An Urgent Need

Introduction 1 Peter 4:7-19

This morning we will be in 1 Peter 4:7-19. Peter is writing his letter at a time when the church is facing heavy persecution. Christians are being killed for what they believe in brutal and creative ways. Because of the persecution, some have given in to temptation to deny that they follow Jesus. Peter has first hand experience with the temptation to deny Christ. It was Peter who denied Jesus three times on the night of Christ’s arrest. Others in the Christian community have uprooted their entire lives in order to flee from persecution. They are living dispersed and as exiles from their homes, and Peter writes this letter under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to these people and encourages them to hold strong to the faith. He tells them of the hope they have in Christ; he calls them to live holy, God honoring lives. He calls for slaves to obey their masters and wives to submit to their husbands, and at the same time he elevates their status by acknowledging them as valuable members of the body of Christ in a culture that demeans both slaves and women. He then comes to chapter four which is where I want to spend some time this morning. Let us read together 1 Peter 4:7-19.

The word of the Lord says this, “The end of all things is near; therefore, be alert and sober-minded for prayer. Above all, maintain constant love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God. 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 gloried through Jesus Christ in everything. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you, as if something unusual were happening to you. Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may also rejoice with great joy when his glory is revealed. If you are ridiculed for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. Let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or a meddler. But if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed but let him glorify God in having that name. 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? ‘An if a righteous person is saved with difficulty, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?’ So then, let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust themselves to a faithful Creator while doing what is good.”

1 Peter 4:7

Let’s look more carefully at what Peter is saying. Verse 7 says, “The end of all things is near, therefore, be alert and sober-minded for prayer.” Peter in the first century is proclaiming that the end of all things is near. As Christians we know how the story ends. We know that God casts evil out of his presence and rebuilds the world in sinless glory. As believers in Christ there is hope to be found that there will be a day when we will enjoy our creator and our savior face to face, but it is also a warning against apathy. If it was near in the first century it is even closer today. I’m not about to suggest I know when the end of all things will occur. It will occur when God wills for it to occur and no time sooner. It could happen in the next few minutes or it could happen in the next few years or it could happen in the next few decades or it could happen some amount of centuries from now. We simply do not know the exact time it will occur, but we know it will occur. How do we know it will occur, God tells us it will occur. Peter says it is near, Jesus says that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night when it is unexpected.

In Jesus discussion of the end of days there is an idea posed by Jesus. The idea is that there will be some who are caught working and some who are caught sleeping. The context suggests that this means not that some will be getting their 8 hours of sleep and others only 4, but rather there will be some people who are not working for the Kingdom and others who are. Peter echos this idea here. He says, “therefore, be alert and sober-minded for prayer.” Peter is once again speaking from experience. In the garden before Jesus was arrested, he asked his disciples to be watching and praying, but they fell asleep. He asked Peter, were you not able to keep watch with me for one hour? Despite the condition of the world, we are to be working for the Kingdom. Today, we are looking at the three realities of being a church that works for the kingdom.

Love in the Wild 1 Peter 4:8-19

The first reality of being a church that works for the kingdom is that we must love. The world around us is not getting any less sinful. In the youth ministry we have an analogy for the world around us. We call it the wilderness. The wild can be a scary place. People live their lives covered by a veil of darkness a canopy of sin. In the wild, people are always going to be broken and Christians can fall into this pattern of living very easily, but as the church we are called to love in the wild. Verses 8 says, “Above all, maintain constant love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins.” Offering love to others includes forgiving them when they fall short, praying for them to grow in Christ, helping them when they need assistance, encouraging them when they face hardship, being there for them when the struggles of the world are pressing down, crying together in times of hardship, and above all sharing the truth of the message of Christ and inviting them to have a relationship with Christ. Offering love to others also includes fun things like having a meal together, enjoying each others hobbies together, laughing together in times of joy, and sharing and celebrating victories won in the name of Christ. We are called to love in the wild.

The second reality of being a church that works for the Kingdom is that love requires action. Peter continues in Verses 10-11, “Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God. 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.” As God calls, he equips his people through the Holy Spirit that lives within us. He has called us to love in the wild, and he has equipped us to be able to do so despite ourselves. I won’t speak for everyone here, but I know my tendency is to go to work and go to church and take the time in-between and say this is my time. This is my time to spend with my wife, this is my time to do chores, this is my time to rest and enjoy my hobbies, this is my time to take care of myself, but if I am going to love in the wild, I have to put “my time” on the altar. The only reason I have any time at all is because it is a gift from God. He knows we need rest. That is why he made the sabbath, for people to rest and recover, but “my time” is God’s gift to me. There will be times when I must lay that selfish desire to the side and use that time to love and serve others. Love in the wild takes time. He has called each of us to love and that will mean that each of us will have to sacrifice some of our time to do so. There is no easy way out of this reality. For the body of Christ to love the world as it is supposed to it requires each member to use their gifts for the kingdom, not just a few. If you’re not using your gifts for the Kingdom, its time to lay down some “my time” and serve those who need to receive love. As you do this you will find that you are not alone, for God will empower you where you fall short.

The third reality of being a church that is working for the Kingdom is that love endures hardship. Peter continue in verses 12-19, “Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you, as if something unusual were happening to you. Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may also rejoice with great joy when his glory is revealed. If you are ridiculed for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. Let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or a meddler. But if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed but let him glorify God in having that name. 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? ‘And if a righteous person is saved with difficulty, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?’ So then, let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust themselves to a faithful Creator while doing what is good.” As you love in the wild, there will be times when you suffer. There will be times when you suffer because of the one who has called you to love. Those whom you are trying to offer love, may reject that love. They may even return ridicule for your faith in Christ. For the cross of Christ is foolishness to world, but it is the power of God unto salvation for those who believe. There are two ways one could respond in the face of this persecution. You could say alright that hurt and I’m done with this love business. It is too hard and I will not be made a fool, or in love you can offer forgiveness to those who hate. For these be diligent in prayer that God will intervene in their lives. Even your salvation was a miracle, a work of God to save a sinner. Peter also calls for the church to not be a part of things that are against the law or that would hurt others. Notice that the only thing we should be suffering for is our faith in Christ. If you steal something and say ah yes I claim this in the name of Jesus and go to jail, you are not suffering for your faith. We are called to endure hardship while loving others.

Conclusion

Today we’ve seen three realities that Peter lays out of a Church that is actively working for the Kingdom. The church that is working for the Kingdom, loves in the wild, is active in that love, and endures in love despite hardship. The question on the table this morning that needs to be addressed is this, are you as a member of the church, actively loving others despite the wilderness around us? Love in the wild requires time, effort, and endurance, but to be a church that is ready for the return of Christ, we must partake in loving our community. We must invite those around us, members of the church and people who do not believe into our lives so that we may offer them love. Are you working for the Kingdom or are sleeping in the field? Allow the Holy Spirit to examine your heart this morning and reveal the truth that is found there. If you fall short, repent and begin to love others. The musicians are going to come up and play the invitation. I’ll be down front if you would like to pray together, but I encourage you, as part of loving others we bear each others burdens. If you feel like you need help enduring in love, grab someone you trust and pray with them, and practice loving and encouraging each other as the musicians play. Let’s pray.