The End is Nigh!

Intro

Begin with story of Kyrie Wilson’s interception in OT of the 2021 Grey Cup

When I re-watch the game, the entire experience is different because I know how it ends

All throughout Peter, he has reminded his readers of the end:

“At the revelation of Jesus Christ” = second coming

He does it again near the end of his letter in 1 Peter 4:7 “The end of all things is at hand...”

Because we know the end, and because it is drawing close, we should live differently

Just like my experience with the Bombers game was different

How do we live differently? Let’s find out together

Read 1 Peter 4:7-11 and pray

The End is Nigh

The end of all things is at hand… the end is nigh!

LOTS of predictions of the end of the world:

Martin of Tours (400)

Hippolytus of Rome, Sextus Julius Africanus, and Irenaeus (500); based on the dimensions of Noah’s ark

Pope Innocent III (1284); 666 years after Islam… gotta love the Crusades

Thomas Muntzer (1525); Anabaptist that was killed by government troops in the German Peasants’ War

William Miller/Millerites (March 21, 1844… Oct. 22, 1844)

Herbert W. Armstrong, founder of the Worldwide Church of God (1936; 1943; 1972; 1975)

Harold Camping (Sep. 6, 1994; Sep. 29, 1994; Oct. 2, 1994; March 31, 1995… May 21, 2011; Oct. 21, 2011)

Many people = 2000

Obviously a bad idea, because Jesus tells us NOT to predict in Acts 1:7

So why do we do this?

There is a LOT of immediate expectation for the early church that Jesus would return in His lifetime

But what do we know for sure: Jesus is going to return, we don’t know the date, so we need to live in a state of preparedness

“Be self-controlled and sober-minded” = live like Jesus is coming back at any moment (from earlier sermon)

Ready for action; clear-headed with the right priorities

In fact, Peter declares this helps our prayers (v. 7b)

Not because God is somehow more pleased to listen to us; instead it helps us pray for the right things

1 Peter: An Introduction and Commentary (i) Pray More and Love Each Other More (4:7–9)

Christians should be alert to events and evaluate them correctly in order to be able to pray more intelligently. Peter’s words also imply that prayer based on knowledge and mature evaluation of a situation is more effective prayer (otherwise there would be no relationship between being ‘sane and sober’ and one’s prayers). What this verse teaches could well be put into practice when reading the newspaper, listening to the news, travelling to work, and so on.

So when we hear more end times predictions, or conspiracy theories, or evaluate the state of the world around us we can do so with a clear mind that is focused on God

Jesus Himself reminds His followers that knowing the end (and being sober and self disciplined) gives us strength

Cf. Luke 21:34-36.

Our prayers are informed and prioritized with the coming Kingdom, while also being a source of strength to endure what must take place between now and then

So what are these priorities, then?

Love Stubbornly

“Above all” shows that this first priority is the greatest; to love one another “earnestly”

“Earnestly” = eketnos = tense, eager or resolute

It is a wonderful picture to be resolute in our love for one another

Or as I put it, we need to love stubbornly

Show the picture of the last tree standing

We also must be resolute in our desire to love one another

Stand against the forces of the world around us that seek to tear us apart

When we can love stubbornly, it is MUCH easier to deal with other issues that crop up

As Peter puts it, “love covers a multitude of sins”

Likely learned this truth from Proverbs 10:12.

Don’t over think this! We all know that it is true from our own experience

Use putting up with the kids’ mess around the house as an example

When love ceases, all these things will drive you crazy; at home, with friends and family, and in the churche

Host Willingly

After setting the top priority of loving stubbornly, we are called to live like the end is nigh by showing hospitality without grumbling

Hosting is great!

Talk about the importance of hosting in an ever-increasingly individulaistic society

But hospitality is MUCH more than having people over for supper

For the early church, this was opening up your home when people travelled, feeding those who needed it, ensuring that no one went without

Do we strive for this level of hospitality today?

Refer to Aaron and Janelle’s donation of a pig and our church consortium bringing over refugee families

Of course it is not enough to do these things out of duty or obligation; we are called to do them without grumbling

Biblical hospitality will cost you something; can you pay that willingly?

Willing service is rewarding; a lesson we all need to be reminded of

Share about the boys being part of set-up/clean-up crews at the lake

Serve Graciously

Lastly, we need to use our spiritual gifts to serve one another graciously

Once you become a Christ follower, you have a spiritual gift(s)

“As each has received a gift” (v. 10)

Do you know what your spiritual gifts are? Consider taking a test

These spiritual gifts are many in God’s creativity (God’s varied grace in v. 10)

We have lists in Scripture, but they are not exhaustive

Feel free to prayerfully consider thinking outside the box! How has God chosen to gift you, individually?

But we must remember that these gifts are not from us or for us

Obviously from God; we are “stewards” of them

Outline stewardship and ownership with borrowing a vehicle

This means that our gifts must be put to use

Read 1 Peter 4:11.

Whatever your gift is, use it and use it well!

Peter is adamant that the gifts we steward from God are also not for our own benefit

Re-read 1 Peter 4:10.

We must use our gifts to serve one another

We must use our gifts to glorify God

Talk about my own call to ministry; open up to other examples

Conclusion: All for the Glory of God

We live differently because we know the end

The end is nigh! So be prepared by:

Loving stubbornly

Hosting willingly

Serving graciously

When we live this way in light of the end, God is glorified

The story is about Him, not us

And maybe, just maybe, when we live this way, others will glorify God and be ready for the end as well