It’s the End of the World as We Know It
October 9, 2016

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:7-11

“The end of all things is at hand” (v7)

 “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away, But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake.” (Mark 13:31-33)

1. Living Expectantly Means Praying Constantly

“. . . be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers” (v7)

 “Rejoice in Hope. . .be constant in prayer” (Romans 12:12)

 “they devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching and the fellowship to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42)

 If we want to be a church that is having an impact on our community, we need to pray constantly.

2. Living Expectantly Means Loving Earnestly

“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins” (v8)

 “Owe no one anything, except to love each other” (Romans 13:8)

 “And all who believed were together and had all things in common” (Acts 2:44)

The command is to continually love one another: step after step, day after day, action upon action, earnestly love one another.

3. Living Expectantly Means Showing Hospitality

“Show hospitality to one another without grumbling” (v9)

 “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)

 “day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts” (Acts 2:46)

 If we long to be together and show hospitality to each other, then we will see the Lord adding to our numbers day after day.

4. Living Expectantly Means Serving Faithfully

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies.” (v10-11)

 “. . .they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need,” (Acts 2:45)

 We need to serve not because it’s always easy, but because we are serving the people of God.

 “. . . and the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:47)