Sermon - Lent Midweek 4, 2023 - 1 Peter 4

The Christian Martyrs' Last Prayer, Jean-Leon Gerome, between 1863-1883

Faithfulness at the end

1. Faithfulness not to live like the world

1. Though it surprises the world

2. Faithfulness in our minds

1. Which flows out in love towards others

3. Faithfulness amidst suffering

1. We entrust our souls to a faithful Creator

“The end of all things is at hand.” Perhaps that sounds like a doomsday prophecy, and I guess it is in a way, but it’s not so much about doom for us Christians. The telos, the fulfillment of all things is drawing near; think of the end rather like the end of a war. St. Peter said, “Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking.” Earlier he said, “Gird up the loins of your mind.” The Christian life is like a war and we are nearing the end of this war. As the war begins to draw to a close, now is especially not the time to surrender to the enemy or start getting sloppy. After all of this hard training and fighting, it would be a tragedy to lose your soul at the very end when you’re so close to victory! So today’s encouragement is continued faithfulness at the end.

Firstly, we are encouraged towards faithfulness to not live like the world. Since Jesus suffered and died for the forgiveness of our sins, the life of sin is in our past. Now we are “to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.” In Christ Jesus you are a new creation, since you have been redeemed by the blood of Christ from the futile ways of this world. Like the Israelites rescued from bondage in Egypt, like demoniacs rescued from bondage to demons, Christ has set you free from sin, death, and the accursed devil.

The world, however, continues to live in wickedness, “Living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.” That is the way of the world, and “they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.” The end is near, judgment day is coming soon. If you live according to the ways of this world, the passions of the flesh, you will be judged accordingly. Therefore, Christians, “It is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, ‘If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinners?’”  Judgment day is coming, and we will all be judged according to our deeds. For you who believe the Gospel and trust in Christ, Jesus’ righteousness is credited to you, so that His works are made your own. On judgment day the Judge will look at you and see Jesus. But for the ungodly who continue in the passions of their flesh, who make a mockery of the Gospel and willfully continue in their sins, they will be judged according to their own evil works.

We Christians understand this and know what God has done for us, and therefore we strive not to live like the world and we reject the ways of this world. “With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you.” Because you don’t live like the world and join in all of the same worldly activities, the world is offended by you, and thus despises you and calls you names. But don’t be discouraged. This is just part of the battle. Remain faithful.

After the encouragement towards faithfulness to not live like the world, we are secondly encouraged towards faithfulness in our minds. “Be self-controlled and sober minded for the sake of your prayers.” Though we are certainly physical beings, much of our lives are lived in our minds, since our minds largely control what we do with our bodies. Therefore faithful Christian living is going to necessitate having a clear mind, also known as sobriety. Typically we just associate sobriety with not drinking alcohol or doing drugs, and that’s part of it, but there’s more to it. Sugar, caffeine, heavy foods, and otherwise eating a lot of food also clouds the mind. Not just diet, but a lack of exercise or poor sleep or filling your mind with junk also clouds the mind.

But meditating on God’s Word, like we do at church, like happens in a sermon right now, helps to sober up and focus our minds on Christ. It enables us to pray without distractions. This is good to practice daily. What’s more, the fruits of being clear-headed are a life lived in love towards each other. “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.” A mind clearly focused on Christ will clearly live like Christ with one another. This is one of the great things about eating meals together; I wish we would do so more as a congregation, because these meals give us the opportunity to see one another as fellow Christians whom we have been given to love.

Now finally, being faithful in not being like the world and having faithfulness of mind, we come to the third encouragement, that is encouragement to be faithful while suffering. “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.” Not living like the world around us, but loving our fellow Christians, isn’t easy, and it will often induce suffering. Yet St. Peter tells us to rejoice in our sufferings because just as we suffer with Christ so shall we join in His glory when all things are fulfilled in the end! Rejoicing literally means experiencing, and delighting in, God’s grace. When you suffer with Christ, you’re reminded of God’s grace towards you, and that’s a reason to be glad.

What  does rejoicing in suffering look like? “Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.” Trusting in our Creator’s faithfulness while doing good is rejoicing. God is faithful to us and He keeps His promises; in fact every promise of God has already been fulfilled in the death and resurrection of Jesus! We, therefore, have no reason to doubt God’s providence, but every reason to trust in Him. So as we approach the end of this war, let us not lose heart or surrender or acquiesce to the enemy, instead let us remain faithful by putting our faith in God who is always faithful to us through Christ.