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19 I Peter 4:7-11 - Holy Ground
Title: Holy Ground
Text: I Peter 4:7-11
FCF: We often struggle living as if the Kingdom is immanent
Prop: Because the Kingdom of God is near, we must be clear headed stewards of His grace.
Scripture Intro:
[Slide 1] Turn in your bible to I Peter 4.
Last week Peter helped us to see the importance of having the attitude of Christ. Christ trusted His Father and desired the will of God in His suffering. He was meek and gentle even to his executioners. This must be our attitude as well. Suffering for doing the will of God and refusing our human desires shows that we have been set free from sin. And the Lord’s judgment is sure. He will set the standard for who is spiritually alive. So, we must trust God, obey Him, and be meek with all those around us.
Today Peter shifts away from a focus on the church’s lives lived before non-Christians and transitions to how the church should live toward one another.
I am in I Peter 4 starting reading in verse 7. I’ll be reading from the NET which you can follow on page 1367 in the pew bible or in whatever version you have.
Transition:
Hard hitting message today. Let’s get right into it.
I.) Because the judgment of Christ is near, we must be self-controlled and sober minded. (7)
a. [Slide 2] 7 – For the culmination of all things is near.
i. This little phrase does so much in the letter of I Peter that I have to break up how we analyze it. Usually, we just look at what the words mean and move on. But we need to organize our thoughts around this phrase from a few different angles.
ii. First, stylistically. What does this phrase accomplish for Peter’s letter?
1. I Peter 2 began with Peter’s depiction of God’s people as a chosen race, a kingdom of royal priests, and a holy nation. Peter describes all of the true church as God’s representatives on earth connecting men to God.
2. In 2:11-12 Peter combines this identity with the fact that they are exiles living in a land that is not their home country. They are citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven living on earth. So, what does that mean for them? They must abstain from bodily lusts or keep from needing creature comforts and maintain good works among the non-Christians.
3. Since 2:12, Peter has shown how to apply that in social situations where they must be submissive, when they suffer, and even when they suffer for doing good. And this is all with the backdrop of showing good works toward non-Christians.
4. Even up through 4:6, Peter kept these basic threads intact.
5. But now, with this little transition coming out of judgment on the living and dead, Peter turns his attention to showing his audience what it means to be a holy nation, and a royal priesthood to each other.
6. Before Peter aimed the faith and practice of the church outside its community, since they were foreigners and exiles. He sought to answer the question, “how do we behave before those who are not like us?” Now he will explore how the church behaves toward one another as a holy nation and royal priesthood.
iii. Second, we need to see what this phrase actually means? What is Peter saying?
1. Quite simply, this phrase takes the teaching Peter just gave about the reckoning and judgment of the living and the dead by Christ Himself, and immediately places it before his audience as something that is close at hand.
2. Peter speaks of the immanency of Christ’s judgment.
3. We may scratch our head here because, after all, it has been almost 2000 years since Peter penned these words. And so far, that reckoning has not yet occurred.
4. And assuming that Peter is writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit we can reasonably conclude that as Peter penned these words the Holy Spirit knew that it would be at least 1,960ish years before it would come to pass.
5. Can we conclude that this would be… in God’s perspective… near?
6. Sure a 1000 years are like a day to our God. But remember the other part of that phrase. A day is like a thousand years. The teaching here is that time is irrelevant to God, not that time passes more quickly for Him.
7. Part of our problem is that with western minds we are always thinking chronologically.
8. When we hear soon, near, almost or coming… we think it won’t be long to wait or the time approaches.
9. But this is not always what near or culmination mean. In fact, it speaks less to the amount of time before we reach the end and more to the number of steps before we reach the end.
10. Peter is not speaking chronologically. Rather he is talking about how many puzzle pieces are left in God’s plan before it is finished.
11. In short, not many.
12. We exist, in the church age, as if holding our breath before diving under water. As if resting on the porch seeing the storm on the horizon.
13. And listen, there are many folks on TV talking about the end times now. Russia is somehow some fulfillment of Old Testament prophesy. Maybe they are. Maybe they aren’t. But do not think for a moment that Christ is waiting on Russia to do something before He comes. And don’t be convinced, no matter what eschatological system you cling to, that Jesus is waiting for something to happen before He returns.
14. Listen… Peter wrote this to his audience – assuring them– even though it has been almost 2000 years – there is little left to happen for Jesus to return. What does that teach us? Peter was convinced it could happen at any moment. So must we.
iv. Lastly, thematically, this phrase pushes us toward the end of the book
1. This idea of the Kingdom of Christ being completed soon heightens the urgency of all the following applications.
2. Each thought to the end of the book is colored by this idea that the end is immanent. The puzzle is almost complete.
3. This sharpens each command given.
v. And so, what is the first command in light of the culmination of all things being near?
b. [Slide 3] So be self-controlled and sober minded.
i. Now is not the time for inconsistency.
ii. Now is not the time to panic.
iii. Now is not the time for unpredictability.
iv. Now is not the time for hasty thoughts or actions.
v. Now is not the time to cling to this life and all it offers.
vi. Now is not the time to sow our wild oats, to discover ourselves, to find our truth, to follow our heart, or to reach for our dreams.
vii. The world is busy about these things. Why? Because deep down, they believe that tomorrow will come just like today did. That they have a reasonable amount of control over their lives. They decide their fate. They make their destiny. All things will continue as they always have.
viii. And not only do they believe this to be so – they want it to be so. They do not want anything to change.
ix. So much so that when the status quo is threatened, when the possibility exists of things changing drastically or coming to and end, or death looms large, that is when the world goes mad.
x. But my friends.
xi. The culmination of all things is near.
xii. Peter is calling for assimilation and conformity. I cannot tell you how unappealing these words are to our world. The world is all about celebrating differences? Inclusivity! Intersectionality! Are you as tired of these words as I am?
xiii. Everyone gets to be whatever they want to be today.
xiv. If you are afraid then we must stop what scares you. If you are offended then we must stop what offends you. If you are comfortable than we must fight to keep what comforts you.
xv. The phrase goes “you do you” right?
xvi. Peter says the end is almost complete – Stop doing you and get in line and conform. Assimilate.
xvii. Not that every Christian is the same, not that we lose our own personality or individuality in the church – but in a very real way, all of Christ’s people should think and act the same.
xviii. Paul tells us to have the mind of Christ, Peter told us to have the attitude of Christ, we are the body of Christ, being pressed into the mold of Christ – is it so crazy to think – that we should all look the same?
