Ethics For the End

OPENING COMMENTS

Today finds us back in our study of 1 Peter that we have titled “Stand Firm.” 

Please go ahead and meet me in your copy of gods word in 1 Peter 4:7-11. 

1 Peter was written during the early days of an intense persecution against the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. So much of it centers around having the right attitude and frame of mind while enduring the persecution and rejection of society.

 No doubt, when you are enduring hostility in this world, your mind becomes increasingly aware that it will soon end and Christ will soon return.

That is the focus of the text before us this morning. 

1 Peter 4:7–11 NKJV

7 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. 8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” 9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

INTRODUCTION

Christians in the first century lived with an anticipation of Christ return and fully expected that it wouldn’t happen in their lifetime. 

Paul- Romans 13:12

John- 1 John 2:18

James James 5:8

It makes complete sense that they would especially in light of the persecution they were under for practicing their faith.

However, as we know, Christ return has not happened yet. 

But the fact that Christ has not yet returned does not invalidate the fact that he will return. 

We should live our lives and anxious anticipation fully expecting Christ to return in our lifetime. 

Peter, at the very outset of verse seven tells us: “But the end of all things is at hand…” 

End-completion or consummation. 

Jesus will return. His return is eminent and when he returns our suffering and persecution will end. The consummation of our faith will be made sight as we dwell eternally with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

But how should we conduct ourselves until then? 

Peter gives us five simple and practical commands for how to live in light of Christ return and each one of these commands has the same singular purpose to them. 

1. Keep calm. (v.7b)

Serious-to have a sound mind, to be in control of yourself, to be self restrained. To be calm and sensible. 

This means we are not to live a life of frivolity. This doesn’t mean that we can never have fun, but it does mean we need to measure things as to their importance in light of Christ return. 

The serious minded believer controls and restrains his lust, desires and appetites. He does not give into the temptation to live in excess, but knows everything we acquire is a gift from God to be used for him. 

He remains calm and sensible about life. He doesn’t let the trouble, problems, circumstances shake him. That doesn’t mean he’s not concerned, he’s just not shaken. 

We are in to enjoy life and its experiences but we keep things in their proper place, knowing this world is truly not our home. 

Understand though, being serious minded about the Lords return doesn’t mean we sell everything we have quit our jobs and live on the hillside awaiting the Lords return either. No, we live life, taking it sensibly, knowing the Lord could return at any minute. 

2. Watch and pray. (v.7c)

Watchful– alert and awake at all times. Showing self control. To be sober as a not abusing any mind altering substance. 

A. THE BELIEVER IS NOT TO TAKE ANYTHING THAT GOALS HIS MIND AND SENSES.

He has to keep his mind sober and alert at all times. He has to have a firm grasp on reality, not constantly trying to escape reality. 

You cannot pray always, for all things, if your mind is numb because of drink or drugs. 

B.THE BELIEVER IS TO KEEP YOUR MIND FROM BEING LAZY AND DRIFTING AIMLESSLY.

We are to always be thinking upon a thought, a right thought, in any moment our mind is not engaged upon a thought, it is to be in prayer. 

Imagine what the world would be like if we believers prayed all the time, if we really sought after God this much. If we never left the throne of God without seeking his love and power. Like a watchmen on a city wall who peoples lives counted on. 

In about 1949 a group of retired missionaries from China, with a few faithful praying friends, met for their regular missionary prayer meeting in Adelaide, South Australia. A great prayer burden and sense of urgency came on them as they gathered together. All felt especially burdened for Hayden Melsap, then assigned to the China Inland Mission. They unanimously decided to drop all preliminaries and go ‘straight to prayer.’ They prayed until they all felt a sense of peace and relief.

“A few years later, when Hayden Melsap was on deputation in Australia, the missionaries asked him if he recalled any unusual occasion at that time. To their amazement, they found that on that day and hour Hayden and at least two other missionaries were backed against a wall in a courtyard in China, with communist guns leveled at them. Just as the officer was about to issue the command to fire, the door of the courtyard opened and a higher official entered. Shocked to see what was about to happen, he shouted, ‘Stop!’ He then stepped up, put his arm around Melsap, and led him and others to safety.”

Someone is depending on your prayers. Can that person count on you?

3. Permanently Love fellow believers. (v.8)

Fervent- Athletic term. To stretch or reach out, to strain and exert to the utmost degree. 

It carries the idea of having a burning or boiling passionate love for your fellow believers. 

The believer is to have an ultimate love, I love a fervency. This is the most important duty you have toward your fellow Christians. We are to strain and stretch every ounce of energy to love our brother. 

Peter tells us this kind of love “covers a multitude of sins.” 

When we love, we are not hating or reacting with sin. We are living with a forgiving spirit, instead of living with a sinful grudge. 

John 13:34–35 NKJV

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

4. Live with ungrudging hospitality. (v.9)

In the early church believers had to open their homes to each other just to survive. 

When believers were forced to leave other cities, they had no place to live. When missionaries and evangelist traveled through. (talk about the expense of inns and the fact most were brothels.) There were no church buildings until around 200 years after Christ death. The church met in the homes of willing believers. 

In order for the church to love, care and have fellowship with each other hospitality was/is a must. 

Using our homes as an epicenter of Christian love is something every believer must do. 

Notice the call is to open our homes “without grudging.” (murmuring or complaining) 

Building relationships with each other is core to biblical Christianity. In order to truly build community we must open our hearts and homes to each other. 

5. Live using your gifting. (v.10-11a)

Every believer is gifted with an ability from God. We’re not talking a natural talent, this gifting is not something you can attain on your own. It’s a spiritual gifting from God meant to be used for spiritual purposes. It is given to help you fulfill your role in the church. 

Notice where to use this gift to “minister to each other.” And build up one another within the church and to witness to the world outside the church. 

Biblical Christianity is not a spectator sport. God expects you to be a player. Whether your gift is of a speaking or serving variety, the expectation from God is that you use it. 

If your gifting is public then use it publicly. If it’s private then use it privately. 

CONCLUSION

Peter calls us here in verses seven Dash 11 to be occupied serving and ministering to each other and preaching the gospel to the lost, because Christ is coming. We are to be so focused on Christ return that no amount of persecution can keep us from the task he has called us to do. 

Galatians 6:10 NKJV

10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Verse 11 tells us that our one singular focus for serving God with our lives until his return should be “glorifying God.” That must be our sole focus and all that we do.

Matthew 5:16 NKJV

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.