Exiles – 1 Peter 4:1-11

Exiles – Week 8 – “Urgency that Leads to Prayer”

1 Peter 4:1–11

Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same understanding because the one who suffers in the flesh is finished with sin

² in order to live the remaining time in the flesh no longer for human desires, but for God’s will.

³ For there has already been enough time spent in doing what the Gentiles choose to do: carrying on in unrestrained behavior, evil desires, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and lawless idolatry.

⁴ They are surprised that you don’t join them in the same flood of wild living—and they slander you.

⁵ They will give an account to the one who stands ready to judge the living and the dead.

⁶ For this reason the gospel was also preached to those who are now dead, so that, although they might be judged in the flesh according to human standards, they might live in the spirit according to God’s standards.

⁷ The end of all things is near; therefore, be alert and sober-minded for prayer.

⁸ Above all, maintain constant love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins.

⁹ Be hospitable to one another without complaining.

¹⁰ Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God.

¹¹ If anyone speaks, let it be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, let it be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

Introduction

• Let me start with a question:
• What would you do if you knew time was running out?
• If you had one year left,
• What would you change?
• If you had one week left,
• What would matter most?
• Peter writes to exiles with this very urgency.
• In 1 Peter 4:7, he says

“The end of all things is near; therefore, be alert and sober-minded for prayer.”

• But before we unpack this one verse,
• Notice the context.
• In verses 1–6,
• Peter has just reminded believers
• That since Christ has suffered in the flesh,
• We also must arm ourselves with the same resolve.
• He says we’re done with sin.
• We no longer live for human desires,
• But for the will of God.
• And he warns
• That the world will be surprised
• When we don’t join them in their way of life
• And they’ll slander us for it.
• Then in verses 8–11,
• Right after verse 7,
• Peter gives practical instructions for what this urgent life looks like:
• Love one another deeply (v. 8)
• Be hospitable without complaining (v. 9)
• Use your gifts to serve one another (v. 10)
• Speak and serve in the strength God supplies (v. 11)
• All of that hangs on the hinge of verse 7.
• The end is near. Therefore…
• Peter begins with these words:
• “The end of all things is near” (v. 7).
• Now, that phrase can sound unsettling.
• It’s the kind of phrase that people online use to set dates and stir up panic.
• But Peter doesn’t mean panic.
• Because for Christians living as exiles
• The idea of the end being near
• Is the best news.
• It points us to the already–not yet reality of the gospel.
• What do I mean?

1. The Already — The King Reigns Now

• Because of what we call the great news ever told
• The Gospel
• Where Jesus, the reigning king, came and
• Through His life, death, and resurrection,
• He defeated sin (our greatest problem)
• Death and the grave
• And right now
• King Jesus
• Rules over all things.
• Let me show
• Pastor HB Charles recently helped paint this picture when looking at Psalm 2
• Go with me to Psalm 2

Psalm 2:1-2

¹ Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?
² The kings of the earth take their stand, and the rulers conspire together
against the Lord and his Anointed One:

• What are these verses telling us?
• They are telling us about the world we currently live in
• They tell us that the sin that permeates our world
• And fuels rage
• It is not political or about an earthly leader
• This hate, violence, and difficulty are rooted in
• The hatred of Jesus
• Notice by whom?
• All the nations
• And all its leaders
• How crazy is this?
• Most of us
• Have never seen two opposite political parties unify for something
• Much less every world leader
• But look at what they are unified for?

Psalm 2:3

Let’s tear off their chains and throw their ropes off of us.

