Answering Suffering1 Peter 4.1-11

pdf., power point, & audio available at karenvineyard.org

vv.1-4 Past: Squandering our lives

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vv.5-7 Future: Consequences of waste

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vv.7-11 Present: Investing our lives

vv.1-4 Past: Squandering our lives

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his

death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is,

the devil. Hebrews 2.14

For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we

should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been

set free from sin. Romans 6.6-7

Excesses

Adjustments to Pain

• Debauchery• Lust• Drunkenness• Orgies• Carousing• Detestable idolatry

vv.5-7 Future: Consequences of waste

Those who are now dead have been judged according to men in regard to the body by suffering physical death but, because the gospel was preached to them (while alive, and they responded to it), they are now living according to God in regard to the spirit.

Why does God allow evil and suffering?

Why do we allow evil and suffering?

vv.7-11 Present: Investing our lives

“It seems to be quite disastrous that the idea should have gotten about that Christianity is an other-worldly, unreal, idealistic kind of religion that suggests that if we are good we shall be happy . . . On the contrary, it is fiercely and even harshly realistic, insisting that there are certain eternal achievements that make even happiness look like trash. – Dorothy Sayers, Creed or Chaos?

“arm yourself with the same attitude”

be clear-minded, self-controlledso that you may praylove each other deeplyoffer hospitality use whatever gift you have receivedSpeak the words of GodServe with God’s strength

. . . so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.

“If God were small enough to be understood, He wouldn’t be big

enough to be worshipped.” Evelyn Underhill

“God, if He was merely my accomplice, had betrayed me. If on

the other hand, He was God, He had freed me.”