LIVING LIKE IT WAS YOUR LAST DAY
Hope our Bright Light for the Dark Night • Sermon • Submitted
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TEXT: 4:7-11
INTRODUCTION
One of the most meaningful, moving and motivating words of hope in this world of hurt is the word Peter shares in our text. The word is Jesus is coming. To a people who are being:
· Pounded by their problems
· Bombarded by their burdens
· Hounded by their hardships
· Sabotaged by their suffering
The notion that Jesus is coming and it could be soon is an encouraging word. For we know when Jesus comes He is going to make it all right, yes He is. He will make it all right with our souls.
In the text Peter reminds us that we are living in the last days. As such he calls on us to live our lives with the end in mind. Peter declares the “end of all things is at hand”. This requires of us that we live a lifestyle that is fit for the last days. I declare if this is it, I want it to be all right with my soul.
Whatever we might be going through the sure and steadfast hope is that Jesus is coming. Because we are sure of His coming our mountains are climbable, our burdens are bearable, our rivers are crossable and our problems are endurable. Jesus is coming. The record is that He will come suddenly, swiftly, visibly, victoriously and cataclysmically.
In the text before us Peter warns that how we live ought to reflect the knowledge that Jesus is coming again. If we knew that the Lord was coming today what kind of attitude and action would you have. That is the essence of Peter’s instruction. As we ponder the passage there are three truths threaded into the tapestry of this text. They form the substance of the sermon and offers the homiletical hinges on which this message swings. Notice, AN EXPECTANT ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE SAVIOR, A FERVANT ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE SAINTS, A DILLIGENT ATTITUDE TOWARDS SERVICE.
I. AN EXPECTANT ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE SAVIOR (V.7)
But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. NKJV
There are those who live their lives as if time has already passed them by. They bury themselves in the memories of the past. Others live like time will never leave them. They busy themselves with the self indulgences of the present.
What the bible makes clear is that Christians must live their lives with the end in view. We are all living on the edge of eternity. We must live with an expectant attitude that Christ may come at any moment.
A. ANTICIPATION- The word rendered “end” is telos in Greek. It does not necessarily indicate cessation, termination, or chronological conclusion. Rather here it means "consummation," "fulfillment," "a purpose attained," or "a goal achieved." In this context, it refers to Christ's second coming.
If we understand this theologically Peter is saying we must anticipate that Christ can come at any hour, any minute, any second of any day, including today. If we understand this statement chronologically Peter is saying soon history itself will be history. If we understand this personally Peter is saying Christ might not come back today and time might not end today, but your time just might.
The verb translated “is near” or “at hand” is eggiken and means "approaching." The perfect tense indicates a consummated process with a resulting nearness —the event (Christ's return) is imminent; it could occur at any moment. Therefore believers are to live with an ongoing attitude of anticipation or expectancy. That Peter lived with a sense of this imminence is shown as earlier in this epistle he encouraged his readers that they were protected by God's power "for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time" (1:5)
Oh my brothers and sisters I don’t know what you are going through, I do know you don’t have to fret and you don’t have to fear. As Christians we anticipate that Jesus is coming. When Jesus comes:
· All that is wrong will be righted
· All that is weak will be strengthen
· All that is broken will be restored
· All tears will be through
· All hardships will be halted
· All burdens will be banished
· All suffering will be suspended
The reason we can endure unjust suffering and unfair treatment is because we know that trouble don’t last always. Jesus is coming with ten thousand blessings in His hands.
The author of the letter to the Hebrews provided further commentary on the full significance of Christ and the last days:
now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him. (Heb 9:26-28)
When Jesus came the first time He came to redeem us. When He comes the second time He comes to receive us. When He came the first time, He came to justify us. When He comes the second time He comes to glorify us.
We must live in anticipation of His coming. The question is, how are we to do that?
B. THE ATTITUDE- Realizing this could be it calls for a certain kind of attitude and disposition. The word translated “sober” is sophroneo and means, “to be under control and not be carried away by an errant view of oneself” (Rom 12:3; cf. Prov 23:7). It means not having any undue emotion, or uncontrolled passion. Mark used it to describe the maniac Jesus freed from the legion of demons (Mark 5:15). The verb also refers to guarding the mind (cf. Prov 4:23). The Christian mind must be clearly fixed on spiritual priorities and righteous living.
