SERMON GMT15-042
SERIES: Topical Messages:
Special Days – New Years
SETTING: North Kelso Baptist Church
SERVICE: Sunday AM (January 3rd, 2016)
SUBTITLE: How to Live in View of the End (Part 2)
SCRIPTURE: 1
Peter 4:7-11
SUBJECT: The impact of the end of all things
SUMMARY: The
realization that the end is now here serves as the motivation for Peter’s call to
prayer, love, and service towards one another which leads to the glory of God
through Christ.
SCHEME: To enable my people to transcend unbiblical means of motivation for the
ministry they are to have for one another in view living at the end of all
things
_____________________________________________________________
Our theme is: The end motivates our ways
Proposition: The Christian’s awareness of the end
of all things impacts their present daily conduct
Interrogatory Sentence: How does
the awareness of the end of all things impact your daily conduct?
Transitional Sentence: Our passage describes three (3) aspects
of how the awareness of the end of all things has an impact on your daily
behavior; The Assertion of the Apostle, The Admonition of the Apostle, and The Application
of the Apostle.
[The Title of the Message]
How to Live in View of the End (Part 2)
[Announce the Text]
Please open your Bibles to 1 Peter
4:7-11
Prayer for illumination & understanding
Our gracious Father, help us to
hear your holy Word that we may truly understand; and that, understanding, we
may believe and believing, we may be in all in all things faithful and
obedient. Father by understanding your word may we seek your honor and glory in
all that we do; through Christ our Lord. So Father we ask you, through your
Holy Spirit to open our hearts and minds for the sake, the honor, and the glory
of your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, so that as the Scriptures are read and your
Word explained, we may hear with joy what you say to us today. We ask you
Father to show us all that Christ is and what He has done for us. Amen.
Re-announce and read the text
Our text for today is 1 Peter
4:7-11
[Main Introduction]
On a
warm summer day in June a teen-age boy lost one of his contact lenses while he
was playing basketball in the driveway. After a lengthy fruitless and
frustrating search he went inside his house and told his mother that he could
not find his contact lenses anywhere in the driveway. So his mother, stopped
what she was doing and went out to the driveway in order to search for his
lenses.
In a
short while she came back into the house with the lenses in her hand. While her
son was putting it back into his eye, he asked her why she could find it and he
couldn’t. She said it was because they were not looking for the same thing. She
said, “You were looking for a small piece of round plastic, I was looking for
150.00.” She was motivated by the cost
of the lenses!
Orient the Text:
Motives shape and determine our strategy, our service, and
our success
This
morning I want to continue to speak to you about the impact that the awareness
of the fact that the end of all things is here – or more specifically how the Christian’s awareness of the
present end of all things impacts their present daily conduct by serving as a practical
motivation.
It is obvious that motivation is extremely important in
anything in this life. The proper motivation is no less important when it comes
to the daily life of a believer.
Proper motivation will shape your strategy or your plan of
ministering to one another. Motivation will affect your actual service or
ministry to one another.
Raise a Need:
Christian priorities and their detractors
As I
said last week, there are an innumerable types and kinds of distractions that
are designed to derail you from your responsibilities toward one another and
your interpersonal relationships. Satan, your flesh, and this world is at work
in order for you to misalign your priorities. When your priorities are wrong you
fail to relate to one another as God intended and you focus on your own
personal desires. It is the failure to maintain Christ-like priorities or
maintain godly motivation that causes believer to fail one another.
There
is only one response to the care, welfare, and benefit of God’s people, and
that is being fully aware of and responding properly to the awareness that the
end of all things is actually here.
The Christian’s awareness of the end of all things impacts
their present daily conduct.
State the Purpose
Once again, my
purpose today is to challenge you to rise above any and all unbiblical means of
motivation for the ministry towards one another and live biblically in view of
the fact that the end is now here. I want you to resist any and all unbiblical
reasons for ministering to one another by seeing the real reason we are to
minister to one another.
Let’s look at the
impact that the realization of the end of all things has on the daily life of
believers.
[Sub
Introduction]
[Scripture Introduction]
Last week I mentioned that Peter’s
letter was written to provide encouragement to the Christians who lived in
northern Asia Minor who were undergoing intense persecution. This letter was
designed to encourage these persecuted believers to remain faithful and
obedient under this persecution. The reason that they were to remain faithful
and steadfast was their knowledge that the end of all things was at hand.
