Introduction
If Christ were to return today or he were to call us home, what would he find us doing?
Background
As we move into 1 Peter 4 verse 7, let’s take a minute to review some of the setting and background of this text. Remember that this letter was written to believers who were suffering under intense persecution. They were mistreated, badmouthed, criticized and sometimes even beaten and imprisoned. These were suffering Christians living in a hostile environment. As we have studied the book of Peter, he has challenged his readers over and over again to boldly live for the purposes of the gospel in the midst of severe persecution.
Peter has already unpacked in this letter the value of focusing on the truth and on the gospel and on holy living when faced with impossible circumstances. Peter has challenged his readers to keep their minds right…
I’ve often struggled with a message in church services that look at God’s commands in His Word, rattle off a list of do’s and don’ts while ignoring the motivation behind those instructions and the power we have been given to glorify Christ with lives subjected to His control. I think of those as “should do” sermons…. The problem is that it’s not me that does good works. If anything good come out of me, it is Christ in me who is at work. The best I can do is simply not get in the way and let Christ work through me! Peter does not make that mistake.
- In chapter 1 and 2, he explained to us how precious our salvation is. In 1 Peter 1:7, he tells us that our faith is “more precious than gold.” When we are simply blown away that God saved a person like you and like me, then that overwhelming gratefulness is our first motivation to obey Jesus as King.
- Then in chapters 2,3 and 4 he explains how a life lived for Christ in the midst of difficult circumstances declares “the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Peter 3:9) We have the opportunity to be a witnessing community and our reaction to trials is one of our best witnessing tools. Evangelism is motivation #2.
- Now Peter is going to explain our King, Jesus Christ, says that he can return at any giving moment. In this section he will be explaining what our King expects to find us doing when He returns. The 2nd coming of Jesus is motivation #3
Let’s dig into the scripture
The Coming of Our King
7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.
This statement is meant to be shocking. Did you catch that… “The end of all things is at hand…” It’s a wake-up call. The master in going to return soon. Are you ready for his arrival?
When Peter says, “The end of all things is at hand,” Peter is making a bold statement here about the future. If the master, Jesus, can return at any time, how do we live in a way that makes us ready for his arrival? Let’s unpack that question in 2 parts:
#1 An Expectant Attitude toward Christ’s Coming
When Peter says, “the end” what does he mean by that? Modern Americans might think about the apocalyptic meteor impact movies that were popular in the late nineties and think “the end” refers to some kind of one-time event where reality as we know it comes crashing down….where the world blows apart and ends in a devastating, fiery blast. The Jewish culture did not think of it exactly in those terms.
The Greek word translated as “the end” (telos) refers more commonly to the last stage of a process. It also can refer to the outcome or goal of a process. A book is a better illustration of “telos” than a meteor. The telos of a book would be the concluding chapter of the book (or the result of having read the book). Illustration: book on how to build a skyscraper. It can be very short or it can be very long.
What Peter means by “the end” is that we are in the last stage of God’s redemptive plan. The goal of everything that God was trying to accomplish in history and on the cross is about to be fully realized. Jesus can return at any time. History, as we know it, can end at any time.
We can tend to get comfortable in this last stage and loose the anticipation of Christ’s return because we’ve been in this stage for a while now. This scripture is a reminder to us that “the end” is (still) near” Peter is reminding them and us to live in a way that anticipates the return of Jesus. There is to be an expectancy among the believers.
Some theologians get caught up in a debate about whether the writers of the New Testament expected these last days to last so long. 2000 years seems like a long time to us, it’s not a long time to God. Think about who God is and how long He’s existed. God has lived for an eternity already and he’s going to live for an eternity yet to come. Time is nothing to God. He is above time. Remember the verse in 2 Peter 3:8, “…one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”
The writers of the New Testament may or may not have been surprised that 2000 years have now passed since the first coming of Jesus, but that is really beside the point. Peter’s point here is that we are living in the final stages, so live in a way that expects the return of Jesus at any moment.
This world is not our home. We are just passing through. My citizenship is not in America, but I’m a citizen of heaven and I’m eagerly anticipating the time when the Lord finally takes me home.
The New Testament is filled with scriptures that deal with the expectancy of Jesus’ return. Let take a few minutes to look at just a few of them.
