Works that we Christian have to do, on the end of the world (1peter 7~11)

Works that we Christian have to do, on the end of the world.

1peter 4

 ⁷ The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. ⁸ Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. ⁹ Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. ¹⁰ Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. ¹¹ 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.

 

 

Intro) I’m going to share a grace of God with title ‘Works that we Christian have to do, on the end of the world.

 

Body)

A. First, we have to know what era it is have ability of discernment.

 

Saint Peter once said “all things end is near.” This means judgment day, but how do we know when it is near? We can compare to when mankind were almost extinct due to great flood.

In ear of Noah people did not know the judgment was coming and just living in worldly joy. They laughed at Noah’s ark. Jesus said next judgment day will be similar to Noah’s time. In Matthew 24:37-39 says, ³⁷ As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. ³⁸ For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; ³⁹ and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 

What do you think that people focused on at that time? It’s eating, drinking, getting married which seems quite similar now days. This does not mean anything bad or something will happen, but focusing on only these things in life and nothing spiritual is not good. When the judgment was coming people ignored the warning and kept doing what pleases them until they were doomed. People often focused on material and less about their soul. When we tell them believe in God and they reply with believing something we cannot see is something I can’t do. We Christian are fool to them. This is similar to people of Sodom. When the Judgment was close they did not even know and did what please them.

Like lot’s family was only the one saved it will be the same with next judgment day.

Bible tells us the end is near. First, we have corrupted mental health. People today are not ashamed of sin. For example, bible regulates homosexuality as sin, but people reveal their sexuality and acknowledge as brave person. People protest about their sexuality in the street as well. 
This isn’t all, importance of life fallen on the ground. Abortion rate in Korea has increased. The annual number of abortion is around 1.5 to 2 million. Many children become abandoned if single mother give birth or the child has handicap.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 says, But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. ² People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³ without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, ⁴ treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— ⁵ having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.

However, modern isn’t familiar with these. So, we can see the sinning like it’s a usual thing. even spiritual setting we can find the clue that end is near. Like how church members aren’t focusing on God’s work, because they are so focused into the world. 2Timonyhy 3:5 shows people who has the shape of pietism, but rejects its ability, which means false Christian. There are many false Christian like deacon and pastors. Some pastor even says “don’t mess with God!” these people may have a name, but they are dead.  They do not have a sense of awe. All they care is holding the worldly power.

In Luke 18:8 God says,  ⁸ I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

Christian like this verse is hard to find and there are many Christian just try to meet in half where it is comfortable for them. this is sign of the end is near.

 

So, Jesus says in Matthew 24,  ⁴ Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. ⁵ For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many… ¹¹ and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.

And frequent war is also a sign, Jesus says,

⁷ Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. ⁸ All these are the beginning of birth pains.

 

  

So, when we hear the news we should not just take it simple, but have to reflect to what bible says and know what era we are living in.

 

B. secondly, give prayer with clear mind.

Today’s verse says,  ⁷ The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.

If you know the end is near, we need to stay alert and wake up. We need to be prepared.

Jesus says in Matthew 13:32-33

³² Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”

³³ He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds^[b] of flour until it worked all through the dough.”

When you join army sometimes you need to pull a guard duty for day and night. Guard has to be awake and stay alert. If guard fall asleep enemy can easily invade.

Living in this world of pleasure is like a sleeping soldier on guard duty.

To people like this if Jesus ascends in the middle of night, how surprise will it be? 1 Thessalonians 5:3 says, ³ We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.  Matthew 24:42-44, ⁴² “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. ⁴³ But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. ⁴⁴ So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. romans 13 :12-14, ¹² The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. ¹³ Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. ¹⁴ Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.^[c] 

To drunk day and night there is no much difference. You turning back on God’s work and focusing on only worldly work is being drunk in your faith. 

Loving everyone! You need to figure it out what you are drunk on, and do self check on what is keeping you from doing God’s work. If it is not healthy you should keep it away. 2. So, we need to stay alert and pray. Mark 14:32, says, ³² They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.”
Even with God’s word disciples didn’t listen. They have failed and ran away.
 
None can defeat evil without prayer. Prayer is the sign that we are spiritually alive. When you pray you will earn discernment through God’s wisdom and the spirit of revelation.

If you are not praying that means you are spiritually sleeping. When you do not pray it is like losing connection with God. When you are not connected with God you are spiritually weak. When Holy Spirit in your heart wants to pray you should do so, make time when you are busy and pray.

C) Third, serve with more love.

As seeing the end is near we need to love each other even more than anytime. Having faith is something we all hear, but love each other more? What is this mean? We all have seen that love is important in bible. Bible says there are 3 things will always be exist. which are faith, hope, and love. Bible says among these 3 things love was the most. The core of the law is that love God and your neighbor. Bible says God is the love. God loves world so much he sent Jesus to us. What God asks from us as in return is the same love. If there is no love towards God, there is no true faith. If there is no love the faith is like with no filling, just the husk.

Love towards Jesus should also show to your neighbors. If you love God you love your neighbor. If you love God, but not neighbor this love is only half. This is like a hand, there are front and back, we need both of its sides. If there is love although your brother has faults you will not see as it is. Like so, bible says love can cover many sins this is the great power of the love.

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 says, If I speak in the tongues^[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ² If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. ³ If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,^[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Saint Peter says, ⁹ Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. ¹⁰ Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

Church has many works that has to be done. Church is the place where you work as a servant and not be treated. We need to learn from Jesus who washes his disciple’s feet.

In 1 Corinthians 15:58 says,

⁵⁸ Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. If you server there is a reward.

 

 

Conc)

We have heard what we Christian have to do in the end.

 

First, we have to know what era it is have ability of discernment.

Second, give prayer with clear mind.

Third, serve with more love.

Hallelujah!