Thursday, December 7, 2023

         One important question that we often entertain is this—how can my life count for God’s glory and service?  It is a crucial question.  Maybe you have asked or wondered about this too.  Peter gave some thought to this question.  As an original disciple and later as an influential leader in the early church, he recognized the significance of serving the Lord and seeking His glory in all things.  In his own words, he offered some guidance for believers in his day that still resonates with us as believers today.  He wrote, “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” (1 Peter 4:7-10).  A few lessons stand out from his counsel and words that we want to recognize and remember.
            First, Peter wrote that “the end of all things is near.”  That can sound unsettling at first.  There seems to be a tone of imminence or urgency in what he wrote.  He could have easily written that the end is near.  We must always be tentative and reluctant about setting dates and times for the end of the world (or the end of anything where God has the last word).  I do not think that Peter was setting a date or casting forth a prediction.  You will note that he did not include a date.  I think he was declaring that we are moving toward an end.  Life on this earth, as he knew it and we know it, will reach an end.  There is no reason to think, biblically speaking, that the present age and existence will continue forever or indefinitely.  God has an end in mind.  He has a destination or terminal point to which He is guiding and shaping history.  The apostle wants us to know that we could reach that point at any time on any given day. 
            Second, Peter wants his readers to live in view of eternity.  Always!  Live with the anticipation that God has a moment in mind when this age will end and a new one will be ushered forward.  Do not live passively or indifferently about the future.  Embrace the reality that God remains at work (every bit as much as He was at work in Peter’s day) to bring us to the finish line.  Do not become too attached to the things of this world or too entangled by the battles and trials of this world.  Set your face like flint to what lies ahead and to the course that God has laid out for you to run.  Do not let the lesser things of this world rob you of your passion to walk with Christ and to live in glorious anticipation of the moment when you will see Him face to face and hear His eternal voice call you to His side.  Look forward to the prize that God has for those who finish their race and keep their faith.
            Third, Peter reminded us to be sober and alert.  Live with seriousness and sincerity.  Your mission is to serve the Lord and to make your life a moment-by-moment, daily sacrifice for Him and His purposes.  See where God is at work.  Join with Him in His labor.  See where God is stirring and move quickly to be with Him.  Do not allow yourself to be distracted by the loud and shiny things of this world.  One of Satan’s greatest weapons is distraction—drawing our attention away from the greater things to see only the lesser things.  We do not appreciate the old bait-and-switch routines in business deals or sales.  Satan often pulls the same trick. He shows us something dazzling but he never reveals where our attraction for such a thing will lead us.  Any time we take the enemy’s bait we are hooked and we will be led to a bad place.
            Fourth, Peter says to love.  Love goes the extra distance—above and beyond the norms and expectations of life.  To “cover a multitude of sins” means that love is quick to forgive.  It does not overlook sin or respond to sin with even more sin.  Love seeks forgiveness, reconciliation and renewal.  We do not delight in holding the faults or sins of others against them.  We are willing to love them as Christ has loved us and seek their higher and greater good.  We are willing to lead with love and to respond with love even when our emotions might suggest something else.  To love is an act of the will and mind more than an emotional expression or sentiment.   
            Fifth, Peter writes to “offer hospitality.”  Be a gracious and generous individual.  Welcome those who are in need of help, grace or encouragement.  Serve others even when it might be costly or inconvenient.  As Jesus said, “go the extra mile” (Matthew 5:41).  Be an extra-mile-kind-of-believer.  To offer hospitality means we are always looking for ways to do a little more and to serve a little longer.  We are open to where God may wish to send us or to deploy us for His glory.  We are ready to answer His call when we wake up each day.    
            And sixth, as you wait for the Lord, use the “gifts you have received to serve others.”  Do not grow stagnant or passive.  Do not be idle or indifferent.  Peter says to serve as “faithful stewards of God’s grace.”  Serving always has a motivation in mind—to glorify God and advance the gospel.  Serving always fits the moment—any occasion and every occasion are appropriate seasons to be a servant of Christ.  There is no off-season or out-of-season for believers today.  If you are a follower of Christ, today is a wonderful day to serve.  And tomorrow will be just as wonderful.  May God bless and encourage you today as you live in anticipation of the day that you see Him and the transition from earth to eternity is complete.  Join us this Sunday for our Christmas Communal Lunch!  We will provide the ham and drinks and you are invited to bring the side dishes and desserts.  We will enjoy a wonderful time celebrating the birth of Christ.  Remember you can worship any time at YouTube.com/FirstBaptistKannapolis.