1 Peter 4:7,8 Living Near the End of All Things 1 Pet. 4:7 The end of all things is near... ;...

1 Peter 4:7,81 Peter 4:7,8Living Near the End of All ThingsLiving Near the End of All Things

1 Pet. 4:7 The end of all things is near . . . ; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.


The decisive battle has The decisive battle has been won, we have been won, we have

superior weapons, the superior weapons, the front advances, ultimate front advances, ultimate

victory is assured . . . victory is assured . . .



The decisive battle has The decisive battle has been won, we have been won, we have

superior weapons, the superior weapons, the front advances, ultimate front advances, ultimate

victory is assured . . . victory is assured . . . . . . yet the fiercest . . . yet the fiercest

fighting is still ahead of fighting is still ahead of us!us!



The decisive battle has been The decisive battle has been won, we have superior won, we have superior

weapons, the front weapons, the front advances, ultimate victory is advances, ultimate victory is

assured . . . assured . . . . . . yet the fiercest fighting is . . . yet the fiercest fighting is

still ahead of us!still ahead of us!WHAT LIFESTYLE PRIORITIES WHAT LIFESTYLE PRIORITIES

SHOULD WE CULTIVATE SHOULD WE CULTIVATE IN LIGHT OF THIS?IN LIGHT OF THIS?



1 Pet. 4:7 The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.



Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.



Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.Ephesians 6:18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.


Jesus promised that Jesus promised that persistent prayer is the persistent prayer is the

key key to receiving the Spirit’s to receiving the Spirit’s power for ministry (Lk. power for ministry (Lk.

11:5-13) . . .11:5-13) . . .





11:5-13) . . .11:5-13) . . .


9 So I say to you, keep asking, and it will be given to you; keep seeking, and you will find; keep knocking, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened . . .




11:5-13) . . .11:5-13) . . .


11 . . . Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? 12 Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? . . .




11:5-13) . . .11:5-13) . . .


13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?




11:5-13) . . .11:5-13) . . .. . . & the early church . . . & the early church

proved his promise proved his promise (see Acts (see Acts

1,2,4,6,10,12,13)!!1,2,4,6,10,12,13)!!




“Men on earth were to have a partnership in the work of God. Prayer fitted and prepared them for this work. To praying men, the Holy Spirit gave authority to do His work and use His name. It was through prayer that the Holy Spirit was given. Prayer is still the only secret of true Church extension, prayer that is guided from heaven to find and send forth God-called and God-empowered men.” (Andrew Murray, The Ministry of

Intercessory Prayer, p. 27)



“Christ meant prayer to be the great power by which His Church should do its work, & neglect in prayer is the great reason why the Church lacks greater power over the masses in Christian & in heathen countries . . . The power of the Church to bless rests on intercession—asking & receiving heavenly gifts to carry to men. When . . . we trust in our own diligence & effort to influence the world . . . the presence & power of God are not seen in our work as we would wish.” (Andrew Murray, The Ministry of

Intercessory Prayer, p.12,13)


““Would those who Would those who know me well say that know me well say that

I believe Luke’s thesis?”I believe Luke’s thesis?”




I believe Luke’s thesis?”I believe Luke’s thesis?”““Am I making progress in Am I making progress in

my intercessory prayer my intercessory prayer life?”life?”




I believe Luke’s thesis?”I believe Luke’s thesis?”““Am I making progress in Am I making progress in

my intercessory prayer my intercessory prayer life?”life?”

PRAYER-LESS > PRAY-ING > PRAYER-LESS > PRAY-ING > PRAYER-FUL PRAYER-FUL




I believe Luke’s thesis?”I believe Luke’s thesis?”““Am I making progress in my Am I making progress in my

intercessory prayer life?”intercessory prayer life?”““Is helping my people Is helping my people develop in intercessory develop in intercessory prayer one of my core prayer one of my core

leadership goals?”leadership goals?”




Romans 8:26 The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. 27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.


1 Pet. 4:7 The end of all things is near . . . 8 Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another . . .


As the world-system As the world-system becomes more potent & becomes more potent &

insidious in its selfishness insidious in its selfishness . . .. . .



As the world-system As the world-system becomes more potent & becomes more potent &

insidious in its selfishness insidious in its selfishness . . .. . .

. . . we must become . . . we must become muchmuch more intentional more intentional

about real loving about real loving community!community!



““Does our home group Does our home group have a community have a community

‘center-of-gravity’ that ‘center-of-gravity’ that attracts others into orbit attracts others into orbit

– or are we merely a – or are we merely a collection of ‘wandering collection of ‘wandering

stars?’”stars?’”



““Am I relating to my Am I relating to my people people

like a good shepherd – like a good shepherd – or like a hireling?”or like a hireling?”



““Am I relating to my people Am I relating to my people

like a good shepherd – like a good shepherd – or like a hireling?”or like a hireling?”

““Is my time-investment Is my time-investment enough to be energized & enough to be energized &

feel joy – feel joy – or is it inadequate & or is it inadequate &

so fellowship feels like a so fellowship feels like a burdensome obligation?”burdensome obligation?”




1 Thessalonians 4:9 Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; 10 for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more.

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1 Peter 4:7,8 Living Near the End of All Things 1 Pet. 4:7 The end of all things is near... ;...

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