May 10, 2026

“BE HOPEFUL”

“A HEART SET APART”

1 PETER 4:1-6

We as Christians are different from the world and we should be set apart. But what does that really mean?

We in Christ have a different life; What Does It Mean To Be Set Apart?

1.  Two Reasons Why The Believer Is To Be Set Apart- 1 Peter 4:1

1 Peter 4:1 “Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin”

• One, “Arm Yourself Also With The Same Mind” vs.1

True Christianity is taking the principles we are given in God’s Word and dealing with persecution and the trials we face.

vs.1- “Therefore”- what Peter is saying is what I said earlier in:

1 Peter 3:18 “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit.”

How do you handle things? Complaining, gripping. No “arm yourself” with the same attitude that Christ had:

Philippians 2:5-8 “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”

*Secondly, “or he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin” vs.1

Romans 6:7 “For he who has died has been freed from sin.”

What does this phrase mean then?

Romans 6:1-11

Our oneness with Christ is what free’s us from the power of sin.

Sin has no more power over us:

1 Peter 4:1-2 “Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.”

2.  The Results Of Being Set Apart To God- 1 Peter 4:2-6

It is not about the rules and regulations that sets us apart, no, it is about the motivation!

*A Different Motivation- 1 Peter 4:2-3

1 Peter 4:2-3 “that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 3For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.”

Romans 6:2, 11 “Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 11Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

What is your motivation?

*A Different Lifestyle- 1 Peter 4:3

1 Peter 4:3 “For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.”

“Lewdness”- any uncontrolled desires in your life.

*A Different Way Of Thinking- 1 Peter 4:4 

1 Peter 4:4 “In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you.”

Philippians 4:8-9 “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.”

*A Different Destiny- 1 Peter 4:5-6 

1 Peter 4:5-6 “5They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.”

We will all give an answer for how we live our lives:

Acts 10:42 “And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead.”

2 Timothy 4:1 “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom.”

Hebrews 9:27 “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.”

The difference is in vs.6 “…the gospel was preached..” Past tense. “…but live according to God in the spirit.”

1 Peter 4:17 “For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?”

2 Corinthians 5:1-8

We have a different destiny; “We are alive in Christ.”

Do people see you as being different? Why?

Colossians 1:10 “that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.”

1 Corinthians 6:9-12 “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. 12All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.”

You may be able to tough it out in this life but what about the next life, eternal life?

Colossians 3:1-4

Is your heart set apart to God and His will?