• It was A perceived bondage to their way of living
• But caused by what?
• Faith in the Lord and his anointed one (another word for Jesus)
• And Yet
• Even though the world
• Sets itself against God as King,
• God says it’s in vain. (they plot in vain)
• Why?
• His plan is already settled.
• His throne is unshakable.
• God declares in

Psalm 2:6

I have installed my King on Zion, my holy mountain

• Who is this king? Jesus!
• You see, the cross and resurrection were not a setback in history
• But the fulfillment of this plan.
• King Jesus reigns now.
• His victory is not in doubt.
• This is the best news
• You and I are going to hear all day or in any coming day
• That’s why
• We do not have to let what is happening in the culture around us
• Bring us any fear about the future
• Because King Jesus Reigns
• And here is the News Headline
• He is not ever going to be up for reelection
• He is and has the final authority
• For exiles,
• This means we don’t panic at the hostility around us.
• Kings rage, cultures conspire, but our King is already enthroned.
• But the news only gets better

2. The Not Yet — The King Will Return

• When Peter reminds us:
• “The end of all things is near.”
• He is telling us that the story isn’t finished.
• The day is coming
• When Jesus, the reigning King, returns,
• He will bring full justice,
• Restore creation,
• And wipe away every tear.
• He confirms this promise in

Revelation 21:5a

Then the one seated on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new…

• And for those following Jesus
• This brings us great joy and hope.
• But for those outside of Christ,
• It’s urgent.
• Because Judgment is real, and time is short.
• And an eternity in Hell is at stake

This already not yet tension matters as it is the fuel for the rest of the verse

• For those following Jesus
• The already gives us assurance:
• Jesus reigns now, even in exile.
• And brings us great joy and hope.
• The not yet gives us urgency:
• He is coming soon.
• It’s urgent.
• Because Judgment is real,
• And time is short.
• Together,
• They call us to live
• With a clear purpose:
• Being Prayerful, loving, serving, and ready to witness.
• That’s why Peter continues,
• With the word “Therefore”
• Saying, because “the end is near”
• Because of this, already not yet

“Therefore, be alert and sober-minded for prayer.”

• That’s where we’re headed today.
• Peter shows us three urgent ways
• To live as exiles in light of the end
  1. See Clearly
  2. Think Clearly
  3. Pray Urgently
• Let’s look at the first one

Movement 1: See Clearly – Be Alert

• Peter says,

“The end of all things is near; therefore, be alert…”

• That phrase “be alert”
• Means to stay awake,
• To be watchful,
• To have your eyes open.
• It’s the opposite of drifting, dozing,
• Or living distracted.
• Here is what we need to know
• Since the resurrection of Jesus,
• We’ve been living in the final chapter of God’s plan.
• The next great event in history (is not a revival, it’s not a rise of some political leader)
• It is His return.
• That means time is short.
• If you think you have endless time,
• You’ll live casually.
• But if you know the end is near,
• You’ll live alertly.
• Look back at

1 Peter 4:1–3. Peter says,
Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same understanding because the one who suffers in the flesh is finished with sin

² in order to live the remaining time in the flesh no longer for human desires, but for God’s will.

³ For there has already been enough time spent in doing what the Gentiles choose to do: carrying on in unrestrained behavior, evil

• Do you hear his urgency?
• He’s saying:
• You’ve already wasted enough time living in sin.
• Don’t keep drifting like the world around you.
• The end is near — live with focus.
• But living alert doesn’t mean panic.
• It means clarity.
• It means our eyes are open
• To temptation, to suffering,
• And to the spiritual opposition around us.
• Jesus said in

Matthew 26:41

⁴¹ Stay awake and pray, so that you won’t enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

• Alertness means we are awake to our weaknesses,
• But also awake to God’s power.
• Living alert also means
• We see the opportunities God is giving us.
• Every conversation,
• Every interruption,
• Every ordinary moment
• Could be a divine appointment.
• If we’re spiritually asleep,
• We’ll miss it.
• Think about Nehemiah rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls.

Nehemiah 4:17 says the workers

“worked with one hand and held a weapon with the other.”

• That’s alertness.
• They weren’t paralyzed by fear,
• But they weren’t naïve either.
• They lived ready.
• Peter even warns
• That when you start living
• With eternity in view,
• The world won’t understand.
• Verse 4 says,

“They are surprised that you don’t join them in the same flood of wild living — and they slander you.”

• In other words,
• When you stop living like the world,
• The world may mock you.
• But that’s part of being an exile.
• So let me ask you:
• Are you spiritually awake right now?
• Are you alert
• To the people God has placed around you,
• Who need Jesus?
• Are you alert
• To the opportunities
• God has given you to love, to speak, to pray?
• Or have you gotten comfortable,
• Distracted,
• Dulled to the urgency of the moment?
• Peter says,

“The end of all things is near; therefore, be alert.”

