1 Peter 4:7-11. 7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (ESV)
Search-and-rescue efforts continue at the site of a collapsed Florida condominium complex where at least 24 people died and 124 more remained missing amid fading hopes of finding anyone else alive. Think about the nature of this search-and-rescue work. Could we say that the action of the rescuers is foolish? Could you see yourself taking the risk? Is there anything that you would risk all for? How far would you go for a stranger? How far would you go for a loved one? How far would you go for yourself? (https://www.reuters.com/world/us/hopes-fade-scores-missing-under-florida-condo-rubble-search-enters-6th-day-2021-06-29/?s=09)
John Piper stated: “Risk is woven into the fabric of our finite lives. We cannot avoid risk even if we want to. Every direction you turn there are unknowns and things beyond your control. The tragic hypocrisy is that the enchantment of security lets us take risks every day for ourselves but paralyzes us from taking risks for others on the Calvary road of Love. We are deluded and think that it may jeopardize a security that in fact does not even exist”. (Don’t Waste your life: 2003. Crossway Books. p.81).
About this, the Apostle Paul said in Acts 21:13b For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." (ESV). Paul had two choices: he could waste his life or live with risk. He answered this choice clearly in Acts 20:24 [24] But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. (ESV)
When something great may be achieved for the cause of Christ and for the good of others, it is right to risk. Christ is returning and the End is Near. When He returns will He find you faithfully doing your duty or have you abdicated the role to someone else? In 1 Peter 4:7-11 the apostle Peter in this passage instructs Christians concerning three very basic aspects of our duty. Since The End is Near we should be: 1) Self-Controlled (1 Peter 4:7), demonstrating 2) Sincere Love (1 Peter 4:8-9), and faithfully 3) Serving One-Another (1 Peter 4:10-11). First Peter 4:7–11 echoes the themes in 2:11–12 of abstention from evil and an exemplary way of life that results in glory to God in view of the end. (Jobes, K. H. (2005). 1 Peter (p. 275). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.)
Since The End is Near we should be:
1) Self-Controlled (1 Peter 4:7)
1 Peter 4:7. 7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. (ESV)
The time period referred to here as the “end” (telos) does not necessarily indicate cessation, termination, or chronological conclusion. Rather here it means “consummation,” “fulfillment,” “a purpose attained,” or “a goal achieved.” In this context, it refers to Christ’s second coming. His reference to the fulfillment of all things indicates he is speaking of the Lord’s return (Acts 3:21; Col. 3:4; 2 Thess. 1:10; 2 Tim. 4:1, 8; Heb. 9:28; Rev. 20:11–13). We are living in the final age of redemption. Peter is saying that because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, his readers are living in the last stage of God’s great redemptive plan, and the goal of that plan is being realized… The consummation of the kingdom of God will involve the return of Christ and the end of history as we know it because those events are necessary for God to achieve his telos, the redemption of (His people). (Jobes, K. H. (2005). 1 Peter (pp. 275–276). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.)
The end of all things “is at hand/near” (eggiken) which means “approaching.” The perfect tense indicates a consummated process with a resulting nearness —the event (Christ’s return) is imminent; it could occur at any moment (cf. Matt. 24:37–39; Rom. 13:12; 1 Thess. 5:2; Rev. 16:15; 22:20). Therefore, believers are to live with an ongoing attitude of anticipation or expectancy, as a mark of faithfulness. The early church was already in the last days (1 John 2:18), which had begun with Christ’s first coming (Heb. 1:1–2). This is what Jesus meant when he said, “Watch and pray” (Matt. 24:41–42; Mark 13:35, 38; cf. Acts 20:31; 1 Cor. 16:13; Col. 4:2), for proper prayer is not an “opiate” or escape, but rather a function of clear vision and a seeking of even clearer vision from God. It is only through clear communication with headquarters that a soldier can effectively stand guard. (Davids, P. H. (1990). The First Epistle of Peter (p. 157). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.)
Please turn to Hebrews 10
During this lockdown it has been common to hear people who are unfamiliar with the way God has designed the church to be, mention that it should be perfectly fine to just engage in worship over the TV or computer. God’s design for believers is for them to gather together physically in corporate worship. Any deviation from this should be through great exception due to extreme physical isolation or severe sickness for a limited time. The scriptural mandate is for believers to fulfill all of the “one-another’s” mentioned in scripture which necessitates physical interaction.
