THE CHURCH'S SPIRITUAL DUTY IN A HOSTILE WORLD

 

1 Peter 4:7-11

The Church was established for this purpose! Truth was meant to be lived, not simply talked about and then ignored. The visible church is a manifestation of God’s goodness and grace through the gospel confession. The believer’s suffering is a visible display of preserving grace in one’s life as we suffer for righteousness sake. When Peter wrote this letter he didn’t tippy toe around biblical truth and realties with the saints who were suffering for Lord’s sake. Peter goes right to heart of the matter and addresses it clearly, and precisely, so that we will respond to Biblical truth in a right manner. Peter gives the church/the believer some urgent commands to obey, to be followed in our suffering, with one simple goal to remember. This life we live in the flesh is short and eternity is forever. So the body of Christ is called to do something as we wait for His return or our departure. The simple goal to remember is this; “The end of all things is near” (v7). 

 

For a majority of the world “end’ is one of death, despair and unaltered darkness, in other words no hope. For the believer the word “End” is never in the New Testament as a chronological end, as if something has stopped. The word “End” refers to “consummation, a goal achieved, a result attained or a realization. Paul said, “The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.” Roman 13:12 We are to be obedient and ready, because Christ’s return could be at any moment as we see in the Scriptures as John in his exile wrote this, “He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.” Rev 22:20-21

 

His return should always be considered “is at hand”. “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand...” Phil 4:5. Jesus said, this is a blessing being prepared. “Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants! But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect." Luke 12:37-40

 

Paul wrote to the Corinthian church concerning this split second suddenness. “Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.” 1 Cor 15:51-52 “Twinkling of an eye” is an expression that denoting the least conceivable duration of time, its fast, like blinking your eye. It’s that fast as Peter said in his second epistle. “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.” 2 Peter 3:9-14. Christ’s return is at hand and the believer is to live obediently, and expectantly, in light of promise. The church today should live with far greater expectancy of this imminent return of our Lord by doing something in the meantime. 

The Church’s Spiritual Duty In A Hostile World Is To Live Sober-Minded And Self-Controlled So That Your Prayers Are Not Hindered. (v7)

 

This is not sweeping emotions that are uncontrolled by the flesh with the attachment of Christianity. But a maintained and proper eternal perspective on life, this is a watchful attitude that creates a pilgrim mentality. This sets our sites that we are citizens of Heaven and only sojourning on earth. To not live this way…. will have a great affect on the way you pray, why you pray, when you pray and who you’re really praying too. Self-controlled or a better translation is “sound judgment” this literally means to be of “right mind”. This is to be under the control of one’s undue emotions, uncontrolled passions. To not have self-control or sound judgment is to be a maniac as we see in Mark’s gospel as Jesus casting out demons from a possessed man. He lived among the tombs. And no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain, for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones. Mark 5:1-5.

 

After Jesus sent the unclean spirits into the pigs, this man had self-control again. “And they came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man, the one who had had the legion, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid.” Mark 5:1-15

 

The Christian mind must be clearly fixed on spiritual priorities and right living. The Christian life isn’t about indulgencing ourselves and following after the patterns of this world as looked at last week. Sober-minded is very similar to self-control, but this denotes being spiritually observant, it’s keeping watch of one’s spiritual state in a fallen world system.

Making sure they are getting….

The proper daily feeding of God’s Word.

Daily intake of biblical sermons to listen throughout the day.

Devotions to keep one focused and centered in the Word.

The fellowship of the saints to find encouragement and strength.

Constantly in prayer for others and your own soul.

 

The Believer who seriously study Scripture and discover its profound truths about God experience rich communion with Him. As the Sons of Korah sang, “As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” Psalm 42:1-2. This is what Paul calls the having “the mind of Christ” 2 Tim 1:7. It’s a sound mind that is under sound judgement, and it’s this reality that we are to be spiritual aware and alert. Why? “For the purpose of prayer” this is our access to all spiritual resources, but we cannot pray properly if our minds are else ware and unstable. If our minds are seeking after earthly pursuits and ignoring or have indifference to biblical truth; our prayers, and our prayer, will be hindered. If you are living for self and trying to fit into this world system and coast into eternity, you have no real prayer life.

