The end is near! So invite someone over!

Next year I'll have the opportunity to preach a bit on the book of Revelation. One of the more controversial, but also intriguing books of the Bible. Revelation of course paints vivid pictures using words regarding the big story of God's plans, including the end of time as we presently know it. Here is some of what the Apostle Peter had to say about the "end of all things" in 1 Peter 4. It struck me today reading this what Peter emphasizes. 

7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

(1 Peter 4:7-11 NIV)

Did you notice what Peter instructs his readers to do? The end of all things are near....so:

Be alert! 

Be of sober mind! 

Why be alert, why stay sober? "So that you may pray!" 

Much of the fleshly desires of our sinful hearts may be just the opposite of what Peter calls the church to do. Our sinful hearts say something to the effect of "The end is near? Time to get drunk, time to live as though there are no consequences for my actions, time to indulge in all the pleasures I can!". Peter calls for just the opposite. Rather than a rush to indulge whatever fleshy fantasy we may otherwise secretly harbor, Peter calls for the church to be thoughtful, prayerful, and intentional. 

Above all (in other words, of chief priority, of first priority) - love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Rather than "the end is near, so do whatever you want!", Peter calls for the church to do whatever they can to love one another in service. Peter didn't think the churches he was writing to were filled with sinless people. Rather, because the church is filled with people who sin against each other, love each other! 

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling! Have people over, go out to eat, be together, show service to one another. Cook for one another, read books together, work in the fields together, care for one another's kids together. The end is near...so have each other over for a meal! The end is near...so spend time with each other doing good! 

"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms". As believers God has given to us all gifts, and we are to use those gifts in the service of each other. Those gifts are different! We have not all been given the same "form" of gifts. We've all been gifted, but each of us has different gifts and we should use those gifts in service to each other. It's hard to get to know each others gifts, or appreciate and thank God for each others gifts, if we only see each other once a week (or maybe once a month). We get to see each others gifts through living life together. That means seeing each other in more situations and contexts than just in weekly worship. 

There has been a big push for folks to return to regular worship in the months after the lockdowns. I've played a part in that in my own town. Yes, individuals, families, people need to return to worship. But on top of that, those in worship need to take seriously the Word of God through Peter. We need to have one another over. We need to invite folks into our homes. We need to accept invitations to bon fires, get togethers, meals, gatherings, work days, and fellowship. It is in gathering together that we see God's gifts given to his people, and those gifts are not often seen just on Sunday mornings. We Christians should not only be known as people who get together once a week to sing, pray, and hear from God's Word. We should be known as people who get together throughout the week to live life, encouraging one another, bearing one another's burdens, and praising God through serving one another.  

All of this is to be done so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. Being sober, being alert, being studious, being in prayer, inviting people into your home, and visiting with others, serving one another, all of this is for the praise of God the Father through Jesus Christ the Son. 

Living a spiritual life in light of the end of the world doesn't mean putting on a cardboard sign and standing in the street screeching "the end is near!". It means loving one another in the church, even in the midst of the offenses we cause one another. It means having each other over for encouragement and fellowship. It means living each day out as a gift from God, with all of our activity given back with thanksgiving to God.