The author of Hebrews exhorted his readers to fulfill one of the many “one-another” mandates due to the closeness of Christ’s return. He said:
Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (ESV)
• I would love to see this by the front door of our new building because in one passage it so clearly specifies what God desires for us. FOLLOW WORD FOR WORD. This is something for us to “consider” to “stir up”, to actively engage “one another” for the action of “love and good works”, because our natural human tendency, mirroring that of the world is “neglecting to meet together” physically. It is so common that is “the habit of some”. How do we avoid this grave error? By “encouraging one another” to actively gather. We may have assumed that this was the regular practice in the past, but especially after a pandemic it is necessary to instruct people to do so “all the more” as we see “the day drawing near” of common spiritual decline and the nearness of the return of Christ.
Back in 1 Peter 4:7 we can see how it is axiomatic that godly thinking is at the heart of communion with God, since the more one knows a person’s mind, the richer the relationship will be (Rom. 12:1–2; Eph. 4:23–24; Phil. 4:8). This is reflected in the phrase rendered be self-controlled/of sound judgment which derives from a term that literally means, “be in one’s right mind” (sophroneo)—to be under control and not be carried away by an errant view of oneself (Rom. 12:3; cf. Prov. 23:7), or undue emotion, or uncontrolled passion. “Self-controlled” refers to sobriety and restraint. … self-control is difficult when one faces injustice. Peter reminded his readers that the time was short and their reward was sure, so they must keep clear minds and maintain self-control (Barton, B. B. (1995). 1 Peter, 2 Peter, Jude (p. 116). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Pub.)
Holy living also requires spiritual alertness. Sober-minded (nepho), closely related in meaning to self-controlled/sound judgment, denotes being spiritually observant. Jesus expressed a similar sentiment when He warned the apostles in Matthew 24:42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. (ESV). Likewise, in Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." (ESV) Therefore, To “be sober/clear minded” suggests that believers pray intelligently or that they think about and evaluate their situations in life maturely and correctly as they begin to pray about them. In light of the context, perhaps Peter was cautioning them against giving way to eschatological frenzy and panic. (Walls, D., & Anders, M. (1999). I & II Peter, I, II & III John, Jude (Vol. 11, p. 72). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)
Godly thinking and spiritual alertness are crucial for the sake of/purpose of your prayers. Prayer is the access to all spiritual resources, but believers cannot pray properly if their minds are unstable due to worldly pursuits, ignorance of divine truth, or indifference to divine purposes (cf. 1 Cor. 14:15; Heb. 10:22; 1 John 5:14–15). The first resource for living out Christ’s victory in the Christian community is the believer’s prayer life (Jobes, K. H. (2005). 1 Peter (p. 277). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.)
• I plead before the throne of God for you every day that you may be awake to the spiritual realities around you, that you may grow in holiness and love, and we may together as a congregation do battle and wake up to the life and death issues all around us.
• Safe Haven Community Church will never rise above the prayers of its leadership and congregation: It’s my role and it’s your role. I can’t carry you over the threshold of God but I pray there may be a revival in this congregation and community to the God who is in our midst.
Illustration: Polycarp’s Prayer
Polycarp was a disciple of the Apostle John and an early church leader whose life ended when he refused to betray his Lord. Asked one last time to disavow his Christ, the old man replied, “Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He has done me no wrong. How can I speak evil of my King who saved me?” Here is his martyr’s prayer, as recorded by the historian Eusebius: “Father of Your beloved and blessed Son Jesus Christ, through whom we have received the knowledge of You, I bless You that You have counted me worthy of this day and hour, that I might be in the number of the martyrs. Among these may I be received before You today in a rich and acceptable sacrifice, as You have beforehand prepared and revealed. Wherefore I also praise You also for everything; I bless You; I glorify You, through the eternal High Priest Jesus Christ, Your beloved Son, through whom, with Him, in the Holy Spirit, be glory unto You both now and for the ages to come. Amen.” Eusebius adds: “When he had offered up his amen and had finished his prayer, the firemen lighted the fire.” (Quoted in Closer Walk, July, 1988, p. 22 as recorded in Galaxie Software. (2002). 10,000 Sermon Illustrations. Biblical Studies Press).
• May our prayers have such self-sacrificial urgency, that Kingdom witness and priority fills our heart flowing to our tongue.
