1 Peter 4:7-11 Christians in the End Tmes
Notes
Transcript
The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Introduction
Introduction
The Roman empire was past its heyday. Its emperors are desperate to hold it together. The Cult of the Emperor was at risk. Christians refused to acknowledge the emperor as a god. They also challenge the many sinful traditions and practices of the Roman culture that were used to appease the populations. This is similar to the bent of liberalism today, where elites promote sin as a way to appease the people.
Earlier in the letter, Peter, after reviewing the position of Christians in the Kingdom of God, and in the Roman empire, is providing them direction on what they should expect and how they should respond to the difficult times.
His message? The end times are upon us - keep a level head. Focus on loving and caring for one another as tribulation is coming. All of our interactions with one another should reflect God's direction and power, so that He is ultimately glorified.
Two cultural concepts at play: 1) Hospitality and 2) Prayer. These are keys for the church to persevere through trial and tribulation.
Four commands 1. v7 (use sound judgement and keep sober), 2 vv7-10 (Use the gifts God gave you), 3. v 8(keep fervent), 4. v9 Be hospitable
There is a sense of urgency in Peter's instruction in this letter. He senses that the fabric of Roman society is coming apart and that Christians will be blamed because of their beliefs and morals and perceived rebellion. A cultural shift is under way that the government is helpless to stop - which will drive the the society’s desperation.
Key Question: How should Christians handle the tough times ahead?
Key Question: How should Christians handle the tough times ahead?
Answer/Imperative: They should keep their heads about them, and actively love one another.
Answer/Imperative: They should keep their heads about them, and actively love one another.
The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.
Point 1: We are in the end times, and the Lord knows they will be difficult
Point 1: We are in the end times, and the Lord knows they will be difficult
Explanation
1 Peter 1:13 “Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
The end of all things is near. For these Christians, persecution threatens them. For all of us, physical death of our bodies approaches.
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Chapter 4)
We live in the last dispensation, not like the Jews under the Old Testament. The Lord will come as a thief; He is “ready” (1 Pe 4:5) to judge the world at any moment; it is only God’s long-suffering and His will that the Gospel should be preached as a witness to all nations,
As the end approaches, we need to keep a level head so that we remember to pray.
These are commands, and they are important because it gives instruction on how to keep on track as real suffering and persecution begin. It also sets the stage for what follows in the remainder of the letter.
Illustration: Peter is sounding an alarm. It is like the cry of “Battle Stations” aboard a ship. We need to mentally prepare ourselves for difficulties to come, for they are coming. Therefore, to prevail, we need to anticipate trouble and not react to it, but respond to it.
Argumentation: Even in the time of Jeremiah there were false prophets crying peace, peace when a catastrophe was approaching. Jeremiah 8:11 ““They heal the brokenness of the daughter of My people superficially, Saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ But there is no peace.” The government and those in power don’t want to admit weakness - we’ve got it handled they say when trouble approaches. But we need to be vigilant in watching the signs of the times, and prepare for what may come.
Application/Exhortation:
Keep your head on a swivel, as we say in the military. Know always that the end is approaching, whether it be the return of Jesus or our physical death and the beginning of our new life in heaven.
Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Point 2: We need to love and comfort one another with the gifts God gave us.
Point 2: We need to love and comfort one another with the gifts God gave us.
Explanation
Proverbs 10:12 “Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all transgressions.”
be fervent (eager, earnest, constant). Love covers/conceals a multitude of sins - Jesus' love expiated our sins and we should seek to overlook the sins of our brothers and sisters..
Our love for one another makes us stewards of God's grace. The spiritual gifts we have from God enable us to show God's grace toward others.
Luther said: “As God with His love covers my sins if I believe, so must I also cover the sins of my neighbor” [LUTHER].
Everything we do should be to serve and glorify God. By showing hospitality to each other, we glorify God, who gave us this gift and the resources to serve. For this reason, we should show hospitality “without complaint”.
About gifts, Paul said: Romans 12:6–8 “Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.”
Illustration: A solid church is a good illustration. It is a living organism. Pastors teach and are for the flock, musicians provide music for worship. IT people run sound and video. People who like to cook bring refreshments. People with gifts of administration keep track of members and publish bulletins. Those who know how to manage buildings and real estate take care of the property. Those who like to help, help clean the church or help church members in need.
Argumentation: In times of trouble, often you will hear that it’s “every man for himself” - that we should look out for number 1 first, and let others worry about themselves. This may be our first instinct, but the Lord expects us to love one another no matter what the circumstances.
Application/Exhortation: It’s not every man for himself. It takes teamwork to prevail in tough times. Join a good church and pitch in, especially when work needs to be done, and the times get tough.
Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Point 3: We are the people of God, so all our interactions should be godly, bringing glory to God.
Point 3: We are the people of God, so all our interactions should be godly, bringing glory to God.
Explanation
All our actions need to be consistent with God's grace, and bring glory to Him.
"utterances of God" we are supposed to speak only those things that would please God. Speech needs to be godly, not obscene or cursing. Bad language tends only to make matters worse in difficult situations.
Service as ministry: prayer and hospitality. Prayer and hospitality take energy, and we need to seek God’s power, through prayer, to be hospitable.
We need to do all things right and proper, as we are the children of Christ, and we should want to glorify Him in everything we do.
Illustration
Argumentation
Application/Exhortation
Conclusion
Conclusion
The end times are upon us - keep a level head. Focus on loving and caring for one another as tribulation is coming. All of our interactions with one another should reflect God's direction and power, so that He is ultimately glorified.