1 Peter 4:7-11, "Priorities that End in the Glory of God"
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As our world becomes more confusing and chaotic, what are our priorities? Peter tells us today that as we approach the end of all things, our priorities should align so that “in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.” What are my priorities now, and how do they align with the priorities that lead to the never-ending glory of God through Jesus Christ?
How close are we to the end of all things? Peter wrote this 2,000 years ago,
1 Peter 4:7 (ESV)
The end of all things is at hand;
What did he mean? In Peter’s frame of thinking, the coming of Messiah was God’s final act in His plan for our world. And as that final act is playing out, he reflected on what Jesus had taught him.
Jesus said that at the end of time, there will be wars, famines, earthquakes. And that will be just the beginning. Then there will be massive persecution of Christians and many will fall away and betray one another and hate another. False prophets will arise and lead many astray.
Matthew 24:12 (ESV)
And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.
But there is this promise too,
Matthew 24:13–14 (ESV)
But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
Luke records Jesus saying,
Luke 21:25–26 (ESV)
“And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves,
people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
At the end of time, things will get bad everywhere. Lawlessness will increase. Natural disasters will increase. People’s fear will increase. Love will decrease. But you…He tells His disciples, you...
Luke 21:34–36 (ESV)
“But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation (wasting your time and money) and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Jesus tells His disciples, while everyone else is losing their hope, you pray. Focus, don’t get distracted. Stay awake and pray. You don’t have to get caught up in all the same fear-driven insanity as the end comes. Endure, preach the gospel, and pray.
Peter was standing there, listening to Jesus, but had not yet experienced the events Jesus was foretelling. As he began to experience it, he wrote a letter to the churches. He reflects on what Jesus taught him,
1 Peter 4:7 (ESV)
The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.
At the end of all things, most people will be losing their minds, you “be self-controlled” = be sensible/reasonable.
At the end of all things, people will check out through substances, entertainment, and temporary diversions; you “be sober-minded” = stay sober.
Think about the person writing this letter. When we think of Peter as the gospels describe him, he is anything but self-controlled and sober. He’s an extremist. “Jesus, tell me to walk to you on the water.” “Lord, you shall never wash my feet.” “Jesus answered him, ‘If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.’ “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!” “Jesus, I will go with you to prison and death.” “Lord, I will lay down my life for you.” “Lord, shall I strike with the sword? Never mind, I already did.”
As Peter got to know the ways of Jesus better as a leader of the Jesus movement, he learned some things. His power to accomplish things for Jesus did not come from within himself. His power came from Christ in him. He had probably learned that Jesus doesn’t need us to lose our minds trying to bring the end of all things. Jesus wants us to grow in union with Him.
Prayer is my opportunity to grow in union with Jesus. As the world gets more confusing and chaotic, how can I become more self-controlled and sober? I need to listen to God regularly in prayer, to wake up to His reality and anchor my mind and heart on Christ.
He has other priorities for my life.
Context, verses 1-6,
1 Peter 4:1 (ESV)
Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,
1 Peter 4:2 (ESV)
so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.
The time is over for sensual passions. The time has come for a sober devotion to the ways and purposes of Jesus, doing the will of God. We pray,
Matthew 6:9–10 (ESV)
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Prayer is our primary activity. While the darkness is descending on our world, prayer makes me mindful of God and His calling on my life.
Prayer at the end of time is hard. As events seems to spiral farther out of control, the temptations are to either escape or control. Some seek escape by self-medicating with substances or entertainment and distraction. Others seek control and get busy trying to fix everything, getting more anxious and angry all the time.
Prayer keeps us from both of these extremes. Prayer is not an escape from reality. It is a conscious connection with God, who is Himself the ultimate reality. And prayer is the best way to give up control and trying to fix everything. In prayer, we surrender to God’s power and will.
When we grow in union with Christ through prayer, He gives us other priorities needed at the end of all things: love above all things, hospitality without grumbling, serving one another, stewarding the gifts God has given us to demonstrate His grace. The world needs Jesus in these ways, now more than ever. And the way they will see Him is through us.
