06AM January 1 1 Peter 4 7_11

January 1, 2006—Morning Worship

The “Soon and Very Soon” Series

This May Be The Year!

Specific Activities for Your New Year

1 Peter 4:7-11

Intro:  This may be the year! That may have been the feeling Andraé Crouch had in the late 1970’s, when he penned the words to the hymn Soon and Very Soon. Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King. We’re going to a place where there is no more crying, no more dying, no more pain, no more heartache, no more disappointment, no more of the agony that exists in this world! & we’re just waiting on the King to return to take us to our heavenly home! This may be the year!

Peter expected Jesus to return in his own day, & if the return of Christ seemed imminent to Peter, how much more should it seem that way to us! Peter longed for the Lord's return; & if we're alert, we'll wake up every morning saying, "Maybe this is the day Christ will return.”

But what if it were today? What are the implications for us if Christ should return today or even this year? How should we live? If we knew for certain that we were the last generation of Christians on earth, would it make a difference in our lives? & maybe more importantly, would it make a difference in the lives of those who come in contact w/us every day?

I’ll be honest enough w/you this morning to say, that if I knew for sure that I was a part of the last generation of Christians on earth—that would definitely cause me to make some changes in my own life. Now, having said that, & I’m no different from you, if we are truly walking w/God, we shouldn’t have to say that!

The Apostle Peter, who was just like us, wrote to encourage people just like us to a daily walk of true holiness when he called to our attention the fact that: "…the end of all things is at hand…." & over the next several weeks we’re going to look closely at the impact & the implications that statement holds for believers & for non-believers.

As we begin, let’s read today’s text together from 1 Peter 4:7-11, & see four specific activities for your New Year.

1 Peter 4: 7 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious & watchful in your prayers. 8 & above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins." 9 Be hospitable to one another w/o 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 w/the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory & the dominion forever & ever. Amen.

The 1st activity for your New Year is to…

1. Be Serious and Watchful in Prayer (v. 7). 7 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious & watchful in your prayers.

- The Greek word for "serious" means "sane, sensible."

- The word "watchful" was used for staying sober as opposed to being drunk.

- Together, these two terms indicate that we need to keep our wits about us, to be alert, clear-headed, & self-controlled.

- IOW we’re to…

    A. Be aware of needs around us “be serious & watchful”

- I get the idea from our text here, that God puts more value on our prayers than we do.

- He considers prayer a serious activity that can influence world events.

- The prophet Daniel was aware of current events & it influenced the way he prayed (see Dan. 9).

[I don’t know about you, but I’m kind of hooked on the Fox News Channel. I watch it before I come to the office; I watch it when I go home for lunch; I watch it when I first come home in the evening. I try to be well informed about the events of my times. But not until recently did I realize that I should be taking that information & praying!]

- Peter, through the inspiration of God, said we should be serious & watchful in prayer!

- IOW we’re to be aware of needs around us & we’re to…

    B. Be on our knees before God “in your prayers”

- That means not just to be informed about the needs of the world, but to be active in prayer about those needs!

- Are you someone who watches quite a bit of television?

- Try fasting—try offering one of your programs as a sacrifice.

- Tell the Lord, "I'm giving up this show to devote that half-hour or that hour each week to praying over national & world events."

- Have you ever used a newspaper as your prayer guide?

- Have you ever prayed through a copy of Time Magazine?

- Pray for current events & world leaders. Become a world prayer warrior this year.

- I’m not talking about a New Year’s Resolution—I’m talking about a Revolution that can take place in our lives this New Year!

- Be serious about prayer & God will be serious about answering.

- Be sober & watchful about needs & when you pray, God will meet those needs!

- Let’s dedicate ourselves to at least 5 more minutes in prayer each day & watch God do what only He can do this New Year!

- #1, be serious & watchful in prayer…& #

2. Have Fervent Love for One Another (v. 8). But the end of all things is at hand; therefore…8… above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins."

- Did you notice…

    A. The primary position of love “above all things”

- Peter instructs us that above all things or before any thing else, we are to love others.

- This puts love in the primary position. Love is above all things.

- The Bible uses the same word for love as it does here, when it tells us God loves us.

- This is the God-like love, the unconditional love, the more-than-a-feeling love, the do-anything-for-you-at-any-time love that is so characteristic of God!

