Abandoning the Usual; Pursuing the Abnormal
I PETER 4:7-11
THIS IS ANOTHER OF A NUMBER OF BLOGS I HAVE WRITTEN RECENTLY THAT could be grouped together under the heading of “Radical Christianity.” After being saved by God’s grace through faith in Christ for 39 of my 75 years, it is my thoughtful and regretful observation that most professing Christians are remarkably passive in the expression of their faith. I humbly believe that Christians should be “Jesus freaks,” circumspect and loving at all times, always aware that they are representatives of the Savior, to be sure, but radicals nevertheless. I would respectfully offer this passage from 1 Peter as grounds for my opinion.
TO “ABANDON” MEANS to cease trying to continue; to give up by leaving…
“USUAL” MEANS the normal, common, ordinary practice of life…
TO “PURSUE” MEANS to follow in an effort to overtake or capture, chase after…
“ABNORMAL” MEANS not typical, usual, or regular; not normal.
FIRST PETER WAS WRITTEN TO CHRISTIANS WHO were experiencing various forms of serious persecution. These were men and women whose stand for Jesus Christ made them aliens and strangers in the midst of a pagan society. Peter exhorted these Christians to steadfast endurance and exemplary behavior. The warmth of his expressions combined with his practical instructions make this epistle a unique source of encouragement for all believers who live in conflict with their culture. – Bible Knowledge Commentary
CHRISTIANS TODAY CAN CERTAINLY IDENTIFY with first century believers facing persecution. We ourselves, if we are living truly, i.e., obedient, Christian lives, find ourselves in conflict with our culture. 1 Peter has much to say to us today as we struggle with articulating and living out our beliefs in an increasingly unbelieving, humanistic world.
THIS PARTICULAR BLOG IS DIRECTED TO BELIEVERS WHO DESIRE to live lives in accordance with God’s will as revealed in the Bible. The casual believer, that one who goes to church irregularly on Sunday but otherwise is content to live in accordance with the selfish, materialistic interests of the world, will doubtless find this message extreme. This message is mainly for the serious believer.
THIS PASSAGE IN 1 PETER DEALS WITH SOME VERY IMPORTANT DOCTRINES: (1) the end times and the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ; (2) love; (3) hospitality; (4) spiritual gifts and the use of those gifts for the benefit of others; and finally, (5) the purpose of life: to glorify God. I will touch briefly on these great truths. Because there are so many important doctrines and our time is short, certain ones I will only be able to say a few words about. But I am confident that you will get the message and that the Word of the Lord will significantly impact your life. These, I maintain, are important words for Christians in America today.
PETER WAS SO EXTREME IN HIS FAITH and so bold in his letter that he actually found joy in the midst of suffering…
KJV 1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
PETER HAD DEFINITELY ABANDONED THE USUAL and was pursuing the abnormal. And he was not the only N.T. writer to do this…
JAMES, ALSO, ABANDONED THE USUAL AND PURSUED THE ABNORMAL…
NET James 1:2 My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
AND, OF COURSE, PAUL HAD DONE THE SAME…
KJV Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service (your spiritual service of worship – NAS).
NAS Philippians 2:17 But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all.
THESE ARE THE WORDS OF MEN WHO WANTED ALL OF GOD they could get and were willing to practice radical Christianity in their lives, no matter the costs. Consider their words; their words were written to first-century believers but can be seen as God’s commands to us today.
ABANDONING THE USUAL AND PURSUING THE ABNORMAL… It is not usual to rejoice in the midst of sufferings. It is not normal to present your entire being as a sacrifice to God for the service of others. It is abnormal to be a Christian in New Age America today.
