They Think It Strange

TEXT1 Pet. 4:1-5

INTRODUCTION:

A.  SHOULD WE CARE WHAT OTHERS THINK?

          1.  What they think should not influence us to do wrong or disobey.

          2.  It’s important because of our ability to influence (Matt. 5:13-16).

B.  PAUL UNDERSTOOD THE IMPORTANCE OF IMPRESSIONS (2 Cor. 8:18-21).

I.  WE ARE NOT TO BE PLEASERS OF MEN (Gal. 1:10).

A.  JESUS WARNED ( Luke 6:26John 15:18-20).

B.  PETER’S DEVOTION (Acts 5:29).  Not just empty words!

C.  HYPOCRISY AND PEER PRESSURE (Matt. 6:11 Cor. 15:33).

D.  STRIVE TO BE RIGHT – READY TO BE DIFFERENT (Rom. 12:2; 2 Cor. 6:14 - 7:1).

E.  1 Pet. 4:4.  “SPEAKING EVIL OF YOU.”  A PECULIAR PEOPLE (1 Pet. 2:9).

II.  WHY PEOPLE THINK WE ARE STRANGE.

A.  BECAUSE OF THE CHANGE IN US (1 Pet. 4:1-4).

          1.  “The time past” č What was it like?

                   a.  Dead in sin (Rom 3:236:23Eph. 2:1-3, 12).

                   b.  Gross immorality (1 Cor. 6:9-10).

                   c.  A worldly walk (Eph. 4:17-19).

          2.  The WORD transforms us as we obey (Rom. 12:21 Cor. 6:11Titus 2:11-12).

B.  BECAUSE OF OUR DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE (1 Pet. 4:2).

          1.  What is most important to us? (Matt. 6:19-21).

          2.  We have a preoccupation that effects everything (Col. 3:1-22 Cor. 4:16-18).

          3.  Our aspirations and behavior are misunderstood (1 Cor. 2:14-16).

          4.  New goals produce a new vision (Phil. 1:27).

C.  BECAUSE THEY DON’T UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM OF SIN.

          1.  Sin is hard on the sinner (Prov. 13:154:19).

          2.  Sin dishonors God’s creation (Rom. 1:24).

          3.  It separates us from God (Isa. 59:1-2).

          4.  Sin must be answered for in judgment (2 Cor. 5:10).

          5.  Sin will answer to justice (Rom. 6:23Ez. 18:20).

          6.  Jesus is the solution to sin (1 John 2:1-2).

D.  BECAUSE YOU RUN NOT WITH THEM.

          1.  We follow the light (John 8:12) and reflect it (Matt. 5:13-15).

          2.  We must not fellowship the darkness (Eph. 5:6-11).

          3.  Beware evil influences (1 Cor. 15:33).

E.  BECAUSE SOME DO NOT BELIEVE.

          1.  To some the word of the cross is foolishness (1 Cor. 1:18Acts 26:24-25).

          2.  God’s witnesses (Rom. 1:20John 20:30-31John 5:39).

CONCLUSION:

A.  ARE YOU READY FOR THE JUDGMENT?

B.  STRIVING TO BE RIGHT, READY TO BE DIFFERENT?

C.  WHO DO YOU WANT TO PLEASE?