Since The End is Near we should be demonstrating:
2) Sincere Love (1 Peter 4:8-9)
1 Peter 4:8-9 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.
Mutual love primarily concerns believers’ relationships with each other. Above all refers to the supreme importance of that virtue in the Christian life (cf. 1 Cor. 13:13; Phil. 2:2; Col. 3:14), and the participle rendered keep collects “self-controlled/sound judgment” and “sober minded for the purpose of prayer” under the priority of loving one another. This is a PRESENT ACTIVE PARTICIPLE used as an IMPERATIVE. This mandated an ongoing love for other believers, which is a theme I Peter has introduced before (cf. 1:22; 3:8) (Utley, R. J. D. (2000). The Gospel according to Peter: Mark and I & II Peter (Vol. Volume 2, p. 256). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons International.).
We are commanded to do this earnestly/fervently. Peter previously mentioned: 1 Peter 1:22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, (ESV). Such love is sacrificial, not sentimental, and requires a stretching of believers’ every spiritual muscle to love in spite of insult, injury, and misunderstanding from others (Prov. 10:12; Matt. 5:44; Mark 12:33; Rom. 12:14, 20; 1 John 4:11; cf. Rom. 12:15; Gal. 6:10; Eph. 5:2; James 1:27).To love earnestly/fervently (ektenes) denotes stretching or straining and pictures a person running with taut muscles, exerting maximum effort. Ancient Greek literature used the word to describe a horse stretching out and running at full speed. True agape love is constantly being stretched to the limit by the demands made on it. This is precisely where agape love shines, because it is not exhausted when it becomes difficult or inconvenient (Walls, D., & Anders, M. (1999). I & II Peter, I, II & III John, Jude (Vol. 11, p. 72). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.).
This love derives from the well-known Greek word agape (cf. 1:8, 22; 2:17; 3:10), which carries a strong volitional significance. How can we be possibly commanded to Love? Because, it is not primarily an emotion here, but a decision of the will leading to action. The “whole Law and the Prophets” (Matt. 22:40) hinges on doing so (vv. 37–39), as does our witness (John 13:34–35). By Peter’s definition, “love” is not a warm, fuzzy feeling but means treating others in the Christian community in such a way as to promote unity and to avoid or overcome behaviors that destroy relationships (Jobes, K. H. (2005). 1 Peter (p. 279). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.)
Please turn to James 5
In 1 Peter 4:8 there is the unusual expression that love covers a multitude of sins. It should not be taken as a doctrinal explanation of how sins are put away. It speaks of the forbearance that comes with love: Christian love is patient and forgiving toward the offenses of a fellow Christian (Matt 18:21–22; 1 Cor 13:4–7) The meaning of “covers” in its context in 1 Peter is neither to conceal sin illegitimately (as in Ps 31[32]:5 nor precisely to atone for it, but rather to obliterate it or make it disappear. It means that true love is able to overlook minor faults and failures in other believers.
Proverbs 10:12 [12]Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses. He is reminding us that love does not stir up sins. We can demonstrate our love for our fellow believers by truly forgiving them and not talking openly about their past sins. Therefore, here Peter cites a proverb in general use to point out that love will forgive or overlook the faults of others in the church and thus is a most valuable virtue in a community that needs to preserve its solidarity in the face of (difficulty). (Davids, P. H. (1990). The First Epistle of Peter (p. 158). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.)
James explains the concept of love covering a multitude of sins. He says:
James 5:16-20 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. 18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit. 19 My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, 20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. (ESV)
• The righteous saints must be vigilant in spotting anyone who wanders from the truth, namely, by not living in accord with the word of truth (1:18). Right belief is exhibited in right living (1:19–27). Sometimes confession in the community is needed before healing can take place, since sin may be the cause of the illness (cf. 1 Cor. 11:29–30). Timely intervention (see Gal. 6:1; Heb. 3:13) will “save his soul” and bring forgiveness from God. The person who saves the sinner in this case is the person who restores the one who has fallen. The one who restores the person will cover the many sins of the one who had strayed, for the one who returns from the way of error receives forgiveness. Ultimately, only God can cover sin, but Christians can be agents of God’s forgiveness. (Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (p. 2399). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.)