xix. Peter says fall in! Get in line! Focus! Stay alert!
xx. Do not panic. Do not make rash choices. Be still. Control yourself. Compose yourself.
xxi. Why?
xxii. Although life may be hard for you now – the time approaches when God’s justice will reign. So don’t do anything foolish. Don’t panic. Continue doing good works and trust the Lord.
xxiii. To what result?
c. [Slide 4] For the sake of prayer.
i. The effectual fervent prayer of a RIGHTEOUS man avails much. James 5:16
ii. I want all men to pray lifting up HOLY hands to the Lord – I Timothy 2:8
iii. DWELL IN UNDERSTANDING of your wife’s subordinate support role so that your prayers won’t be hindered. I Peter 3:7
iv. Peter says that our prayer life is connected to our thoughts and deeds.
v. Can you pray powerfully while living fearfully of what the world can do to you? Can you pray powerfully without trusting God in all things?
vi. Can you pray powerfully while running here there any everywhere trying to preserve what you have in this world, defending it from those who wish to take it? Can you pray powerfully while being unkind and lacking gentleness in your dealings with others?
vii. Indeed, powerful prayer is predicted on a holy and righteous lifestyle.
viii. We cannot expect prayers to be heard while not being controlled by the Spirit. For the Spirit intercedes for us with many groanings. How can He do this when we have grieved Him?
ix. And what are we praying for powerfully? Peter tells us to be in control of body and mind – to fall in line with the Spirit’s control over us for the result or purpose of prayer. But what did he say before all that? That the cup was almost full. That the Kingdom of God is approaching its culmination.
x. In the Lord’s prayer - one aspect we are taught to pray for… is the coming of God’s Kingdom.
xi. The prayer of a persecuted church… is even so come Lord Jesus. Quickly. We must be controlled by the Spirit to pray such a prayer and mean it.
d. [Slide 5] Passage Truth: The truth Peter reminds his audience of is a truth that will endure throughout the remainder of book of I Peter. It is that despite all the issues they face, all the persecution and problems, there is now no more than stands between us and the consummation of the Kingdom of God.
e. [Slide 6] Passage Application: With that in mind, his audience must be self-controlled and sober minded. They have nothing to fear from this world, and the eternal state is all that is left for them. There is no reason to panic. There is no reason to start living foolishly. They must fall in line, be in control and sober so that they can continue to pray powerfully for the kingdom to come.
f. [Slide 7] Broader Biblical Truth: Zooming out from this text, if it was true in Peter’s day – is it not just as true and perhaps even more now? We, the church, have waited for almost 2000 years. The world has ebbed and flowed. Christianity has fallen in and out of favor with the masses. God has granted mass repentances and great revivals. Great outpourings of grace. God has allowed great persecutions and sufferings for His people. Yet still Christ is seated on the throne. Yet still Christ intercedes for His people. Yet still the Spirit actively regenerates and brings more to faith. Yet still the Father gives grace. But all that remains… even still today… all that remains is for Christ to stand in judgment. He is ready to judge the living and the dead.
g. [Slide 8] Broader Biblical Application: So CBC, if this is true. If the culmination of all things is truly near. What must we do? Get back in line! Keep your heads! Stay frosty. There is absolutely nothing happening in the world worth fearing. All that is happening is all that has always happened since the dawn of creation. Violence? Always been here. It started with Cain killing Abel. Disease? Always been here. Viruses have been around since the beginning. God’s people being hated? Yep! It’s been in the playbook since the garden. My friends… Stay focused. Live like Christ. Trust Christ. Only when your head is on straight will you be in a position to pray powerfully for the Kingdom to come.
Transition:
[Slide 9 (blank)] But our close proximity to the fullness of the coming Kingdom does not only teach us to keep our heads and hearts stayed on Christ and His Righteousness. It also teaches about the importance of God’s church.
II.) Because the judgment of Christ is near, we must love and serve one another in His grace. (8-11)
a. [Slide 10] 8 – Above all keep your love for one another fervent,
i. When we are pressed on all sides, persecuted for holiness, attempting to continue to trust the Lord and maintain good works, we need one another more than ever.
ii. When God’s people are truly alone in a world gone mad, we cannot afford to let our love for one another cool.
iii. And God gives grace to do this.
iv. Time and time again during persecution is when the church thrives. We see unity form around truth and love blossom and flourish.
v. Certainly, we must depend on God’s grace for this but that doesn’t mean we are passive.
vi. We are encouraged by Peter to keep our love fervent or constant for other believers.
vii. And with the backdrop of all things culminating soon – this takes on a particular amount of urgency. God’s Kingdom is coming. That heightens the need for His church, His Kingdom citizens, His holy nation, His royal priesthood, to unite in love with one another. To prepare for this Kingdom by living it now.
b. [Slide 11] Because love covers a multitude of sins.
i. This is probably a quote from Proverbs 10:12.
ii. The first half of that proverb says that hatred stirs up dissension.
iii. Hate draws big red circles around every tiny flaw in the paint. Love simply paints over it.
iv. Without suggesting that church discipline should not happen, without suggesting the church be soft or flippant about sin in the camp…
v. The church should be a place where little things get smaller.
vi. God’s holy nation should be a people who don’t have molehills that become mountains. In fact, the only time you should really hear about something is when it has become something big.
vii. Because overall – God’s people should recognize the great debt God has forgiven them and ought to then forgive others.
viii. When you truly love others as you have been loved, when you truly love other Christians as Christ loved you, small offenses, minor insults, unintended slights, small flaws, micro aggressions, triggering actions – should all fade to nothing because of love.
ix. You want to know how the church can truly be different than the world?
x. If we let love cover all of these. There is no such thing as love covering sins in our culture.
xi. Going back to the original illustration – our culture is all about drawing big red circles around everyone’s flaws. Neither fixing the flaw, nor contributing to the evenly painted wall.
xii. But the church should be a place where these kinds of things don’t happen.
xiii. If you truly have a group of people who, as far as it depends on them, are living at peace with all – should there ever be fights? Arguments? Hurt feelings?
xiv. My friends… love fervently and let that love cover sin.
xv. There really is no time to fight amongst ourselves. The culmination of all things is near.
c. [Slide 12] 9 – Show hospitality to one another
i. This means to be a lover of guests or strangers.
ii. Of course, this is directed toward one-another.
