4:3-6.
Living in love.
1 Peter 4:7-11.
 1 Peter 3:8-12
“Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another;
love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for
evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that
you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:8-9)
Peter invited the members of the
Church to be like-minded, like Paul
told when comparing the Church
with a body (1 Corinthians 12:12-
26). How can we be like-minded?
1. Being compassionate.
2. Loving each other.
3. Treating others mercifully.
4. Being friendly.
5. Blessing one another, repaying good for evil.

Peter quoted Psalm 34:12-16, “…refrain your tongue from evil, and your
encouraging us to live every lips from speaking deceit. Turn away from
day in an exemplary way. evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it…”
 1 Peter 3:18-4:2

“Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also
with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from
sin.” (1 Peter 4:1)

Jesus suffered “once for all

time” (1P. 3:18 NLT) to forgive
our sins, and He was
resurrected to give us
salvation (v. 21).

Peter used the Flood as metaphor for

baptism (1P. 3:19-20). For Christians,
baptism is a picture of Jesus’ suffering,
death and resurrection.

Since we took part in Christ’s suffering through baptism, we

end our relationship with sin and begin to live for Christ
(1 Peter 4:1; Romans 6:11).
 1 Peter 4:3-6

“For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to
do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable
idolatry.” (1 Peter 4:3 NIV)

God created sex and gave us

sexuality as a blessing.
Within marriage, sexuality is
a picture of the union
between God and His people
(Jeremiah 3; Ezekiel 16;
Hosea 1-3).

Nevertheless, sin brought sexual deviations:

“Debauchery”, “lust”, “orgies”, “detestable
idolatry.”
Those who have been baptized in Christ cannot
ruin their lives with those vices anymore.
 1 Peter 4:3-6

“Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into
the flood of wild and destructive things they do. So they slander you.”
(1 Peter 4:4 NLT)

When we begin our new lives in Christ,

we quit sexual sins, drunkenness and
binges. People we used to hang out
with are surprised of the change in our
lives and make fun of us.
We must not be discouraged, since
they will be held accountable in the
day of Judgment (1P. 4:5).
For Peter, those mockers are “dead”
(see Ephesians 5:14). Therefore, we
are preaching the Gospel to them with
our new life, so they can also live
“according to God in the spirit.”
(1P. 4:6).
 1 Peter 4:7-11
“But the end of all things is at hand; therefore
be serious and watchful in your prayers. And
above all things have fervent love for one
another, for ‘love will cover a multitude of
sins.’” (1 Peter 4:7-8)

Since Jesus’ coming is imminent,

Peter encouraged us to live soberly
and to be watchful in our prayers. Getting rid of
Being hospitable.
gossip.
We are called to have fervent love
for one another, because “love will
cover a multitude of sins.” (v. 8).
When we sincerely love one
Using our gifts Speaking
another, we are always willing to let to serve others.
other’s sins pass by forgiving them. God’s words.

In verses 9 to 11, Peter gave us

some advice on how to live in love.
Glorifying God in everything
through Jesus Christ.
“As the plan of redemption begins and ends with a gift,
so it is to be carried forward. The same spirit of sacrifice
which purchased salvation for us will dwell in the
hearts of all who become partakers of the heavenly gift.
Says the apostle Peter: “As every man hath received the
gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good
stewards of the manifold grace of God.” Said Jesus to His
disciples as He sent them forth: “Freely ye have received,
freely give.” In him who is fully in sympathy with Christ
there can be nothing selfish or exclusive. He who drinks
of the living water will find that it is “in him a well of
water springing up into everlasting life.” The Spirit of
Christ within him is like a spring welling up in the
desert, flowing to refresh all, and making those who are
ready to perish, eager to drink of the water of life.”
E.G.W. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, cp. 88, pg. 730)