Welcome to this week's edition of the Weekend Sermon. If you read my post from yesterday, you know that I was very concerned about the weather and its damage to my home. I want to report that all is doing well so far, and I am thankful to the Lord for this.
Work continues to be a challenge. We are changing supervisors this week, so this is just something else at this job to create more stress. I am very seriously considering looking for another job as this job is actually beginning to harm my health due to the continued high stress level. Please pray for me in this regard.
During prayer this week, let us all pray for those who are experiencing hardship due to natural disasters. I am thinking of the people in Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Nepal and Vanuatu in particular. Let us also continue to pray for peace especially in Yemen, Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. Wherever you may know of conflict and trouble in the world, pray for the peace of the Lord and the love of Jesus to reach that particular area.
Last week, we went back a little ways in I Peter and studied a passage that we had skipped over. Today we will pick back up in chapter 4 and continue to examine what the Lord is teaching us in this important work.
The first portion of chapter 4 speaks about the suffering of Jesus and urges those of us who are His followers to cease from sin by suffering in the flesh as Jesus did. What does this mean? I believe that there are at least two meanings to these verses.
Suffering often helps us to lead lives of holiness because suffering can help to draw us closer to the Lord. As I have said before, I don't believe that God is in Heaven just thinking up ways to make people have bad things happen in their lives. Suffering and heartache are part of living in this fallen world. When we experience pain and suffering in life, we can use these times to rely more fully on the Lord Jesus to help us and sustain by His abiding presence.
As a person draws closer to Jesus, he will grow in His love for Jesus. As we grow in our love for Jesus, we will want to do those things that please the Lord. We will want to obey His commandments and follow His teachings. We will not want to participate in those activities that bring sadness to the heart of Jesus.
Breaking off from sinful practices that beset us may also cause us a time of suffering, but the result is joy in the Lord. Peter speaks about lust, drunkenness, reveling and idolatry. Breaking off from a sinful past can be hard. Those who are plagued by addiction to drugs and alcohol will have great difficulty in overcoming these addictions. With the help of the Lord, these problems can be defeated, and people can experience a new life in Christ. The suffering of overcoming sin, leads us into victory and peace with the Lord Jesus.
In chapter 4 verse 5, Peter mentions the important fact that everyone who has ever lived will have to give an account of themselves to the Lord. Those who have put their faith and trust in Jesus will one day be judged according to what they have done for the Lord while on this earth. This is not a judgment that will determine our eternal destiny. We are saved by the grace of the Lord not by our works of righteousness. However, Jesus said that we would receive rewards in Heaven based upon our service to Him on earth.
Some who are followers of the Lord have very little of eternal value to show for their time upon this planet. When they stand before the Lord and their works are judged, little will remain. Others have done great service for the Master. They will receive many crowns to cast at the Savior's feet, and great will be their reward in Heaven.
I believe that it should be believers desire to do as much as they can in this life to serve the Lord Jesus and accumulate treasure in Heaven that will last when all of this world's treasure is passing away.
There is so much work for the Lord that needs to be done on this earth. As Jesus said, the fields are white unto harvest, but the laborers are few. Many people need to hear the message of the love of Jesus. Many need for us to reach out a hand of compassion and help them to make it through the hard times in this life.
Those who have not placed their faith in Jesus will also face a judgment. The Bible says that one day those who have rejected Jesus will stand before the Great White Throne in judgment. Those whose names are not found in the Lamb's Book of Life will go into eternal judgment forever separated from the love of the Lord.
In verses 7 through 11, Peter urges his readers to be fervent in their ministry for the Lord. He urges us to watch and to pray for the Lord Jesus could return at any moment. Prayer is vital in the Christian life. We need to be in daily communication with the Lord praising Him, interceding on behalf of others, and bringing our own needs before the Lord.
Believers must show love for one another and help each other whenever it is possible.
Peter also urges us to use the gifts that God has given us to help and encourage one another. Whatever gift the Lord has given to you, use it to serve the church. Use your gifts and talents to help make this world a better place. Use your gifts and talents to help others.
Whatever it is that we do in this life, everything we do should be glorifying to Jesus. That is our mission in life. We are to bring honor and glory to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
If you have never turned to Jesus for salvation, I hope that you will consider Christ today. Please, do not find yourself one day in eternity standing before the Lord in judgment not having His blood to cover your sins. You do not have to face eternal separation from God. Jesus has provided the way of salvation. Repent of your sins and ask Jesus to be the Lord and Savior of your life today.
On Monday, I will post the verses for the week. On Wednesday, I will post a book review. On Saturday, we will continue with our series in I Peter. May the Lord bless you all. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment