Scripture:
1 Peter 4:7-11 ESV
[7] The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. [8] Above all, keep loving one another earnestly since love covers a multitude of sins. [9] Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. [10] As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: [11] 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.
Observation:
Peter is talking to the saints. Telling them how to conduct themselves because time is getting short. Now I know this was written so many years ago, and they have been saying the same thing all my life. Time is short. The end is near. But I want you to know this… and you need to know it for sure. 2nd Peter 3:9 tells us GOD is not slack in HIS promises, but HE is patient, wanting all to come to repentance. Now, that’s not the foundation for this SOAP, but I believe it needed to be said. Honestly, it makes how you conduct yourself even more important. If you notice having self-control and a sober mind, are closely related to Peter’s description of how we should be presenting ourselves. The interesting part is what he says after that… think about it … for the sake of your prayers. Keep that point in mind for future discussion. Verse 8 is the key to this group of scriptures, in my opinion. Now, granted, this is just my opinion, so I’m open-minded about it. However, I could point out a lot of scripture to support the fact that love is the banner that we are to operate under. The word earnestly implies great effort. But the point is… love covers all offense or sin. Now, it’s pretty clear at this point that Peter is shaping our character. This is how we are to act if we call ourselves followers of Christ. Being hospitable and kind, not complaining about it. Treating others how you wish to be treated. GOD has given each one of us a spiritual gift. Peter is telling us that the purpose of that gift is to serve others with it. Stewarding it in a manner that brings GOD glory with it, therefore showing the love that was poured out on the cross. Using what GOD gave you to further the Kingdom of heaven here on earth.
Application:
I have spent most of my walk with christ studying the bible trying to find out… not only what it meant to follow christ but what that looked like as well. It’s honestly easy to get misled. You have to look at the whole council of GOD. Not just cherry-pick the fluffy ones. As I have and will continue to learn what it looks like. My behavior has and will continue to change. Knowing what it means to be sober minded is important to a guy like me. I have struggled with addiction most of my life and from a surface level. Being sober minded might look like not doing drugs or alcohol, and you would be correct in the determination. However, it’s much deeper than just that. As we all may know, our emotions can be overwhelming at times and may demand a reaction. Therefore, taking “self-control” away from us. This can be somewhat intoxicating. For example, have you ever gotten angry and said something you didn’t mean. Only later to not even remember you said something so hateful. Not to mention knowing it wasn’t true when you said it. I am here to challenge you this morning. To challenge your way of thinking. Being sober-minded runs so much deeper than just not drinking and using drugs. It’s a life that is operating under the control of the Holy Spirit. Making the choice to love when you really just want to say hurtful things. It’s lifting someone up who has just offended you. Even though you don’t want to. Being sober-minded is praying for your enemies… and not that they get what they deserve, but that they get what they don’t deserve. GOD’S grace. Honestly, we should all be grateful none of us get what we deserve. My goal is to walk in a manner that brings GOD the utmost glory. Setting my emotions aside and doing the right thing … just because it’s the right thing to do. My challenge to you today is this… think outside the box. Remain SOBER-MINDED. Not being controlled by your emotions but loving the ones that are hard to love. GOD made them just like HE made you. Love covers a multitude of sins. You want to know what that means…it means this… love forgives even when it doesn’t want to. Because it’s just the right thing to do. Love prays for its enemies… therefore turning them into brothers and sisters in christ. Our emotions are not only dangerous but intoxicating as well. Keep self-control at the forefront of your mind.
Prayer:
Father, we thank you for your word. How you shape who we are through it. It’s easy to get caught up in how we feel and think that’s what is important. But as we look at the way your son conducted HIMSELF, we can see our emotions are not to be our driving force. Help us not only to abstain from drugs and alcohol but to remain sober-minded as well. Keeping our emotions in check. Knowing that you are in control. As always, this life is not about us or how we feel because how we feel will change, but you never do. We want to keep our eyes on you. So that we can walk on water and not sink. Not paying attention to the storm. Just loving the one who walks with us inside of it. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.