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JUDGMENT BEGINS HERE! -- I Peter 4:14-19
The believers to whom Peter is speaking are being encouraged to continue in the faithful, sanctified life EVEN IN THE LIGHT OF PERSECUTION and because of the day in which we live. In vv. 1-2 he says “Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; (2) That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.” Vs. 4 speaks of not running with the world so that “they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot” and thereby speak evil of you. Vs. 7 is a warning. “But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.” Vv. 12-14 instruct us to endure persecution (some can endure anything but persecution) with rejoicing because: 1) When we are persecuted for the cause of Christ, we are partakers of His sufferings. (That was Paul’s desire - Philippians 3:10); 2) “. . . for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you . . . ” (While the world speaks evil of Christ, our testimony and faithfulness, even in persecution, we are to bring Him glory.) In vv. 15-16 he says, “Do not suffer because you deserve it -- “. . . let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.” But if you suffer for serving the Lord, DO NOT BE ASHAMED! So, in this context of faithful living, and maintaining a sanctified life, and of enduring ridicule for the Lord, Peter reminds us that JUDGMENT IS COMING! I assure you today by the Word of God that every man, woman, boy, and girl is going to come face to face with God, with the Lord Jesus to be judged by Him. The saved will stand at the Judgment Seat of Christ - II Corinthians 5:10 ; Romans 14:10. The Lost - will stand before Him at the Great White Throne Judgment of God - Revelation 20:11-12. And look at where that judgment is to begin -- vs.17- “at the house of God,” and notice that he says that “time has come that judgment must begin” there. (TIME = proper time; suitable place.) Vs. 17 also says, “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God . . . ” Well, what is the house of God? I’m glad you asked. I Timothy 3:15 says, “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” What is the house of God? It is the church - each and every New Testament church. And Paul says two things about what the Lord’s churches are supposed to be: a) PILLAR = a column or pillar; used of any firm support. (These were also often ornate.); b) GROUND = basis; foundation. It refers to that which is fixed, settled, stationary. I Peter 2:5 says “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” Obviously, Peter is speaking of the body, not the building. And, he says 3 things about it: a) A New Testament church is a spiritual house -- Ephesians 2:19-22 ; b) We as saved members of a New Testament church make up a holy priesthood. (HOLY = sanctified; set apart. Means we are to be different from the world.) We are to offer up spiritual sacrifices (Hebrews 13:15-16) that are acceptable to God. And Hebrews 10:21 says we have a high priest who is over the house of God, and 4:14 names Him - Jesus the Son of God. And I would suggest to you today that the Lord’s churches may already be being judged by God. Sometimes He allows the fruit of our actions (or inactions) to be the punishment for those actions. And we know that (James 4:17) when we know what we should do and don’t do it, it is . . . SIN! What do we see in this nation today? Churches with low attendance. Churches with few (if any) being saved. Churches with a membership that has little commitment to Christ. (Some excuse themselves by blaming the pastor or the “staff,” but neither your pastor nor the “staff” can do the work God expects YOU to do.) And listen to what the Lord says to other of His churches. “Repent; or else . . . ” 1) To Ephesus (Revelation 2:5) “. . . I will come unto thee . . . and remove thy candlestick . . . ” 2) To Pergamos (Revelation 2:16) “. . . I will come unto thee . . . and will fight against them . . . ” 3) To Thyatira (Revelation 2:22) “I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.” 4) To Sardis (Revelation 3:3) “I will come on thee as a thief . . . ” 5) To Laodicea (Revelation 3:16) “I will spue thee out of my mouth.” I want to share with you very briefly 7 things that God may be judging in His churches today as He prepares to clean house in His churches.
