Bible Study Lessons

Church of the Living God

Bible Study Lesson

Presenter: Overseer Ennis F. Tait

Date:   Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Series: Watch and Prayer

Reference Scripture:  I Peter 4:1-7

Focus Verses: I Peter 4:7

Today’s Discussion:    “This Means War”

 

The lesson aim is to warn the church of a silent enemy on the loose.  More importantly, we must sound the alarms to alert all those that have managed to stay clear of worldly behavior to be on the lookout for a sneak attack. (Reference: John 10:10) 

 

Spiritual warfare is a reality that most believers don’t understand.  The Apostle Paul tries to warn the church on how the devil has infiltrated the church; carnal vs. spiritul (Reference: Romans 7:14)  In addition Peter also tries to warn the church of the impending warfare that will arise as we get closer to the “end time”.  Peter reminds the church that Christ is our commanding officer.  And all those that have enlisted in the “army of the Lord” must be willing to follow the commands of our supreme leader if we hope to be victorious over our greatest enemy, ourselves.  Subsequently, Peter’s concerns should remind the church of other scriptural references that were written to expose the enemy’s plot.

 

As we review the text the main theme of this chapter is “being good stewards of God’s grace”.  We must protect that that God has placed in our care. 

 

Verses 1-3 - “Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:” – Peter polarizes the church to make a clear distinction between living in the flesh and in the spirit. Peter brings to light the struggles we face as God transform us from the old man into the new man.

 

Verse 4 – “Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you” - Peter tells of the hardship of trying to maintain friendships with people that are still living und the devil’s grip.  Sometimes it’s hard to let go of family and friends that are bringing you down.  Depending on who’s in your circle of influence, some of our closest friends/family members are our greatest enemies.

 

Verse 5 – “Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.” - Peter asks a very important question of the church.  Those of us that have received grace are now stewards of that grace.  We are also responsible for everything that’s connected to God’s manifold blessings which includes the truth (the gospel of Jesus Christ). (Reference: II Timothy 4:1-5; Romans 12:1-2)

 

Verse 6 – “For, for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.” – Peter points directly to the purpose of the church. 

 

Verse 7- “But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.” – Peter shifts the focus from our lives on earth to our eternal reward.  Peter presents a spiritual declaration of independence to empower the saints to maintain an attitude of expectancy that helps provide balance in our lives.”