Christians all over the world sense we are coming to the end of something and they are right. All things the way we know it now, are coming to an end. Peter said, “The end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.” (1Peter 4:7)
1Peter 4:7-11 Peter gives us eight directives in the light of:
- The ‘End Time’ revival and ingathering of souls
- The coming judgment of the church and the world
- The end of the age, the return of Christ and the new millennium
- The time being short. End time prophecy is being fulfilled before our very eyes.
1. “Be serious (sober)” V7
"Demas has forsaken me having loved this present world.”(2Tim 4:10)
Don’t let the pull of this present world, pull you out of God’s plan for your life.
2. “Be watchful in your prayers.” V7
"Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Math 26:41)
"Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Math 26:41)
3. “And above all things have fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins.” V8.
We must learn to love imperfect people. This means we love what’s excellent and accept what’s still under construction. Our love will not cause God to pardon the sins of others, but it enables us to pass up the faults of others and not hold grudges within ourselves.
4. “Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.” V9
To be hospitable means being willing to help relieve the pain and suffering of others. (Gal 6:10)
5. “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” (V10)
It’s wonderful when your gift becomes somebody else’s miracle from God! “Stir up the gift of God which is in you.” (2Tim 1:6) How can I stir up the gift of God that’s in me? “Do not neglect the gift that is in you.” (1Tim 4:14) How do I neglect the gift that is in me?
6. “If anyone speaks let him speak as the oracles of God.”V11
Our words have the power to heal or to hurt others. As believers we are God’s voice to our world, so we need to make sure that when we speak, we are saying what He would say. “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” (Col 4:6)
7. “If anyone ministers (serves) let him do it with the ability which God supplies” V11
Following Jesus and doing what He tells you to do is what turns Superficial Christians into Supernatural Christians. There is nothing boring about serving Jesus. “Freely you have received freely give.” (Math 10:8) You first become a receiver of life and blessing, then you become a giver of life and blessing
Following Jesus and doing what He tells you to do is what turns Superficial Christians into Supernatural Christians. There is nothing boring about serving Jesus. “Freely you have received freely give.” (Math 10:8) You first become a receiver of life and blessing, then you become a giver of life and blessing
8. “That in all things God may be glorified through Christ Jesus.” V11
Let every false motive and selfish ambition be revealed and rooted out.
If you waste your time, you waste your life. These eight positive directives will keep you on the right track. If you are not doing these eight things, the Lord loves you enough to correct you! We are standing on the threshold of the most dangerous and exciting times ever. Are you ready to occupy until He comes? We are not going to sit back, hold back, draw back or drop out! We are going to do all that we can with what we have now. When we go out, let’s go out in a blaze of glory!
Jesus is coming back for a Glorious, Victorious, Overcoming, Church-are we all in!
To God be the Glory forever and ever Amen!
Dr George Hill
Apostolic Founder and President of Victory Churches International