Working in the Kingdom

I. Introduction
   A. 1 Peter 4:7-11
   B. Peter speaks regarding the "end times" and for what we should be prepared
   C. 2 Peter 3:11ff
      1. What are we to do?
      2. live in a pure and holy manner
      3. await His coming
      4. be patient
      5. remain steadfast in the faith
   E. 1 Peter 4:7-11 may also teach us how we are to act 
   F. Let us now examine this passage

II. Verse 7
   A. "But the end of all things is at hand"
      1. declarative statement
      2. we have talked about this today—multitude of verses that show that God's 
         next direct intervention on Earth will bring the end
      3. Establishes what we see to follow
   B. "be ye therefore of sound mind, and be sober unto prayer"
      1. principle also seen in 1 Thessalonians 5:4-8
      2. what does it mean to be of sound mind and to be sober?
      3. Why would we want to be this way "unto prayer?"  
         a. prayer is our way of communicating with God--Matthew 6:4
         b. how can we pray unless we are of sound mind?

III. Verses 8-9
   A. "above all things being fervent in your love among yourselves"
      1. Where to begin about how we should love?
      2. 1 Corinthians 13: general principles of what love is
      3. 1 John 4:7-21
         a. What is Christianity without love?
         b. Why would we want to go to Heaven with those we do not love?
         c. This only makes sense!
      4. Our love for Christ can only be seen through loving those for whom He 
         died
      5. This love is exceedingly important in these times
         a. are other groups known for their love?
         b. Will this make us stand out and help us to be the lights that we 
            ought to be?
   B. "using hospitality one to another without murmuring"
      1. What ever is this doing here?
      2. Spoken of as a tendency of Christians in Romans 12:13
      3. Required of elders (Titus 1:8; 1 Timothy 3:2) and widows (1 Timothy 
         5:10)
      4. Hebrews 13:12- for some have entertained angels unawares
      5. Why is this so important?  
         a. part of building one another up, expecting the Day of the Lord
         b. a need for this!
      6. without murmuring—i.e. without complaint
         a. would you complain about entertaining God?
         b. Then why complain about entertaining His children?

IV. Verse 10
   A. "according as each hath received a gift, ministering it among yourselves"
      1. Have we all received gifts?
      2. Romans 12:6-8
      3. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11
      4. What is the message of these verses?
         a. use your talents!
         b. Everyone has a job to do in the Kingdom
      5. to whom are these gifts to be directed?
         a. to one another!
         b. Assist one another in the faith
   B. "as good stewards of the manifold grace of God"
      1. Matthew 24:45-51
         a. what do you think Jesus is talking about here? 
         b. Exactly that which is under discussion—being good stewards of the 
            gifts given
      2. "manifold"
         a. what does this refer to?
         b. All of the blessings that we have been given
         c. Important charge to keep

V. Verse 11
   A. "if any man speaketh, speaking as it were oracles of God"
      1. what are the oracles of God?
      2. His Gospel, the message with which we have been entrusted
      3. Just as important of a charge to keep as the prophets of Israel
   B. "is any man ministereth, ministering as of the strength which God 
      supplieth"
      1. John 13:12-16
      2. Service preeminent
      3. Cf. Philippians 2
      4. Who supplies our strength?  God!

VI. Conclusion
   A. As Peter ends this discussion, "that in all things God may be glorified 
      through Jesus Christ, whose is the glory and the dominion for ever and 
      ever"
   B. We have a charge to keep, for the time is drawing near
   C. We must constantly work to glorify our God and proclaim His name to all
   D. We must stay the course and maintain the purity of the faith
   E. Love and hospitability must be always named amongst us
   F. We must use our gifts to His glory and to the edification of the church
   G. This is the only way to salvation