 

Why do say that? Sacrificial life is to the death and our lives are hidden in Christ and the life we now live is for Him alone. My desires and passions are to be His over my life, as I carry my cross with joy to the grave. A mind that is self- victimized by emotion, passion, and out of control cannot know the fullness of Holy Communion, especially in prayer. This has the same purpose that Peter previously spoke about as it pertains to husbands, “Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.” 1 Peter 3:7. Like in marriage, anything that hinders our ability to holiness and right living will affect our life, our prayer, and our marriages. Holy living comes when believers read and meditate on God’s word daily so as to know the thoughts of God and commune with God better.

 

The true mark of a Christian at the end of this age is a person on his or her knees in prayer. The question could be asked of us is this!  Could it be that the strength of our private prayer life is an indication of our progress in self-control and sober-mindedness? If so, then most of us need to get busy before we are asked to meet and speak with Jesus face to face.

 

The Church’s Spiritual Duty In A Hostile World Is To Love And Forgive From A Genuine Heart That Is Saved. (v8)

We are living in a time where the love for others is growing cold even inside the church. “Earnestly, sincerely” means “to be stretched to the point of straining your muscles to the maximum where it hurts. You could say this is the evidence, or the mark of the true Christian life, because it’s characterized by true biblical love. This love is an “Agape” which is exercised by the will and truth, rather than emotion and the society around us. In other words this love is not determined by the beauty or desirability of the object. But by the genuine intention of the one who loves “earnestly or fervently” which means “to stretch to the limits of a muscles capacity.” This is an “un-hypocritical love” but a healthy and affectionate love.

 

Our social climate makes it almost

impossible to love like this.

 

But aren’t you glad we don’t follow after the philosophy and wisdom of this world? Peter says we are to “above all keep loving on another” because love is by nature relational. Above all refers to the supreme importance in the Christian life. And you do this by “Keeping” collects sound judgement and a sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Think about this…. How we respond to God’s word will directly and indirectly influence how we respond to each other in the church. This applies also to how we respond to those outside the church; even the ones who seem unlovable! The same rule applies when it comes to loving one another; you and I cannot love one another in our own strength. You will fail; you and I need to rely upon the Spirit’s work in our lives as we take this journey home. God’s ultimate goal and desire is that we reflect the image and likeness of God. Loving other is hard work, it’s something that each and everyone us need to submit or yield to; this is something the Spirit wants to see displayed in our lives. We are commanded to love as the bible says when it comes to the idea of loving others! Because  there is no room for “but I can’t love that person”

 

Jesus said love your enemies…….Matt 5:43

Jesus said love those who hate you……Luke 6:27

Paul said love your wife…….Eph 5:25

Paul said love your children…….Eph 6:4

Jesus said they will know you are my disciple, if you love one another…….John 13:35

 

Where have we seen this kind of

growing love displayed?

 

In the life of Joseph…… “And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them. After that his brothers talked with him.” Gen 45:15

 

Jonathan…..  And Jonathan made David swear again by his love for him, for he loved him as he loved his own soul.” 1 Sam 20:17

 

In the purpose of Jesus Christ….. “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.” Rom 5:6-9

 

In you and me…… “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 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.” Heb10:23-25

 

Love is not, an emotion or a flash in in the pants, but a deep rooted joy, that only comes from the gospel and the work of the Holy Spirit.