Peter says,
1 Peter 4:8 (ESV)
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
Love consistently (“keep loving”) and eagerly (“earnestly”). Why is this important at the end of all things? This kind of love covers a multitude of sins. Has anyone sinned against you? Expect more of that the closer we get to the end of all things. Jesus said the closer we get to the end, lawlessness (that’s sin) will increase, and “the love of many will grow cold”.
So, the more our love should grow. Forgive quickly, be gentle and kind, give people the benefit of the doubt. Consider others better than yourself. At the end of all things, our love will need to become more consistent and more eager. Where will we get that kind of love? Who’s love covers a multitude of sins?
One really practical way to love people is hospitality. Peter says to
1 Peter 4:9 (ESV)
Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.
The word for “show hospitality” literally means, love foreigners. Or strangers, or outsiders. Opening your life, your home, your resources to strangers who might be very strange to you is not easy. It costs you something. How do we do it without grumbling? Christ strengthens us. He is the one who loved us, as strange as we are, and invited us to the Heavenly Father’s family table. Everything you need for endurance, preaching the gospel, and prayer at the end of all things comes from your union with Christ.
Peter makes this even more clear. If you are a Christian, God is living in you.
1 Peter 4:10 (ESV)
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:
The words “gift” and “grace” in English are forms of the same Greek word. Grace is “charis”, and gift is “charisma”. God’s varied grace shows up in us in a variety of gifts. There are colors, dimensions, and facets to God’s grace. And He has given us each a portion of His grace as a gift. We demonstrate His grace in different ways, but we are all demonstrating the presence of God in us as we do it.
So, as you use your gift to serve other people God loves, you’ll be a good steward of God’s grace. Specifically,
1 Peter 4:11 (ESV)
whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Some of us have speaking gifts, like teachers and prophets. Others have serving gifts, like mercy and hospitality. But look at the dynamic Peter shows us. No matter what kind of a gift you’ve been given, when you use your gift as a steward of God’s grace, you will be manifesting God. When you speak words of hope and forgiveness and mercy, your words will be God’s words to those who have given up hope and are living in fear. When you serve the needy, and others are drained and their love is growing cold, when you steward God’s grace, you find His strength in you to endure.
Now, maybe I see you ministering the gospel in word or deed, and because I am a gracious person, I want to give you a gift to help you. But this gift is limited in how it will strengthen you to love others like God loves them. But God’s grace is different in some significant ways. His gifts aren’t created things that wear out, break down, and get used up. Jesus told us God loves to give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him. God gives us Himself. His grace is infinite. It is as unlimited as He is.
What’s the result of all this? “That in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
So, at the end of all things, when the love of many grows cold, and people faint from fear, Jesus and Peter both say to pray. At the end of that prayer, it is completely appropriate to close with, “For Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever, amen.” Because this is the end of all things. At the end of everything. After the last war, after the last famine, after the last earthquake, after the last person is killed for their faith in Jesus, and after the love of many grows cold, God’s love goes on. His grace will endure. His glory is unending. His kingdom is eternal.
So, let’s close with some questions to consider.
As the world becomes more confusing and chaotic, what are my priorities?
How do they align with the priorities Peter lays out here?
If we were to live according to these priorities, how would they impact our world?
When we speak and act, do others hear God’s words and see God’s powerful love demonstrated through service?
Peter says, at the end of all things, God will be glorified through Jesus Christ, because to him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. That should shape my priorities.
How is God glorified in Jesus Christ? He has demonstrated His love for sinners through His sufferings and His power over sin and death through His resurrection. Living in the priorities of love, hospitality, speaking God’s word and serving with God’s power will cost us. Peter says, expect fiery trials.
1 Peter 4:13–14 (ESV)
But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
If doing God’s will at the end of all things costs us, we remember it cost Jesus first.
Communion
Questions for Discussion
What are your priorities for the end of the year and the holiday season?
What are you doing to maintain your peace of mind these days?
How do self-control and sober-mindedness help us in our prayers? What is challenging for you in this area right now?
In our passage, Peter talks about some priorities for believers, considering the closeness of the end of all things. Which stand out to you and why?
What does Peter teach us about God?
What are some ways you have found God strengthen you to live out these priorities?
If we were to live according to these priorities, what impact would that have on our world?
How will you respond to this passage this week?
Who is someone you can share this passage with this week?