Live like there is no tomorrow!
Am October 19th 2008
1 Peter 4:7-11
Introduction
Some years ago Willie Day Smith, a Dallas radio preacher, made a startling announcement: the rapture was to occur on April 1, 1980, around two o’clock in the afternoon. Smith was quoted as saying: “Things are coming to an end; time is very short, we’re in the final countdown.” The newspaper reported that Smith was unavailable for comment on April 2.
Many people today interpret present volatile political and social events as an indication that the end of the world is just around the corner. One point is clear from reading the New Testament we should live as if Christ’s return could happen at any moment. Christians should respond to the events that happen in our day to day lives weather good or bad by honoring Jesus.
How can we live like there is no tomorrow? Today the apostle Peter is going to answer that question by reminding us to keep doing four things to be sure that we won’t be ashamed when the end does come.
Read Scriptures: 1 Peter 4:7-11
I. Live self-controlled.
Vs. 7 “The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.”
The headlines on the front page of the Houston Post online read: “Violent youths would as soon kill you as look at you.” Newspapers and tabloids overflow with headlines and articles about the drug-related deaths of popular young actors and rock stars. From abuse of power to the abuse of substance, one theme is crystal clear: our society is in a corporate crisis caused by individual indulgence. Lack of self-control kills self-respect, kills friendships, kills marriages, kills careers, and it kills ministries. No one can boast that we’ve always avoided its clutches.
(Beth more, Living beyond yourself bible study)
What is the key to living a self-controlled life? The key to living a self-controlled life is the refusal to allow our enemies, which is the world, the flesh and the Devil, to rule or hold us captive in any way.
Christ has given us victory over our flesh, our world, and our accuser the Devil. Only self can re-extend authority to one of those three enemies. They cannot presume authority over us. In the life of the believer, they can rule only when they are invited.
Self makes the choice over the issue of control. The spirit led self holds the power of five key words: “NO”, “YES”, and “NOT RIGHT NOW”. Self-control, which by the way is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, is an issue of mastery, of authority, and of boundaries.
Peter is telling us today, live in these last days a spirit filled life, of boundaries within God’s word, of having some self-control.
II. Live loving.
Vs. 8 “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
In these last days, we are to live with a deep, fervent love for each other. The original Greed word for deeply or fervently is an athletic word meaning to reach out or strain or exert an utmost amount of energy. It carries the idea of burning or boiling and being passionate about loving one another.
Notice what the verse says, “Above All, Love” before you do anything else, you love, before you serve, you love, before you give, you love. It means that we are to love others even when they hurt us, persecute us, ridicule us, abuse us, mock us.
Then notice the verse says, “Because love covers a multitude of sins.” What does this mean?
When we love “Above All” we are not hating and reacting and sinning.
When we love “Above All” we are living with a forgiving spirit and we are forgiving others, not living with a sinful and unforgiving spirit.
When we love “Above All” we are truly living a life of love and ministry which will more than likely reach those who are trying to do wrong to us with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Live loving in these last days.
III. Live doing good works.
Vs. 9 “Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.”
This verse carries the idea of doing good, living in these last days a life of good works. Jesus said in Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your father which is in heaven.”
So often we our lives are characterized by the wrong things that we do, pastors of this church are so often remembered by the mistakes that they made, and not the good things that they’ve done.
Peter is teaching us in these last days let your life be characterized by doing good, by being hospitable to each other, and for crying out loud do it with out grumbling.
Do good with a cheerful heart. Why because you father gets the glory and you will get your reward in heaven.
IV. Live serving.
Vs. 10-11 “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it 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.”
Our lives in these last days should be characterized by our service in the church as well as to others.
We as believers are all given gifts once we receive the Holy Spirit at moment of salvation. We are to use our gifts to build up believers in the church and in witnessing and ministering to the world.
Romans 12:6-8 “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.”
We are to live serving in these last days, as the scripture says, “we serve so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ.
Whatever we do, or give we should do it in such a way that God gets the glory.
Conclusion
No one knows when Jesus will come back, but we do know that it is closer now that it was yesterday. He could come back at any moment. Will he catch you by surprise? If we do these things that Peter laid out for us, then we will be doing exactly what God would want us to do, and therefore we will not be ashamed at his appearing.
Maybe you want to come a rededicate your life to serving the Lord, maybe you want to come and publicly profess Jesus as Lord and repent of your sins and follow Him with all that you are. You can come today.
(Thanks sermoncentral contributors, preachers sermon and outline bible)
