How To Live Here Until We Leave Here Series

How To Live Here Until We Leave Here

I Peter 4:7-11

There was a teenage girl who's mother was in the National Guard. The mother's unit was activated and she was deployed to Afghanistan for one year. Because of this the girl was sent to live with her grandfather on his ranch in Texas. When she arrived it was a tremendous culture shock. There was no cell service, no internet... in fact her grandfather didn't even own a television set. This city girl didn't know how to act without all of the modern amenities she was accustomed to. Then to top it off on day one grandpa told her what was expected of her. He said that if she was going to stay with him she would have to earn her keep. She had to keep her room clean, help with the cooking, clean the dishes, feed the cows and gather the eggs from the chicken house. In the beginning she rebelled and tried to refuse, but it did not work. She was told that as long as she lived with her grandfather she would abide by his rules. Then when her mother came home she could return to what she considered to be normal.

Jesus left us with a promise that He would one day return. We have seen throughout I Peter that this world is not our home. But until we draw our last breath or until Christ returns for His bride there are some things that are expected of us while we abide on this earth. In our selected text Peter shares certain actions and attributes that each born again Christian should possess in their daily life. I would like to walk trough these verses and see "How To Live Here Until We Leave Here"

I am excited about the fact that Jesus is coming for us one day. Martin Luther said that we should live as if "Jesus died yesterday, rose today and is coming back tomorrow"

We are to watch for His return. We are to be constant in prayers. We are to possess and share love to all men. We are to be benevolent and hospitable to our neighbors and we are to be faithful stewards of the gifts that God has given us to use for His glory.

When a foreigner comes to America on a work visa they are only here for a short time. There may be customs and things that are accepted in their native land that are not legal or accepted here. And while they are here they are required to abide by the laws of this nation. Essentially there is a certain way that they are to live here until the time comes when they leave here.

We know that our time here is temporary. We have an eternal home in glory. So how exactly should we live here until the time comes that we leave here? Well, first of all:

I. We Must Live Cautiously While We Are Here - v7 ¶But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober

“The end of all things" speaks not of the end of the world but rather the consummation of this present age. The Second Coming of Christ is the ultimate consummation that we look for and long for. Peter says that this time is "at hand". This does not mean that it is necessarily a short time chronologically. Keep in mind this was written almost 2,000 years ago. The literal translation of the phrase "at hand" means that it is "imminent". This means that it will happen one day. We know that it could happen at any moment, consider what Paul said - Romans 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. - Consider what James said - James 5:7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. -- Consider what Peter said - 2 Peter 3:9 ¶The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. - Consider what Jesus said - Revelation 22:20 ...surely I come quickly.

In the New Testament it is estimated that 1 out of every 30 verses refer to Christ's return. For every prophecy concerning the first coming of the Messiah there are 8 prophecies concerning His return. The first time Jesus came to this world, He came as a Redeemer. The next time He comes, He is coming as a Ruler! The first time He endured the Cross, The next time He comes, He will wear a Crown. The first time He came there was a tomb, the next time He comes there will be a Throne. On this day Jesus Christ will return to this world in power and glory. He will destroy His enemies and rule on this earth in righteousness. We can be assured that “The King Is Coming”