• If you’re a Christian, you will face persecution
(2 Timothy 3:12, Acts 14:22, John 15:18,20)
• We are called to endure not to escape
• As the end approaches, things will be rough
(2 Timothy 3:1-5, 4:3-4)
• Without the Word of God, we are incomplete and woefully unprepared (2 Timothy 3:16)
4 COMMANDS AND 1 GOAL To be prepared for the end of all things:
1. GET SERIOUS ABOUT PRAYER (1 Peter 4:7)
- Be Alert = Spiritually Awake
- Be of Sober Mind = clear minded, no clutter
- Being Under Satan’s Yoke
2. LOVE EACH OTHER DEEPLY (1 Peter 4:8)
- ABOVE ALL = Trumps everything
- Love is NOT a feeling, it’s a decision / sacrifice
- Deeply/fervently = Love is to be stretched
- Biblical Gold Standard of Love = 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
- 1 of Satan’s chief strategies = Divide & Conquer
- LOVE DOES NOT MEAN LEAVING….STAY TOGETHER!
3. OFFER HOSPITALITY WITHOUT COMPLAINING
(1 Peter 4:9)
- Use your home to serve others
- Life Groups create community = essential to be prepared for the end
4. USE YOUR GIFTS FAITHFULLY (1 Peter 4:10)
- Every Christian receives at least one gift
- Pastor’s job not to do work of ministry, his job is to equip YOU to do work of ministry (Eph 4:11-13)
- Challenge - Find Your gifts & use them
- 301 Class – Discover Your Ministry (October)
- Spiritual Gifts given to SERVE OTHERS
1 GOAL = TO GLORIFY GOD (1 Peter 4:11)