ALLOW ME TO SAY A FEW MORE WORDS ABOUT ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR, specifically in the midst of suffering. I have mentioned a number of familiar biblical characters whose words and testimonies illustrated radical commitment to living lives that honor God; men and women who obvious abandoned the usual and pursued the abnormal. But I would also submit that it is almost certain most all of us have people in our lives who it may be said are currently building testimonies of radical faith in times of suffering, trial and tribulation. Seen from one immediate perspective, every person in this church has to some degree or another abandoned the usual and pursued the abnormal. Seeing people go through great difficulties with faith. I think you’ll agree, leaves a profound impression that is glorifying to God.
WHEN YOU COME TO TRULY LOVE JESUS, when you willingly allow Him to consume your life, obedience to Him becomes not only easy and pleasurably rewarding, but maybe also seen as a privilege. Listen to Peter’s words again…
NAS 1 Peter 2:21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,
“LORD, I WILL GLADLY SUFFER THIS AFFLICTION, this pain, this disappointment, this humiliation for You. May You be glorified through me in this trial. May my strength come from You; may my weakness be dependence upon You. All I want is that You may be pleased with me…”
THINK THERE ARE 2 FOUNDATIONAL QUESTIONS TO ASK OURSELVES as we consider the message of 1 Peter this week…
- DOES MY WALK MATCH MY BELIEF? Are the things I say I believe and the way I live basically the same?
- IS GOD IN CONTROL OF MY LIFE? When I face tribulation, do I lean upon His Word? Each day do I look to God’s Word for guidance? Is God really in control of my life? Have I really surrendered all areas of my life to Him?
AS HAS OFTEN BEEN SAID, “WHAT I THINK, I BECOME.” If I embrace the usual I become the usual. If I abandon the usual, I become the unusual.
CERTAINLY IT MAY BE SAID, THERE ARE 2 MAJOR AND OPPOSITE PERSPECTIVES IN LIFE: one is the world’s, one is God’s. Take a look around you at the world you live in, and then read your Bible and the commands for living life found therein. Allow me to ask a few basic rhetorical questions to emphasize these opposites. Which perspective is normal? Which lifestyle do you think pleases God? Do you “go along to get along” in the world? Most people surely do to a large measure. You might even say we all do to some extent. Some compromise with the world is needed in order to exist. But what about “going along to get along” with God? What about going along with His commands in order to get along better with Him?
GOD IN HIS WORD IS ENCOURAGING US TO ABANDON the usual and to pursue the abnormal.
LET’S LOOK AT SOME BIBLICAL EXAMPLES OF THE ABNORMAL. Biblical characters who followed God clearly lived outside the boundaries of the normal.
NOAH…
KJV Genesis 6:13-14 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make thee an ark of gopher wood;
IT HADN’T EVEN RAINED YET ON EARTH! When God said these word to Noah there had not fallen to earth what we would call “rain.” But God instructed Noah to build an ark to prepare for a flood! That’s not normal. Noah followed the abnormal.
ABRAHAM ALSO CLEARLY DEMONSTRATED RADICAL FAITH in following God…
KJV Genesis 12:1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
NAS Hebrews 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.
MOSES… Moses offered excuses to God when God choose him to lead the nation of Israel out of slavery in Egypt. He didn’t at first want to abandon the usual…
NAS Exodus 4:1 Then Moses answered and said, “What if they will not believe me, or listen to what I say? For they may say, ‘The LORD has not appeared to you.'”
NAS Exodus 4:10 Then Moses said to the LORD, “Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither recently nor in time past, nor since Thou hast spoken to Thy servant; for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.”
BUT, IN SPITE OF WHAT WE MIGHT SAY WERE UNDERSTANDABLE MISGIVINGS, Moses stepped from the normal into the abnormal.
JOSHUA… God chose Joshua to succeed Moses. This was a big job that required abandoning the usual…
KJV Joshua 1:2 Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.
KJV Joshua 1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
DAVID… Think of David facing Goliath: that was an example of radical faith…
ESV 1 Samuel 17:37 And David said, “The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you!”
AND, OF COURSE, MARY…
NET Luke 1:35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called the Son of God.
CONSIDER THE ABNORMALITY OF SUCH A SCENARIO!
