May 12, 2013
Morning Service

Our Bible study has brought us through a look at the last things:  death, judgment, heaven and hell.   We are now looking at the apostles teachings on the second coming of Christ.  By this hearing and reading the Word of God we are building our faith in Him.  (Romans 10:17)

Tit 2:13 Looking for the blessed hope, and the appearance of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

• He is coming again.  What is it that causes us to be anxious (looking) for His appearing?

 

Today is Mother’s Day.  I believe we can tie in that fact in with our study from I Peter today.  What is it we admire most about our mothers?  I believe it is in the selfless investment they make of their own lives to the life of their children.

• The pain and anguish of child birth.  The heartaches, sleepless nights, self-sacrifice, financial difficulties, hours and hours of servitude through cleaning, cooking, nurturing, and caring.
• Why do they do it?  It is an act of love and an investment for the future for themselves and their child.  It has to be worth it all when a mother watches as her daughter becomes a mother.  Investing in the hope that God will use her children in some special way.
• Much invested equals much reward.

 

Let’s look at how Peter ties that into the daily life of a Christian and the blessed hope of Christ’s appearing.

 

1Pe 4:1 Therefore, Christ having suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,

• As we follow in the path of Christ, we must be prepared to suffer as He did.

·         Php 1:29  For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

• Suffer: To feel or undergo pain of body or mind; to bear what is inconvenient. We suffer with pain, sickness or sorrow. We suffer with anxiety. We suffer by evils past and by anticipating others to come. We suffer from fear and from disappointed hopes.
• Suffering:  Not having all that you want, or having something you would not choose to have.
• Peter states that we will suffer as we cease from sin.  As we strive to live the Christian life, we constantly are making choices of either choosing or rejecting the temptation to sin.  In those choices, we bring suffering upon ourselves as we choose to be led by the Spirit and not by the flesh.

1Pe 4:2-6  that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of me, but for the will of God.  (3)  For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles when we walked in licentiousness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties and abominable idolatries.  (4)  In these things they are surprised, that you are not running with them into the same excess of riot, blaspheming.  (5)  But they shall give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.  (6)  For to this end the gospel was preached also to the dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the Spirit.

 

Rom 8:12-14 Therefore, brothers, we are not debtors to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.  (13)  For if you live according to the flesh, you shall die. But if you through the Spirit mortify the deeds of the body, you shall live.  (14)  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

• We choose to be different from the world and they will notice.  We choose to allow the Spirit lead us, not our flesh.  In so doing, we suffer as the sons of God.  We share in His suffering.

What does all this have to do with the Second Coming?  Last week Peter encouraged us to:

 

1Pe 1:13  Therefore girding up the loins of your mind, being sober, perfectly hope for the grace being brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

 

Today he is telling us to be busy with doing what God has called us to do (His will).

 

1Pe 4:7-11 But the end of all things has drawn near. 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 grudging;  (10)  each one as he received a gift, ministering it to yourselves as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.  (11)  If anyone speaks, let it be as the words of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as of the ability which God gives, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ, to whom is the glory, and the might forever and ever. Amen.

• These things are not easy.  They demand self-sacrifice.  It requires us to put God first in our lives.  We must love Jesus as a mother unselfishly loves her child.  We put His commands (will) and ways before our own.  We invest ourselves into His kingdom.  We become partakers of His suffering.  Why?

 

1Pe 4:12-13  Beloved, do not be astonished at the fiery trial which is to try you, as though a strange thing happened to you,  (13)  but rejoice according as you are partakers of Christ's suffering, so that when His glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy.

• As we choose to be partakers in His suffering, at His Second Coming we will also be partakers of His glory!  The greater our investment the greater our joy!  The greater our suffering, the more we anxiously anticipate His return!

Rom 8:17  And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

 

1Pe 4:16-19  But if one suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God because of this.  (17)  For the time has come for the judgment to begin from the house of God. And if it first begins from us, what will be the end of those disobeying the gospel of God?  (18)  And if the righteous one is scarcely saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?  (19)  Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls in well-doing, as to a faithful Creator.

 

As a mother suffers and endures her pregnancy with hope of new life, we to have an everlasting hope as we suffer and endure the hardships of living our lives for Him.

 

Give us the vision of hope that our suffering will be greatly surpassed by our joy!