Serving for God's Glory: Part 3

Preparation for Judgment Day and the Nearness of the End

Praise God, we're on the air. In the light of everything that we've been looking at in this wonderful book, this epistle of 1 Peter is really profound. And keep in mind, he is speaking to the persecuted church, to those that are in Asia Minor.

1 Peter is an encouraging book, isn't it? And it's an encouraging book, especially to those that are suffering for the Lord's sake. But we must keep that in mind because of his audience. We may not be going through persecution quite like these folks.

As a matter of fact, we're far from it. But it still speaks volumes to us because we are children of the living God. We've been adopted into His kingdom and regenerated by the Spirit of God. And even though we may not be undergoing the persecution that they are undergoing at this time and when Peter was writing this wonderful epistle, we should prepare ourselves because persecution is coming toward us.

And I assure you that when we don't know, but we see it on the horizon and it's in other countries right now, very severe. So keep that in mind and I think in the times of peace and prosperity that we should arm ourselves, we should prepare ourselves for the day of battle.

Now, let me mention a few things here in light of everything on the preliminary as we go into 1 Peter and look at part 3 of chapter 4 and concluding this, verse 7 through 11. And then Lord willing, picking it up next year.

The Puritan Matthew Henry said this, it ought to be the business of every day to prepare for our last day. It ought to be the business of every day to prepare for our last day in the light that all things is near, the end is very near.

We are reminded in Hebrews 9 .27, and as much as it is appointed for men to die one day, once and after this comes to judgment, we're all on death row. R .C. Sproul said that. We're all lined up on death row and there's no escape in it.

So what do we do when there's a great big examination before us? We're to prepare for it. The preparation. And that's why we're here. Let me give you another quote here from Luther. Luther, the reformer, said this, he lived on a two day calendar.

His two day calendar was today and judgment day. That's a good way to live, isn't it? Today and judgment day. Do everything you can today and be prepared for judgment day. Chapter and verse on that, Hebrews 10 .23 through 25.

It's a great verse, it's a scripture from the writer of Hebrews. He says this, let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering. We should not waver. For he who has promised is faithful and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds.

To love and good deeds. And then he says this, how do we do this? We do not forsake assembling ourselves together. Not forsaking our own assembling together. As it is the habit of some. But encouraging one another.

And all the more, why is it all the more? As you see, the day, the right translation is a capital D. Which speaks of the day of judgment. The day is drawing near. That final day is drawing near. Notice the exhortation.

Today we will consider how to stimulate or to provoke one another, as Paul says, to one another. To what? To love and good deeds. First there's the love. Then there's the good deeds. Just as justification is first.

Then there's good works that follow. That is the fruit and the evidence of justification. And we're going to look at that today together as we look at the conclusion of what the Lord has to tell us in 1 Peter.

So go with me to 1 Peter if you're not already there. To chapter 4. This is a wonderful text before us. A wonderful text. And we're looking at serving for God's glory. This is part 3 in the final conclusion of this series.

On this particular section of 1 Peter chapter 4. And what I would like to do today, by the help of the Spirit of God, that the Lord would help me speak this in the way in which I'm speaking to myself.

But being faithful unto the Lord. Because I know that one day I'm going to stand before the Lord on the judgment day. But my examination is going to be a little bit more taller than yours. And not because I'm special or anything.

But because as a servant of the Lord and as we're all servants of the Lord. I speak as speaking the oracles of God from the book, from the word of God. As speaking for Him. And if I am not faithful and not just doing that.

But also praying and doing everything that the Lord has commanded me as a pastor. I fear I will fall short on the day of judgment. And I do not want to fall short on the day of judgment. Even though I feel that I will some way or another.

There's no escaping that. Tozer said this when he spoke to Ravenhill. He said there's one thing that I don't fear. I don't fear the condemnation from the judgment seat. When I stand before my Lord. But what Tozer said, what makes him tremble is.