iii. So, we know Peter is not talking about people outside the church, although certainly hospitality toward non-Christians would be in keeping with a Christlike attitude.
iv. But this specifically has to do with a Christian’s disposition toward other believers.
v. It certainly includes use of their home and entertaining guests.
vi. In fact, this is probably the main meaning here. That people would entertain traveling preachers, fleeing Christians, and even open their home for the church to meet in.
vii. But when I turn this command upon us, I fear it loses some of its potency. We have a church building – at least for now. Traveling preachers typically prefer to have their own room in a hotel somewhere rather than being in someone’s home.
viii. What is at the core of this command?
ix. To his audience this is simply caring for the physical needs of those who are true brothers or sisters in Christ, even if it is potentially costly to you or comes with great risk from the governing authorities.
x. Although our culture may be resembling Peter’s soon, for now the potency of this command does not come through to us. Shall we reduce this command to paying for the hotel of a visiting preacher? Shall we reduce this command to offering our home for a bible study or youth event?
xi. Perhaps. But maybe there is something bigger behind this command.
xii. First, that we ought to care for the physical needs of those whom we come into contact with that are genuine believers, is an obvious and straight forward application of this.
xiii. Certainly, this could be abused. And how better to help a man than to stop giving fishes and teach him how to fish? The early church even had stipulations on how long traveling preachers were permitted to stay in a home – just to be sure that such things could not be abused.
xiv. But where this command takes us and where I think it hits us hardest is before we actually get to the place that we help a believer with their physical needs.
xv. Although it may stretch the meaning some – perhaps we could see this command less like “invite people to your house” and more like “see God’s people as one whom He purchased in His Son before time began.”
xvi. For us, before we even get to helping other believers, I think in our hyper individualized culture, in our homebody, introverted, every one is ok with not going any where for 3 months kind of culture – the seemingly missing building block to helping others with physical needs is knowing and loving them like they are your family.
xvii. And this cuts to the core of some of the problem of Western churches that Eastern churches don’t understand.
xviii. Your home, your life, your family, should all be open for all who are God’s people. People in the church should know you best. They should know you better than your family. Better than your co-workers. They should know you because you allow them to know you.
xix. Flaws and all.
xx. We should be people who share ourselves and trust each other quickly.
xxi. Persecution sharpens this need.
xxii. When you are the scourge of society, and all that is wrong with the world, there is really no time to invest 3 years of your life into a church body before you tell people your phone number.
xxiii. There are jokes a plenty about greeting time in church and being introverted.
xxiv. My friends – this command is the introvert killer.
xxv. Feel free to be introverted with your co-workers, your family, and your friends. But with the body of Christ – there really is no time for you to wait to open up.
xxvi. Make connections quickly and then drive them deep.
xxvii. How can we care for the physical needs of a brother or sister, when we can’t even talk to them?
xxviii. But this is sooooooooooooo HARD!
d. [Slide 13] Without complaining.
i. Relationships are work. And just because we share the same savior and are in the same body doesn’t mean they are easy.
ii. God’s grace comes alongside believers to tie them together in Christ. But that does not negate the effort we must invest in getting to know one another and caring for each other’s needs.
iii. And because we are human – any time we have to work at something, anytime something doesn’t come natural, any time something is hard, any time it costs us something – what do we do?
iv. Yeah. We complain.
v. Peter nips that right in the bud.
vi. Not only must your love for other believers be constant and sin-covering, but you must also without complaint open up your lives to and care for one another.
vii. Your local church should be comprised of your closest relationships on earth.
viii. If they aren’t – there is a good chance that you are violating something in these commands.
ix. And this is so important. Because we aren’t just building relationships with one another because we need relationships. We aren’t just getting close so we can care for each other physically.
x. In fact, there is a sharp and real purpose behind the body of Christ deeply loving, forgiving, and knowing and caring for one another.
xi. What is that purpose?
xii. It is the ministry of God’s grace.
e. [Slide 14] 10 – Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another
i. Peter teaches a valuable truth about each and every member of the body of Christ. And he does so in passing. In little more than a transition, Peter explains that every single member of the body of Christ has at least one grace-empowered, Holy Spirit-applied gift for the expressed purpose to serve other Christians.
ii. Spiritual gifts differ from talents and skills in that they are directly empowered and applied by God for the help of other believers.
iii. You may be good at hacky sack, or math, or dance, or construction – but all of these are not things that God uses to build His church in faith and love.
iv. You may be good at teaching or have a decent income but that doesn’t necessarily mean that you have a spiritual gift of teaching or giving.
v. How do we know what our gifts are? I think we’ve overcomplicated this a little now a days. I’ve taken spiritual gift tests. They are ok.
vi. But I think the single most important thing to remember is that every single gift is required of every single Christian. With or without the spiritual gift of teaching, all of us are required to teach one another. To disciple one another. To sharpen one another.
vii. Since we all should be attempting to do every single spiritual gift, in that process people will be positively impacted by what you are doing. And if they are close to you and love you – they will probably tell you that you greatly helped them when you obeyed that particular command.
viii. It is as simple as that. When people grow to be more like Christ because of what you’ve done… that is your first REALLY big clue that that is how God has gifted you.
ix. God uses His people as a means to give His grace to believers. To grow them.
x. Can this be true?
f. [Slide 15] As good stewards of the varied grace of God.
i. God’s graces come in many forms, colors and flavors.
ii. His favor, power, and passion toward His people to see them conformed to His Son, can come through various means and in various applications.
iii. Exercising our spiritual gifts for the benefit of our brothers and sisters makes us good caretakers of that gift as it is being used to give grace to other people.
iv. We become a conduit for God’s work in the sanctification of others.
v. Does God need us to do this?
vi. No.
vii. Meaning our gifts are just that. A gift. He has afforded us an role in helping one another to be grown and sustained on His various graces.
viii. So, Peter divides these giftings into two groups and encourages their proper use.
g. [Slide 16] 11 – Whoever speaks,
i. There are various speaking gifts listed in scripture.
ii. This isn’t really the time to expand on them – but they include teaching, preaching, exhortation, leadership and more.
iii. Even though all are called to teach and disciple, some have been spiritually empowered to do that effectively.
iv. It goes way beyond whether you like someone’s style or not. Actually, you liking their style or delivery has very little to do with it at all. Indeed, some of the most charismatic people who teach and preach are false teachers.
v. We aren’t looking for someone who is appealing, but rather someone who is instrumental in the application of God’s grace helping us to grow and be more like Christ by what they say.
