1 Peter 4:7-11: Conduct that Characterizes the Church! (The Body of Christ) This is how the Church (the body of Christ) responds during Suffering, Trials, Hardship to equip, enhance, educate and encourage each other! In Luke 9:23-25, when Jesus explained what it meant to “Follow Him” He was talking about total abandonment… total surrender. We’re either totally abandoned to Christ, totally surrendered to Him or we’re not. Remember the folks Peter’s writing this letter to are being killed for Following Christ and their faith in Christ. 1 Peter 4:7-11 - 7 The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined (be alert, sober-minded, self -controlled) in your prayers. 8 Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. 10 God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. (Be good stewards of God’s varied grace). 11 Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen. * Vs. 7 - Live with a Passion and a sense Urgency. The end of the world is coming soon. During this Virus, People have asked me if I thought Covid-19 was a sign of the end times. I think EVERYTHING happening today is a sign of the End times! Everything since Jesus resurrection is playing out (just as God designed) for Jesus return. A worldwide Pandemic is just one piece of the puzzle. One of satan’s greatest schemes or tactics is convincing people they have plenty of time. Today there seems to be a tremendous lack of interest, and enthusiasm to even hear the Gospel. People are indifferent and cold toward Christ and toward following Christ. (It’s Apathy) Even in the body of Christ we don’t seem to have a great sense of urgency and passion about Jesus return. IF we really believed Jesus could return at any time, it would change the way most of us are living our life. But, we’ve got plenty of time… Matthew 24:44 – Be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. * Be Ernest and Disciplined in your Prayers. Alert and Sober -Minded. Vs. 7 - Therefore, be earnest and disciplined (be alert, sober-minded, Think clearly) in your prayers. Ernest = Alert, to have serious Interest or serious effort! Disciplined = Sober-minded and Self-controlled (Clear Headed) Solomon had just finished dedicating the New Temple to God… 2 Chronicles 7:12-15 - 12 Then one night the Lord appeared to Solomon and said, “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this Temple as the place for making sacrifices. 13 At times I might shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or command grasshoppers to devour your crops, or send plagues among you.14 Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. 15 My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer made in this place. 16 For I have chosen this Temple and set it apart to be holy—a place where my name will be honored forever. I will always watch over it, for it is dear to my heart. Where is the Temple of God today... IN US! EVEN if we’re dedicated to God sometimes we suffer, however if we HUMBLE ourselves,
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