 

This is what we are to be pursuing as we strive in holiness and walking in purity. A love that super exceeds for the glory of His name. A love that Jesus had for you, that went both deep and wide. Our love must have no limits or boundaries. As one writer said “we cannot obey God’s command to love one another “even more” if we selectively choose whom we will and will not love.” This type of love is best demonstrated to what Peter says next. (v8) Peter says “Love covers a multitude of sins” how precious is this for the child of God as we love and work together for His glory and our good. This from Proverb 10:12 which says, “Hatred stirs up strife (strife mean what happens when you don’t cover offenses, but rather when you try to uncover as many as you can.), but love covers all offenses.” This is the nature of true spiritual love whether it’s God to man, or Christian to Christian. This doesn’t disqualify disciplining of sin in unrepentant church members; or turning a blind eye to sins destruction. Matt 18:15-18. This specially means that Christians should overlook sins against another and always be ready to forgive insults and unkindness. It’s like Peter is saying, “Love takes the oxygen out of sin the way a blanket chokes the air from one caught on fire. May we love like this!” Paul wrote, “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.” 1 Cor 13:4-6 

Paul says, “Love is not irritable.” That’s like “overlook.” It’s like “covering.” May we keep short accounts of one another, because the last days demand our sincere love and care for the body of Christ. “My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, 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.” James 5:19-20. You’re not to be eager to draw attention to people’s flaws or failures. You’re not to be eager to create corporate blame and conflict. You’re to be eager to reminding each other of the forgiveness we have in Christ through the gospel. One theologian wrote, “Believers ought to throw the mantle of love over the numerous faults into which their brethren may fall, in their conduct towards them, and thus to hide them from their eyes, forgiving their faults, even as God, for Christ sake, hath forgiven them.”

The Church’s Spiritual Duty In A Hostile World Are To Be Servants For His Glory. (v9-v11)

 

Most in the church are ok with hospitality so long as

we get to define what that looks like.

 

Meaning, we invite people we like into our home and set the limits in who stays and who is not welcome. Peter says the gift of hospitality plays an important role in the church, this literally means “love of strangers” This stems from a love that is intensely practical, not just emotional or selfish to show how holy you think you are. It is opening you home and caring for the needs of others, such as missionaries or a travelling preacher or anyone who feels isolated. Church today says, “Let’s get them a hotel and take care of their expenses” but that’s not the gift of hospitality. That’s the gift of selfish convenience, so that we don’t have to change your personal plans for another. Peter says, we are to do this without” Grumbling” in the Greek, “without murmurs;” that is, without complaining of the hardship of doing it; of the time, and expense, and trouble required in doing it. Hospitality can be a bit draining with, planning, preparation, funds and time; but Peter urges us to have a right attitude towards hospitality. It should be a joy to open our home to fellowship with other believers because this prepares us for when we are in Heaven.

 

Being in church with the fellowship of the saints, is a blessing not a time to grumble about everyone and everything. Just as biblical hospitality is a visual demonstration of God’s grace in our lives. So are the gifts….. Serving and being good stewards is a way to minister in a fashion that mutually benefits the church. This involves working long, and hard, for the sake of one another and the strength of the church. Serving births and produces a healthy family, but it requires us to get to work, which could be long and hard at times. Speaking oracles refers to preaching and teaching, serving in this way ministers for the benefit of others to grow in the Word of God. This obviously is speaking of pastor/teachers but could include evangelism, Sunday school teacher, and Bible studies and so on.

 

Why do we do all this, what

purpose does it serve?

 

We do all this for the glory of God as we wait for His glorious return; or our trip home. (v11b) “in order that in everything God may be glorifed.” When we keep this ultimate objective at the forefront of our minds, little else matters. Seeking God’s glory in all things is a difficult assignment in the spiritual battlefield of this present world. But as J C Ryle said in his book “Holiness”, “A holy man will follow after spiritual-mindedness. He will endeavor to set his affections entirely on things above, and hold things of this earth with a very loose hand. He will not neglect the business of the life that now is; but the first place in his mind and thoughts will be given to the life to come. He will aim to live like one whose treasure is in heaven, and to pass through this world like a stranger and pilgrim travelling to his home.” Our lives are a living doxology of praise to our glorious God and King. (v11) We have four things to which to give ourselves over to, because the supremacy of Jesus has altered what we do with the time we have left.