• Don’t waste your life.
• Don’t live as if tomorrow is guaranteed.
• Don’t let sin lull you back to sleep.
• Live awake.
• Live alert.
• Live with eyes on eternity.
• But Peter doesn’t just tell us
• To keep our eyes open.
• He also calls us to keep our minds clear.
• Alertness is about seeing the world rightly,
• But sober-mindedness is about thinking rightly.
• That’s where we go next.

Movement 2: Think Clearly – Be Sober-Minded

• Peter continues in verse 7:

“The end of all things is near; therefore, be alert and sober-minded for prayer.”

• The Greek word for sober-minded here means
• To Think Clearly
• To be of a sound mind,
• Self-controlled,
• Steady,
• Not clouded
• It’s the opposite
• Of being carried away
• By fear,
• By anxiety, or
• By distraction.
• It’s also the opposite of being intoxicated
• Not just by alcohol,
• But by anything that dulls our heart and mind to God.
• Peter’s point is simple but strong:
• Exiles must Think Clearly
• Why?
• Because The End is Near,
• And as we will see in a moment with Movement 3
• Our prayers depend on it.
• But first, notice how Peter frames this in
• After he says

“The end of all things is near; therefore, be alert and sober-minded for prayer.”

• Look again at
• Verses 8-11

1 Peter 4:8–11:

“Above all, maintain constant love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others… so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything.”

• Do you see the connection?
• Thinking Clearly
• Doesn’t just shape our inner life;
• It shapes our community life.
• Love in such a way
• That you want to help cover your brother or sister in Christ
• Not expose them to humiliate them
• This does not mean we don’t address sin
• This speaks to our motives behind calling out sin
• Not only that but our love causes us to offer
• Humble hospitality,
• And Spirit-empowered service.
• And here’s the striking truth: (listen to this)
• God has given the world
• (non-believers, non-followers of Jesus) permission
• To judge whether or not we belong to Jesus
• How?
• By this very love.
• Jesus said in

John 13:34–35,

“I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

• Then in

John 17:21–23, Jesus prayed,

“…May they all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I am in you… May they be made completely one, so that the world may know you have sent me and have loved them as you have loved me.”

• Think about it.
• The proof to the world around us
• That Jesus is real,
• And that this gospel we preach is true,
• It’s not because of how loud and proud I proclaim it
• It’s not in my efforts to live out a holy lifestyle opposite of theirs
• It’s not in our clever arguments that prove our way is the right way
• It’s our love.
• It’s our unity.
• So when Peter says, “be sober-minded for prayer,”
• He’s not only saying,
• “Keep your thoughts clear so you can talk to God.”
• He’s saying,
• “Keep your thoughts clear
• So your prayers transform how you love one another,
• So that the world can see Jesus in you.”
• So, it begs the question
• How do we live sober-minded?
• Peter isn’t just telling us to try harder to think clearly
• He’s pointing us back to something
• Notice the first part of v. 8
• “Above all, maintain constant love”
• He said to maintain
• How does the Christian maintain anything they have from Jesus?
• By “abiding”.
• In John 15:4-5, Jesus says,

“Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me… apart from me you can do nothing” (vv. 4–5).

• Remaining — or abiding — in Christ is the key.
• When we abide,
• His life flows into us.
• His Word shapes our thoughts.
• His Spirit renews our minds.
• And the result?
• We begin to think like Him.
• We begin to carry what Paul calls in 1 Corinthians 2:16“the mind of Christ”
• That’s what sober-mindedness really is
• Not just attempting to empty your mind of clutter,
• But filling your mind with Christ.
• Staying connected to Him
• So that
• His truth steadies you,
• His presence calms you, and
• His Spirit keeps you
• From drifting into fear or distraction.
• So the why of sober-mindedness
• Is love that shows the world Jesus.
• The how of sober-mindedness
• Is abiding in Christ,
• So that His life produces
• Clear, focused, gospel-shaped prayer in us.
• Which is why Peter takes us to prayer next.
• He says all of this urgency, alertness, and sober-mindedness is
• “for prayer.”
• Prayer is the key

Movement 3: Pray Urgently – The lives of those around us depend on it

“The end of all things is near; therefore, be alert and sober-minded for prayer.”

