"Living in a World of Tribulation"

Scripture: John 16:28-33

C.I.: Living in a World of Tribulation

I. Three Relationships Which Must be Kept (I Peter 4:7-11)

The book of I Peter was written to those "in the world" (Jn. 16:33) – "Pontus, Galatia…," (1:1).

For these believers – the "tribulation" about which Peter spoke had already begun.

(2:21), "You have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered.…"

Since our problems are "in the world" – then our relationships must be "out of this world!"

A. Our Relationship with God (v. 7)

1. Being in a Right Relationship with God means living our lives according to 3 truths:

a. "Therefore, be of sound judgment" = Making decisions based on God’s will;

1) (Jn. 7:24), "Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment."

2) (Psa. 119:75), "I know, O Lord, that your judgments are righteous."

3) When we allow "what others think" – determine how we think – we CANNOT please God!

4) (Jms. 4:4), "Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity towards God…."

b. "…and sober spirit" = To be self-restrained, under God’s control

1) A way to think about this is – "What would we want to be found doing when Jesus comes?"

2) (1:13), "…keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

3) Therefore, we must channel our desires – towards those things that God desires!

c. "…for the purpose of prayer" = great relationships are founded upon good communication;

1) Since "sound judgment" is God’s communication to us – "Prayer" is us talking to Him!

2) (3:12), "The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, the ears of the Lord attend to their prayer, but His face is against those who do evil."

B. Our Relationship with God’s People (vs. 8-9)

1. (v. 8a), "Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another…"

a. A "fervent love for one another" – is a characteristic of those who have been "Born Again"!

1) (I Pt. 1:2), "…fervently love one another form the heart; for you have been born again."

b. The "fervency" of our love – maybe most clearly seen – by how we handle being hurt by others,

1) (v. 8b), "…love covers a multitude of sins"

2) "No grudge-bearing allowed" – and no remembering/ keeping track – "Love does not take into account a wrong suffered," (I Cor. 13:5).

C. Our Relationship with God’s Work (vs. 10-11)

1. (v. 10), "As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."

a. The word "gift" (carisma) = a supernatural (though not necessarily miraculous) gift from God.

1) (Rom. 12:6-8), "Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let each exercise them accordingly: if prophecy (preaching/evangelistic teaching), according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness."

2) Notice that while each of these "gifts" is supernatural – none of them is miraculous!

3) Therefore, we are not seeking things that are "spooky or bizarre" – but things that are profound and powerful – (Eph. 3:16, 20), "That God would grant you according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man …Now to Him

b. Notice that using our gifts is a matter of stewardship not choice – "…as good stewards of…."

1) Our Lord feels strongly about the use/non-use of the things He gives to us

2) (Matt. 25:21), "His master said to him, ‘Well done good and faithful servant; you were faithful in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things, enter into the joy of…."

3) (Matt. 25:25-26, 30), "I was afraid, and I went away and hid your talent in the ground; see, you have what is yours. – But his master answered and said to him, ‘You wicked lazy slave… cast out the wicked slave into the outer darkness where there shall be weeping, gnashing…’"

c. Last week we saw that God wants every part of his body to be a WORKING PART – today we can recognize that this is NOT a matter of choice – but of stewardship!

2. (v. 11), "Whoever speaks, let him speak, as it were, as the utterances of God;…."

a. There are "speaking" gifts: Teaching, preaching, leading a LIFE Group, song leading, leading at the Lord’s table, offering public prayer, etc.

b. There are also "serving" gifts: EVERYTHING ELSE!

c. At our Ministry Fair today – we have all been given the opportunity to find places where God can use us in ministry at this place! – Next week…!

CONCLUSION:

1. Since we are living in a "world of tribulation – God wants our relationships to be RIGHT!

2. This means: Being in a Right relationship with HIM – EACH OTHER – HIS WORK!

3. For God’s judgment begins with us, (v. 17), "For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?"

4. God’s judgment for all the world will be based on the gospel, (Quote II Thess. 1:7-8; Mk. 16:15-16), "…the

Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out…."