This is week eleven of our 1st and 2nd Peter series.
Introduction
Since this passage focuses on time, it might be helpful to understand how we, on the average, spend our time assuming that we live to the average age of 79 (28,835 days)
Average life in numbers
A person with an average lifespan spends years on everyday, repetitive activities:
4 “Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. 3 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. 4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; 5 but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.
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.”
Message
This will be more of an outline than a narrative.
1. Therefore in verse 1 refers back to verse 18 in chapter 3. “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,”
2. “arm yourselves” is a military term. What better way to arm ourselves by putting on God’s spiritual armor – the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the helmet of salvation, the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit. Preparation for battle is crucial!
3. “to live for the rest of the time……for the will of God.” This is key in using our remaining time to further the Kingdom of God.
4. “For the time that is past…………” Peter says that it is time to leave what we have done to offend God and others to the past. Basically, he is saying “Enough” with the sins of the past!
5. Peter goes on to say to not be surprised when the non-believers were surprised at their new lifestyle. That continues to this day with non believers considering us to be strange because we do not join in with their lifestyle practices.
6. He goes on to say that they (non-believers) will give an “account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.”
7. Verse 6 “For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.” This is good news to us who are Christ followers.
8. Further instructions on how to use our time wisely – “….be self-controlled and sober-minded….” ”….keep loving one another earnestly….” ”Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.” “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another,….”
9. Peter’s benediction – “To Him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.”
Concluding Thoughts and Application
Peter is basically telling the people that he was writing this letter to and to us today to use their time and our time to do the will of God. We could sum it up like this “The Best of Your Time is when You use the Rest of your time to Invest your time in doing the will of God.” Don’t just spend your time. Make time count!