- Romans 13:11b-12 – …For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.
Paul is telling his readers that they better wake up. Salvation and eternity in heaven is far closer than they think it is. Jesus might come back at any time. He may call you home at any moment. The night is almost gone. The time when the light of God pierces that darkness of this fallen world is about to break through. We better put aside the deeds of darkness and get ready for the King to arrive in all of His glory! - 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 – 29 This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, 30 and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, 31 and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.
Paul is saying that we better hang on to everything in this life very loosely. Do you see that? Very loosely. Don’t get too caught up with things here. They really don’t matter at all. It’s all moving quickly to an end, so don’t hang on to it too tightly. - 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 – 51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.
Everything is going to change and it’s going to come about quickly. Faster than the snap of my fingers. Faster than the blink of an eye. It will happen in the twinkling of an eye. That’s the amount of time that is takes for light to reflect off your pupil. The trumpet sounds and instantaneously, we’re gone. There’s no seconds. There’s not more time to get ready. Trumpet sounds and fffffooofff….Gone
James, John and the writer of Hebrews all wrote similar passages that pointed to the possibility that Jesus could come back at any time. Whether we meet Christ because He returns or we meet Christ because we die, the end will come sooner for you and I than we expect. So how do we get ready for the kings imminent return? How do we get ready to meet Jesus?
#2 Getting ready for His arrival
Let’s go back to Verse 7
7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.
A. Think rightly and be clear-minded so that you can pray.
The gospel of Christ is as real as gravity. It affects everyone, whether they believe in it or not. Peter is calling each of us to live in light of the reality that Jesus is King and He’s coming back to rule. The reality of Christ’s return has massive implications as to how we act and think. One day we will all give an account for our lives. Each person will stand in judgment before Christ and account for whether his deeds were good or worthless. AND that day is coming way sooner than you think it will come.
So two commands are given here: #1 Be self-controlled #2 Be sober-minded. Just like in our culture, excessive drinking, sexual immorality, corruption and idolatry were normal activities. Peter is calling out Christians and telling them not to be like the world.
- They are drunks.
- Their mind dwells on sin.
- They can’t conceived of the Things of God.
Don’t go there. Don’t let your mind drift. The days are short so get rid of anything that might cloud your thinking and drink deeply of the things of Christ. Ephesians 5:18 says, “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.” It won’t be long before you see Him face to face so get your mind right. Get to know Him in prayer. Don’t wait another day.
God’s word plainly says that when you think clearly, that’s when you can pray effectively. Effective prayer does not base itself on daydreams, intoxicated states or on non-realities. Effective prayer is totally aware of the surrounding circumstances and in light of that reality, it is seeking God’s power and God’s wisdom for the situation.
If we are to be ready to meet our King, then clear-minded, intentional prayer is a foundation stone. Let’s read on to verse 8
8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
B. Persist in a love for one-another that “covers” sin
The Greek word translated “earnestly” in the ESV (ektenēs) means “stretched out.” Have you ever hear of Usain Bolt? Usain Bolt is a Jamaican sprinter widely regarded as the fastest person ever. Take a look at this VIDEO. In Greek literature the word for “earnestly” (ektenēs) was often used of a runner who was moving at full stride with muscles straining and stretching to the limit. Peter tells us to love one another like you are giving it all you’ve got. Love each other with the same kind of drive, intentionality and fervency as Usain Bolt is using in an all-out sprint.
The end is close. We can’t afford to break ranks in the body of Christ over little issues. Be ready to forgive. Don’t get hung up on little issues. We are going to meet our King soon and there are a lot of people who still do not know the life-saving power of Jesus. We need to keep on task.
Love in the Christian community seeks to treat each other in a way that is an all-out sprint toward unity and runs away from things that divide the body. Love is intensely practical, not just warm feelings of affection. Take a look at verse 9
9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.
C. Show Hospitality without Complaining
Hospitality (gk: philoxenos) means to be generous to guests. It can be referring to opening up a home to guests, to strangers, to travelling preachers or to Bible Studies or Church services.