vi. The warning then for those with these speaking gifts is this…
h. [Slide 17] Let it be with God’s words
i. Don’t get drunk on your own gifting.
ii. Remember that all you have to offer is from God and God alone.
iii. The moment a man steps away from scripture and begins teaching his own thoughts, opinions, without biblical standing or backing – that is the moment that he has left the true power of his gifting.
iv. He must speak authoritatively on what God has said. And leave no room for disagreement.
v. In doing this, the Word is free to impact the lives of God’s people.
i. [Slide 18] Whoever serves,
i. A second broad category in giftings is designed to serve the body.
ii. This is not necessarily only physical needs.
iii. Encouragement, giving, helping, and acts of mercy are all included in this kind of service.
iv. And although construction may not be a spiritual gift – perhaps it could be an expression of giving. Maybe hacky sack isn’t a spiritual gift – but it is one way to express encouragement to another believer.
v. But the same temptation exists for those empowered to serve one another…
j. [Slide 19] Do so with the strength that God supplies
i. Just like a speaker can get convinced of his own success, so a servant can be persuaded to assume that all their service is done in their own strength.
ii. Such a conclusion would be catastrophic.
iii. We are nothing without Christ. Indeed, all that we have has been given to us.
iv. So going out to serve, do so knowing that you are weak but He is strong.
k. [Slide 20] So that in everything God will be glorified through Jesus Christ.
i. This is the way to make much of our Lord.
ii. We serve and give, we are conduits of God’s grace
iii. Just as we connect non-Christians to God, so too we continue to connect Christians to God.
iv. But we dare not believe that we do this in our own strength and power.
v. All we have is a gift.
vi. And when we do much for His Kingdom, humbly knowing that it was He who did it through us – He will be glorified because if not for Christ, we would be nothing.
vii. With this thought, it is fitting then for Peter to conclude this section with doxology.
l. [Slide 21] To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.
i. Such a statement is rich and doctrinally supercharged.
ii. All glory and power belong to Him forever.
iii. It is from these kinds of expressions that we derive the teachings of God’s holiness and his sovereignty.
iv. If He possesses all power and all authority and has all dominion – there is not one single rogue molecule in the universe.
v. And how important is it to suffering saints that God be sovereign?
vi. If God be not sovereign than there is no hope that the culmination of all things is near, nor any hope that there is any purpose to their suffering.
vii. If God be not sovereign over men, then how could God ever guarantee an end to their suffering?
viii. In short, if God is not in absolute control over all things… even the will of man… we can trust nothing He promises in scripture. Why? Because there is always something out there he cannot control. And as long as there is something out there He cannot control, there is something out there that Satan can use to make His promises void.
ix. Yeah… it matters to suffering saints that God is truly sovereign.
x. And if God has all glory, there is truly none beside him, none to whom He can be compared.
xi. Does this matter to the suffering saints?
xii. Not only is He morally perfect, but He is completely distinct from any other being. He alone gets glory because He is the only God.
xiii. And He, this holy God in which all glory belongs, is their God.
xiv. Yeah that matters too.
m. [Slide 22] Passage Truth: Peter’s reminded truth endures even to here. The next thing on the to do list for God is to judge the world. The only thing left is to commence the fullness of the Kingdom of God.
n. [Slide 23] Passage Application: In light of that, his audience must be making sure that the Kingdom of God is on display among their members. Not perfectly of course, but practically. That they are loving one another, forgiving one another, opening themselves up to one another, and in His grace, serving one another.
o. [Slide 24] Broader Biblical Truth: Don’t get conned into thinking some great step is needed before God brings His kingdom. Most eschatological systems allow for this to be true, but some do not. Some assume some act either of God or His church is necessary before the end comes. This is simply not true. The Kingdom’s coming is imminent. It could happen in a few moments. For there is nothing left for Christ to do, but to judge the world.
p. [Slide 25] Broader Biblical Application: In light of that CBC – let us not waste any more time acting as if this thing we call church is just another thing we do on earth. Let us stop pretending that this is one more activity to involve ourselves in. Let us quit the lie that is this thing we do on Sunday is just one more facet of our lives. My friends. This church – and by that I do not mean the building – this church is your embassy. If you and I are ambassadors in a foreign land, this is our embassy. If we are a Kingdom of priests than this body of believers is our temple – each of us a stone built on Christ. Church is not something you do. Church is not somewhere you go. Church is something God made. A new creation. Like when He spoke the earth into existence from nothing, He spoke and carved out of death the life of His people. Church is haven. Church is rest. Church is holy ground. When we are among each other – we are home. Out there we are insulted. With us, uplifted. Out there we are maligned, with us loved. Out there we must be guarded, with us we must be open and vulnerable. Out there every mistake is amplified, with us every mistake is forgiven. Out there it is take take take, with us it is give give give. Out there it is my power, my strength, my ambition, with us it is all His grace. Out there, nothing seems to match what God says is reality. With us God’s reality is on display.
Conclusion:
We’ve all heard stories of men and women, in the process of the most grueling tests of their physical fortitude, being rejuvenated by the announcement that this is the final lap. A runner receives a burst of energy when she turns the corner and sees the finish line. A weight lifter being utterly exhausted finds more strength when he hears he is only 5 reps away from beating the record. One more out. 1 minute remaining. One more point.
CBC… The next thing on God’s list is the completion of our salvation. The next great work of Christ is coming in His glory.
Drawing strength from such truth means what?
Control yourselves. Get back in line. Be like Christ. Focus. Seek His Kingdom and Righteousness. And love one another, forgive one another, treat one another like family and serve one another with God’s gifts.
If we were to boil all this down even further – be the church. Be God’s Kingdom on earth. Be His temple. Be His priesthood. Be His holy nation.
My friends we are in a hostile foreign nation right now. Peter’s announcement that all things are culminating is our guarantee that rescue is coming. And the church is our embassy. It is a little slice of heaven, a little patch of holy ground in this hostile foreign land.
But here is the question. Are you calm? Or do you still fear? Do you clamor to keep your life on this foreign soil? Do you fight to preserve what you have here – or do you pine for home? Is the church your embassy? Do you come here to love and be loved? Do you come here to serve others as a steward of God’s various grace? Do you see the gathering of God’s people as a little taste of what all of the Kingdom of God will be like?
My friends – the Lord is coming to save His people. Stay calm. Stay focused. And run to, depend on, and minister to His people. We are the Kingdom of God even while in this Kingdom.