- You say, “I can’t love like that! I can’t will myself to love anyone the same way God loves me!”

- & you are right! But if the love of God is in you—it will flow through you to others!

- The Bible tells us that we love God only b/c God 1st loved us.

- & we have the ability to love others only b/c God loves them through us!

- So how do we put love in its primary position?

- All we have to do is to stop looking at others through our eyes & see them through God’s eyes.

- Stop examining them w/our critical gaze & start exhorting them w/God’s grace!

- B/c love is in the primary position, we also see…

    B. The extraordinary power of love “fervent love”

- The Greek word for "fervent" gives the idea of strenuous effort, like a horse on a full stretch barreling just as fast as possible toward the finish line.

- This kind of love covers a multitude of sins.

- This kind of love enables us to minimize the faults of others & to maximize their strengths.

- This “fervent love” is the same kind of love Jesus displayed when He died on the Cross for you & for me.

- This “fervent love” is the love that took away our sins & freed us from their penalty.

- This “fervent love” is the love that we should display in our lives toward others—even if they do reject us, & hurt us, & mistreat us.

- Jesus is our example & He loved us through our sin. He loved us through our failures. He loved us through our waywardness. He loved us through all those things b/c He loves us w/an everlasting love!

- The power of His love saved us; it freed us; it sealed us; it protects us & soon & very soon it will take us home to heaven!

- Sometimes it’s not easy loving others! & the word “fervent” means strenuous effort!

- So work at it! Strive for it! Stretch to grasp it! Reach out to the fullest extent you can & grab hold of others w/a love that is unexplainable from man’s point of view!

- Fervent love can transform our relationships this year.

- I say that b/c the verse says we’re to display “fervent love for one another.”

- IOW whatever you do, love others, but especially your brothers & sisters in Christ; love them fervently & w/o exception!

- If you do that, forgiveness will abound & unity will be evident in this body this year!

- Be serious & watchful in prayer, have fervent love for one another, & #...

3. Be Hospitable to One Another (v. 9). But the end of all things is at hand; therefore… 9 Be hospitable to one another w/o grumbling.

- IOW do it…

    A. W/all generosity “hospitable”

- Jesus didn't own a house, & there were few hotels in those days.

- So for about 1,100 nights in a row, Jesus either slept out under the stars or borrowed a bed or a mat or a palette in someone's house.

- When was the last time your home was open to Jesus, to be used for His purposes?

- Now that doesn’t necessarily mean we have to bring strange people into our homes.

- The text simply says, “Be hospitable” & it literally means to “love hospitality, to love strangers, to be generous to guests” & especially to those who need it.

- If you can't bring your neighbor into your kitchen, take your kitchen to your neighbors. Bake a pan of brownies for them and invite them to church.

- Jesus enjoyed the entertainment of strangers for the 3 + years of His ministry.

- Everywhere you read in the Gospels you find Jesus eating or staying in someone’s home.

- & we should extent generosity to others & treat others w/respect & compassion.

- Who knows, maybe one day you may be in need & if so, wouldn’t you want to be treated the same way—w/ respect & compassion?

- But did you also notice that it’s not enough for us just to merely be hospitable?

- Peter said we should do so…

    B. W/o grumbling “w/o grumbling”

- Complaining, grumbling, murmuring spoils hospitality.

- Don’t grumble; don’t complain when you do something for someone else.

- Don’t act like its some big, burdensome task & you’re doing it, but you hate having to.

- If you grumble – even if no one hears you – you will have lost whatever reward you would have gained for showing that kindness, b/c God knows your heart & attitudes.

- Whatever you do, do it from a heart that loves strangers, that’s generous to guests, that uses hospitality as a tool to bless the saints & influence the sinners.

3 John 1: 5 Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren & for strangers.

- Be a faithful, generous, loving, compassionate, obedient follower of Jesus w/o grumbling.

- We’re talking about specific actions for your New Year, & so far we’ve been instructed to be serious & watchful in prayer, to have fervent love for one another, to be hospitable to one another & #4 says we’re...

4. Minister to One Another (vv. 10­11). But the end of all things is at hand; therefore...[we should] 10 minister…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 w/the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory & the dominion forever & ever. Amen.