• Why Prayer?
• For exiles,
• Prayer isn’t optional.
• First as we just saw with abiding
• It’s our lifeline to God in a hostile world.
• Prayer keeps us connected to the throne room of heaven

Hebrews 4:16

¹⁶ Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.

• We have this amazing access to a gracious and merciful God
• You see, when everything around us feels unstable.
• Prayer lifts our eyes from the brokenness around us
• To the hope that is coming.
• Prayer is how God shapes our hearts
• And aligns our lives with His mission.
• This Goes back to what we have talked about from Acts 1 & 2
• They were called to pray
• Why?
• To receive the power of the Holy Spirit
• To make them Bold Witnesses of the Gospel
• Because prayer is not just about us and our personal benefit.
• Peter is pressing us to pray for others
• Especially those who don’t yet know Jesus.
• Charles Spurgeon captured this urgency with these challenging words:

“Oh, my brothers and sisters in Christ, if sinners will be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our bodies; and if they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees. If hell must be filled, let it only happen in spite of all our efforts to stop it, and let not one go there unwarned and unprayed for.”

• Have you ever prayed like that?
• Have you ever asked the Lord to give you that kind of anguish for the Lost
• (Possible stopping point)
• Another praying missionary from the past
• Named John Hyde
• Cried out to God this way
• God give me souls or I die
• WHY should I feel this way?
• WHY should I pray this way?
• Because the end is near!!!
• That should compel me to stop being lazy & casual in my prayers
• And to begin to intercede for others.
• Catch this: Praying urgently means
• We don’t pray
• Half-hearted prayers.
• It means
• We pray with focus,
• With compassion,
• With persistence.
• We pray for our church
• That we would live visibly as exiles, pointing to Jesus.
• We pray for our neighbors,
• Coworkers,
• And family members
• That God would open their eyes to the gospel.
• We pray for our world
• Broken by violence,
• Hatred,
• And despair
• That the light of Christ would break through.
• Urgent prayer
• Is Spirit-driven,
• Gospel-shaped,
• And eternity-focused.
• HERE THIS
• The early church didn’t reach the lost and grow
• Because they had the best strategies,
• Or the best facilities,
• Or the most polished leaders.
• The book of Acts shows us
• The church reached the lost and grew
• Because the people of God prayed
• And as they prayed,
• The Spirit empowered them to proclaim the gospel.
• That is how Jesus builds His church.
• Not through human power,
• But through Spirit-empowered prayer and gospel proclamation.
• And this Kind of praying followed by gospel proclamation
• Leads to Souls saved
• I have to tell you
• He has my attention
• I can’t find a greater purpose for my life than this
• One day, as your Pastor, I will stand before God
• For what I did or did not say to those he called me to lead
• (The Bible warns that those who want to teach that it comes with a higher cost)
• I repeat C.S. words,

“Oh, my brothers and sisters in Christ, if sinners will be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our bodies; and if they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees. If hell must be filled, let it only happen in spite of all our efforts to stop it, and let not one go there unwarned and unprayed for.”

• It’s time to put down the phones, the binge watching, and whatever other distractions
• That this world has been able to lull us to sleep with
• And wake up!
• To be alert and sober-minded for Prayer
• Because souls depend on it!

Conclusion

So here are your action steps today:

1. Respond now. In a few moments, bring names before the Lord. Cry out for sons and daughters, neighbors, coworkers, classmates — those who need to meet Jesus.
2. Continue together. Join me tonight at 4:30 as we unite in prayer for these same names. The early church grew, not because of clever strategy, but because they prayed and the Spirit empowered them to proclaim Christ.
3. Live it this week. Be alert for divine appointments. Think clearly by abiding in Christ. And above all, pray urgently.