"THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER" Living In The End Times (4:7-11) INTRODUCTION 1. In 1Pe 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" - cf. 1Pe 4:7a ("But the end of all things is at hand;") 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"? [Verses 7-11 provide guidance to "Living In The End Times" and we notice right away that it should involve...] I. PRAYER THAT IS SERIOUS AND ALERT (7) 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 1Pe 1:13; 5:8 (the word "sober") B. THIS QUALITY IS NEEDED ESPECIALLY IN OUR PRAYERS... 1. Otherwise we cannot pray as we ought - cf. Ep 6:18 2. That is, with praying that is "watchful" - cf. Lk 21:34-36 [Serious, watchful praying is necessary, therefore, or we might not be ready for that which will come. As we continue in our text, we see that "Living In The End Times" also calls for a...] II. LOVE THAT IS FERVENT & FORGIVING (8) A. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME PETER COMMANDS "FERVENT LOVE"... 1. The first time was in 1Pe 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 ("above all things have fervent love...") a. This is reminiscent of Paul's words in Col 3:14 b. And perhaps a reflection of Jesus' words in Mt 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 Pr 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 - cf. Jm 5:19-20 [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! As a further expression of "fervent love for one another", "Living In The End Times" will also involve...] III. HOSPITALITY THAT IS GRACIOUS (9) 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! - cf. Ga 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 - cf. Jn 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 (so I understand Re 20: 7-9) b. In any period of persecution, when some Christians lose all they have, other Christians need to be ready to provide for their needs - cf. Mt 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 [Finally, in keeping with our Lord's charge to "Do business till I come" (Lk 19:13), "Living In The End Times" requires that we offer...] IV. SERVICE THAT GLORIFIES GOD (10-11) A. EACH PERSON CAN PERFORM A VALUABLE SERVICE... 1. By the grace of God, which is "manifold" (multi-faceted), there are various ways one can serve God 2. And each of us are to be "good stewards" (accountable servants) of whatever gifts or abilities we may have 3. Even as Paul wrote to the brethren at Rome in Ro 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" - cf. Tit 2: 7-8 2. Those that minister (serve) a. With the ability or strength supplied by God Himself! b. Certainly not with slothfulness - cf. Ro 12:11 CONCLUSION 1. "Living In The End Times", then, is living with the recognition that to God (and Jesus Christ) "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 How are you living now that "the end of all things is at hand"? Are you glorifying God through Jesus Christ?Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011