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By Christopher FreemanTitle: Holy Ground
Text: I Peter 4:7-11
FCF: We often struggle living as if the Kingdom is immanent
Prop: Because the Kingdom of God is near, we must be clear headed stewards of His grace.
Scripture Intro:
[Slide 1] Turn in your bible to I Peter 4.
Last week Peter helped us to see the importance of having the attitude of Christ. Christ trusted His Father and desired the will of God in His suffering. He was meek and gentle even to his executioners. This must be our attitude as well. Suffering for doing the will of God and refusing our human desires shows that we have been set free from sin. And the Lord’s judgment is sure. He will set the standard for who is spiritually alive. So, we must trust God, obey Him, and be meek with all those around us.
Today Peter shifts away from a focus on the church’s lives lived before non-Christians and transitions to how the church should live toward one another.
I am in I Peter 4 starting reading in verse 7. I’ll be reading from the NET which you can follow on page 1367 in the pew bible or in whatever version you have.
Transition:
Hard hitting message today. Let’s get right into it.
I.) Because the judgment of Christ is near, we must be self-controlled and sober minded. (7)
a. [Slide 2] 7 – For the culmination of all things is near.
i. This little phrase does so much in the letter of I Peter that I have to break up how we analyze it. Usually, we just look at what the words mean and move on. But we need to organize our thoughts around this phrase from a few different angles.
ii. First, stylistically. What does this phrase accomplish for Peter’s letter?
1. I Peter 2 began with Peter’s depiction of God’s people as a chosen race, a kingdom of royal priests, and a holy nation. Peter describes all of the true church as God’s representatives on earth connecting men to God.
2. In 2:11-12 Peter combines this identity with the fact that they are exiles living in a land that is not their home country. They are citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven living on earth. So, what does that mean for them? They must abstain from bodily lusts or keep from needing creature comforts and maintain good works among the non-Christians.
3. Since 2:12, Peter has shown how to apply that in social situations where they must be submissive, when they suffer, and even when they suffer for doing good. And this is all with the backdrop of showing good works toward non-Christians.
4. Even up through 4:6, Peter kept these basic threads intact.
5. But now, with this little transition coming out of judgment on the living and dead, Peter turns his attention to showing his audience what it means to be a holy nation, and a royal priesthood to each other.
6. Before Peter aimed the faith and practice of the church outside its community, since they were foreigners and exiles. He sought to answer the question, “how do we behave before those who are not like us?” Now he will explore how the church behaves toward one another as a holy nation and royal priesthood.
iii. Second, we need to see what this phrase actually means? What is Peter saying?
1. Quite simply, this phrase takes the teaching Peter just gave about the reckoning and judgment of the living and the dead by Christ Himself, and immediately places it before his audience as something that is close at hand.
2. Peter speaks of the immanency of Christ’s judgment.
3. We may scratch our head here because, after all, it has been almost 2000 years since Peter penned these words. And so far, that reckoning has not yet occurred.
4. And assuming that Peter is writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit we can reasonably conclude that as Peter penned these words the Holy Spirit knew that it would be at least 1,960ish years before it would come to pass.
5. Can we conclude that this would be… in God’s perspective… near?
6. Sure a 1000 years are like a day to our God. But remember the other part of that phrase. A day is like a thousand years. The teaching here is that time is irrelevant to God, not that time passes more quickly for Him.
7. Part of our problem is that with western minds we are always thinking chronologically.
8. When we hear soon, near, almost or coming… we think it won’t be long to wait or the time approaches.
9. But this is not always what near or culmination mean. In fact, it speaks less to the amount of time before we reach the end and more to the number of steps before we reach the end.
10. Peter is not speaking chronologically. Rather he is talking about how many puzzle pieces are left in God’s plan before it is finished.
11. In short, not many.
12. We exist, in the church age, as if holding our breath before diving under water. As if resting on the porch seeing the storm on the horizon.
13. And listen, there are many folks on TV talking about the end times now. Russia is somehow some fulfillment of Old Testament prophesy. Maybe they are. Maybe they aren’t. But do not think for a moment that Christ is waiting on Russia to do something before He comes. And don’t be convinced, no matter what eschatological system you cling to, that Jesus is waiting for something to happen before He returns.
14. Listen… Peter wrote this to his audience – assuring them– even though it has been almost 2000 years – there is little left to happen for Jesus to return. What does that teach us? Peter was convinced it could happen at any moment. So must we.
iv. Lastly, thematically, this phrase pushes us toward the end of the book
1. This idea of the Kingdom of Christ being completed soon heightens the urgency of all the following applications.
2. Each thought to the end of the book is colored by this idea that the end is immanent. The puzzle is almost complete.
3. This sharpens each command given.
v. And so, what is the first command in light of the culmination of all things being near?
b. [Slide 3] So be self-controlled and sober minded.
i. Now is not the time for inconsistency.
ii. Now is not the time to panic.
iii. Now is not the time for unpredictability.
iv. Now is not the time for hasty thoughts or actions.
v. Now is not the time to cling to this life and all it offers.
vi. Now is not the time to sow our wild oats, to discover ourselves, to find our truth, to follow our heart, or to reach for our dreams.
vii. The world is busy about these things. Why? Because deep down, they believe that tomorrow will come just like today did. That they have a reasonable amount of control over their lives. They decide their fate. They make their destiny. All things will continue as they always have.
viii. And not only do they believe this to be so – they want it to be so. They do not want anything to change.
ix. So much so that when the status quo is threatened, when the possibility exists of things changing drastically or coming to and end, or death looms large, that is when the world goes mad.
x. But my friends.
xi. The culmination of all things is near.
xii. Peter is calling for assimilation and conformity. I cannot tell you how unappealing these words are to our world. The world is all about celebrating differences? Inclusivity! Intersectionality! Are you as tired of these words as I am?
xiii. Everyone gets to be whatever they want to be today.
xiv. If you are afraid then we must stop what scares you. If you are offended then we must stop what offends you. If you are comfortable than we must fight to keep what comforts you.
xv. The phrase goes “you do you” right?
xvi. Peter says the end is almost complete – Stop doing you and get in line and conform. Assimilate.
xvii. Not that every Christian is the same, not that we lose our own personality or individuality in the church – but in a very real way, all of Christ’s people should think and act the same.
xviii. Paul tells us to have the mind of Christ, Peter told us to have the attitude of Christ, we are the body of Christ, being pressed into the mold of Christ – is it so crazy to think – that we should all look the same?
