If you could imagine yourself on a nuclear submarine under the ice cap of the North Pole. There is no place to go but down. You are in the reactor control room. You hear a siren. The reactor operator says, “Sir, reactor scram alarm. I have indications of all reactor control rods in the shutdown position.” At that moment all three of the men in the control room with you begin to request permission to carry out the procedures necessary to restart the reactor. You only have a few minutes to focus on the necessary procedures to bring the reactor back on line. You have time for action but no time to waste lest you end up at the bottom of a very cold watery grave.
There is a statement that I mentioned in the last message and will mention again because it helps us to realize just what Peter is saying. It is this: “There is time for action but no time to waste” (Michaels 245). As we mentioned when we covered the first half of this passage Peter tells us that the end of all things is near. What if while I was in that reactor control room I took out a comic book and began reading it or flipped out my pocket video game and began playing? I would be considered a fool and relieved of my duties. Peter is reminding us that we have some pressing business matters as Christians that should be part of our daily values but often aren’t because of a misconstrued sense of priorities. Peter’s key idea in this passage of Scripture is that the imminency of Christ’s return calls for us to live in view of His coming. In this passage of Scripture Peter describes four ways how we should conduct ourselves (conduct our business) in view of Christ’s coming. We looked at the first two last time and we will briefly review them before moving on to the last two.
1. Be Disciplined and Watchful in Prayer
The first way that Peter describes how we should conduct ourselves is to be disciplined and watchful in prayer. This is what Peter says in verse 7. “Be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. The two words that Peter uses here explain the two extremes that we should avoid as Christians in waiting for our Lord’s return in order to be disciplined and watchful in prayer.
A. Avoid End Times frenzy (Be of sound judgment)
The first extreme that Peter explains we should avoid is an end times frenzy. The word, “sound judgment” describes that which is rational or disciplined and restrained. It could be translated, “Keep your head about you.”
In waiting for our Lord’s return Peter wants us to avoid an end times frenzy that sometimes accompanies an end-times perspective. There were two examples of this eschatological frenzy that we mentioned last time. Date setting and name-calling. If we begin to set dates for the Lord’s return, “88 reasons why the Lord will return in 1988” or in name-calling we list who the Antichrist will be others will not take us seriously.
B. Avoid superficial nominalism (Be sober)
The second extreme that Peter says that we should avoid is superficial nominalism. He says be sober. What do I mean by a superficial nominalism? I mean that we avoid merely give lip service to the Lord’s return. In a superficial nominalism we would have no real concern for the lost. We think, “O we have plenty of time.” We are to recognize that as Christians we have been given an eternal purpose in living. We are not just on a Ferris wheel at an amusement park waiting for it to stop so we can say, “Nice ride.” Don’t come to the end of your life having lived it for yourself without any thought of how you could impact those around you for Christ. Because you won’t be the only one highly disappointed at the outcome.
Peter knew that if we were frenzied by end-times paranoia we might not think clearly enough to pray and on the opposite extreme if we were not sober and serious about the consequences of the Lord’s imminent return we might not be concerned enough to pray. Peter says that we need to be disciplined and watchful in prayer.
2. Have Selfless Love toward One Another
The second way that Peter describes how we should conduct ourselves in view of Christ’s coming is that we are to have selfless love toward one another. In light of Jesus’ words that at the end, the love of many will turn cold, Peter says that especially in the difficulties of these last days we must persevere in showing love toward one another. The love that Peter mentions is a special love.
This love is special for three reasons
A. It is God’s love
This love is supernatural. It is not something that we can conjure up by our own willpower or desire. Our own desires are selfish and corrupt. We need God’s love in us so that it flows through us. And Peter commands us to love one another with the love that God has for us.
B. It is a fervent love
The second reason that this love is special is that it is a fervent love. The word that Peter uses here in telling us to love fervently is literally the word for being stretched out. This is a love that is both constant and intense. One commentator says that the term was used to describe a horse at full gallop. And we use a similar terminology when we say that someone was running flat out. This kind of love describes someone giving it all they’ve got.
C. It is a covering love
The third reason that this love is special is that it is a covering love. Peter says, “Because love covers a multitude of sins.” We’re not to just allow someone to go on in their sin but we are to lovingly come alongside them and help them out.
3. Show Hospitality (v. 9)
The third way that Peter describes how we should conduct ourselves in view of Christ’s coming is that we are to show hospitality. We see this in verse 9. And we see two features concerning this hospitality.
A. Its meaning
The first feature we see in Peter’s command for us to show hospitality is its meaning. Literally hospitality means showing kindness or love toward strangers. It centered around taking those into your home who were outsiders or unknown to the community. In the context of this passage we are especially to show hospitality to those in the church whom we might not know so well without neglecting those who are outside.
