Word International Ministries Al Ain

HOW TO LIVE IN THE LIGHT OF THE COMING OF CHRIST

by: Pastor Adelmo Castillo

1PETER 4:7-11

7 But the end of all things is at hand; 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.”[a] 9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.
10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

I- BE WATCHFUL IN OUR PRAYERS (7b)

7 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.

Prayer sometimes is becoming a ritual that we have to do. Prayer for food, prayer for protection, provision, healing.etc….Peter is not teaching us how to pray, Christians are expected to pray, what he is saying is we have to be serious in our prayer, we have to be watchful in our prayer.

Warren Wiersbe in his book “Be Series” commentary on the subject said:
I am not suggesting that we do not study prophesy, or that we become timid about sharing our interpretations. What I am suggesting is that we should not allow ourselves to get out of balance because of an abuse of prophesy. There is a practical application to the prophetic scriptures.
If we are sober minded, we will “watch unto prayer”. If our prayer life is confused, it is because the mind is confused.  

In Mark 13:32 Jesus says,  But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch; for you do not know when the time will come.

II – LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER (V.8)

8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”
Like the rest of the NT Scriptures, Peter stresses the priority of love.
During times of stress, relationships can strain to the breaking point. Peter’s readers probably discovered when the pressure of persecution is on, you are tempted to take out your frustrations on others. It’s easier to focus on the weaknesses and faults of others. Peter says make the effort to love and …cover a multitude of sins…= overlook the sins and faults of others.

III – BE HOSPITABLE TO ONE ANOTHER  (V.9)            

9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.

Hospitality is a virtue, in Bible times it is tradition is to be hospitable to travelers and strangers. Hospitality is an important part of ancient society, and typically meant feeding and housing them for 3 or more days.
Hebrews 13:2”Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by doing so some have unwittingly entertained angels.

IV- MINISTER TO ONE ANOTHER  (vv. 10-11)    

10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Every Christian has at least one spiritual gift that he must use for building up a church and for God’s glory. These gifts are manifestations of the “multi-colored” grace of God, meaning that God’s gifts are full of variety.

Acts 1:10-11     10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

The Bible tells us that almost 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ died on the Cross, rose from the grave, and ascended into heaven right before the eyes of His faithful followers. He made a promise then: I will return.
Until that day, let us live expectantly—a) we must be watchful in our prayers b) we must love one another c) we must be hospitable to one another  d) we must minister to one another.