xix. Peter says fall in! Get in line! Focus! Stay alert!
xx. Do not panic. Do not make rash choices. Be still. Control yourself. Compose yourself.
xxi. Why?
xxii. Although life may be hard for you now – the time approaches when God’s justice will reign. So don’t do anything foolish. Don’t panic. Continue doing good works and trust the Lord.
xxiii. To what result?
c. [Slide 4] For the sake of prayer.
i. The effectual fervent prayer of a RIGHTEOUS man avails much. James 5:16
ii. I want all men to pray lifting up HOLY hands to the Lord – I Timothy 2:8
iii. DWELL IN UNDERSTANDING of your wife’s subordinate support role so that your prayers won’t be hindered. I Peter 3:7
iv. Peter says that our prayer life is connected to our thoughts and deeds.
v. Can you pray powerfully while living fearfully of what the world can do to you? Can you pray powerfully without trusting God in all things?
vi. Can you pray powerfully while running here there any everywhere trying to preserve what you have in this world, defending it from those who wish to take it? Can you pray powerfully while being unkind and lacking gentleness in your dealings with others?
vii. Indeed, powerful prayer is predicted on a holy and righteous lifestyle.
viii. We cannot expect prayers to be heard while not being controlled by the Spirit. For the Spirit intercedes for us with many groanings. How can He do this when we have grieved Him?
ix. And what are we praying for powerfully? Peter tells us to be in control of body and mind – to fall in line with the Spirit’s control over us for the result or purpose of prayer. But what did he say before all that? That the cup was almost full. That the Kingdom of God is approaching its culmination.
x. In the Lord’s prayer - one aspect we are taught to pray for… is the coming of God’s Kingdom.
xi. The prayer of a persecuted church… is even so come Lord Jesus. Quickly. We must be controlled by the Spirit to pray such a prayer and mean it.
d. [Slide 5] Passage Truth: The truth Peter reminds his audience of is a truth that will endure throughout the remainder of book of I Peter. It is that despite all the issues they face, all the persecution and problems, there is now no more than stands between us and the consummation of the Kingdom of God.
e. [Slide 6] Passage Application: With that in mind, his audience must be self-controlled and sober minded. They have nothing to fear from this world, and the eternal state is all that is left for them. There is no reason to panic. There is no reason to start living foolishly. They must fall in line, be in control and sober so that they can continue to pray powerfully for the kingdom to come.
f. [Slide 7] Broader Biblical Truth: Zooming out from this text, if it was true in Peter’s day – is it not just as true and perhaps even more now? We, the church, have waited for almost 2000 years. The world has ebbed and flowed. Christianity has fallen in and out of favor with the masses. God has granted mass repentances and great revivals. Great outpourings of grace. God has allowed great persecutions and sufferings for His people. Yet still Christ is seated on the throne. Yet still Christ intercedes for His people. Yet still the Spirit actively regenerates and brings more to faith. Yet still the Father gives grace. But all that remains… even still today… all that remains is for Christ to stand in judgment. He is ready to judge the living and the dead.
g. [Slide 8] Broader Biblical Application: So CBC, if this is true. If the culmination of all things is truly near. What must we do? Get back in line! Keep your heads! Stay frosty. There is absolutely nothing happening in the world worth fearing. All that is happening is all that has always happened since the dawn of creation. Violence? Always been here. It started with Cain killing Abel. Disease? Always been here. Viruses have been around since the beginning. God’s people being hated? Yep! It’s been in the playbook since the garden. My friends… Stay focused. Live like Christ. Trust Christ. Only when your head is on straight will you be in a position to pray powerfully for the Kingdom to come.
Transition:
[Slide 9 (blank)] But our close proximity to the fullness of the coming Kingdom does not only teach us to keep our heads and hearts stayed on Christ and His Righteousness. It also teaches about the importance of God’s church.
II.) Because the judgment of Christ is near, we must love and serve one another in His grace. (8-11)
a. [Slide 10] 8 – Above all keep your love for one another fervent,
i. When we are pressed on all sides, persecuted for holiness, attempting to continue to trust the Lord and maintain good works, we need one another more than ever.
ii. When God’s people are truly alone in a world gone mad, we cannot afford to let our love for one another cool.
iii. And God gives grace to do this.
iv. Time and time again during persecution is when the church thrives. We see unity form around truth and love blossom and flourish.
v. Certainly, we must depend on God’s grace for this but that doesn’t mean we are passive.
vi. We are encouraged by Peter to keep our love fervent or constant for other believers.
vii. And with the backdrop of all things culminating soon – this takes on a particular amount of urgency. God’s Kingdom is coming. That heightens the need for His church, His Kingdom citizens, His holy nation, His royal priesthood, to unite in love with one another. To prepare for this Kingdom by living it now.
b. [Slide 11] Because love covers a multitude of sins.
i. This is probably a quote from Proverbs 10:12.
ii. The first half of that proverb says that hatred stirs up dissension.
iii. Hate draws big red circles around every tiny flaw in the paint. Love simply paints over it.
iv. Without suggesting that church discipline should not happen, without suggesting the church be soft or flippant about sin in the camp…
v. The church should be a place where little things get smaller.
vi. God’s holy nation should be a people who don’t have molehills that become mountains. In fact, the only time you should really hear about something is when it has become something big.
vii. Because overall – God’s people should recognize the great debt God has forgiven them and ought to then forgive others.
viii. When you truly love others as you have been loved, when you truly love other Christians as Christ loved you, small offenses, minor insults, unintended slights, small flaws, micro aggressions, triggering actions – should all fade to nothing because of love.
ix. You want to know how the church can truly be different than the world?
x. If we let love cover all of these. There is no such thing as love covering sins in our culture.
xi. Going back to the original illustration – our culture is all about drawing big red circles around everyone’s flaws. Neither fixing the flaw, nor contributing to the evenly painted wall.
xii. But the church should be a place where these kinds of things don’t happen.
xiii. If you truly have a group of people who, as far as it depends on them, are living at peace with all – should there ever be fights? Arguments? Hurt feelings?
xiv. My friends… love fervently and let that love cover sin.
xv. There really is no time to fight amongst ourselves. The culmination of all things is near.
c. [Slide 12] 9 – Show hospitality to one another
i. This means to be a lover of guests or strangers.
ii. Of course, this is directed toward one-another.