And so, Peter emphasized the holy
lifestyle that they were to maintain since they were only temporary residents
in a foreign land. Peter wanted his readers to know that as they suffered for
Christ’s name and for his sake in a hostile non-Christian land, they were to
always remember that they were citizens of heaven and the children of God.
Peter urged his readers to stand
firm against the persecution by focusing on their spiritual privileges,
promises, and preservation. So Peter reminds his reads that they are called to
holiness, a life of sacrificial love, a life of ministry and service to fellow
believers, which ultimately culminates in the glorification of God through
Jesus Christ.
And so I remind you, that your awareness of the end of all
things impacts your present daily conduct
[Review:]
Last week we saw that a fruitful, faithful, and obedient
Christian life is inspired or is motivated by the hope of the future. The
strength to endure persecution and hardship is also inspired or motivated by
the hope of the future. Of course the future is the release from this world by
the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. So we look for this release and this
return.
Your anticipation of the end of all
things should have an impact on your present day conduct and Christian
experience. So, as believers experience persecution and as we wait for Jesus
Christ we should be motivated to band together and minister to one another to
the glory of God. We saw that the justification for this premise is found in
Peter’s opening statement in verse 7:
“Now the end of all things is at hand…”
Peter stated that the end of all
things is here and remains here. The HS inspired Peter to use the perfect tense
of the verb. Human history has always been moving toward this goal. As of late
it seems as if history is plummeting at an uncontrollable and unstoppable
breakneck speed. The time separating God’s timetable and ours is razor thin.
This caused Peter to write, “…therefore…” Since the end
of all things is here there are two areas in which should impact your remaining
time in this life –
·
Your
personal life
·
Your
public life
We were able to closely examine the first area that is
impacted by this awareness and that was their personal life. Peter made two
very clear points about their personal life:
·
They were to maintain a sound mind
Peter
commanded his readers to have a clear mind. He commanded them to have a right
mind. It is a mind that has been delivered, rescued, revived, salvaged,
and protected and is now safe and secure.
A sound mind has a proper perspective on the end times and the events that are
transpiring motivating you to live a godly and faithful life.
·
They were to maintain self-control
Although this word originally was
used to describe a state of being free from the control of an intoxicating
beverage, it came to be used to signify the ability to manage your actions, feelings and
emotions. So one who is motivated by the knowledge that the end of all things
is here is one who controls his/her mind, emotions, and will.
Peter’s
readers are to be clear-minded and self-controlled so that they can pray
effectively. So that they can pray for wisdom, guidance, and to know God’s
will.
Our theme is: The end motivates our ways
Proposition: The Christian’s awareness of the end
of all things impacts their present daily conduct.
Interrogatory Sentence: How does
the awareness of the end of all things impact your daily conduct?
Transitional Sentence: Remember, our passage describes three
(3) aspects of how the awareness of the end of all things has an impact on your
daily behavior; The Assertion of the Apostle, The Application of the Apostle, and The
Admonition of the Apostle.
[So, let’s continue to examine the
second aspect described in our passage, the application of the apostle by
looking at the second major area which is impacted by the motivation of the end
of all things. And that is…
2B Peter’s
admonition regarding their public life (8-11a)
Peter is
going to deal with two major areas in the lives of believers that involves one
another. First he deals with their…
1C Peter
admonishes his readers to love one another (Vss. 8-9)
[I want you to notice at least
three (3) things about the believer’s duty to love one another]
1D The
description of love – stretched out with
no limits
“And
above all…”
Above
everything. This places love for one another as the most important thing that a
believer can do for another believer.
Peter
admonishes his readers, and ultimately you and me to love one another with a
deep and fervent love.
“…have
fervent love for one another…”
Peter used
a noun in this phrase rather than a verb. He is talking about the nature of this love that they are to
have for one another.
Many times
you have heard the word “fervent” means “hot” or burning. But it really doesn’t
and it doesn’t in our context.
It means “stretched out.” It means to the fullest
capacity. This word was actually used to describe a horse that was running at
full gallop. Picture a horse in your mind for a minute, picture the horse
running at full speed, and see his taunt muscles bulging from strenuous and
sustained effort of running.
Because we
are a family, our love for one another is to be like that. Full, stretched out,
with no limitations. We are to love one another with no limits.
2D The
Duty of love – refuses to gossip or
throw in the face (8b)
Peter tells
us the reason we are to have such a “stretched out, with no limits” type of
love for one another.
