Today on the verdict with Pastor John Monroe. Francis Ridley Habergal said, Doing the work of God is a great thing, but doing the will of God is greater. For the authentic believer, this becomes our number one priority: to do the will of God. This is the verdict with Pastor John Monroe. When everyone else is going one direction, choosing to follow Christ often means standing alone.
Today, on the verdict, we're getting practical, no-nonsense direction for living differently in a culture that pressures us to compromise. From college campuses to the workplace, learn why living according to biblical truth isn't being judgmental. It's about being accountable to the one who matters most. Here's John with today's message. I love the quote by Francis Ridley Havergill.
Doing the work of God is a great thing. but doing the will of God is greater. As followers of Jesus Christ, we may be involved in various good works for the Lord. Serving at church. Feeding the homeless.
teaching a Sunday school class and so on. But in our hearts, are we doing the will of God?
Sometimes we can do the work of the Lord in a self-serving way. Peter has explained that doing God's will often involves suffering. In so doing, We are following the example of our Lord Jesus, who did the will of His Father.
Now, Peter, in his direct realistic teaching, is also pointing out that God's will is that we say no to certain sinful, and more activities. What's now the turn? to 1 Peter chapter 4. We're going to read the first six verses of 1 Peter chapter 4. Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh.
Arm yourselves with the same way of thinking. For whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin.
so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh. no longer for human passions, but for the will of God. For the time that has passed suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do. Living in sensuality. Passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.
With respect to this, they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery. and they malign you. But they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is why the gospel was preached, even to those who are dead. That though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit.
the way God does. Thank you. Please be seated.
So I want to say three basic things from this passage on the will of God. Number one, God's will, and this is a difficult one for us. God's will is that you accept suffering. He said, well, that's a very negative way to begin.
Well, let's do what Peter is saying. God's will, number one. is that you accept Suffering. Number two. God's will Is that you abstained from an immoral Lifestyle.
Notice at the end of verse 1. Whoever has suffered in the flesh Has ceased from sin so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh, no longer for human passions, but for the will of God.
Now the first century believers formerly lived very sinful lifestyles. We know that. The Romans were a very decadent, a very immoral people They indulged their Sexuality. Peter is saying that kind of lifestyle is not for you. Do you hear me, graduates?
that type of lifestyle. is no The next one is drunkenness. Orgies and drinking parties. That sounds kind of like a fraternity in a college, doesn't it? Can I say it very bluntly?
Drunken parties are not God's will for you. Have nothing. to do with them. Lawless idolatry.
Some of the sexuality and drunkenness may have being connected with pagan religious practices. Good and then I have a At France, their daughter went off. The university. Professing follower of Christ coming from a strong Christian home. She got involved with some very nasty People We're into their seances.
Calling up the dead. As you're involved. in all kinds of stuff. lawless idolatry. Sensuality.
Once you get caught up in that, it's very difficult to get out of it. You're into a dark world. A world which is the very antithesis of following Jesus Christ. That lifestyle is clearly contrary to the will of God. Don't go.
to any parties where there's alcohol and sexual activity. Don't compromise your values and standards. You'll be invited to them. Hopefully not in a Christian school, but I don't know. But I guarantee if you go to a secular college, Even if you don't among your friends.
This is the way that people have a good time. And you have to make a decision. Am I going to follow Christ? Am I going to do the will of God? Or am I just going to blend in?
I remember when I was going through Uh studying law. Very good friend of mine. Was having his 21st birthday party in Scotland. That's big, huge. Hello, my friend.
Was that Christian? He liked to drink. I didn't know then, but he was going to die, he was going to die an alcoholic. But even as a young man, A university, very bright, very capable, very good company. Um But He liked alcohol.
And I remember him saying to me, John, Uh I'm inviting you to my twenty-first birthday party.
Now he didn't invite many people. He was he was studying law and lawyers don't like people really.
Well, we like those that can pay the bill, but otherwise we don't like them. Yeah. It was a I kind of privilege I was one of this group. I'm invited uh to his party. And I hesitated because I knew what kind of party it was going to be.
And I said, I don't know, Tom. And he named a young lady. One of the most beautiful young women I've ever seen. Of course I hadn't seen Goodney at that point. Wow.
And he said, she's going to be there. And I think she likes you. I thought, well, of course she likes me. You know, who wouldn't? Uh And I thought, whoa, that's a...
A toxic combination. Alcohol. This beautiful young woman. or to make a decision. In God's grace, I thought, no.
I looked back on that and I thought that could have been a turning point in my life. Life. Very easy, surrounded by friends, people I liked, having a good time. ending up, I'm sure, by the end of the evening. Totally intoxicated.
with all that that involves. Isn't it interesting? that Peter describes that kind of lifestyle. Two thousand years ago, and as we read these verses, we thought this is college life. This is life so much.
around us. And Peter is saying no. Don't do it. And he says here, verse four, With respect to this, they're surprised when you don't join them in the same flood of debauchery and they malign you. My friend couldn't understand it.
