Like There Is No Tomorrow!

SERMON OUTLINE:

(1). Praying (vs 7)

(2). Loving (vs 8)

(3). Welcoming (vs 9)

(4). Serving (vs 10-11a)

(5). Glorifying (vs 11b)

SERMON BODY:

Ill;

• A Church leader asked some of his members a question;

• If you knew that it would be the end of the world in seven-days’ time,

• What would you do?

• One man replied;

• “I would go out into my community and share the Gospel to whoever would listen.”

• Another Church member replied;

• “I would withdraw from the bank all of my savings & throw a big party for my family & friends”

• One man surprised the Church Leader with his answer, he said:

• “I would go and live with my mother-in-law at her house for the week.”

• The Church Leader was puzzled by this answer and so he asked:

• “Why your mother-in-law’s home?”

• The man replied;

• “Because that will make it the longest week of my life!”

• TRANSITION: verse 7 in our passage for tonight reads:

• N.I.V: “The end of all things is near.”

• C.E.V: “Everything will soon come to an end.”

• The Message: “Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up”.

• Peter was convinced that our earthly struggles will not last forever.

• He (like many New Testament writers) expected Jesus to return back to earth in their lifetime!

• The fact he did not return does not invalidate his promise;

• Just check out Peter’s second letter and chapter 3 to see that.

No matter what interpretation we have concerning the second coming:

• There are at least three main theories relating to how Jesus will come again.

• You will probably be glad to know that we are not going to look into them now!

Quote: Tony Campolo.

“I have no idea when Jesus is coming back.

I’m on the Welcoming Committee, not the Planning Committee”

• We might not know when;

• But we can be sure he is coming!

• And how we live and serve today;

• Will determine how we are judged and rewarded then!

• Peter actually gives some instructions in these next few verses;

• To keep these Christians (and us) in balance as far as the Lord’s return was concerned:

Quote:

“Casual Christians always become casualties.”

• These verses call us to action,

• Similar, to a commanding officer instructing a soldier,

“To keep our task in front of us no matter what challenges we face. If necessary, we are to die, but by all means we are to accomplish the will of God.

(1). Praying (vs 7):

“The end of all things is near.

Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.”

Peter and his readers lived under two stressful realities:

• Christ could return at any moment;

• And life could be short.

• A Christian's life could be snuffed out in an instant;

• At the whim of a fickle dictator like Nero.

In light of this, one might expect Peter to act hurried, rushed and be in a frenzy:

• But he is the complete opposite and tells his readers to be the same:

• Think clearly, be cool and don’t be filled with anxiety.

• e.g. Some of his readers;

• Would have been tempted to be pre-occupied with Christ’s coming.

• e.g. Others like the Thessalonians,

• May have been tempted to stop everything and wait for Christ’s return.

• e.g. Still others may have simply panicked,

• Assuming there situation and circumstances were out of control;

But instead of panic or extreme reactions:

• Peter says “Be cool and don’t be filled with anxiety”.

• Don’t panic, face life realistically; realise God is in control.

• Be wary of the world, but not worried.

• Be remorseful through sufferings, but not resigned.

• In persecutions, persevere.

• In trials, triumph.

• When pressed, pray,

• Because as Christians we know who is ultimately in control.

Ill:

• A Fortune-teller, gazing into crystal ball,

• Said to her client who was a frog:

• “You are going to meet a beautiful young woman.

• From the moment she sets eyes on you she will have an insatiable desire to know all about you.

• She will be compelled to get close to you;

• You’ll fascinate her.”

• Frog asked her: “Where am I? At a singles club?”

• The Fortune-teller replied: “No, in a biology class.”

• TRANSITION: I am glad to say that well we do not depend of fortune-tellers or luck:

• We trust in God.

• So, Peter says; “Be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray”

• So, you can draw close to God and so that he can draw near to you.