Live Like You Were Dying

Intro:

When I was 10 years old, I remember a song coming out on the radio…

Tim McGraw sung the lyrics…

He said "I was in my early forties With a lot of life before me When a moment came that stopped me on a dime I spent most of the next days Looking at the x-rays And talkin' 'bout the options And talkin' 'bout sweet time" I asked him "When it sank in That this might really be the real end How's it hit you When you get that kind of news? Man, what'd you do?"

And he said "I went skydiving I went Rocky Mountain climbing I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fumanchu And I loved deeper And I spoke sweeter And I gave forgiveness I'd been denying" And he said "Someday I hope you get the chance To live like you were dying"

I remember as a young boy….thinking about these lyrics!

Probably were not a lot of 10 year old boys who were thinking about dying!

Thinking about how I was living my life….

And I really had no concept of Chris yet….I had never really been in church!

My Grandpa had passed away the year before….and I was close to my grandpa!

I remember him saying….

“Boy, one day, the God is going to use you”

But I did not have a clue what that meant….

I didn't have a clue who God was…..nor why He would ever use me!

I look back now and see HOW the LOVE of God and the GRACE of God was pursuing me!

It would be a couple years later that I would be introduced to the church and to JESUS!

And I remember hearing this song, I HAD NO CLUE WHAT CHURCH MUSIC WAS…..

But it was Tim McGraw’s Song….. Live like you were Dying….

That put Urgency on my little 10 year old mind!

Those lyrics….

Someday I hope you get the chance To live like you were dying Like tomorrow was a gift And you've got eternity To think about What you'd do with it What could you do with it What did I do with it? What would I do with it?

Let me ask you something today!!

WHAT WOULD YOU DO!?….if you found out that you were dying!!!

That chorus is catchy…..

Skydiving and Rocky Mountain Climbing….even riding the bull named Fumanchu….SOUNDS FUN

Forgiving, Loving deeper and speaking sweeter of course are good things!

BUT ISN’T THERE MORE

I think what Tim McGraw calls the GOOD BOOK has a lot to say about this!

Today, Peter is going to talk about the REMAINING TIME THAT WE HAVE LEFT!

When you become a follower of Christ….what should the remaining time we have left LOOK LIKE?

I think this is an important question….

WE DON’T AUTOMATICALLY GO TO HEAVEN….

That would be interesting….wouldn’t it…

RATHER THE LORD GIVES US OUR REMAINING TIM HERE…..and this TIME HAS A PURPOSE AND MISSION!

I. A Christians REMAINING TIME in the flesh should be LIVED no longer for human DESIRES, but for God’s WILL! (1 Peter 4:1-6)

1 Peter 4:1–6 CSB

1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same understanding—because the one who suffers in the flesh is finished with sin— 2 in order to live the remaining time in the flesh no longer for human desires, but for God’s will. 3 For there has already been enough time spent in doing what the Gentiles choose to do: carrying on in unrestrained behavior, evil desires, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and lawless idolatry. 4 They are surprised that you don’t join them in the same flood of wild living—and they slander you. 5 They will give an account to the one who stands ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this reason the gospel was also preached to those who are now dead, so that, although they might be judged in the flesh according to human standards, they might live in the spirit according to God’s standards.

There has ALREADY BEEN ENOUGH TIME SPENT living in the FLESH!

Isn’t this true!!!

Fleshly living has not changed much in the last 2000 years!

Unrestrained behavior, evil desires, drunkeness, orgies, carousing, lawless idolatry

Sounds like a PDIDY PARTY….

However, the reality is that this is the state of the heart without JESUS!!!

As a 10 year old….I MAY HAD NOT SPENT A LIFETIME carrying on in these exact manners…

YET, My heart was filled with this same WICKEDNESS

And I had already SPENT TOO MUCH TIME IN THAT LIFE!!!!

Because we inherit the SIN OF MAN through the SEED OF MAN…..we are BORN HAVING SPENT TOO MUCH TIME IN THAT LIFE!

Any further time SPENT LIVING IN THE FLESH….IS A WASTE OF TIME!!!

And time is too precious to waste!

The World DOES NOT UNDERSTAND those who REJECT THIS WAY OF LIVING!

The World is SURPRISED by this NEW WAY OF LIFE!

They do not understand why you won’t join them….

They say…

“We are just trying to have some fun….is that so bad!”

“You don’t always have to be so “Good” do you!”

And the irony become this….

They are surprised why you wont join them in the very thing that is destroying their lives!

But this is the way of the World….THE BROAD WAY…..

The way that seems right to a man but ends in destruction!

The World SLANDERS you for rejecting their way of life!

Not only are they surprised or find it strange that you wont join them…..THEY NOW SLANDER YOU!

To make them feel better, they must tear you down!

SO now they say….

“SO and So thinks they are better than us”

And they paint a picture that you are Holier than Thou….when the truth is that you simply did not want to Join them!!!

This is not NEW….this is the way of the World.

But don’t forget, The World will have to GIVE AN ACCOUNT for their way of Living!

1 Peter 4:5 “5 They will give an account to the one who stands ready to judge the living and the dead.”

Get this picture…..To the ONE WHO STANDS READY TO JUDGE

This brings us back to this urgency!

And this judgment is not a small thing….

John gives us the picture this way….

Revelation 19:11–16 CSB

11 Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse. Its rider is called Faithful and True, and with justice he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a fiery flame, and many crowns were on his head. He had a name written that no one knows except himself. 13 He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called the Word of God. 14 The armies that were in heaven followed him on white horses, wearing pure white linen. 15 A sharp sword came from his mouth, so that he might strike the nations with it. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will also trample the winepress of the fierce anger of God, the Almighty. 16 And he has a name written on his robe and on his thigh: King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

They will give an account….ONE DAY!!!