The command in verse 9 to show hospitality (literally, “to love strangers”) takes that love beyond the circle of Christians’ friends to other believers they do not even know (cf. Heb. 13:2).According to the Mosaic law, the Jews were to extend hospitality to strangers (Ex. 22:21; Deut. 14:29; cf. Gen. 18:1–2). Jesus commended believers who provided food, clothing, and shelter to others (Matt. 25:35–40; cf. Luke 14:12–14). However, the spirit of hospitality extends beyond the tangible acts of providing meals or a place to stay. It includes not just the act, but an unselfish attitude, so that what is done, no matter the sacrifice, is done without grumbling/complaint. Not everyone understands the proper nature of hospitality. It is this quality of openheartedness toward one another that is the basis for a Christian hospitality willing to minister to other believers even in the absence of warm feelings and even when relationships are strained. Moreover, such openheartedness toward fellow believers would allow the opportunity for hospitality beyond the official meetings of the church. If their pagan friends and even their own families are ostracizing Christians, those distressed believers are to find a warm welcome in the homes of other members of the Christian community. The church is to be that alternate society where Christians find a place when shunned by unbelievers who live by different values. In a hostile world, the church is to be a place of safety and well-being for its members, a place where common beliefs unite more than differences divide. The Christian community is a colony of the holy nation of God among the nations of the world. (Jobes, K. H. (2005). 1 Peter (p. 281). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.)
• My very beginning at Safe Haven was a result of several months of hospitality with Bert and Edna before our family obtained a home. Without this hospitality, I would not be here today, and it is often the door to opportunities that mere friendliness does not open.
Instructions on Hospitality:
People around us have had a year and a half of isolation. People feel disconnected. We are now at a key juncture. There is now even legal allowance to have others in your home. Hospitality is needed now more than ever. How do we get back to it? Jon Dennis described the process with some very practical observations: “The key with hospitality is to begin. It doesn’t matter if you live in an apartment, a dorm, or a house. Once a week opening our home, baking a few cookies, saying “hello” in the elevator, checking up on an older neighbor, and borrowing sugar from the next apartment. Yes, the city is a place of isolation. But it may be that through our doors all kinds will come, one who is hungry, an intellectual questioning, a colleague in crisis, a student from a far-off land. It may be that God’s new people from the nations will sit around our table. It may be that having shared a meal, and having tasted of Christ, their own table will be open for the gospel in a country we would never reach. Hospitality is not something we do overly pragmatically. We do not practice hospitality “to get conversions.” We practice hospitality because it is right. We practice hospitality because we are God’s people. We share God’s goodness through our home because God has shown his goodness to us. His grace overflows the threshold of our homes (Helm, D. R. (2008). 1 & 2 Peter and Jude: sharing christ’s sufferings (pp. 141–142). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.).
Finally, since The End is Near we should be faithfully:
3) Serving One-Another (1 Peter 4:10-11).
10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (ESV)
Every Christian has received a gift (spiritual gift), listed in Rom. 12:3–8 and 1 Cor. 12:4–11. God owns all gifts even while they are in our possession. He does not grant us his gifts for our personal enjoyment; He gives them for the benefit of the body of Christ. (Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Epistles of Peter and the Epistle of Jude (Vol. 16, p. 171). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.)
Please turn to 1 Corinthians 12
Let’s consider what this means for serving one another. Spiritual gifts are a divine enablement for ministry to the body As each part of the human body has a particular function, so does each member of the body of Christ (cf. 12:14). Each believer’s spiritual giftedness is unique, as if each were a spiritual snowflake or fingerprint. It is as if God dips His paint brush into different colors, or categories of gifts, on His spiritual palette and paints each Christian a unique blend of colors. Not only does God grant spiritual gifts and arrange them in different ways (Eph. 4:7), but He also gives believers the necessary faith to exercise them (1 Cor. 12:4–6).
1 Corinthians 12:4-11 explains the wonderful gifting from God:
1 Corinthians 12:4-11. 4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. (ESV)
• The diversity of divine persons within the unity of the Trinity (v.4-6) is reflected in the diversity of gifts within the unity of the body of Christ. Unity can be enhanced by appreciating the variety of gifts God has given. Everyone is given a gift (v.7) with the ability to serve coming through the Holy Spirit His intent is that this service would be for the common good. There are varieties of gifts (v.8-10) given (v.11) according to the will of the Holy Spirit.