Why wouldn't you come? Free boo-boos, beautiful woman, what else do you want?
So there's something wrong with you, Monroe. Unbelievers don't understand often. Why we live differently, do we? And people who participate and that kind of lifestyle. They want you to join in.
They don't like it when you say no. The person who is drinking wants others to drink with him. The young woman who's taking drugs wants others to do drugs with them. They don't like you when you say no. And they sometimes, Peter is saying here, they think it's strange when you don't want to go there, and they may criticize you and abuse you.
He says they malign you, they heap abuse on you, and at. College. In our society, When we say no, we may experience rejection and ridicule. We are no longer part of the in crowd, we're an outsider, we're regarded as kind of weird.
So be it. Doing the will of God. is accepting suffering. Doing the will of God is abstaining from an immoral Lifestyle. You shall be holy, for I am holy.
Thirdly, finally, God's will. Verses five and six. Is that you proclaim the gospel of life. Is the Lord putting you? into that college.
Why is the Lord putting you into that business. You say, well, I want to get a good education. The world is open to me. Yes. But wherever we go, not only graduates, but all of us, we are to proclaim.
The gospel of life. Notice what he says in verse 5. Yes, these people are indulging in a certain lifestyle, verse 5, but they will give account to him. who is ready to judge. The living.
And the dead. Ooh. There it is. Every single person. is accountable.
to God. God has made all of us. He's made us in his image. One day, every single person is going to stand before God. All of us, irrespective of what we believe, is accountable to God.
Our society finds the idea of judgment offensive, don't they? Payback. is the concept. You can live as you like. But judgment is coming.
No one. No one Escapes death. No one is going to escape the judgment of God. Those who are rejecting and abusing you now is the point are answerable to God on the great day of judgment. We leave them with God.
No one will escape, but What's our responsibility? to do God's will. and to proclaim the gospel. of life. Verse six.
For this is why the gospel was preached. even to those who are dead. that though judged in the flesh, the way people are, they might live in the spirit. The way God does. Everyone is accountable to God.
Therefore, We must continue to proclaim the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ. What does it mean that the gospel was preached, the good news proclaimed to those who are dead. Does that mean there's a Second chance that people get to hear the gospel after they died? Absolutely not. many, many interpretations of this rather difficult verse.
But the living and the dead, verse five, refer to So two categories. Those who are physically living, obviously, and those who are physically dead. Every single person is accountable to God. The dead in verse 6. are those who are physically dead at the time Peter is writing.
They heard the gospel during their lifetime. The gospel was preached to them. But now they are physically dead. The new interp The New International Version says, is preached, even to those who are now. Dead.
Christians have died.
Some are martyred. But notice what happens. Peter says, that might they might live In the spirit, the way God does. What is Peter doing? Peter is giving us an eternal perspective.
See, one of our problems in life. is that we look Are there tiny little lives? I'm not going to make my decisions based on the market. on my little friends, what's going around me. Peter is putting back the camera.
and saying, now remember this. Everyone is accountable. The people who are malign you. The people who live that way are accountable to God. What are we to do?
We're to display Christ. Our life is to be different. We have to proclaim the gospel to them. And those who died in Christ still share in Christ's triumph. He suffered.
He conquered. Sin and death. He's gone into heaven, he tells us at the end of chapter 3. Suffering persecuted misunderstood believers, they will be vindicated. It's good to remember that, isn't it?
It's good to remember. that life is very short. And that when we make decisions in life, And we decide what's the most important things in life. And we decide how we're going to spend our time, and what we are going to pursue in life, and what's going to be the priorities of life, that we keep. God Very much.
in view. That God is not of the periphery. No. I'm living now in the light of that day. I'm not trying to build my little kingdom now.
I'm concerned with seeking first. the kingdom of God and His righteousness. And God desires all men to be saved and to come to the full knowledge of the truth. Once people die, no, there's no opportunity for them to be saved. And so we must communicate the gospel to everyone.
Yes, including that obnoxious person who makes life difficult for you. including that person at work. Who ridicules you? Including that family member that wants to reject you because of your commitment to Jesus Christ. What are we to do?
We're to continue to display. Christ and proclaim him. Not just by what I say, but by how I live. A sharp difference. Between what I was In my sin, and what I am now in.
Christ. Three important keys then. And doing God's will, graduates. Number one, Do the will of God. Be prepared.
for suffering. You're following in the steps of a master Who suffered For you, remember that. Doing God's will is not always easy. Going to a Christian college, going to a secular college, going into the workplace, whatever your life is. It is not easy if you stand for Christ.
