The Christian

Community in the End

Times

Key text: 1 Peter 4:7-11

7 “But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. 8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”

9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God.

If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified though Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

Part one: The foundation of end times living

The foundation of living for eternity is our mindset and thought life.

Romans 13:11

“And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.”

A. According to Romans 13:11 the first thing we must do is wake up!

B. Choosing to live everyday, by faith, for The Day we will see Jesus face-to-face is often called an “eternal mindset.”

Romans 14:12

“So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.”

Children of God live soberly, yet without terror.God loves you!

1 John 4:17

“Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.”

We need to be like Abraham who, “waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Hebrews 11:10).

Part Two: Actions that come from focusing on the end of all things.

1) 1 Peter 4:7

“But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.”

Luke 21:34-36

“But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.

35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

“The praying man stops sinning, and the sinning man stops praying.”-Leonard Ravenhill

“Prayer is not given to us as a burden to be borne, or an irksome duty to fulfill, but to be a joy and a power to which there is no limit.” - The Unknown Christian

Hebrews 10:19-23“Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God,

22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”

2) 1 Peter 4:8“And above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘love will cover a multitude of sins.’”

“Love is our nuclear weapon!” –Kerby Patterson

Love forgives sin (1 Peter 4:8, John 3:16)

Love serves others (Galatians 5:13-14)

Love Obeys Jesus (John 14:23)

Love abides in God and has no fear (1 John 4:16-19)

Love Humbles itself (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

Love builds up and edifies. (1 Corinthians 8:1)

3) Be hospitable without complaining

1 Peter 4:9“Be hospitable to one

another without grumbling.”

Hebrews 10:24-2524 “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”

4) Use your gifts to build up the body of Christ.

1 Peter 4:10-1110 “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

Receiving a gift from God is a stewardship that we must use with wisdom, humility, love, boldness and faith/dependence .

Part Three: putting it all together by living life together

Q. How do we live out 1 Peter 4:7-11 in its

completeness?

A. It starts by living life together from the motivation of love for others.

Q. Why is it so important to live in Christian

community?

A. For the purpose of growing in holiness as sin grows around us.

Matthew 24:12

“And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.”

Proverbs 18:1“A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment.”

2 Timothy 3:1-2a1 “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves…”

We need godly accountability as sin increases in the world around us.

My charge to you:

Will you choose to increase hospitality and open your home to make Christian community a regular part of your life?