I. UNLIVED MORALITY.
II. UNHOLY MERGERS.
III. UNSCRIPTURAL METHODS.
IV. UNCONCERNED MEMBERS.
V. THE UNSHARED WITNESS.
VI. UNBENT KNEES.
VII. UNCONFESSED MISCONDUCT (SIN).
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By JWHThe believers to whom Peter is speaking are being encouraged to continue in the faithful, sanctified life EVEN IN THE LIGHT OF PERSECUTION and because of the day in which we live. In vv. 1-2 he says “Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; (2) That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.” Vs. 4 speaks of not running with the world so that “they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot” and thereby speak evil of you. Vs. 7 is a warning. “But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.” Vv. 12-14 instruct us to endure persecution (some can endure anything but persecution) with rejoicing because: 1) When we are persecuted for the cause of Christ, we are partakers of His sufferings. (That was Paul’s desire - Philippians 3:10); 2) “. . . for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you . . . ” (While the world speaks evil of Christ, our testimony and faithfulness, even in persecution, we are to bring Him glory.) In vv. 15-16 he says, “Do not suffer because you deserve it -- “. . . let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.” But if you suffer for serving the Lord, DO NOT BE ASHAMED! So, in this context of faithful living, and maintaining a sanctified life, and of enduring ridicule for the Lord, Peter reminds us that JUDGMENT IS COMING! I assure you today by the Word of God that every man, woman, boy, and girl is going to come face to face with God, with the Lord Jesus to be judged by Him. The saved will stand at the Judgment Seat of Christ - II Corinthians 5:10 ; Romans 14:10. The Lost - will stand before Him at the Great White Throne Judgment of God - Revelation 20:11-12. And look at where that judgment is to begin -- vs.17- “at the house of God,” and notice that he says that “time has come that judgment must begin” there. (TIME = proper time; suitable place.) Vs. 17 also says, “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God . . . ” Well, what is the house of God? I’m glad you asked. I Timothy 3:15 says, “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” What is the house of God? It is the church - each and every New Testament church. And Paul says two things about what the Lord’s churches are supposed to be: a) PILLAR = a column or pillar; used of any firm support. (These were also often ornate.); b) GROUND = basis; foundation. It refers to that which is fixed, settled, stationary. I Peter 2:5 says “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” Obviously, Peter is speaking of the body, not the building. And, he says 3 things about it: a) A New Testament church is a spiritual house -- Ephesians 2:19-22 ; b) We as saved members of a New Testament church make up a holy priesthood. (HOLY = sanctified; set apart. Means we are to be different from the world.) We are to offer up spiritual sacrifices (Hebrews 13:15-16) that are acceptable to God. And Hebrews 10:21 says we have a high priest who is over the house of God, and 4:14 names Him - Jesus the Son of God. And I would suggest to you today that the Lord’s churches may already be being judged by God. Sometimes He allows the fruit of our actions (or inactions) to be the punishment for those actions. And we know that (James 4:17) when we know what we should do and don’t do it, it is . . . SIN! What do we see in this nation today? Churches with low attendance. Churches with few (if any) being saved. Churches with a membership that has little commitment to Christ. (Some excuse themselves by blaming the pastor or the “staff,” but neither your pastor nor the “staff” can do the work God expects YOU to do.) And listen to what the Lord says to other of His churches. “Repent; or else . . . ” 1) To Ephesus (Revelation 2:5) “. . . I will come unto thee . . . and remove thy candlestick . . . ” 2) To Pergamos (Revelation 2:16) “. . . I will come unto thee . . . and will fight against them . . . ” 3) To Thyatira (Revelation 2:22) “I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.” 4) To Sardis (Revelation 3:3) “I will come on thee as a thief . . . ” 5) To Laodicea (Revelation 3:16) “I will spue thee out of my mouth.” I want to share with you very briefly 7 things that God may be judging in His churches today as He prepares to clean house in His churches.
I. UNLIVED MORALITY.
II. UNHOLY MERGERS.
III. UNSCRIPTURAL METHODS.
IV. UNCONCERNED MEMBERS.
V. THE UNSHARED WITNESS.
VI. UNBENT KNEES.
VII. UNCONFESSED MISCONDUCT (SIN).