DANIEL: THE BEGINNING OF THE END
Part 1 | Ready or Not Here He Comes
I Peter 4:1-11 |January 11, 2026
Dr. Mark S. Hartman, Lead Pastor - SCBC
Matthew 24:44 Therefore you must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
1. MAKE SURE YOU ARE IN A SAVING RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST.
2. BE WILLING TO PAY THE PRICE OF FOLLOWING CHRIST AS YOUR PRIORITY. (1 Peter 4:1)
A. 1 Peter 4:1 So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude He had, and be ready to suffer, too. (NLT)
B. 2 Timothy 3:12 …All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. (NKJV)
C. Matthew 24:9 Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of Me. (NIV)
D. 1 Peter 4:1-3 So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude He had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you are willing to suffer for Christ, you have decided to stop sinning. 2 And you won't spend the rest of your life chasing after evil desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God. 3 You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people do—their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols. (NLT)
E. 1 Peter 4:7 The end of all things is near. Therefore, be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.
1. First, stay focused on the Truth.
Ephesians 4:14 Then we will no longer be like children, forever changing our minds about what we believe because someone has told us something different or because someone has cleverly lied to us and made the lie sound like the truth. (NLT)
2. Second, discern what is most important in life.
3. Third, keep your life clean.
1 Peter 4:2-3 Then you'll be able to live out your days free to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by evil desires. 3 You've already put in your time in that depraved way of life, partying night after night, living a drunken and wasted life. Now it's time to be done with it for good. (MSG)
3. CULTIVATE YOUR SUPPORTING RELATIONSHIPS. (1 Peter 4:8-9)
A. 1 Peter 4:8-9 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. (NIV)
B. Hebrews 10:25 You should not stay away from your church meetings, [instead] meet together and encourage each other.
C. 1 Peter 4:8 Above all love each other deeply because love covers over a multitude of sins.
D. Proverbs 19:11 A person’s discretion makes him slow to anger, And it is his glory to overlook a transgression.
4. SERVE GOD INTENTIONALLY UNTIL CHRIST RETURNS. (1 Peter 4:10-11)
1 Peter 4:10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.