That I go before the judgment seat of Jesus Christ as a pauper. In other words that I go. There's much more that I could have done. That I didn't do. That's what makes me tremble folks. And as I speak that to you.

Doesn't that all sober us. It makes me tremble. Because there's much more. We only have a short life. A short life span.

A window.

Which is at the most. Even if God would give us longevity of life. 90 years is going to be very short in comparison to eternity. Many people don't make that. But God has given us today. Hasn't he? And today is the day of salvation.

He's given us day. And what I would like to do. By the help of God. And the spirit of God. To give a personal and practical application to everything. That I've already covered in part 1 and part 2. Now we're going to recap some things.

But I think it's very important that we do so. So in saying that. Let's look at the wonderful word of God.

Amen.

Isn't it wonderful that we have the word of God. And I was thinking about this. And when the judgment day is approaching us. And it is on the horizon. Isn't it? And it's sobering just to think of this.

Because I didn't know this particular pastor friend. He just went home to be with the Lord yesterday morning. So right now in Rome, Georgia. There's a little church. That's without a pastor. And I don't know the name of the church.

But it's Amanda's father. Michael Ellis. Pastor Michael Ellis. Died. He was roughly my age.

I'm 56.

He was 61. And caught pneumonia. And they put him on the ventilator. And he went home to be with the Lord yesterday. We need to keep that family in prayer. And your prayers please. But as I was thinking of that.

He did not know his appointed day. He didn't know that. Actually he was the type. He was just very fervent. Very energetic. They said he was a go-getter. Serving the Lord. Serving people. But God has an appointment day.

Doesn't he? For each and every one of us. I was looking at pictures of him last year at Christmas time. With his family. And there he was. Alive. And he was. This man was alive. Very energetic. About a week ago.

And it took about a week. He went downhill. Now he's in heaven. With the Lord. Looking and gazing at the wonderful face of Jesus Christ. It's all going to happen to us folks. When we must be prepared.

This is what the world does not want to hear. Because they do not want to hear about death. And that's why it's in a craze. In a fearful panic. Because of this COVID outbreak. I don't want to go into details of that.

But it gets very political. But the point that I'm making is. People are afraid to die. They are. Because so many people are not prepared to die. There's no one that is more prepared to die than the Christian.

The Christian is ready. And he's prepared. But even that. We must be ready on examination day. Because we're going to all give an account for our deeds. Done in the body. Whether it be good or bad. And that's what the scripture says.

But look with me to chapter 4. And look at what Peter is saying. Let me go back. And I want to read verse 1. All the way to 11. And then we'll pray. And ask God to help us. As we look at the closing and conclusion of this message.

Hear the word of the living God. Chapter 4 verse 1. Therefore since Christ has suffered in the flesh. Arm yourselves. Arm yourselves also with the same purpose. Because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin.

So as to live the rest of the time in the flesh. No longer for the lust of men. But for the will of God. For the time already passed. Is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles.

Having pursued a course of sensuality.

Lust.

Drunkenness. Carousing. Drinking parties. And abondable idolatries. In all this. They are surprised. That you do not run with them into the same excesses of dispensation. And they malign you. But they will give an account to him.

Who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For the gospel. The gospel has for this purpose been preached. Even to those who are dead. That though they are judged in the flesh as men. They may live in the spirit.

According to the will of God. And then in verse 7. Now he starts talking about this is the reasons why we should serve for God's glory. Notice this. The end of all things is near.

Therefore.

Be of sound judgment. And sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Above all. Keep fervent in your love for one another. Because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint.

As each one has received a special gift. Employ it in serving one another. As good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks. Is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God. Or the oracles of God.

Whoever serves. Is to do so as one who is serving. By the strength. Which God supplies. So that in all things. God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To whom belongs the glory. And the dominion. Forever and ever.

Amen.

What a wonderful benediction in this section. That Peter has given by the Holy Ghost. Let's pray.

Father.