Back in 1 Peter 4:10, when believers use/employ their gifts to serve one another, they minister in a fashion that mutually benefits everyone of the congregation. (cf. 1 Cor. 12:7). When they minister this way, they are Good stewards who are those who manage their spiritual gifts wisely and use them obediently (cf. 1 Cor. 4:2; Titus 1:7). Peter’s readers were familiar with stewards who handled an owner’s land, funds, supplies of food, and other resources. The apostle’s analogy was obvious, and not using one’s gifts weakens the local church because others cannot replace the unique giftedness of those who are not ministering. Talented possessors—and that includes all of us—must be faithful stewards who, by continually extending the benefit of these gifts to others, function as channels of God’s grace. The variety of spiritual gifts is expressed in the word varied/manifold, which literally means “many colored” or “multi-faceted.” Even though you may have the same spiritual gift as another, God has uniquely equipped and trained you for particular service. Spiritual gifts result from the grace of God. Only God can give you them, we can help you recognize them and productively use them. Moreover, we as talented possessors ought to be humble; we should realize that we possess only some talents, while God has given gifts that we lack to others. All of us in the Christian church, therefore, ought to serve one another so that we can mutually benefit from the variety of riches God has granted His people. (Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Epistles of Peter and the Epistle of Jude (Vol. 16, p. 171). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.)
• If you are unsure of what gifts you may have or how they could be used, I would love to help you walk through this understanding.
• If you know what your gifts are but are failing to utilize them, then you are not a good steward of what God has given you. It will adversely affect both you and this congregation (1 Cor. 12:15–25).
In the conclusion in verse 11 to the two broad categories of spiritual gifts they are identified as speaking gifts and serving gifts. Whoever speaks, will minister through categories of preaching and teaching, wisdom, knowledge, and discernment. Whoever serves will minister through areas such as administration, prayer, mercy, or helps. And those who speak must communicate not human opinion but the oracles of God, as revealed only in Scripture (cf. Acts 7:38; Rom. 3:2). Similarly, any serving gift is to be exercised, not by human power, but by the strength that God supplies (cf. Phil. 4:13), that is, in dependence on the Holy Spirit. If believers serve in their own strength alone or in order to look good to others, they will begin to find serving a wearisome task. But to serve with God’s strength is to be able to go above and beyond (Barton, B. B. (1995). 1 Peter, 2 Peter, Jude (p. 121). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Pub.)
In everything, in all matters of Christian responsibility, the goal of everything for believers, the purpose of their fulfilling the obligations of Christian duty in the midst of a hostile world is that God may be glorified. These final clauses of the passage constitute a doxology—an expression of praise and glory to God (cf. Rom. 11:36; 16:27; Eph. 3:20–21; 1 Tim. 1:17; Jude 25), which Christians can correctly utter only through Jesus Christ. Believers should want to glorify God in all they think, say, and do. That is why the apostle Paul said in: 1 Corinthians 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (ESV). The more you are motivated by certainty and nearness of the Second Coming, resulting in personal holiness, mutual love, and spiritual service within the church, the more you will glorify God. Therefore, The Christian’s sense of value, self-worth, and identity are to be rooted instead in the eschatological hope into which they have been born again (1:3). (Jobes, K. H. (2005). 1 Peter (p. 275). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.)
Commentators have long discussed whether to him refers to God or Jesus Christ. It is best to view the designation as a blessed and inspired ambiguity—the glory and dominion belong to both God in Christ and Christ in God, forever and ever (cf. Pss. 104:31; 113:4; 138:5; Hab. 2:14; Matt. 17:2; John 1:14; 10:30; 2 Cor. 4:6; Col. 1:15; Heb. 1:3; 2 Peter 1:16–18). That is why we conclude this doxology affirming together: “Amen”, a term of affirmation that means “so let it be.”. The Amen reflects the response of the people of God to the glory and power that are his. By affirming ‘So be it’, they declare, in effect, ‘Hallowed be your name’ (which ascribes Him “glory and dominion for ever and ever”) (Clowney, E. P. (1988). The message of 1 Peter: the way of the cross (pp. 187–188). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.) .
This is the duty of our calling. It is not the impulse of heroism, or the lust for adventure or the courage of self-reliance, or the need to earn God’s favor. It is simple trust in Christ-that in him God will do everything necessary so that we can enjoy making much of him forever. This is the road that leads to fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore. (Don’t Waste your life: 2003. Crossway Books. p.897-98).
(Format note: Some base commentary from MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2004). 1 Peter (p. 233). Chicago: Moody Publishers.)
