Faithful Till The End

Faithful till the End

1 Peter 4: 7-11

Today is a day unlike any we’ve ever known. In the past few years, the world has seen drastic change. We are living in a day of difficulty and decision. The day when God was given His rightful place in the affairs of our nation has been replaced with lust, greed, self-confidence, arrogance, and pride. Our society no longer sees the need for God in our midst. He has been removed from our schools, the halls of justice, and many of the legislative assemblies in our land.

Sadly, God is no longer desired or welcome in the average home in America. We have forgotten the divine providence of Almighty God that brought us to where we are today. America would never have survived without the Lord. I struggle to understand how a people so blessed can be so ungrateful as to even question if God exists! We must be living in the end times.

Not unlike our day, Peter and those who served the Lord in that day realized the rebellion and indifference of men, believing they were living in the end times. We too must be aware of our current situation and determine to abide faithful, even in the midst of adversity. Let’s consider the responsibilities revealed in the text as we think on: Faithful till the End.

I. A Vision of Anticipation (7a) – But the end of all things is at hand. Yes, these are troubling times, but they are also exciting times. These are days of anticipation unlike any other generation has known. The end of all things is at hand! I believe the end is much nearer than we think. There are two aspects of our anticipation that we must consider.

A. The Return of our Lord – As perilous as the day in which we live has become, we must remember there is hope for the believer. Jesus has been gone for nearly 2,000 years, but He is coming again! I am as sure of His return, as anything I know. I have no doubt that Jesus will come to claim His bride. I believe, with all that is in me, that we are living in the 11th hour of time. I have no problem with the idea that some of us in this very room could witness His return.

The stage is being set for His return. Time won’t allow an in depth study of prophecy concerning Jesus’ return, but the signs are clearly pointing toward it. Israel is a sovereign nation again. With the exception of the US and a small handful of alliances, she stands alone. The Islamic movement is seeking the total destruction of the Israeli nation. It is the fastest growing religion in the world and views Christians as infidels. You don’t have to be a Bible scholar to see this world lining up in opposition to God.

Also the Bible teaches that there will be a great falling away before the Lord returns. This is very evident in our day. The Christian faith is in steady decline. Churches that were once filled to capacity have closed their doors. Even here, in the Bible belt, we are surrounded by greater numbers each year who are un-churched, with no desire for salvation.

The church has lost its power and influence. The wicked among us no longer view the “conservative Christian” as a threat to their sinful indulgence. We live as if there’s no use to take a stand. May I remind you that we are still a majority! If God be for us, who can be against us? Phil.4:13 – I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Oh that God would open our eyes to see that He is coming soon! We need to live as if we truly believed that. The saved ought to wake each morning thinking, this could be the day. Heb.10:37 – For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. We need to anticipate His return.

B. The Reality of our Lives – But the end of all things is at hand. As much as I believe in the Lord’s return, I’m also mindful of my obligation to do all I can with the little time I’ve been given. Life at its best, blessed with many years, is brief. We only get one opportunity to live for Jesus. Take a moment and consider the life you’ve lived. Ask yourself – have I given Jesus my best? Have I accomplished all I could have or should have for Him?

I’m sure we all would have to answer, No! We may have been faithful to attend church, but much of our lives are lived for self. There are times when we are challenged and motivated, but we quickly loose that enthusiasm. Our lives may be filled with good intentions, but that alone doesn’t accomplish much. A missionary said, “If I had a thousand lives to live, I’d live them all for Jesus.” What about the life we’ve been given? We are left here for a purpose; God has a plan for each of us. We cannot put off or neglect what we need to do today. Jam.4:14 – Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. I have already lived at least half of my life; some of my best years are gone. I want to serve the Lord as if tomorrow would never come.