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Biblical
references in Gahanna-Jefferson Church of Christ's nondenominational sermon
outlines are linked directly to text of the King James version of the Bible.
Bible quotes you hear in the streaming audio may be from the New King James
version of the Bible.
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Introduction.
1. It is quite common today to pick up the newspaper and read about the violent
actions of those referred to as militant fundamentalists.
a. Sometimes the phrase has reference to extremists of the Islamic faith,
engaged in what they call Jihad (holy war, or struggle).
b. But there also times when it is applied to professing Christians, who resort
to physical violence in support of their cause (the radical pro-life movement).
2. As true followers of the Prince of Peace:
a. We must remember that the Kingdom is spiritual, and therefore not expanded
through carnal means -
John 18:36
b. We should keep in mind the words of our Savior: for all who take the sword
will perish by the sword. -
Matthew 26:52
3. But this is not to say we do not have a true struggle, nor weapons with which
to fight.
a. We are engaged in a spiritual struggle, both without and within -
Ephesians
6:12; I Peter 2:11
b. We have in our arsenal weapons that are mighty in God -
II Corinthians 10:3-5
c. Indeed, as we enter the fourth chapter of 1st Peter, we see that Christians
are to arm themselves in their service to the Lord -
I Peter 4:1
4. So in one sense, there is such a thing as the militant Christian; but it is
important that we properly understand in what sense we are to be militant in our
service to the Lord.
Body.
I. ARMED WITH THE MIND OF CHRIST.
A. Which is a mind willing to suffer.
1. This is the attitude Peter wants us to have.
2. Which was the attitude of Christ Himself -
I Peter 2:21-23;
3:18
B. Two reasons we should be willing to suffer:
1. since Christ suffered for us.
a. He died for us, that we might live for righteousness -
I Peter 2:24
b. Is it asking too much that we might be willing to endure hardship for His
sake?
2. he who suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin.
a. One who endures hardship for Christ is not likely to allow sin to have
dominance in his or her life.
b. One who has embraced the mind of Christ, and whose life is so influenced by
him that he suffers persecution is not in danger of succumbing to the weaker
temptations of the flesh. To such an individual these allurements lose their
appeal. Martyrs, in the hour of persecution and death, do not toy with
temptation or surrender to the seductions of the world! - Guy N. Woods
II. MILITANT IN HIS STRUGGLE AGAINST SIN.
A. Here is where the major battle is to be fought.
1. A battle between one’s soul and fleshly lusts -
I Peter 2:11
2. Unless we first win the battle for our own soul, we are not likely to be of
much help in winning the souls of others!
a. Therefore we need to remove the plank out of our own eye first -
Matthew
7:3-5
b. Only by first being spiritual are we prepared to help others -
Galatians 6:1
3. Many immature Christians begin fighting a spiritual warfare with others too
soon, and lose the spiritual warfare within themselves in the process!
B. Motivation for this struggle against sin:
1. We have wasted enough of our lifetime doing what is called the will of the
Gentiles.
a. Briefly summarized in
vs. 3.
b. What Paul calls the works of the flesh in
Galatians 5:19-21
2. Now it is time to live out the rest of our life for the will of God.
a. Briefly summarized in
vs. 7-11.
b. Which will be considered more carefully in the next lesson.
3. As we think of ourselves standing strong for the faith and fighting the good
fight, let’s not forget that the battle begins within ourselves. Unless the
Christian is first militant in crucifying the flesh and putting to death the
deeds of the body, he or she is not likely to have the spiritual fortitude
necessary to prevent killing one’s self in the battle for truth (II Timothy
2:24-26).
III. LIKELY BE MALIGNED (4)
A. Our former companions will think us strange:
1. Because we no longer join with them in their sin.
2. Unable to persuade us from our new course, they may resort to speaking evil
of you.
3. Some young Christians are troubled by this peer pressure.
B. But when maligned:
2. Our response is to be one of love and honorable conduct -
Matthew 5:44;
I
Peter 2:12
3. Who knows? Perhaps our conduct will lead one day to their glorifying God!
4. Yes, the militant Christian is likely to be thought of by others as a
fanatic, but I believe that deep down even those who malign us the most have
respect for our convictions when held with the proper spirit on our part.
IV. WILLING TO LET GOD BE THE JUDGE (5-6)
A. Verse 6 is another one of Peter’s perplexing passages.
1. Especially the phrase the gospel was also preached to those who are dead.
2. Some think Peter is referring back to his comments in
I Peter 3:18-20
a. If so, then the spirits in prison would be human spirits, not angelic spirits
(as I suggested in my earlier lesson).
b. If so, then the preaching of the gospel was:
1) Not an offer of salvation (i.e., a second chance).
2) But a proclamation of what Christ has done, explaining how Christ has
redeemed the OT faithful, and why others remain condemned.
3) Note that they were still judged according to men in the flesh (how they
lived in the flesh), though they now live according to God in the spirit.
3. Others believe Peter is simply referring to the preaching of the gospel.
a. To people when they were alive.
b. But who are now among the dead.
B. Either way, as militant Christians:
1. We must remember who is the Judge.
a. God is the judge of those who are outside -
I Corinthians 5:12-13
b. They will have to give an account to Him who is ready to judge -
I Peter 4:5
2. We must therefore be willing to let God be the judge.
a. leave vengeance to God -
Romans 12:19
b. God will apply the justice when necessary, we are called upon to offer His
mercy until then:
1) Through the preaching of the gospel.
2) Through living lives of kindness and mercy -
Romans 12:20-21
Conclusion.
1. There is a place, then, for militancy in the life of the Christian!
2. But it is to be found in the way we arm ourselves with the mind of Christ!
a. Fighting the spiritual warfare that wages within.
b. Militant in our efforts to live the godly life, do going and showing mercy.
3. Are you fighting the good fight of faith? Are you even in the Lord’s army?
Don Treadway,
December 2003 |