iii. So, we know Peter is not talking about people outside the church, although certainly hospitality toward non-Christians would be in keeping with a Christlike attitude.
iv. But this specifically has to do with a Christian’s disposition toward other believers.
v. It certainly includes use of their home and entertaining guests.
vi. In fact, this is probably the main meaning here. That people would entertain traveling preachers, fleeing Christians, and even open their home for the church to meet in.
vii. But when I turn this command upon us, I fear it loses some of its potency. We have a church building – at least for now. Traveling preachers typically prefer to have their own room in a hotel somewhere rather than being in someone’s home.
viii. What is at the core of this command?
ix. To his audience this is simply caring for the physical needs of those who are true brothers or sisters in Christ, even if it is potentially costly to you or comes with great risk from the governing authorities.
x. Although our culture may be resembling Peter’s soon, for now the potency of this command does not come through to us. Shall we reduce this command to paying for the hotel of a visiting preacher? Shall we reduce this command to offering our home for a bible study or youth event?
xi. Perhaps. But maybe there is something bigger behind this command.
xii. First, that we ought to care for the physical needs of those whom we come into contact with that are genuine believers, is an obvious and straight forward application of this.
xiii. Certainly, this could be abused. And how better to help a man than to stop giving fishes and teach him how to fish? The early church even had stipulations on how long traveling preachers were permitted to stay in a home – just to be sure that such things could not be abused.
xiv. But where this command takes us and where I think it hits us hardest is before we actually get to the place that we help a believer with their physical needs.
xv. Although it may stretch the meaning some – perhaps we could see this command less like “invite people to your house” and more like “see God’s people as one whom He purchased in His Son before time began.”
xvi. For us, before we even get to helping other believers, I think in our hyper individualized culture, in our homebody, introverted, every one is ok with not going any where for 3 months kind of culture – the seemingly missing building block to helping others with physical needs is knowing and loving them like they are your family.
xvii. And this cuts to the core of some of the problem of Western churches that Eastern churches don’t understand.
xviii. Your home, your life, your family, should all be open for all who are God’s people. People in the church should know you best. They should know you better than your family. Better than your co-workers. They should know you because you allow them to know you.
xix. Flaws and all.
xx. We should be people who share ourselves and trust each other quickly.
xxi. Persecution sharpens this need.
xxii. When you are the scourge of society, and all that is wrong with the world, there is really no time to invest 3 years of your life into a church body before you tell people your phone number.
xxiii. There are jokes a plenty about greeting time in church and being introverted.
xxiv. My friends – this command is the introvert killer.
xxv. Feel free to be introverted with your co-workers, your family, and your friends. But with the body of Christ – there really is no time for you to wait to open up.
xxvi. Make connections quickly and then drive them deep.
xxvii. How can we care for the physical needs of a brother or sister, when we can’t even talk to them?
xxviii. But this is sooooooooooooo HARD!
d. [Slide 13] Without complaining.
i. Relationships are work. And just because we share the same savior and are in the same body doesn’t mean they are easy.
ii. God’s grace comes alongside believers to tie them together in Christ. But that does not negate the effort we must invest in getting to know one another and caring for each other’s needs.
iii. And because we are human – any time we have to work at something, anytime something doesn’t come natural, any time something is hard, any time it costs us something – what do we do?
iv. Yeah. We complain.
v. Peter nips that right in the bud.
vi. Not only must your love for other believers be constant and sin-covering, but you must also without complaint open up your lives to and care for one another.
vii. Your local church should be comprised of your closest relationships on earth.
viii. If they aren’t – there is a good chance that you are violating something in these commands.
ix. And this is so important. Because we aren’t just building relationships with one another because we need relationships. We aren’t just getting close so we can care for each other physically.
x. In fact, there is a sharp and real purpose behind the body of Christ deeply loving, forgiving, and knowing and caring for one another.
xi. What is that purpose?
xii. It is the ministry of God’s grace.
e. [Slide 14] 10 – Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another
i. Peter teaches a valuable truth about each and every member of the body of Christ. And he does so in passing. In little more than a transition, Peter explains that every single member of the body of Christ has at least one grace-empowered, Holy Spirit-applied gift for the expressed purpose to serve other Christians.
ii. Spiritual gifts differ from talents and skills in that they are directly empowered and applied by God for the help of other believers.
iii. You may be good at hacky sack, or math, or dance, or construction – but all of these are not things that God uses to build His church in faith and love.
iv. You may be good at teaching or have a decent income but that doesn’t necessarily mean that you have a spiritual gift of teaching or giving.
v. How do we know what our gifts are? I think we’ve overcomplicated this a little now a days. I’ve taken spiritual gift tests. They are ok.
vi. But I think the single most important thing to remember is that every single gift is required of every single Christian. With or without the spiritual gift of teaching, all of us are required to teach one another. To disciple one another. To sharpen one another.
vii. Since we all should be attempting to do every single spiritual gift, in that process people will be positively impacted by what you are doing. And if they are close to you and love you – they will probably tell you that you greatly helped them when you obeyed that particular command.
viii. It is as simple as that. When people grow to be more like Christ because of what you’ve done… that is your first REALLY big clue that that is how God has gifted you.
ix. God uses His people as a means to give His grace to believers. To grow them.
x. Can this be true?
f. [Slide 15] As good stewards of the varied grace of God.
i. God’s graces come in many forms, colors and flavors.
ii. His favor, power, and passion toward His people to see them conformed to His Son, can come through various means and in various applications.
iii. Exercising our spiritual gifts for the benefit of our brothers and sisters makes us good caretakers of that gift as it is being used to give grace to other people.
iv. We become a conduit for God’s work in the sanctification of others.
v. Does God need us to do this?
vi. No.
vii. Meaning our gifts are just that. A gift. He has afforded us an role in helping one another to be grown and sustained on His various graces.
viii. So, Peter divides these giftings into two groups and encourages their proper use.
g. [Slide 16] 11 – Whoever speaks,
i. There are various speaking gifts listed in scripture.
ii. This isn’t really the time to expand on them – but they include teaching, preaching, exhortation, leadership and more.
iii. Even though all are called to teach and disciple, some have been spiritually empowered to do that effectively.
iv. It goes way beyond whether you like someone’s style or not. Actually, you liking their style or delivery has very little to do with it at all. Indeed, some of the most charismatic people who teach and preach are false teachers.
v. We aren’t looking for someone who is appealing, but rather someone who is instrumental in the application of God’s grace helping us to grow and be more like Christ by what they say.