Speak to us this morning Lord. Speak your words to us. And oh God may not a one of us leave here. Lord unless we are changed. From glory to glory. From faith to faith. Help us to be obedient Lord. And be doers of the word and just not hearers.

That we would not deceive ourselves. And we thank you for this word. Lord that you've given unto us today. Help us oh God to love you. With all of our hearts. And to obey you. For Jesus sake. In his name I pray.

Amen and amen. Our faith in God. And in the Lord Jesus Christ. Cannot be removed from the realm of real life.

Faith, Regeneration, and the Practical Christian Life

Everyday living.

The mundane.

The ordinary.

Life in which we live every single day. And what we do in our work. In our home. In our walk. With the Lord. Not only is faith in Jesus Christ.

And doctrine.

Reasonable.

But it's very practical. It's very very practical. And that's what I love so much about the apostle Peter. And Paul was very practical as well. Paul just had a different systematic way. He would pour on.

He was more the theologian. He would pour on a lot by the Holy Spirit. And that was his giftedness. Because he was a student. He was a theologian. The same Holy Ghost inspired Peter. Just the same as with Paul.

Paul had a different way. He always brought out doctrine. And Peter does the same thing. But in a different way. Well if you think of it. The apostle Peter was a fisherman. He wasn't the theologian that Paul was.

But at the same time. He was a man of God. He was a head apostle. He was a servant of the Lord. And God taught him much. And in this wonderful book. We see his practicality in Christian living come into light.

And it's the Holy Ghost that gives him these words. And just as the apostle Paul as well. Both apostles is being used by the Holy Ghost. Not only is faith in Jesus Christ. Like I said doctrinally and reasonable.

But it's very practical. And scripture tells us this. And Paul the apostle quotes the Old Testament prophet. And Hebrews quotes the same thing. But he says the just shall live by faith. The just shall live by faith.

And the just are those who are justified by faith alone. In Jesus Christ. So justification is first and foremost. And then comes the sanctification. That's the practical Christian living. That we are to live every single day.

Let me say this at the offset. Salvation is just not the forgiveness of sins. Even though that is very important and inclusive. But salvation is a new order of life altogether in the Holy Spirit. 2 Corinthians 5 .17 says this.

Therefore if anyone is in Christ. He is a new creature. He is a new creation. And then he says this. The old things have passed away. Behold all things have become new. Newness of life. Jesus said I have come to give life.

And I have come to give it more abundantly. And he is the one that is that life. Because he said that. He made that statement. He says I am the resurrection. I am the life. I am the way. I am the truth.

I am the life. He is that life. And that life is from God. So all life comes in and through Jesus Christ. And the life has come. So a new order has come. Old value systems.

Old priorities.

Old beliefs.

Old loves.

Old plans are gone. All has become new. That is what happens when we are regenerated. It is like God turns the lights on. You are in a dark room. You are walking in a dark room. And somebody clicks the light.

God has clicked the light on.

He has given light in Jesus Christ. We live in a very dark world. Now you and I reflect that light. Like the moon reflects the light from the sun. Even though evil and sin are still present. Romans chapter 7.

Within us the believer sees everything now from God's perspective. And isn't that wonderful? That is everything. That is what makes the believer distinct. And different from those that are lost in the world.

The believer in Jesus Christ has an eternal perspective. He sees everything from God's viewpoint. God in eternity is a constant reality for him. And he now lives for eternity in view. He doesn't live for time.

He sees the eternity. Eternal before him. Eternity is in his view. And not the temporary. Because we know that the things of the world is going to pass away. But he that does the will of God will abide forever.

Colossians 3, 1 -4. The believer's focus is therefore on things above. Therefore, listen to the apostle Paul. Therefore, if any of you have been raised up with Christ. Keep seeking the things above. Where Christ is.

Seated at the right hand of God.

And then he says this.

Not only you keep seeking things above. Set your things above. Set your mind on things above. Not on the things that are on the earth. For you have died. That's the reason we do that. Because we have died with Christ.