Now, if you become like everyone else, it's very easy. If your idea is to blend in, and profess Christ But Live this kind of lifestyle that Peter is describing, you'll find it very, very easy. But remember this: you're accountable to God. The time is coming. When we don't know.
when each of us will stand before God.
So do the will of God first be prepared for suffering. Do the will of God abstain from immorality. Will you do that, graduates? You're going to be tempted here, I guarantee you. Will you abstain from immorality?
You say, well. How's it going on? Even some Christians I know you're going to say. They indulge in that, no. You're answerable.
to God. abstain from immorality. Be separate from the moral sewer around you. Not in a self-righteous way, not being the Pharisee, but out of a desire to do the will of God. I can conform to the world, or I can be transformed by the renewal of my mind.
I can pursue my own fleshly lusts, or I can seek first the kingdom of God. That's the choice. You want to see an offense? You want a little bit of both sides, you can't. Remember Jesus says you don't have two masters.
If you're going to follow Christ, follow him. If you don't believe it, I understand, live your own life, but remember you're accountable to God. But don't sit on the fence. Don't say I'm a follower of Christ. And live like the pagan.
That's what Peter is saying to the first century readers. Don't do that. You know that kind of lifestyle. Have nothing to do with it. Paul says Regarding the will of God, 1 Thessalonians 4:3.
For this is the will of God. What is it? Your sanctification. Your holiness. That is much more important.
than what college you go to. That is much more important what career you have. is to do the will. of God. Even your sanctification becoming more and more Like Christ.
Isn't that wonderful? When we meet students. who have gone to a college. And they have kept themselves following Christ. day by day Not perfectly, but following Christ.
Here's the last one: do the will of God. Tell others about Jesus Christ. Don't be silent. Don't be afraid. Never ever be ashamed of the gospel.
We have the most bizarre views being propagated in our society. We have the most perverted lifestyles. Being brought right to her face. Why is it? We who are followers of Christ.
Why is it that we are timid? Why is it that we don't speak out for Christ? Why is it that we don't challenge that atheist professor who's got his PhD and has? Is in his mid-50s and has been teaching for many years and has got all of the arguments and things. He's so smart.
to show how naive These eighteen-year-old students are If they only knew. What he knew. They only knew what she knew. Chairman is done. Speak up.
You say, Well, it may affect my grades. Listen. No one's going to ask you your grades when you leave college. I know your moms and dads don't want me to say that, but it's true. If going to college is all about your grades.
Please. No one ever asked me about my grades. Yes, we want you to pass. We want you to excel. But getting an education or college isn't about Getting grades.
It's about being educated. It's being an ambassador for Christ. That is not inconsistent with working hard. You should work hard. The will of God for you at college is that you work hard, but there's something much more important than that.
It's to shine. For Christ. Called. to display The Lord. Jesus Christ.
This is the will of God for you. Let me tell you, there is nothing greater than life. When you put God first, you will never ever regret it. Psalm 18, verse 30 says, This God. His way is Perfect.
Psalm 23. He, the good shepherd, does what? He leads me in the paths of. Righteousness. For his name's sake.
That's perfect. Do you think you're smart? Do you think you're wise? All of us here can make foolish mistakes when we got our eyes off Christ. But pray.
As Jesus prayed, will you pray this with me? Remember the prayer of Jesus in the garden. Not As I will. But there's your will. This is the verdict with Pastor John Monroe and the conclusion of his message titled The Will of God.
It's a powerful reminder that following Christ often means swimming against the current. As John emphasized today, doing God's will isn't necessarily about big spiritual moments. It's about making daily choices to live differently than the world around us. Whether you're facing pressure at work, on campus, or in social situations, remember that making difficult decisions for righteousness is always better than lasting regret from compromise. Having a biblical perspective equips us to see things God's way.
and make these difficult decisions. That's why we want to offer you John's unique study guide for the time is near. This resource takes you through the book of Revelation. Offering a better understanding of God's prophetic calendar and why that impacts our lives today. Download your complimentary copy today at theverdict.org.
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Now, with his closing remarks, here's Pastor John Monroe.
Well, what's your verdict? Have you been doing your own will rather than God's? What about that questionable habit in your life? What about your conduct? Are you doing only the good works that you prefer to do?
Rather than following the true will of God for your life? Ask yourself. Is your life different from the unbelievers? Don't go down the road of sleazy compromise. Live differently.
And in so doing, display and proclaim the Lord Jesus. Be an authentic follower of Jesus Christ. Do his will for his glory. hands or you're good. Thanks for joining us today on The Verdict.
I'm Michelle Davies. Today's program with Pastor John Monroe was produced and sponsored by Calvary Church in Charlotte, North Carolina.
