Living Like There’s No Tomorrow

LIVING LIKE THERE’S NO TOMORROW

1 Pet. 4:7-11

INTRODUCTION

A. HUMOR

1. One day at the Church, Father O’Malley answered the phone, “Hello?” A voice said, “Is this Father O’Malley?” “Yes, it is.” “This is the IRS. Can you help us?” “Yes,” said O’Malley.

2. “Does a Ted Hooligan attend your church?” “Yes, he does.” “Did Ted Hooligan donate $10,000 to your church?” Father O’Malley answered, “He will!”

B. TEXT

7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Pet. 4:7-11

C. THESIS

1. We’ve been taught all our lives to make plans for the future, so we can live comfortably in old age. We’re told that the average life expectancy for women is 81 and for men is 77. We assume we’ve got lots of time.

2. So Peter’s warning that the end is near is shocking; it’s abrupt. Peter speaks as if this truth ought to change our thoughts and actions! Peter’s living life by a different paradigm!

3. A PARADIGM is “Something that serves as a pattern or model; a set of assumptions, concepts, values, and practices that constitutes a way of viewing reality and dictates how our lives should be lived.” Peter’s worldview is that WE DON’T KNOW how long we’ve got, so we should live like all we have is TODAY!

4. The title of this message is “Living Like There's No Tomorrow.” First, we look at why it’s good to live this way and then look at Peter’s paradigm for living this kind of life: To live expectantly, purposefully, and focused on how Christ would live.

I. 5 REASONS IT’S GOOD TO LIVE ONE DAY AT A TIME

A. LIVING IN THE PRESENT MAKES SENSE

1. Living in the present makes sense. Many of us spend so much time worried about the future and stuck in the past, that the present moment passes us by. The problem with this is that the present moment is the only time we have to change what we do.

2. Living in the present liberates you from the mistakes of the past. Far too many of us say “If only I had...” or “What if I had...” We can NEVER CHANGE THE PAST. The best solution is to LIVE TODAY! Make TODAY your new, positive memory. Be a blessing to someone; touch someone in need. Help & heal others.

3. Lastly, this perspective is compatible with faith in God. In Matt. 6:25ff, the Lord Jesus talked about not worrying about what we eat, drink, or wear, because our heavenly Father will take care of us. He talked about how birds don’t worry or store up provisions, yet God feeds and takes care of them. Jesus tells us our trust in our Father ought to be like theirs!

B. IT CAN HELP YOU FIND YOUR PURPOSE

1. Living one day at a time can help you find your purpose. The Bible says, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work...in the grave where you are going.” Eccles. 9:10.

2. Putting off your purpose until some future date is wrong. As we are useful today, God increases our usefulness and alters our purpose higher and higher. Joseph first managed a flock, then a household, then a prison, then all Egypt!

C. IT TEACHES YOU HUMILITY

1. Living one day at a time teaches you humility. It reminds us we’re not immortal; we’re just flesh & blood. We have a beginning and an end. We are limited.

2. But this gives us a healthy respect for God. He is unlimited, all-powerful, eternal, omnipresent, etc. He’s the only One whose worthy to be praised!

D. LIVING IN THE NOW MAKES YOU WORK HARDER

1. Living one day at a time makes you work harder. Since we only have today, we can be more motivated in the present.

2. When our attention is scattered over months and years, our minds can fail to focus. But when we only have this one moment to focus on, we can focus better on the task at hand.

E. IT MAKES THE BAD TIMES MORE BEARABLE