And your life is hidden with Christ in God.

And then he says this.

When Christ who is our life. Who is our life. Is revealed. Then you also will be revealed with him in glory.

At the judgment.

We will be revealed with him in glory. So the believer in Jesus Christ is much more concerned with the things above. Which is what? God's everlasting kingdom. It is the kingdom of God.

Jesus said this.

Seek first the kingdom of God. And his righteousness. And all these other things will be added unto you. Take no thought for your life. Your life does not consist of the abundance of things.

He says.

God is going to take care of that.

And Jesus said.

And he pointed to nature. And he said. Look at the sparrows. God takes care of the sparrows. He takes care of the birds. How much more valuable are you than him? So there is great care with God. And as long as we see God.

And love God. And seek him first. He is going to take care of those things. Salvation is to be. Also not only that our sins are forgiven. That we are cleansed by the precious blood of Jesus. Which is absolutely huge.

But a lot of times we overlook the great fact. That salvation means hold us. That Jesus has made us whole. He comes to make us whole.

He told.

When he healed those that came to him. As the lepers came. And the leprosy was a type of sin. He cleansed them. He healed them. And it is amazing. Could you imagine being there. When Jesus healed the lepers.

And grew new skin on them. And healed them. And they were completely cleansed. No more a leper.

But Jesus says.

You are whole.

You are whole. I love that. Because that is what salvation really means. We are whole and changed and transformed. And this happens by the regeneration power of the Holy Spirit.

It is supernatural.

Aren't you glad that salvation is supernatural. Salvation begins at the cross of Jesus Christ. The forgiveness of sins. Jesus Christ cleansing us by his precious blood. By faith. Leading to a transformation of life.

Which is abundant life in Jesus Christ. And conversion. Conversion is repentance. Turning from that sin. And living a life. Which is in sanctification and everyday practical living. And that is our obedience to him.

It is in that order. Which is the fruit. Our obedience is the fruit of our faith. And our love for God. How much we obey God is how much we love him. Or how much we do not obey him is how much we do not love him.

Ultimately this is all consummated in the glory. Which Jesus Christ our Lord will be revealed in. Now Peter is actually in the section we are in. He is speaking about good works. But he is talking about serving for God's glory.

And the good deeds and the good works. Godly living are the things that do not save us. But these are the results of salvation. Spiritual works of righteousness for our Lord. And in service to one another becomes the fruit and results of that transformation.

Now how do we know this? Read the whole book of James.

Obviously.

Without faith there is no good works. You must have... And actually he points out you can have dead faith without works. And you can have... In other words there is a dead faith and there is a living faith.

But when we have the living faith the works are right. Everything is right in order. Ephesians 2, 8 -10. A very familiar passage. The apostle Paul says this. For by grace you have been saved through faith.

Grace saves us because grace is something we cannot earn. It is unmerited favor given to us by God through Jesus Christ. Through his unspeakable gift. But it is faith that is the instrument. That is the gift.

That lays hold of God. For by grace you have been saved through faith and that not of yourselves. We cannot do that. We cannot save ourselves. It is God's grace. Holy by God and His unmerited favor. Not of yourselves.

It is the gift of God. God's gift. And then he says this. Not of works. Now we are not saved by works, right? He says it obviously here. Least anyone should boast. There be no boasting in heaven. Because no one can save themselves.

It is only Jesus Christ that can save us. Only God can save us through Christ. Verse 10. But he turns that. And notice what he says. First there is always justification by faith. And then there is sanctification.

Which there is good works. Verse 10. For we are His workmanship. Created in Christ Jesus for good works. Which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Now that is convicting, isn't it? We should walk.

We should obey the commands of Jesus Christ. Now it is important to understand what this verse means. Not what it means to me. But what God is saying. Notice that little word.

That.

That is key.

Did you catch that?

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And that not of yourselves. Verse 10. For we are His workmanship. You know what that means? The Jerusalem Bible puts it this way. You are God's work of art.

