11/8/2020 - Thankful for Eternity - 1 Peter 4:7-11

As I was preparing the message this Sunday, I was reminded of a meeting I had several years ago. I was asked to visit someone in the hospital. It was a friend of a friend and someone I did not know; a man in his mid-forties who had terminal cancer. As I entered the room I introduced myself and you know how you get the sense that people don’t want you around? That was me. The atmosphere turned cold. He did not want to talk about God or heaven or eternal things even though he was in the last few days of his life on earth. My heart really broke for this man. It's not uncommon to find this response in people simply because our entire lives are spent trying to avoid death and some never come to embrace its reality. It ought not to be this way for the believer in Jesus Christ. In fact, it should be the opposite. Life should be one concentrated effort to prepare for what awaits us. For this reason, I am thankful for eternity but until that day Christian, you and I have purpose and meaning here and now.
 
The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 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. 1 Peter 4:7-11

Peter does not want us to be caught unaware having wasted our time, resources, and gifts. So because we are living on the edge of eternity we must be sober-minded and think and act according to God’s Word. This means that we persevere in our love for each other and one of the ways we demonstrate our love for each other is in showing hospitality. This involves giving ourselves away so that others can be blessed. And finally, in these last days, we are to use our gifts in serving one another. This is what it means to live today in light of eternity!