AND EVEN THOUGH I AM OBVIOUSLY CHOOSING MIRACULOUS EXAMPLES from Scripture to make a point, I believe we all could attest to times having been especially blessed when we have abandoned the usual and pursued the abnormal.
GOD TOLD ALL OF THESE BIBLICAL CHARACTERS TO ABANDON THE USUAL and pursue the abnormal. God does not have to work in the usual. At any time He can abandon the usual and pursue the abnormal…
AND THINK OF PETER… How often the abnormal was normal for Peter J
PETER GIVES US A GREAT INCENTIVE FOR ABNORMAL LIVING…
NAS 1 Peter 4:7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be of sound judgment (be self-controlled – NET; sober – KJV; clear-minded – NKJ; serious – NIV) and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.
THE END OF ALL THINGS…
INTERESTING WORD “END”…
THE GREEK WORD τελος (tel-os) does not mean “extinction,” finality in the sense of termination with reference to time. It really means, “the goal reached,” the completion or conclusion at which anything arrives. τελος means the goal reached and the beginning of a new order of things.
REMEMBER, DEATH DOES NOT MEAN EXTINCTION BUT SEPARATION. When we die physically we do not disintegrate; we are temporarily separated from our bodies. Spiritual death – the spiritual death that unbelievers face – means separation from God for eternity…. Believers are born twice and die once; unbelievers are born once but die twice.
THE “END” PETER IS REFERRING TO IS THE COMPLETION OF GOD’S PLAN for this dispensation, not universal, absolute finality. Nevertheless, it is the end of all things as we know them…
BECAUSE THE “END” IS NEAR, SHOULD WE NOT CHANGE OUR NORMAL WAY OF THINKING?
WHAT IF IT WERE TODAY? “Jesus is coming to earth again, What if it were today? Coming in power and love to reign, What if it were today? Coming to claim His chosen Bride (the Church), All the redeemed and purified…” – Hymn
PETER IS CONCERNED IN THIS PASSAGE WITH THE SECOND COMING, not the Rapture. The Rapture, as some say, is the first phase of the Second Coming. In the Rapture Christians, both alive and dead, will be taken out of the world. The Rapture will not involve unbelievers. The Second Coming will follow the Rapture some seven years later and will be a time in which Christ returns physically to earth to rule and to judge unbelievers. Matthew 24-25 speaks of the Second Coming…
NAS Matthew 24:38-44 “For as in those days which were before the flood they were eating and drinking, they were marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so shall the coming of the Son of Man be. Then there shall be two men in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left. Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. For this reason you be ready too; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.
WHAT WE ARE WAITING FOR, WHAT WE EXPECT IN THE FUTURE, determines our conduct in the present. What you expect in the future, affects the quality of your life in the present. Look forward to the future with hope. Expect something good to happen. And you can do this because Christ is coming.
HE IS COMING; THAT IS CERTAIN… THE QUESTION IS, ARE WE READY?
NAS Matthew 24:36 But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.
PETER ALSO GIVES US INSTRUCTIONS FOR ABNORMAL LIVING…
KJV 1 Peter 4:7 …be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
BECAUSE CHRIST IS COMING, BE THIS WAY…
- BE SOBER AND OF SOUND JUDGMENT…
THE GREEK WORD FOR “SOBER” MEANS be sane, sober, of sound judgment. Think and act soberly, discreetly, use sound judgment and moderation; be self-disciplined.
THE ENGLISH WORD FOR “SOBER” MEANS quiet or sedate in demeanor, marked by seriousness, solemnity, subdued in tone, not flashy or showy, free from excess, extravagance, showing self-control. Think for a moment of our current culture. We live in an insane society: abortion, legalized gambling, public immortality; no God, prayer, or Bible in our classrooms. You can preach Christ easier to schoolchildren in Russia than you can here.