You are God's work of art. Created in Christ Jesus for good works. Which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Two times right there He says. Saved by grace through faith. That not of yourselves.

God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Even though salvation is a believer's blessing. But is ultimately for the purpose of glorifying God. That is the goal. And that is where Peter has taken us.

That salvation is bestowed on the believers. In His endless, limitless, infinite grace and kindness in Jesus Christ. All because of God's mercy. Because God showed mercy to us. That are deserving of hell and wrath.

So all of heaven. And I assure you this. And all you got to do. And I stand on the word of God on this. All of heaven will glorify God. We see this in Revelation don't we? All of heaven. We did a series on that in worship before the throne of God.

All of heaven. All the angels. Every created being. And all of creation will glorify God. This is ultimately the goal of all things. And this is the believer's ultimate goal. And the triune God will be glorified.

Through saved, redeemed sinners. And through Jesus Christ. The Lamb of God that was slain before the foundation of the world. And so God saves us by His gift. And His free, sovereign gift of grace. And for that purpose to glorify Him.

Now that purpose is for good works. For good works. And this is where Peter has taken us. Good works cannot produce salvation. As the scripture says. But we are to glorify God. Jesus even said this on the Sermon on the Mount.

He says that they may see your good works. And then what? Glorify your Father which is in heaven. So there has to be good works outwardly. And what the problem of so many today. Is they got it backwards.

They got the cart before the horse. They are looking at reformation without regeneration. But Jesus says there is regeneration first. Then reformation. Change. The regeneration happens in the heart. And then works its way outward.

Not the other way around. And that is exactly where the Bible always takes us. So Peter is talking about the fruits. The results. The evidence of our salvation here. We are saved by grace. We are saved by...

Yes, in one sense we are saved by good works. But it is no one's good works but Jesus Christ. It is His good works. R .C. Sproul said that. It is the works of Christ. That is the works.

That saves us.

So Christ and His person and His works. That has fulfilled all righteousness. And we lay hold of Him by faith. And what He has done by faith. And we glorify Him. And we glorify Him by the way we live.

Everything that we do is important. We may think it is not being seen. It is not important. But not only before the watching world. But before God. His watching eye. Because He is the one that is going to be judging us.

Just not by what we do.

But the scripture makes it very clear that by why we did it.

Why?

Our motive.

We are going to be judged at the judgment seat.

Why we did this and why we did that.

Leads us to sanctification. I don't know about you. I need sanctifying every day. Thank God. He has created us for His workmanship. I love that. That translation. God's work of art. You are God's work of art.

I am God's work of art. The church is God's work of art. His handiwork. Almost like the potter and the clay. In Jeremiah, isn't it? He is the potter with the clay. He molds us. He makes us. He puts the fire to us.

He puts the hammer.

He chisels us.

It is painful. But oh, He is making a work of art. And that is what God is doing. And it is all for His glory. It is all for His eyes. And that is what we are looking at in Peter. Now, in the light of the return of Jesus Christ.

Verse 7. At the end of all things is near. How can we live in obedience before our God? In obedient love unto God. For God, for our neighbor and for one another. How can we apply this to our everyday walk with God?

In the course of our living. And beloved, can I say this with surety. Everything that God does and says. Or better yet, in the order. Everything that God says and does. Has perfect order to it. God does nothing that is not disorderly.

Actually, sin is the thing that has. The malignant thing that has literally taken things out of order.

And has brought the curse.

And here comes God through Jesus Christ into the world.

In which He made.

And then He puts it back together. And does it even better. Isn't that glorious? The God that we serve is a God that knows how to reverse the curse. Take the sin out. And He says the last enemy that will be dealt with will be death.

That sin has been taken care of at the cross. Jesus Christ puts perfect order back in our lives. And when we see people out there. That's all in ruins and rabble. And going to hell. God through Jesus Christ puts them back together again.

And our purpose is to be a conduit.

An instrument.

To take that word to them. And say here is your answer. The crucified Savior. And they look at you like.

