A Living Hope In The Midst Of A Lost World (2)

The End Of All Things Is Near!

1 Peter 4:7 “The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.”

I. The CIRCUMSTANCES That Were Being FACED!

1 Peter 1:1 “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen”

1 Peter 4:12 “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;”

1 Peter 4:13 “but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.”

1 Peter 4:14 “If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.”

II. The MESSAGE That Was Being PREACHED!

1 Peter 4:6 “For the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God.”

What does Peter mean by the phrase those who are dead?

III. The BELIEF That Was Being EMBRACED!

1 Peter 4:7 “The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.”

2 Peter 3:1-2 “This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles.”

Romans 13:12-14 “The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.”

2 Peter 3:3-4 “Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.””

IV. The INSTRUCTIONS That Were Being RECEIVED!

1 Peter 4:7 . . . therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers

Be SERIOUS

Be WATCHFUL in your PRAYERS

1 Peter 4:8 “Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.”

3. Be FERVENT in your LOVE

What can fervent love for each other accomplish?

4. Be HOSPITABLE without COMPLAINT

1 Peter 4:9 “Be hospitable to one another without complaint.”

5. Be USEFUL

1 Peter 4:10 “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

What does the word GIFT mean?

1 Peter 4:11 “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.”

In the light of each of these specific instructions, the apostle Peter also says that we should be one additional thing . . .

6. Be MINDFUL

1 Peter 4:17 “For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?”

If the judgment of God is going to be this fearful for US, what is the judgment of the Unrighteous going to be like?

1 Peter 4:18 “And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner?”

As we get closer and closer to the end of all things, and we suffer more and more for the will of God, what can and must we do?

1 Peter 4:19 “Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.”