The Gospel gives us a NEW WAY of Living!

1 Peter 4:6 “6 For this reason the gospel was also preached to those who are now dead, so that, although they might be judged in the flesh according to human standards, they might live in the spirit according to God’s standards.”

Peter says we may be judged IN THE FLESH ACCORDING TO MAN….

BUT we LIVE IN THE SPIRIT ACCORDING TO GOD!

THE GOSPEL GIVES US A RENEWED WAY TO LIVE!

Our remaining Time is lived no longer for the Human Desires IN THE FLESH….but for God’s Will IN THE SPIRIT!

II. The Remaining Time that We Have is LESS than you THINK! (1 Peter 4:7-11)

1 Peter 4:7–11 CSB

7 The end of all things is near; therefore, be alert and sober-minded for prayer. 8 Above all, maintain constant love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Be hospitable to one another without complaining. 10 Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let it be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, let it be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

There must be an URGENCY with the remaining time we have!

Peter says that the end of al things is near….

1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 CSB

16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are still alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.

This time is nearer than you think!

Revelation 22:20 “20 He who testifies about these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!”

And even if the Lord’s return is not in your life time….It is no secret to tell you that YOUR REMAINING TIME HERE IS LESS THAN YOU THINK!

Psalm 39:4–5 “4 “Lord, make me aware of my end and the number of my days so that I will know how short-lived I am. 5 In fact, you have made my days just inches long, and my life span is as nothing to you. Yes, every human being stands as only a vapor. Selah”

James 4:14 “14 Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring—what your life will be! For you are like vapor that appears for a little while, then vanishes.”

I went to a Daddy’s Daughter Dance last night with my girls….

And I cant Help but to think…..how much longer will this last…

Where they think hanging with dad is the best thing in the world….

Where they wrap their arms around my legs….

How much longer will it last….

I KNOW THE ANSWER…..I HAVE LESS TIME THAN I THINK!

Peter says, you only have so much time…..the end is near!!!

Therefore, We must be MADE ALIVE in the SPIRIT!

Before Christ, we were dead….but now WE ARE ALIVE!!!

And living in the SPIRIT LOOKS A CERTAIN WAY….

Living in the Spirit MAKES YOU ALERT AND SOBER MINDED FOR PRAYER!

We know that we do not have much time left….

So we are always looking to the Lord!

We are Diligent in Prayer!

Living in the Spirit MAINTAINS LOVE ABOVE ALL ELSE!

Time is too short to let anything come in the way of LOVE!

This love covers a multitude of sin!

Love finds a way to break through the heart!

Living in the Spirit BREATHES HOSPITALITY

We use our time wisely investing in the lives of others!

Living in the Spirit IS USING OUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS

These gifts are specifically GIVEN to us FOR THE REMAINING TIME WE HAVE!

He sums up the expression of these gifts in two different ways…

Speaking….Speak God’s Words

Serving….Serve from strength God Provides

OUR REMAINING TIME IS LESS THAN YOU THINK….

DON’T WASTE IT!!!!

And a LIFE LIVED IN THE SPIRIT IS NOT A WASTED LIFE!!!!

III. When we Live our Remaining Time in the SPIRIT, it GLORIFIES GOD! (1 Peter 4:12-19)

1 Peter 4:12–19 CSB

12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you, as if something unusual were happening to you. 13 Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may also rejoice with great joy when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are ridiculed for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 Let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or a meddler. 16 But if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed but let him glorify God in having that name. 17 For the time has come for judgment to begin with God’s household, and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God? 18 And if a righteous person is saved with difficulty, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner? 19 So then, let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust themselves to a faithful Creator while doing what is good.

When we live our remaining time in the Spirit, it GLORIFIES GOD!

Peter reminds us that this is true…..Even if your Remaining Time consists of SUFFERING!

In this case, we SHARE in Christ Suffering SO THAT WE CAN REJOICE WITH GREAT JOY when His Glory is Revealed!

Hebrews 12:2 NKJV

2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Romans 8:16–18 NKJV

16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Remember, this life is filled with Suffering….

But you can suffer as you LIVE IN THE FLESH….

This leads to death….damnation

Or you can suffer as you LIVE IN THE SPIRIT…

And this leads to life…..eternal glory

When you are a Christian, the SPIRIT OF GLORY AND OF GOD rests on you!

The Glory that Moses had to be hid in the cleft of the rock from…..as the Glory of God passed by….

As a Christian, The SPIRIT OF GLORY REST ON YOU!

Peter ends by saying, The TIME OF JUDGMENT HAS COME!

And it begins with the Christian…

Get this…when is the Christian Judged….

They were judged at the CROSS!!!

Our ACQUITTAL happened when Christ was put to death on the cross!

And if a righteous person is saved with difficulty….WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE UNGODLY AND THE SINNER!

Judgment is still coming to those who DISOBEY the GOSPEL OF GOD!

So what will it be for you!!????

YOU HAVE LESS TIME REMAINING THAN YOU THINK!!

And the TIME FOR JUDGEMENT HAS COME!

And The Lord stands ready to Judge….

What will be YOUR JUDGMENT!?

If you are in Christ, than you already stand judged….

The Father says this is my SON/DAUGHTER in whom I am well pleased…because I see Jesus!

But if you are not in Christ…..there is a judgment that you will never be able to stand….

The evidence is piled up against you and the penalty is death!

The truth is that we are dying in the world….and our time REMAINING IS FLEETING!!!!

If you are in Christ, use your REMAINING TIME to WALK IN THE SPIRIT rather than the FLESH!!!

This world will be surprised and find you strange!

But GOD WILL CALL YOU HIS!