B. Its conduct
The second feature we see in Peter’s command for us to show hospitality is its conduct. Peter says that we are to show hospitality to one another without complaint or grumbling. Peter gives us no excuse or reason to exempt ourselves from being hospitable to one another. There are many excuses that would keep us from being hospitable to others. Our house is too messy. They have too many children or their children are not well behaved. People mess up our house. By using these kinds of excuses we are simply allowing Satan to keep us from fulfilling our God given directive to show hospitality.
Proverbs 14:4 says, “Where there are no oxen the manger is clean, but much increase comes from the strength of the ox.” What this proverb is saying is that you don’t have to clean up after the ox if you don’t have one but without one you don’t get any work done. Sure if you don’t invite people to your home you won’t have to clean up after them but you also aren’t obeying God’s command and you won’t have the opportunity to get to know other believers and minister to their needs.
I can remember the blessing Lora and I had in bringing visitors or others over to our home while we were in seminary. We could have used any number of excuses to not let them in. Our place was too small. When we left the Navy and went to seminary we moved from a four-bedroom house to a 2-bedroom apartment. Our place is too small and cluttered to have anyone in we could have said. We didn’t have much money to have people over. But people didn’t mind spaghetti. And we got to know so many wonderful people through that. I remember having Mike Grisanti and his family over one day (You met Dr. Grisanti last year at our Bible conference). He and his wife and their several children coming to our home. What a blessing to show hospitality to others.
What about you? Have you invited new people or families to your home? Have you gotten to know those who need Christ? Are there people you know from work to whom you could show hospitality so that you might present Christ to them? God showed you hospitality by welcoming you into His family by His grace. Will you now extend that same grace to those around you? Quit making excuses because Peter says that there is time for action but no time to waste. Christ is returning. So show hospitality to those around you. Think of someone you can invite to spend time with you and then do it.
4. Use Your Gifts
The third way that Peter describes how you should conduct yourself in view of Christ’s coming is that you are to use your gifts. Verses 10-11 describe these spiritual gifts. He says, “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; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies.”
Let’s look at two truths concerning these spiritual gifts that God has given us.
A. God has equipped you
The first truth concerning these spiritual gifts is that God has equipped you. Peter says, “As each of you HAS received a gift.” Peter takes it for granted that these believers have been given some sort of gift by God to be used in His service. These spiritual gifts are given by God sovereignly and supernaturally.
God expects you to use your spiritual gift that you have received. Peter says to use them “as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” God has given us a stewardship in imparting to us a spiritual gift. A stewardship is merely the commissioning of another to look after their property or business. God has left us to carry on the work of the church. And He has gifted us to do so. He has given us gifts so that we can mightily impact the world through the church.
We wreak havoc in the church when we fail to use God’s gift in His way. And His way is to remember that we are merely stewards of His gift not the owners of it. It is the manifold grace of God that allows us to see any results at all. And we have a stewardship to maintain. We are responsible to Him concerning what gifts He has given us to use in the church. We are His servants and how will we hear from Him, “Well done good and faithful servant” if we don’t even look to see how He wants us to serve Him. Let me say unequivocally and explicitly that if you are a believer here today then God has some gift for you to use for Him. God has equipped you! Don’t be a disobedient servant by sitting in a pew and not serving Him.
B. Your gift is to be used to serve others
The second truth concerning these spiritual gifts is your gift is to be used to serve others. This is what Peter says in verse 10. “As each one has received a gift, employ it in serving one another.” Each believer receives a gift in order to build up the church. And according to Peter each person is to use their gift in a way that unmistakably calls attention to God and not the one using the gift. If you are using your spiritual gift unselfishly by the Spirit then God will cause His church to benefit from it. But how are we to use these gifts that God has given us? Peter mentions two ways that we are to use these gifts.
i. In the power of God
The first way that Peter says we are to use these gifts is found in the first part of verse 11. We are to use these gifts in the power of God. He says, “Whoever speaks is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies.”
We can only use our spiritual gift if we recognize that it is God’s power that supplies our ability to minister with any real effectiveness. God is the battery pack, if you will, behind our willingness to be used by Him for His glory. When it is by God’s power that we use our spiritual gift, God does an amazing thing. Peter says that it is as if He were doing this work through us. “Whoever speaks,” Peter says, “is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God.”
Each time I preach the Word I have to remember that this is as important and no less than speaking the very words of God. I’m not up here performing. I am here explaining the Word of God to you. And so I must allow that sober thought to impress me to speak with all God’s power not as one of the scribes of Jesus’ day who lacked power because they were always quoting their authorities instead of “THE AUTHORITY.” There is nothing wrong in quoting others as long as they don’t become the source of authority. The authority I have in preaching is a derived authority. It is an authority with all the power of the Word of God as long as I derive what I am saying from the Word of God through the Spirit of God. I prepare each week to teach you the Word of God and you should expect to receive the Word of God. This isn’t a play. It isn’t entertainment. It is the proclamation of the Word of God to you!
