Getting A Grip On Life

Getting A Grip On Life by Gerald Van Horn

Text. I Peter 4:7-11 “But the end of all things is at hand; be ye , therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.”

Intro: We cannot escape the fact that the Bible is very clear about the end time. In the light of our world’s condition our text appears very relevant. Can this old world continue as it is? Peter let us know how we are to act in such a time as this. We all need encouragement. Peter is certainly referring to the end of the age as we know it. The second coming of the Lord is near. The end can come at anytime. With this in mind let me offer some suggestions from our text.

1.We are to live sober. (v7a) “But the end of all things is at hand; be ye therefore sober.” The Greek word for sober is “sophroneo.” It means to be of a sound mind. What an admonition to all Christians! There can be no room for “Stinking thinking.” It is always in order to pause before we speak and think things through with a sound mind. There can be no room for harsh decisions. Level headedness is what is needed. “let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Phil.2:5. We are to be renewed in the spirit of our minds. Eph. 4:23.

2.Watch unto prayer. (7b) “And watch unto prayer. ”This is no time to play church. There are things that God will not do until sincere prayer is offered. God will answer if we are vigilant in our prayers. A humorous incident reminds of a women who questioned why she was praying with her eyes open. She replied, “I am watching and praying.” We must prayer two ways, alone and with others of like faith.

3. We should love one another. Look at verse 8. “Above all things have fervent love among your selves: for love shall cover the multitude of sins.” We are to love one another fervently. This should be more then just lip service. We should express our love among the believers. We are told in Revelation 2:4 to return to our first love which is the love of Christ. That should motivate us to love each other even more.

4. We should be fellowshipping with other believes. (v9) “Use hospitality one to another without grudging.” Fellowshipping one with another is necessary and very profitable. It is a matter of the heart. We can and must encourage one another as we see the end times approaching.

5.We should be working for the Lord. (v10) “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” There is no time for slackers. We are to exercise the gifts and talents that God has given us. The Holy Spirit is the bestower of these gifts. If they are not used they will grow dormant in our lives and we will never be the blessing that the Lord wants us to be.

6. We should be ready to give and answer to all for the hope that is within us. (11a) “If any man speaks as the oracles of God; let any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth”

7.We should glorify God in all that we do. (11b) “That God in all things may be glorified throught Jesus Christ to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever Amen.” We should seek God with all our hearts and let Him move us with compassion. Our desire should be to see the lost saved. We are not to think it strange when firey trials come our way but to speak loudly that the “end of all things are at hand.”

In the words of Paul. “One thing I do, forgetting the things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14