THE THEME OF I PETER IS "HOW TO SUFFER": AND IT PROVIDES MUCH FOR WHAT IS CALLED PASSIVE RESISTANCE

1. Many might teach "Passive resistance" from the historic situation of I Pet.- Roman captives
2. But ours is not the same socio-political situation! Search for Spiritual truth anyway
3. We might quickly become a captive nation- with terrible conditions, & special suffering for any who claim Jesus as Savior

So study carefully how to be armed in the Lord!

I.- ARMED WITH SPIRITUAL FAITH ! I Pet. 4:1,2

Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ? Our faith is in a Lord who suffered, died, buried, arose

A.- CHRIST SUFFERED FOR US, AND WE ARE COMMANDED TO ARM OURSELVES WITH THE SAME MIND! I Pet 4:1a

1. Jesus conditioned himself for that great moment on the cross- Godly life, submission, prayer, trust
2. He knew He was headed for the Cross- for this purpose He came! We also were born to die-!
3. It might well be that our nation is heading for its Gethsemane, and its Calvary experience!

B.- PAUL ALSO WROTE OF A SPIRITUAL BATTLE AND THE ARMOR THE CHRISTIAN SHOULD HAVE- Eph 6:10-18

1. Mark well- ours is a great spiritual battle- against spiritual wickedness in high places.
2. Note the Armor - All provided for us but-v.15 feet shod with preparation of the Gospel of Peace
3. Are you well prepared? Our C. E. program-S.S.; BTU; Wed. Bible Studies; Home Studies

C.- PAUL ALSO WROTE OF "THE MIND OF CHRIST" THAT PETER CHALLANGES US TO ARM OURSELVES WITH. 4:1

1. Phil 2:5, the Mind of Christ, v.7 He took form of servant; v.8 was obedient unto death!
2. Peter reminds us that the suffering in the flesh (death) stops sinning! -
3. We are all under death sentence- so Fight, or Submit- the end result will eventually be same!

The only effective armor is spiritual; without this all is vain! This is our Secret Weapon!

II.- ARMED WITH A REASONABLE HOPE I Pet. 3:15-17

Tell me your hope, and I will tell you your destiny- Without a hope the people perish

A.- PETER COMMANDS US TO SANCTIFY THE LORD GOD IN OUR HEARTS, v.15 JUST WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

1. We need to have a hope to anchor our souls- Heb 6:18b,19,20 -Jesus is our anchor within veil
2. Will you Sanctify-give special place - give the Lord 1st place in your heart? What do you think?
3. There is great need for an aesthetic love for Jesus- but He also wants your head- your thinking

B.- PETER TELLS US TO BE READY WITH AN ANSWER A REASON FOR THE HOPE THAT WE HAVE! -15b Reason!

1. Can you reason from the Scriptures- Isa 1:18- do you know enough scripture to prove your hope?
2. Can you reason from Logic Aristotelian - During early America- called Sweet Reasonableness?-
3. Can you reason from your own experience! (weakest) - II Tim 1:12 -I know whom I have believed

C.- ARE YOU ARMED WITH A GOOD CONSCIENCE ACTIVATED AND MOVED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT? v: 16,17

1. The greatest arms and argument you can have is a life guided by a good conscience- clean, pure
2. "Have a good day"-popular but hedonistic- Maybe you need troubles to prick your conscience-
3. Most of our suffering is because of our own sin- v.17, but if you do suffer for Christ-

I hope you are armed with an educated Conscience that keeps you close to blessed hope! ! 

III.- ARMED WITH A FERVENT CHARITY I Peter 4:8

The element that really adds joy even in suffering is that element called LOVE. -Charity

A.- SOME THINK YOU STRANGE FOR NOT CONTINUING IN THE WILL OF THE GENTILES WITH THEM v. 3,4

1. I am afraid that all of us know too well the road of "the will of the Gentiles"-wine, lust,
2. Many of you were known for these things- but now you belong to Christ-& your love changed you
3. To help your love guide you- v.5 Jesus will judge quick & dead- so judge yourselves to have joy

B.- FOR PETER THE END OF ALL THINGS WAS AT HAND, SO HE CALLED UPON THEM TO BE SOBER,- v. 7 Prayer:

1. About four years after this epistle- Nero burned Rome, began terrible persecution-Peter died!
2. But later Attila the Hun; The Moors; Genghis Khan, Tamerlane, -were the end for other periods
3. Will we make it to our 200th birthday- Watch ABC-Fri 8-9 PM -"Strike from Space"-our end at hand?

C.- SO WE NEED TO BE SOBER, WATCH UNTO PRAYER, AND ABOVE ALL THINGS, HAVE FERVENT LOVE AMONG OURSELVES

1. In a real crisis we get sober, pray, and pull together in love! small troubles cause strife
2. We rub each other a lot- & murmur against each other! Blame each other for not being perfect!
3. In real crisis small sins aren't important- we are hospitable without grudging- v.9 -in love

Why wait until the world burns to show & tell your love-give bouquets while they can be smelled!

OUR WORLD FACES ANOTHER WAVE LIKE THE HUNS OR MONGOLS; THIS TIME YOU NEED THE SPIRITUAL ARMOR!

1. Do you know the Lord Jesus Christ?- without Him you have no hope, faith, or love! Accept Him!
2. Are you obedient to Him- He is ready to come to judge the quick and the dead! How will you fare?
3. If you are not prepared - It is your feet that need shoes! Study well and quickly!