You mean to tell me.

That to be made whole. Is all in one person? Absolutely. It is in Jesus Christ. Without Jesus Christ there is no hope. But He is the living hope.

Amen.

And we have that living hope. God puts perfect order. God gives us the desires. To love Him. To be changed. By His word. He never ever leaves us in the darkness. Because He is that light. He comes to give that light.

Isaiah says this.

Arise and shine for the light has come. That light is Jesus Christ. And He comes into a very dark world. Light has come. And that light is Jesus Christ. And in that light. In His holiness. He is given the love of God.

Because of God's love. The radiance of God's glory is Jesus Christ.

Christ's Suffering and the Believer's New Life

Well.

Let's look at this very quickly. As I possibly can. Verse 1. We see a faithful suffering Savior. We see a faithful suffering Savior. Look at verse 1. Therefore since Christ has suffered in the flesh. Arm yourselves also with the same purpose.

Because He who has suffered death in the flesh. Has ceased from sin. What the apostle is actually exhorting the suffering saints. At Asia Minor. He's encouraged them in the sufferings. To look to Jesus.

That's what he's saying. Fix your eyes on Jesus. Who is the author, the perfecter of your faith. For the joy that was set before Him. He endured the cross. Despising the shame. He has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Consider Him. Consider Him who has endured such hostility. By sinners against Himself. So that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Wouldn't you think.

That a suffering Christian would lose heart. Unless they knew that there was not suffering for purpose. I don't know about you. But if I was not. If I was suffering for something. Severely. Without purpose.

I would want to die. Just take me out of it. But you know. You know what Peter is actually doing here. You know what he's actually saying in this text. He's actually telling us that there is purpose in suffering.

That's what he's telling us. Look very closely. Because if you go to verse 1. He tells us. Since Christ has suffered.

See.

Christ has suffered a suffering that none of us can touch. But He suffered in the flesh. And then He says you arm yourselves. Also with the same purpose. But see here's the thing we need to remember. It's only for a time.

Temporary. No matter what the sufferings they were undergoing. It was only for a short time. There's glory on the other end.

And Paul says that.

The sufferings that we go through. Is not even to be compared with the glory that awaits us.

It's glorious.

So.

Not only those physical. You know Jesus suffered physical pain in suffering. Jesus suffered spiritual pain. The Son of Man. The Son of God. The Son of God took sin upon Himself. As the spotless Lamb of God.

And He took that up as an offering. The Lamb of God. And God poured His wrath on Him. For it pleased the Lord to bruise Him. For sinners slain. Ultimately Jesus was dying. Not only for our sins. But He was dying for the glory of God.

Suffering takes a whole different meaning doesn't it. When we look at the cross. Commentary on the Heidenberg Catechism. A godly man by Zacharias. Yersinus says this. Quote. The keenest most bitter anguish of soul.

Which is doubtless a sense of the wrath of God. Against the sins of the whole human race. It was that this. That caused Him to exclaim upon the cross. With a loud voice. My God. My God. Why hast Thou forsaken me?

As if He should say. Why dost Thou not drive away from me such severe anguish and torments? Thus we see. What and how greatly Christ has suffered. In our behalf. Isn't that the focus? Isn't that the meaning of Christmas?

This suffering for Jesus. I'm sorry. That Jesus endured for you and me. It takes a complete different meaning in the light. Of His sufferings. Our sufferings. This is why Christ said in. Matthew 5, 10 through 12.

And He used the word blessed.

Blessed.

Blessed.

The beatitudes.

Blessed. Blessed. Blessed. Blessed.

And at the end of those beatitudes. He says. Blessed are you.

When. When.

Notice that.

Not if.

When. When.

People insult you. And persecute you. Falsely say all kinds of evil against you. Because of me. And then He says this.

Rejoice.

And be glad.

For your reward in heaven is great. For in the same way they persecuted the prophets which are before you. The world looks at you and says. You're crazy.