KJV 2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
WE LIVE IN AN UNGODLY, CRAZY WORLD: “BE YE THEREFORE SOBER.”
ARE WE WAITING FOR CHRIST? Or are we soberly watching and waiting?…
KJV 1 Peter 4:7 …be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
2. BE PRAYERFUL…
BE SOBER-SPIRITED FOR THE PURPOSE OF PRAYER….
NAS 1 Peter 4:7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.
IT IS UNLIKELY THAT the Christian who is always anxious about things, worried about tomorrow, concerned only with himself and his circumstances, does not do much biblical praying. Many believers are too busy to pray today. The Bible tells us to be always in an attitude of prayer…
ESV 1 Thessalonians 5:17 pray without ceasing,
PRAYER WAS GIVEN TO US TO BE A VEHICLE NOT FOR CHANGING GOD, but for changing us!
PRAYING WITHOUT CEASING IS NOT NORMAL BEHAVIOR.
IN ORDER TO PURSUE THE ABNORMAL, we must abandon the usual.
PETER ALSO GIVES US ILLUSTRATIONS OF ABNORMAL LIVING…
NAS 1 Peter 4:8 Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.
- ABOVE ALL, BE FERVENT IN OUR LOVE OF OTHERS’
FERVENT: having or showing very warm or intense spirit, feeling, enthusiasm.
I THINK YOU’LL FIND THE GREEK WORD MOST INTERESTING: it means to stretch out, extend, continual, intense.
THINK OF A SPRINTER STRAINING FOR THE FINISH LINE. He is fervently pursuing his goal, he has extended himself to the utmost. Can we say our love is that stretched out for Christ? Are we straining to obey? That’s not normal. This is not normal…
NET 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient, love is kind, it is not envious. Love does not brag, it is not puffed up. It is not rude, it is not self-serving, it is not easily angered or resentful. It is not glad about injustice, but rejoices in the truth.
THAT’S HUMBLING, SOBERING, IS IT NOT?
B. BE HOSPITABLE…
NET 1 Peter 4:9 Show hospitality to one another without complaining.
WITHOUT COMPLAINT… An affectionate concern for strangers. Think of the homeless. This verse really has more to do with hospitality towards strangers than it does for church members. Think of your neighbor you do not know, and may not have tried to know, and who is probably unsaved. Biblical hospitality is “stranger love.” Let them come in anytime…
THAT’S KINDNESS… “LOVE IS KIND”…
- MINISTER YOUR GIFT…
NAS 1 Peter 4:10-11 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, let him speak, as it were, the utterances of God; whoever serves, let him do so as by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
EVERYONE HAS RECEIVED A GIFT…
NET 1 Corinthians 12:7 To each person the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the benefit of all.
A SPIRITUAL GIFT IS A GOD-GIVEN ABILITY or skill, over and above one’s natural talents (though it may make use of one’s natural ability), that enables the recipient to perform a useful function effectively for the good of the body, the church.
EMPLOY YOUR GIFT; MINISTER IT IN SERVING ONE ANOTHER. Our gifts are not for our benefit, but for the benefit of the church. Our attitude should be fixed to serve…
NAS Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
SERVICE… We must ask ourselves, is my life marked by service? In our me-first culture bondservants (Christians) don’t have rights; they just obey…
SERVICE IN OUR ME-FIRST CULTURE IS NOT NORMAL
FINALLY PETER GIVES US THE INTENTION OF ABNORMAL LIVING…
NET 1 Peter 4:11 Whoever speaks, let it be with God’s words. Whoever serves, do so with the strength that God supplies, so that in everything God will be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.
THAT IN ALL THINGS, MAY GOD BE GLORIFIED. Our lives, our activities, our possessions – why do we do all of these things? To give glory to Him!
KJV John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. n my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
JESUS CHRIST IS COMING BACK… because He said so, and because the entire Bible says so. Therefore, as a Christian, we must abandon the usual and pursue the abnormal.…
– Professor Thomas A. Rohm