I am in fear of God that I should preach anything other than what is here. I am in dread of Him that I should preach in a way that confuses or bores you. If I am preaching the very words of God then it should be life giving and you should not expect anything less or come to church prepared to receive anything less.
Don’t come here with your mind bothered and distracted. Pray for me throughout the week to bring you the Word of God and prepare your heart to receive it. What a disservice to God and His Word if you come here unprepared or too tired to hear.
And what I said about myself goes for everyone else who speaks the Word of God here. How many of you pray for your Sunday School teachers each week? How many of you prepare your hearts to receive from them. Sunday School teachers and Children’s church workers do you prepare to teach as if you were teaching the very words of God? Do you realize that the Scripture says, “Life and death is in the power of the tongue” or as James says, “We teachers shall receive the stricter judgment?” Are you seeking to teach the Word of God or is it merely the lesson for the week? Don’t go into your classrooms thinking that it doesn’t matter what you say because Peter says you are to speak as one who speaks as it were the very words of God.
This is why we need the power of God. This is why we are to serve others with the strength that he supplies. Only if God’s power is present in what we say is it going to impact those to whom we speak. You ought to pray for God’s power as you serve Him for the purpose of building up the body of Christ.
This also applies to every person in this body who is involved in some ministry. Peter uses the examples of speaking and serving but it describes every area of service for Christ. It doesn’t matter if you are opening the Word or opening the door it must be done in Christ’s power. It’s not just a job or a duty but it is service for Christ.
Listen to me. If you want a mediocre ministry then serve in your own strength. But if you want a ministry that stretches beyond anything that you could imagine then call out for and serve in God’s power. How many times this past week have you asked God to equip you for your spiritual place of ministry? Let us serve with the power with which God supplies.
ii. In order to glorify God
The second way that Peter says we are to use these gifts is found in the last part of verse 11. We are to use these gifts in order to glorify God. He says, “So that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever.” The bottom line of Peter’s statement here is this: “How you use your gifts will determine who gets the credit and honor.” If you serve the Lord in the sufficiency of your own strength, you get the credit; you get the glory ( Congratulations). But if you serve the Lord in your weakness and allow His power to work through you then He will get the glory. In 2 Corinthians 12, the apostle Paul tells of his pleading with God to remove what appears to be some kind of physical infirmity with which he was struggling. And though the apostle Paul asked the Lord three times to remove it, God would not. And this was God’s answer to Paul. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.” Friends, we are stewards of the manifold grace of God. We can do all that He asks us to do.
Perhaps you have thought, “I cannot serve, I cannot teach, I can’t present the Gospel to others because I just don’t know enough or I’m just not smart enough or I’m not equipped enough.” Well, you are half-right. We don’t know enough, we aren’t smart enough but we can serve because we are stewards of the manifold grace of God. It’s when we recognize that we aren’t fit for the task that God calls us to do that He gets the glory for the amazing results that occur. The Scripture says, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, “says the Lord.” Our service to God must be done by the power of God’s Spirit lest we fail to give God the glory due His name. Peter says, “There is time for action but no time to waste.” Let’s not go around wasting our time pretending to serve God while only doing it in our strength. We must serve Him by the power of His Spirit and in nothing else.
Let me ask a question concerning a dilemma in our churches that I think this passage addresses. Why do people burn out in their service to God? This passage doesn’t address every reason people burn out in their service to God but I think it does address two. The first reason why people burn out in their service to God is that some people serve God without doing it in His power. They attempt by their own strength to accomplish what only the Spirit of God can do. And therefore they become frustrated because things are not working out like they hoped. And in their frustration they lose their desire to serve God. The second reason is that some people are not serving God for the glory of God. They do what they are doing to be noticed by others and not because God has called and equipped them. When they do not receive the recognition that they think they deserve they become disillusioned with their service to the Lord. Is it wrong to give others recognition or to receive recognition from others? I don’t think so but our heart must be set on seeking recognition from the Lord and not from man.
Peter closes this section with the reason for it. “Because to Him belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever.” Let’s not take away the glory due God’s name. Let’s serve Him in all the power He supplies so that God receives all the glory for it.
Peter’s message urges us to action. In view of Christ’s return we need to be disciplined and watchful in prayer. Only by diligence in our prayer life will we see God answer in amazing ways. We need to have selfless love toward one another. The world is craving love. We need to give them a picture of real love, God’s love. Love that doesn’t flinch in always doing good and does not allow our brothers and sisters to continue in sin. Thirdly Peter makes it clear that we need to show hospitality to others as well. We need to reach out in hospitality and love to those who are different from us and reach them through the grace of Christ. And finally each one of us needs to be actively involved in using our spiritual gifts to serve in the body. There are to be no Christians in the bleachers. If we fail to serve we are neglecting the gift that God has given us to serve Him and His church.
Let us live in view of His return. Let us plan our lives as if we had 70 years and live each day as if it were our last. There is time for action but no time to waste.