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Biblical
references in Gahanna-Jefferson Church of Christ's nondenominational sermon
outlines are linked directly to text of the King James version of the Bible.
Bible quotes you hear in the streaming audio may be from the New King James
version of the Bible.
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Introduction.
1. In I Peter 4:2, Peter wrote concerning the Christian that...he should no
longer live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the
will of God.
2. As an impetus to live out one’s time in the flesh for the will of God, one
should remember that we are living in the end times.
3. It might be that Peter actually had reference in this text to the destruction
of Jerusalem.
a. Which was the end of the temple, the Levitical priesthood, and of the Jewish
economy.
b. As MacKnight points out in his commentary: This epistle being written A.D.
67, about a year after the war with the Romans began, which ended in the
destruction of Jerusalem and of the Jewish state, Peter, who had heard his
Master’s prophecy concerning these events, and concerning the signs of their
approach, had good reason to say, that they had approached.
4. But whether Peter has in mind the destruction of Jerusalem, or the Lord’s
second coming, we can still say the end of all things is at hand.
a. For even if the Lord Himself does not return for another two thousand years,
the time is not long when we who are alive today will be in the flesh no more
b. With every passing day, our salvation is nearer than when we first believed,
and the end draws ever closer.
5. How then should we live out the rest of our time, living as we do in the end
times?
Body.
I. PRAYER THAT IS SERIOUS AND ALERT.
A. Peter stresses seriousness throughout his epistle.
1. The word here is sophroneo {so-fron-eh’-o}, which means:
a. To be in one’s right mind.
b. To exercise self control:
1) to put a moderate estimate upon one’s self, think of one’s self soberly.
2) to curb one’s passions.
2. Words closely related to this are found in
I Peter 1:13;
5:8 (the word sober).
B. This quality is needed especially in our prayers.
1. Otherwise we cannot pray as we ought -
Ephesians 6:18
2. That is, with praying that is watchful -
Luke 21:34-36
II. LOVE THAT IS FERVENT & FORGIVING.
A. This is the second time Peter commands fervent love.
1. The first time was in
I Peter 1:22
2. Where we defined fervent as constant or earnest.
3. Here Peter tells us to make such fervent love the number one priority.
a. This is reminiscent of Paul’s words in
Colossians 3:14
b. And perhaps a reflection of Jesus’ words in
Matthew 22:36-40
B. The need for such fervent love is seen in its power to forgive.
1. For love will cover a multitude of sins.
2. This appears to be a reference to
Proverbs 10:12 (love covers all sins).
3. To cover sin does not mean to ignore it, but as used by James it suggests
fervent love does what is necessary to restore and forgive the sinner -
James
5:19-20
4. As the time of the end draws near, and the Day of Judgment looms closer, how
important it is that we have the kind of love for one another which will
encourage us all to get rid of sin in our lives!
III. HOSPITALITY THAT IS GRACIOUS.
A. This is an unusual use of the word hospitality.
1. For the word is philoxenos {fil-ox’-en-os}.
a. It literally means love of strangers and is normally used in reference to
kindness to those we don’t know.
b. But here Peter applies it to our love towards brethren.
2. But if we are to show kindness to those we don’t know, how much more towards
those who are of the household of faith, our own brethren! -
Galatians 6:10
B. The need for hospitality.
1. There is always a need, as our love for one another is a sign of true
discipleship - John 13:34-35
2. But there may be a special need as the end draws near:
a. Several passages suggest that persecution of the saints will increase before
Christ returns.
b. In any period of persecution, when some Christians lose all they have, other
Christians need to be ready to provide for their needs -
Matthew 25:35-40
C. For it to be true hospitality, it must be without grumbling...
1. If one shows kindness with a begrudging spirit, can it be said they truly
have a love of strangers (or brethren)?
2. Only by placing a higher premium on our brethren than we do on our
possessions can we show hospitality without grumbling.
IV. SERVICE THAT GLORIFIES GOD.
A. Each person can perform a valuable service.
1. By the grace of God, which is manifold, there are various ways one can serve
God.
2. And each of us are to be good stewards of whatever gifts or abilities we may
have.
3. Even as Paul wrote to the brethren at Rome in
Romans 12:3-8.
B. With two examples, Peter illustrates the kind of service that glorifies God:
1. Those that speak:
a. They should speak as the oracles of God.
b. Understanding that they are speaking for God:
1) They should speak only that which God Himself has revealed.
2) With sound speech that cannot be condemned -
Titus 2:7-8
2. Those that minister (serve):
a. With the ability or strength supplied by God Himself!
b. Certainly not with slothfulness -
Romans 12:11
Conclusion.
1. Living in the end times, then, is living with the recognition that to God
belong the glory and dominion forever and ever.
2. With that recognition, we will be careful to develop:
a. Prayer that is serious and alert.
b. Love that is fervent and forgiving.
c. Hospitality that is gracious.
d. Service that glorifies God.
3. How are you living now that the end of all things is at hand? Are you
glorifying God through Jesus Christ?
Don Treadway,
December 2003 |