- There are 2 basic types of gifts mentioned here:

    A. Gifts to Speak "If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God."

- Some have speaking gifts: Whenever you tell someone about Christ, it is Christ Himself using your mouth to speak His message.

- When God gives you an opportunity to teach, preach, witness, evangelize, or encourage someone, it's as though Jesus Himself were personally speaking to that person.

- If God gives you the gift to speak—speak up! Don’t hold your tongue! Speak to the glory of God!

- Some have misused this gift or even tried to counterfeit this gift & speak when God has not given them the gift or the message. That always does more harm than good.

- But if you’ve been gifted to teach – teach! If you’ve been gifted to witness – witness!

- If you’ve been gifted to evangelize – share the gospel w/all the fervency & compassion you can muster for lost souls!

- Remember that one time Jesus said if the children didn’t praise Him then the rocks would b/c He is deserving of praise!

- Don’t let anyone or anything else stand in your way of proclaiming the message of Jesus Christ!

- Some will be offended; some will persecute you; some will ridicule you; but some will respond as God gives them grace!

- The other kind of gifts mentioned in these verses are…

    B. Gifts to Serve “If anyone ministers, let him do it as w/the ability which God supplies”

- The word translated “ministers” is the same word from which we get the word deacon & the word servant or service.

- When we minister to others it carries the idea of serving others or being a servant to others.

- Gifts of service may appear less glamorous than gifts of speaking b/c servants are not usually at the fore front of activities.

- But in all actuality, gifts of service are just as important b/c of the work done behind the scenes.

- It’s work done quietly; it’s work done under the radar; it’s work done for the glory of God just like the others gifts.

- & did you notice that we're to serve in the strength God provides? We’re to serve w/the ability God supplies!

- We’re not to work our fingers to the bone in our own strength—but we are to rely on God & His power & His ability & His supply to accomplish what seems impossible to us!

- Remember Gideon & his army? Remember Peter & his miracles? Remember Paul & his miracles? & there are many, many more!

- These were all men of God who trusted in His ability instead of their own!

- So how can we wait & depend on the ability that God will supply?

- 1st serve Him w/the physical strength He provides.

- Sometimes we get tired in ministry b/c of long hours & difficult days. But if we serve God w/the physical strength He supplies, we will not get tired of ministry!

Galatians 6: 9 & let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

- IOW never give up! Keep on going in the physical strength God gives!

- 2nd serve Him w/the emotional strength He provides.

Philippians 4: 11b …for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, & I know how to abound. Everywhere & in all things I have learned both to be full & to be hungry, both to abound & to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

- IOW Paul said he had learned to be content – not to be agitated in his mind – but to be emotionally satisfied w/whatever came his way.

- Through all the highs & lows of ministry; through all the ups & downs of life; through all the sorrows & joys Paul had learned to trust God; to walk w/God; to rely on God for His strength!

- That emotional strength only comes from Christ & that’s why Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

- 3rd serve Him w/the spiritual strength He provides.

Ephesians 6: 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

- The Bible goes on to talk about the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the preparation of peace, the shield of faith & the sword of the Spirit.

- All these things are given for your strength—so that you can stand spiritually before the wiles & schemes of the devil.

- Serve Him in the physical, emotional & spiritual strength that He supplies.

- But the key in all of that is to serve HIM! Serve God!

- B/c soon & very soon – who knows – this may be the year!

Conclusion:  In the light of Christ's return, let's devote this year to prayer, to love, to hospitality, & to ministry. & what will be the result? God will be glorified! The text ends as verse 11b says, “…that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory & the dominion forever & ever. Amen.”

          As we devote 2006 to these 4 specific activities, to prayer, love, hospitality & ministry, God will be glorified & magnified & exalted & enjoyed as the Great King of kings & Lord of lords that He is! & you’ll be part of lifting the name of God so that the world may know Him!

Invitation:  Is God calling you to salvation today? Are you sensitive to His Spirit drawing you to come to Jesus in repentance of sin & faith in Him? If so, would you come today seeking the One who came to seek you & save you?

          Maybe today God has spoken to you about your need to be serious about prayer; or your need to display His love toward others; or your need to be gracious & generous to others; or your need to be a servant to all. If you sense God dealing w/you about these matters, would you come today & offer yourself as a living sacrifice in this new year?

Hymn 192 Soon & Very Soon