This means to be serious and to have a sound mind; to be in control of oneself and to be self-restrained; to be calm and sensible. The believer lives under the climax of history; he keeps his mind upon the return of Christ. He keeps a serious and sound mind about everything. He is not such a jolly, back-slapping, frivolous type of person that he fails to take life seriously. He knows that man has a purpose for being on earth. He knows that life is the most meaningful and significant possession that man has. Therefore, he measures the importance of things. He measures all things in light of eternity as well as time. He considers the future as well as the present. He knows that his life could be snatched from him overnight by some accident or by the news of some disease. The believer who keeps his mind upon the climax of history, upon the return of the Lord Jesus Christ, is a sober person; he is a serious person and a sound minded person.
How do we live under the climax of history? We watch and pray. The word "watch" (nēpsate ) means to stay sober and alert and awake at all times. This would mean much to Peter because he would remember the time that he failed to watch and pray. Matt 26:36-41
Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, "Sit here while I go and pray over there." 37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. 38 Then He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me."
39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will."
40 Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
The hour of the Lord’s greatest need instead of being watchful and prayerful Peter was sleep. So when he says be watchful and pray he means it. Watch, pray:
· There is an enemy on the lose
· He is a roaring lion searching for someone to consume
· Evil is so pervasive
· We are still challenged by the weakness of our humanity
· There are many pitfalls, snares and traps
· Ask God to hold your hand and guide your feet
If this is it you would want to have an expectant attitude towards the Savior.
II. A FERVANT ATTITUDE TOWARDS SAINTS (V. 8)
And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins." NKJV
How do we live under the climax of history? We live with fervent love for one another.
A. THE REQUIREMENT- The word "fervent" (ektenēs ) is an athletic word. It means to stretch and reach out; to strain and exert to the utmost degree just like an athlete in a race. It has the idea of burning and boiling and of being passionate about loving one's brother in Christ. Note how a fervent love is far more than the human love of warm feelings and attraction. It is far more than sentimental and caring feelings for a person.
The believer is to love with the ultimate love, the love of fervency. And note: fervent love is to be put before all else. It is the most important duty of the believer. We are to strain every ounce of energy in our minds and hearts to love.
Oh my bothers and sisters I think I ought to tell you we must have love one for another. We must love even those who are:
· Mean and miserable
· Caustic and critical
· Haughty and high-minded
· Rude and reckless
· Spiteful and hateful
This is not something we feel it is something we do! The believer is to love with the ultimate love, the love of fervency. And note: fervent love is to be put before all else. It is the most important duty of the believer. We are to strain every ounce of energy in our minds and hearts to love. This means that we love others even when they...
· Hurts us and hate on us
· Misunderstand us and misrepresent us
· Discourage us and deceive us
John 13:34-35 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." NKJV
There is nothing greater than love.
· It's the greatest thing in the world.
· It's the ultimate power of the universe.
· It makes the world go around.
· It holds the universe in life.
· It makes the earth beautiful.
· It keeps the mountains in place.
· It embraces humanity in hope.
· It makes life liveable.
· Burdens bearable.
· Peace possible.
· People redeemable.
· Souls unconquerable.
· Love gives.
· Love serves.
· Love creates.
· Love blesses.
· Love heals.
· Love delivers.
· Love saves.
· Love forgives.
· Love understands.
· Love fulfills...all the law.
All the prophets. All the Bible. All the requirements of godly living and all the expectations of Christian virtue. All of it is fulfilled in Christian love.
B. THE RESULT- When we love each other with a fervent love: a multitude of sins is covered. What does this mean?
· It means that when we love, we are not hating and reacting and sinning.
· It means that when we love, we are living with a forgiving spirit and we are forgiving others, not living with a sinful and unforgiving spirit.
· It means that when we love, we are more likely to reach those who do evil toward us and thereby to win them to Christ and to a life of love and ministry upon the earth.
The idea of a covering conjures up Old Testament theology. Love does not pretend that the sin does not exist. Love does not ignore the sin, love refuses to expose the sin unnecessarily. Christians know how to cover the faults of others in loving, compassionate forgiveness.