“…for love
will cover a multitude of sins.”
This little
phrase describes the kind of love that you have for one another. This is a very
convicting and cutting piece of truth.
We may be
able to limit love to two types:
·
A love that is selfishly motivated in order to achieve
personal goals or personal benefits
·
A love that is unselfishly motivated for the sole
benefit of the one that is loved
How can you tell the difference
between the two? How can you tell what your motivation is in loving someone,
particularly other believers? Peter tells us:
“…for
love will cover a multitude of sins.”
Now, Peter
does not mean that love condones sin. He does not mean that we sweep sin under
the “proverbial rug.” Peter does not mean that we ignore sin or close our eyes
to sin.
Peter is
saying that true godly love that is stretched out to the limits hides those
sins we see in others from our sight. In other words we do not gossip about
them, we don’t bring them up, we don’t point them out. True love forgives sin.
This does
not mean that we are to be blind to sin. Believers do not delight in sin. But
genuine believers are interested in the welfare of other believers – genuine,
out stretched love with no limits is always compassionate. Real love does not,
Peter says, remind one another of their sins.
The love
that Peter is talking about refuses to deliberately expose the sins it
encounters to the sight or gaze of other people.
True love
refrains from reckless gossip about sins. True love acts like a blanket and
covers them up.
[For example:]
When Ham
discovered his father uncovered and naked in his tent he spoke of it to others.
He broadcasted Noah’s sin. He exposed it. But, Japheth did not speak of it but
went and simply covered up his father.
Lenski who was a
Lutheran pastor and theologian wrote:
“Only when Christians become mean and ugly do they favor the
devil by dragging each other’s failings out into the public and smiting each
other in the face.” [1]
Why should Peter care about this? Why
is it so important that as we are aware of the fact that the end is here
motivate us to love one another with such a love that refuses to throw up one
another’s sin to each other? Well, it really is very simple, isn’t it?
·
Believers
are weak and do fail
·
As
we gather together even more frequently we are going to see the weakness and
failings of one another
·
In
order to get along and spend much time with one another we need to be forgiving
Well, in our public life the awareness that the end of all
things is here motivates us as genuine believers to refuse to gossip and bring
up the sin of other believers and to forgive them and keep them from public
sight.
3D The demonstration of love – meeting the needs of others (9)
“Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.”
There is no verb here. The English
verb “be” is supplied by the translators. This isn’t another command or
directive, it is an example of how to love one another.
It goes back to have fervent love for
one another hospitable to one another.
What does hospitable mean?
The word Peter used translates an adjective
that describes someone who has an affectionate care for strangers that is
expressed by offering strangers food and shelter. It also contains within the
word the idea of a repeated practice.
This practice was very important in
the early church. Believers would travel and need a place to stay, eat, and be
refreshed. Inns were often filled, dangerous, or too expensive. Not to mention
the crude and lewd behavior that took place in the inns – which the genuine
Christian would have separated himself from.
So believers found refuge with other
believers. They had fellowship, were encouraged, and even strengthened.
But look at what Peter added – “…without
grumbling.”
This word means a low speaking, a
murmuring or mumbling beneath the breath of displeasure. It depicts a lack of
loving cheerfulness.
Genuine believers were expected to
open their homes and resources to other genuine believers. Without this
practice the early church expansion and evangelism would have suffered a great
deal.
So, we find that Peter’s instructions about the present end
of all things is very practical. First, in the fact that believers are to have
a mutual love, a stretched out love with no limits that forgives and forgets
sin, and opens the home and resources to one another.
2C Peter admonishes his readers
to serve one another (10)
“As each one has received a gift,
minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” (vs. 10)
1D The Reality for Service – each believer has a gift
·
It
is clear that each genuine believer has been assigned a gift by God
“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given
to each one for the profit of all” (1 Corinthians 12:7, NKJV)
“But to each one of us grace was given according to
the measure of Christ’s gift.” (Ephesians 4:7, NKJV)
“As each one has received a gift, minister it to one
another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” (1 Peter 4:10, NKJV)
Very
briefly those gifts were divided into three categories, of which only two
categories remain today:
·
Sign gifts – tongues, miracles, healings, wonders (Mark 16) (temporary)
·
Speaking gifts – apostle, prophet, pastor/teacher, evangelist (Eph 4)
·
Service gifts – (Ro 12) prophecy, service, teaching, exhortation,
giving, administration, and mercy
2D The Reason for service - for the good of the whole
o Each believer has a
distinctive function in the body for the good of the body
o Each believer is a steward
and not the owner of the gift.