Remember that these people were living in a time of intense persecution, so opening up a home could be more than just inconvenient. Hospitality to a known Christian leaders could mark a family for anti-Christian persecution. Recall the story of Jason from our study in Acts about 5 months ago. Paul and Silas had arrived in Thessalonica. They began to preach the gospel. Acts 17:4 says
4 And some of them (the Thessalonians) were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women.
The Jews were jealous of Paul and formed a mob, set the city in an uproar and brought the mob to Jason’s house were Paul and Silas were staying. If you thought that someone overstaying their welcome was bad, then imagine if your guests brought home a violent mob with them! And if that wasn’t bad enough, the mob began to persecute Jason for his hospitality. Verse 6 says
6 And when they could not find them (Paul and Silas), they dragged Jason (the hospitable guy) and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, 7 and Jason has received them (he showed hospitality), and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.”
The Roman authorities were “disturbed” and the only way that Jason got away was by giving the authorities a bribe. So get this: Jason puts Paul and Silas up, they bring home a mob, Jason is arrested and then he has to bribe the officials for his own release. If I were Jason, I’d never do that again! I would probably complain about that situation. However, Peter says, “Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.”
Hospitality in Peter’s day could have been dangerous, but it was a gracious act of love necessary for the gospel of Christ to go forward in the last days. Christ gives us gifts like houses and money and cars and he expects us to use those gifts for the gospel. Christ also gives each one of us a spiritual gift to compliment the other gifts he has given in the local church. Take a look at verse 10
10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:
D. Complement each other by using spiritual gifts to serve the body
By the grace of God, each one of us has received some kind of spiritual gift to serve the body of Christ. Each believer has at least one gift. Some believers have many gifts. God did not give you a spiritual gift in order for you to admire the gift and keep it for yourself. You have been given some kind of spiritual gift for the purpose of giving it away to someone else. Your gifts and your talents are not your to keep. They are intended to be given away to minister to other people in the church. Peter gives us 2 simple examples
11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies
If you have a speaking gift – that is a gift to preach or teach – use that gift with a clear and sober mind. The days are short and the work we are engaged in is serious business. There is not time to teach or to speak about our own opinions or some platform of non-informed assumptions when we are supposed to be teaching God’s Word.
Peter instructs us to speak in accordance to the revelation God has given in the Bible. This charge is exactly why we are a Bible Church. It is important to us that everything that is taught here is firmly grounded in the Word of God and not just in a man’s opinion. Christian teaching must be consistent with the new life we have in Christ so that we will all be ready for his imminent return. When Jesus returns, he wants to find us teaching and encouraging and edifying and even rebuking each other in love, based on His Word.
For those who have the gifts to serve, when he returns he wants to find them serving in the strength he supplies and pouring out their lives for others – just like He poured our His life for us.
Conclusion
Finally, when we get things in order, focus on Jesus and use our gifts, the result is that God is glorified through Jesus Christ
11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
All the resources we require for righteous living do not come from us, but from God who possesses a limitless supply.
Life Application
#1 Get things in order now
If a man is diagnosed with a terminal disease, the doctor will often send that man home to get things in order. I’m telling you that the end is closer than you think it is, so go home and get your spiritual life in order.
The Bible is clear that we are living in the last days. Understanding the times we live in changes our perspective on these times. We are in the final stages of God’s redemption plan. So, stay alert! Think clearly. Throw off anything that might hinder your growth so that your prayers are not at all hindered. The time is short, so make the most of the little time you have. Don’t put off godliness to tomorrow. Jesus can return at any time – without any warning. Get things in order today.
#2 Focus on Jesus
Thinking rightly and praying effectively will enable us to clearly see Jesus and genuinely love other believers. Other people will do things that hurt sometimes. Don’t be surprised by sin. Don’t hold a grudge. Cover it. Veil it. Don’t make a big deal of it. It is far better to focus our eyes on Jesus than to focus them on the sins of those around us.
#3 Use Your Gifts
While you are waiting, serve. Use the gifts that God supplied for you. When the master returns, or when he calls you home, let him find you giving your all for the sake of the gospel. Let Him call you home while you’re doing something like using Judo to share about Jesus.
Teaching Outline
The Coming of Our King
#1 An expectant attitude toward Christ’s coming (verse 7)
- Romans 13:11b-12 – …For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.
- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 – 29 This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, 30 and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, 31 and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.
- 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 – 51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.
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