vi. The warning then for those with these speaking gifts is this…
h. [Slide 17] Let it be with God’s words
i. Don’t get drunk on your own gifting.
ii. Remember that all you have to offer is from God and God alone.
iii. The moment a man steps away from scripture and begins teaching his own thoughts, opinions, without biblical standing or backing – that is the moment that he has left the true power of his gifting.
iv. He must speak authoritatively on what God has said. And leave no room for disagreement.
v. In doing this, the Word is free to impact the lives of God’s people.
i. [Slide 18] Whoever serves,
i. A second broad category in giftings is designed to serve the body.
ii. This is not necessarily only physical needs.
iii. Encouragement, giving, helping, and acts of mercy are all included in this kind of service.
iv. And although construction may not be a spiritual gift – perhaps it could be an expression of giving. Maybe hacky sack isn’t a spiritual gift – but it is one way to express encouragement to another believer.
v. But the same temptation exists for those empowered to serve one another…
j. [Slide 19] Do so with the strength that God supplies
i. Just like a speaker can get convinced of his own success, so a servant can be persuaded to assume that all their service is done in their own strength.
ii. Such a conclusion would be catastrophic.
iii. We are nothing without Christ. Indeed, all that we have has been given to us.
iv. So going out to serve, do so knowing that you are weak but He is strong.
k. [Slide 20] So that in everything God will be glorified through Jesus Christ.
i. This is the way to make much of our Lord.
ii. We serve and give, we are conduits of God’s grace
iii. Just as we connect non-Christians to God, so too we continue to connect Christians to God.
iv. But we dare not believe that we do this in our own strength and power.
v. All we have is a gift.
vi. And when we do much for His Kingdom, humbly knowing that it was He who did it through us – He will be glorified because if not for Christ, we would be nothing.
vii. With this thought, it is fitting then for Peter to conclude this section with doxology.
l. [Slide 21] To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.
i. Such a statement is rich and doctrinally supercharged.
ii. All glory and power belong to Him forever.
iii. It is from these kinds of expressions that we derive the teachings of God’s holiness and his sovereignty.
iv. If He possesses all power and all authority and has all dominion – there is not one single rogue molecule in the universe.
v. And how important is it to suffering saints that God be sovereign?
vi. If God be not sovereign than there is no hope that the culmination of all things is near, nor any hope that there is any purpose to their suffering.
vii. If God be not sovereign over men, then how could God ever guarantee an end to their suffering?
viii. In short, if God is not in absolute control over all things… even the will of man… we can trust nothing He promises in scripture. Why? Because there is always something out there he cannot control. And as long as there is something out there He cannot control, there is something out there that Satan can use to make His promises void.
ix. Yeah… it matters to suffering saints that God is truly sovereign.
x. And if God has all glory, there is truly none beside him, none to whom He can be compared.
xi. Does this matter to the suffering saints?
xii. Not only is He morally perfect, but He is completely distinct from any other being. He alone gets glory because He is the only God.
xiii. And He, this holy God in which all glory belongs, is their God.
xiv. Yeah that matters too.
m. [Slide 22] Passage Truth: Peter’s reminded truth endures even to here. The next thing on the to do list for God is to judge the world. The only thing left is to commence the fullness of the Kingdom of God.
n. [Slide 23] Passage Application: In light of that, his audience must be making sure that the Kingdom of God is on display among their members. Not perfectly of course, but practically. That they are loving one another, forgiving one another, opening themselves up to one another, and in His grace, serving one another.
o. [Slide 24] Broader Biblical Truth: Don’t get conned into thinking some great step is needed before God brings His kingdom. Most eschatological systems allow for this to be true, but some do not. Some assume some act either of God or His church is necessary before the end comes. This is simply not true. The Kingdom’s coming is imminent. It could happen in a few moments. For there is nothing left for Christ to do, but to judge the world.
p. [Slide 25] Broader Biblical Application: In light of that CBC – let us not waste any more time acting as if this thing we call church is just another thing we do on earth. Let us stop pretending that this is one more activity to involve ourselves in. Let us quit the lie that is this thing we do on Sunday is just one more facet of our lives. My friends. This church – and by that I do not mean the building – this church is your embassy. If you and I are ambassadors in a foreign land, this is our embassy. If we are a Kingdom of priests than this body of believers is our temple – each of us a stone built on Christ. Church is not something you do. Church is not somewhere you go. Church is something God made. A new creation. Like when He spoke the earth into existence from nothing, He spoke and carved out of death the life of His people. Church is haven. Church is rest. Church is holy ground. When we are among each other – we are home. Out there we are insulted. With us, uplifted. Out there we are maligned, with us loved. Out there we must be guarded, with us we must be open and vulnerable. Out there every mistake is amplified, with us every mistake is forgiven. Out there it is take take take, with us it is give give give. Out there it is my power, my strength, my ambition, with us it is all His grace. Out there, nothing seems to match what God says is reality. With us God’s reality is on display.
Conclusion:
We’ve all heard stories of men and women, in the process of the most grueling tests of their physical fortitude, being rejuvenated by the announcement that this is the final lap. A runner receives a burst of energy when she turns the corner and sees the finish line. A weight lifter being utterly exhausted finds more strength when he hears he is only 5 reps away from beating the record. One more out. 1 minute remaining. One more point.
CBC… The next thing on God’s list is the completion of our salvation. The next great work of Christ is coming in His glory.
Drawing strength from such truth means what?
Control yourselves. Get back in line. Be like Christ. Focus. Seek His Kingdom and Righteousness. And love one another, forgive one another, treat one another like family and serve one another with God’s gifts.
If we were to boil all this down even further – be the church. Be God’s Kingdom on earth. Be His temple. Be His priesthood. Be His holy nation.
My friends we are in a hostile foreign nation right now. Peter’s announcement that all things are culminating is our guarantee that rescue is coming. And the church is our embassy. It is a little slice of heaven, a little patch of holy ground in this hostile foreign land.
But here is the question. Are you calm? Or do you still fear? Do you clamor to keep your life on this foreign soil? Do you fight to preserve what you have here – or do you pine for home? Is the church your embassy? Do you come here to love and be loved? Do you come here to serve others as a steward of God’s various grace? Do you see the gathering of God’s people as a little taste of what all of the Kingdom of God will be like?
My friends – the Lord is coming to save His people. Stay calm. Stay focused. And run to, depend on, and minister to His people. We are the Kingdom of God even while in this Kingdom.