1 Peter series The End of All Things is Near

                                             The End of All Things is Near!!

1 Peter 4:7-11

If there is a single verse in 1 Peter 4 that stirs up the imagination of a lost world to sinfulness, it would be

 1 Peter 4:7 “The end of all things is near.” 

In 1953, a doomsday clock was built to predict how close mankind is to total annihilation. It was the start of the cold war, WWII was over, but mankind was ramping up the nuclear powers. In 2007, the keepers of the clock began to consider the surge of super technology and the dwindling  ecological climate. In 2021, the clock now reads 1 minute 40 seconds till midnight, or you can imagine the cartoon of father time holding his sign “the end is near.”

 But Peter is not speaking of clocks or cardboard signs, a nuclear apocalypse or a meld down of the world’s climate. He is stating everything is set for the coming of Jesus Christ’s return. Jesus had come, died (1 Pet. 3:18), and rose from the dead (1 Pet.3:21), He ascended to the Father and is reigning and awaiting the judgment of the world (1 Pet. 3:22, 4:5). 

It makes you wonder, why is the church today in a different mindset? Could it be that our focus is not on Christ’s imminent return, but on the trials and tribulations of this world? Let’s look at the text, “The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.  Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 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.”

Peter is addressing the suffering exiled believers with a message of hope, not despair, to have the right mindset for the days are coming near to the end.

First, He wanted the church to pray in this serious time. “Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.”

Being alert, Peter draws back to the garden prayer time, when they were to be alert and pray with Jesus, only to fall asleep. Peter knew the spirit was willing but the flesh nature of mankind would lull them away from what they needed to do most. Jesus told Peter “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” How easily Peter and the rest fell asleep in a strategic time, their eyes became heavy with the worries and uncertainties of the times. Peter didn’t want the exiled believers to let their sufferings lull them to sleep. Other New Testament leaders also addressed this issue, Paul in Rom. 13:11, “And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here…” 

Second, Peter talked about the seriousness of their mindset so that they could pray. Again, Peter knew too well the overwhelming effect of weariness, anxiety, uncertainty, fear and having our minds set on problems and man-centered solutions. All of these could and would hinder their prayer life. Peter took prayer seriously, as should have all those going through suffering and the trials and tribulations of evil times. Their minds would focus not on the one who could sustain them, but on the who or what that was hindering or attacking them. There was much persecution and conflict in their world to draw them away from praying with soberness (serious mindset). They would fall asleep and the enemy would be upon them before they could respond.

Application - If there was ever a time for the church to be in prayer, it would be now. Yet, prayer meetings are sparsely attended, if even attended at all. I have seen times when I or a few others came to a corporate prayer event to pray together and there were only a handful of intercessors. I believe these are the last days, like Peter and Paul, all is set, Jesus is reigning and ready, it is only up to the Father. “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.” Mark 13:32 NLT

So, what is keeping the church from being alert and sober in prayer? I believe the same spirits of weariness, anxiety, and uncertainty are upon the church. We are letting the temptations of the times draw us away from prayer and to fill our time and our minds on the trials and tribulations of this world, it is lulling us asleep by not focusing on the Lord Jesus Christ. Then there is the flesh, the church has drawn back to the mindset of indulging in mind-numbing pleasure seeking, or to take our minds off all that is happening around us. Peter told the church not to return to the practices of the world, but to be diligent in prayer and doing the will of God the Father. 

Next Peter admonishes the church to the key command from Jesus “Love one another.” Peter takes it to another level with the adverb “deeply” and a reason why. “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” He wants the church to forgive, to bond in the deepest manner, love, and to remember how much God has forgiven them. The believers saw and experienced the reaction of the flesh, anger, bitterness, revenge, and hate all of these in the lives of those around them. Love is the one element that there is no law against (1 Cor. 13), it is also central to the heart and message from God (Jn.3:16, Jer.31:3).

Application - There really is nothing more I could possibly add to Peter’s admonition for the Church today. If we really loved each other deeply, where would the church splits, apathy, complacency, and factions be? The covering of all sins comes from love, from the Father and the Son who gave His life for the salvation of all who would believe in him. The multitude of sins committed in Churches today as well as in the relationship of families and friendships, need the covering of love that comes in knowing the Father and Jesus Christ. Amen.

Next Peter addressed the attitude of the Church in the last days. Let’s look at the text, “Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.  Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 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.

Hospitality, serving others in godly manners, and in living for the praise of Jesus Christ. Peter addresses the act of hospitality. Someone wrote about hospitality, it is “the custom of welcoming travelers or strangers into one's home and establishing relationships with them—becomes the prism through which Jesus' disciples can view one another and others as valuable children of God.” The exiled believers knew the value of finding a friendly face, and a warm place to rest in the perilous world of the Roman Empire. Peter wanted the believers to reach out with hospitality without grumbling. Times were difficult and supplies may have been thin, nevertheless Peter exhorted them to be Jesus’ hand extended without a petulant, acetic attitude. Grace should be extended to all, just as God extended to them. 

Second, Peter wanted them to salt their speaking with the words of God. They were probably given to gossip, slander, and sarcasm. Peter knew that they would be held accountable for their careless words and he also understood what a timely message from the Holy Spirit would do to pick up and spur one another on in living the will of God amidst the suffering and persecution from the world and the enemy of their souls. 

Third, serving others was not an option or something that was delegated to others. It was to be done by all. They had all received a gift from God to be used in serving others. The gift was to be used to bring glory to the Father, not the accolades to the servant. Peter remembered the words Jesus spoke to the disciples on servanthood, “So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’” Lk. 17:10 Peter wanted all praise and glory to go to God through whom all strength, power, and glory are from him and due him. Amen. 

Application - I have experienced the hospitality of a Christian home. There was prayer, reading of the Word of God, and the fellowship and taking of a meal together. When my family and I were literally stranded without a place to live at the beginning of Bible school, a dear lady opened her home for me to stay in until we could find a home to rent while I attended classes. This godly woman showed true hospitality, love, and service to God. It became a model I would use later in the ministry of the Word of God. We do not know if we are entertaining angels or weary saints, but we know we are called to be a blessing, especially in these end times. I believe God is shouting at His church to wake up from the slumber of the spirits of temptation, weariness, apathy, and complacency. The time of Christ’s return is very near, and as Jesus said in various parables, “The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat!” Lk. 12:37

Last, let us praise our Lord Jesus Christ for he has given us everything in order to serve him and others in these last days. To God be all glory, honor, and praise, for He is our strength and our salvation.

If you would like other lessons, please look at my blog. http://pmdinhisservice.blogspot.com 

Until next week, In His Service

Mike Davis