3D The Result of service – each gift used for others & not self
o Each gift is to be used to
serve others and not self
o Each believer is a steward
& will give an account
Serving
one another should promote the well-being of the entire group. It is God who
gives the gift and then energizes it with the power of the HS
[The second admonition for their public life is that…]
2C Their
duty to speak to one another (VSS. 10-11a)
Peter moves from the duty to serve
fellow believers to the duty of speaking to fellow believers.
1D The Scope of speaking – not limited to officials, includes all
“If anyone speaks, let him speak as
the oracles of God.” (11)
·
If
anyone – refers to every individual member
·
First
of all this is not referring to a leader or an official
2D The Sphere of speaking – in any and every setting/opportunity
·
This
word is used in relation to teaching, exhortation, sharing a word or even
sharing a testimony in any setting
·
It
can even be used to describe the speaking outside of church in a setting such
as speaking to the sick in their bed or a hospital, etc.
·
It
can be used to describe personal conversation in any casual setting – shopping,
chance meetings, etc.
Because the end is here, some believers will become confused,
fearful, or frustrated. So when you speak to them, speak the word of God to
them. Teach them truths that will encourage them, exhort or encourage them.
3D The Significance of speaking
– in the place of God
·
Recognize
that you are God’s messenger or representative.
·
Forsake
your own personal opinion on the current events and speak God’s word.
Well, it is clear that because the end is here, this should
serve as the motivation to maintain an outstretched, without limits love for
one another and to serve one another in such a way that it benefits the entire
body, and to speak words of God in such a way that it uplifts, encourages, and
edifies one another.
Our theme is: The end motivates our ways
Proposition: The Christian’s awareness of the end
of all things impacts their present daily conduct.
[Finally, and briefly, we see…]
3A The Admonition of the Apostle (VS. 11b)
“…that in all things God may be
glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and he dominion
forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:11b, NKJV)
This is the true goal in all Christian
living. This is the goal of our loving, speaking, and serving one another. In
all things means in everything that we do. We should do nothing to or for
another believer without the end goal of the absolute glory to God through
Jesus Christ.
Every gift that we have for God is to
be used for the glory of God.
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever
you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31, NKJV)
God should be, and especially as we are made aware
of the fact that the end of all things is here, the supreme center of our
lives.
Peter was so moved by this that it caused him to add
a few words of adoration and worship – to whom the glory and dominion forever
and ever. Amen! Peter had to worship
right then and there.
Well
Peter makes it very clear under the inspiration of the HS that the end of all
things is now here. It is going to break in on us at any moment – nothing
hinders the end from breaking in. This should cause each and every genuine
believer to love one another with a stretched out, limitless love, to serve one
another for the good of the whole, and to speak God’s word as his
representative in order to encourage one another.
Our theme has been: The end motivates our ways
I have proposed to you that: The Christian’s awareness of the end
of all things impacts their present daily conduct in a significant way!
I have tried to answer the question of: How does
the awareness of the end of all things impact your daily conduct?
From our passage I hope you have seen described three (3)
aspects of how the awareness of the end of all things has an impact on your
daily behavior;
The Assertion of the Apostle – the end is now here at hand ready to break in
The Application of the Apostle – we are to love, speak, and serve one another for the good of one
another with a stretched out love that has no limits
The Admonition of the Apostle – and all that we do is for one another is for God’s glory
[What do you say we wrap this up?]
[CONCLUSION]
Arthur
Brisbane, was the newspaper editor for the Ohio edition of the AAA magazine.
One day he was overheard telling his best cartoonist, a man named Windsor
McKay, that he was the second greatest cartoonist in the world.
A
reporter happened to be standing nearby, and his curiosity got the best of him,
and so he asked the editor who was greatest cartoonist in the world?
"I
don't know," said Brisbane, the editor. "But it keeps McKay on his
toes."
Peter said the end is here. It is
ready to break in any second. We don’t know when it is going to break in on us.
Just knowing that it will break in at any moment should keep us on our
spiritual toes of loving and serving, and speaking to one another. Let’s pray!
[1] Richard
C. H. Lenski, The Interpretation of the
Epistles of St. Peter, St. John, and St. Jude, p. 182
1 comment:
Most uplifting as always Gregg:
Yvonne.
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