III. A DILLIGENT ATTITUDE TOWARDS SERVICE (V.10)
If we knew this was it no one would have to beg us to get involved in ministry and service.
A. WHAT WE HAVE- How do we live under the climax of history? We use our gifts ministering as good stewards of God. The word "gift" (charisma ) means the very special ability given to the believer by God. Note that the gift is from God; it is not a natural talent. The believer could not have attained nor secured the ability himself. It is a spiritual gift; that is, it is given by the Spirit of God for spiritual purposes. It is given to the believer so that he can fulfill his task on earth.
Every Christian has received a special gift (spiritual gift), a divine enablement for ministry to the body. Paul wrote, "To each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. . . . One and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills" (1 Cor 12:7,11). As each part of the human body has a particular function, so does each member of the body of Christ (cf. 12:14).
For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. (Rom 12:3-8)
B. WHAT WE DO- Every believer's task is to use his gift to build up believers in the church and in witnessing and ministering to the world. When believers employ their gifts in serving one another, they minister in a fashion that mutually benefits the church (cf. 1 Cor 12:7). Conversely, nonuse of gifts or wrongly depreciating some gifts (and perhaps also those who possess them) adversely affects Christ's Body:
If the foot says, "Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body," it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. And if the ear says, "Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body," it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. If they were all one member, where would the body be? But now there are many members, but one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you"; or again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. (1 CORINTHIANS 12:15-25)
If we knew this was it I think we would be more faithful, more helpful and more fruitful. What Peter says is that his very well could be it. In the verbiage of the song, “this may be the last time, I don’t know. If you have a:
· Talent use it
· Gift share it
· Love give it
· Sermon preach it
· Lesson teach it
· Song sing it
· Faith show it
· Joy reveal it
· Job do it
· Task complete it
· Responsibility fulfill it
· Story tell it
I’m just trying to tell you that you must use what you have to edify the body and to glorify God.
Conclusion
Oh my brothers and sisters Jesus is coming again. I don’t know when but if feels like it could be soon and very soon.
. When he came the first time he rode upon a lowly donkey. When he comes again he will upon the cloud.
2. When he came the first time, he came in humility. When he comes the second time he'll come in glory.
3. When he came the first time he came by himself. When he comes the second time the angels will come with Him.
4. When he came the first time He travelled incognito. When he comes the second time every eye shall see Him.
5. When he came the first time He came to redeem us. When he comes the second time He will come to judge us.
6. He stood before Pilate. Pilate will stand before Him.
7. No room for Him. We'll be trying to get a room for HIm.
8. Dressed in the weakness of our humanity. Dressed in the glorious apparel of his Lordship.
9. He hung on a cross. He will sit upon a throne.
10. We decided what to do with Him. He will decide what to do with us.
Peter’s warning is an appropriate one. We don’t have time to meander in mediocrity. Jesus is coming again! Soon AND VERY SOON:
· GOD WILL ALL A HALT TO ALL HUMAN AFFAIRS
· HE WILL AS IT WHERE STEP INTO THE BASEMENT OF THE UNIVERSE AND UNPLUG THE GRANDFATHER CLOCK CALLED TIME
· TIME WILL FALL EXHAUSTED ATE THE FEET OF ETERNITY
· GOD WILL ADJOURN TIME AND CONVENE ETERNITY
· I WILL HAVE TO answer THE CALL FROM ANOTHER SHORE
· I WILL DROP THE ROB OF FLESH, AND RISE….
· GOD WILL BID MY SOUL SAFE PASSAGE ACROSS THE CURRENTS OF A RAGING JORDAN
· MY FEET WILL LAND SAFELY ON THE OTHER SIDE
· THE GATES TO MY FATHER’S CITY WILL SWING OPEN FOR ME ON WELCOME HINGES
· I’LL GO STATELY STEPPING DOWN THE BROAD AVENUES OF THE GLORYLAND
· I’LL FIND MY PLACE BEFORE THAT RAINBOW CIRCLED THRONE
· WHERE I’LL PRAISE God FOREVER AND EVER, AND EVER….