Intro:Verse one
is a general principal that teaches us that the man who suffers generally reflects on his ways, is humbled, fears approaching
death, loathes himself because of his past iniquities, and ceases from them; for, in a state of suffering, the mind loses
its relish for the sins of the flesh, because they are embittered to him through the apprehension which he has of death and
judgment; and, on his application to God's mercy, he is delivered from his sin.
Furthermore, we are taught that as Christ hath suffered, he also is our proper
pattern. We are to have the same disposition he had; the same forgiving spirit, with meekness, gentleness, and complete self-possession.
I am interested especially, however, in verse 2. Peter made some big mistakes
in his life and now he was committed for The Rest Of His Life to serve God. We cannot undo what we have already done in the
past, but we can be sure to make the future count for Jesus. Paul said in Phil 3:13-14 “This ONE THING I DO forgetting
those THINGS which are BEHIND, and REACHING forth unto those things which are before. I PRESS TOWARD the MARK for the HIGH
CALLING of God in Christ Jesus.”
I want to preach this morning on, “THE REST OF MY LIFE.” There are some truths we need to put into practice
in order to live the rest of our lives for Jesus.
I.
I WANT TO POSSESS HIS MIND: v. 1, “ARM yourselves likewise with the same MIND...”
A.
We Need To Arm Our Mind. The mind is the thought life. Prov 23:7, “As a man THINKETH
in HIS HEART so is he.” Rom 8:7, “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God.” Philippians
2:5, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”Though I may not have always thought the
wight thoughts in the past, for THE REST OF MY LIFE, I want to arm my mind by possessing his mind.
B.
We Need To Aim Our Mind. Isa 26:3, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind
is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Rom 12:2, “And be not conformed to this world: but be
ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Set Christ as your example, as your pattern, as your target. Don’t compare yourself with others, but focus on having
the mind of Christ.
II.
I WANT TO PRACTICE HIS WILL: v. 3, In Verse 15-19 we find that if we do God's will we will
INVEST the REST of our LIFE, but if we give into the world we WASTE the REST of OUR LIFE. If we are to put into practice the
will of God, we must know the will of God.
A.
Salvation Is God's Will. II Pet 3:9, “NOT WILLING that any should PERISH, but that
all should come to repentance.” God has providentially determined to save all who will trust him in repentance
and faith.
B.
Service Is God's Will. Rom 12:1, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies
of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable SERVICE.”
It is the perfect will of God for every saved man to be baptized, join a local Bible-believing church, and go to work.
C.
Sanctification Is God's Will. 1Thes 4:3, “For this is the will of God, even your
SANCTIFICATION...”To be sanctified is to be made holy. It is God’s will to sanctify you wholly (I Thess 5:23).
You could say that sanctification is the process whereby God makes you wholly holy! He will sanctify your heart, and he will
give you the wherewithal to sanctify your hands. James 4:8, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse
your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”
III.
I WANT TO PREPARE FOR HIS JUDGMENT. v. 5
A.
Our Secrets Will Be Exposed. Ecc 12:14, “God shall bring EVERY WORK into JUDGMENT,
with every SECRET THING, whether it be GOOD or BAD.”
B.
Our Standing Will Be Expressed. Rom 14:10, “We shall all STAND BEFORE THE
JUDGMENT seat of Christ.” Our stand on that day will reveal or express our stand in this day. Psalm 1:5, “Therefore
the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.” One can only stand
unashamed that day if he lives pleasing to God today.
C.
I WANT TO BE PATIENT TO HIS PEOPLE. v. 8-9, A loving disposition leads us to pass by the faults
of others, to forgive those who do us wrong, and to pray for the forgiveness of the transgressions of men. Furthermore, we
must do this without grumbling, but patiently helping our brethren grow in the Lord.
IV.
I WANT TO PROMOTE HIS GLORY.v. 11, we are to glorify God. To glorify is to make someone look
good in the eyes of others. That is what we do for God to the world when we live according to God’s Word. 1 Cor 10:31,
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
Conclusion: FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE,
I want to live after to the will of God, not the lusts of men. FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE, I want to be a witness of Christ.
FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE, I want to go to church. FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE, I want to praise his name. Don't WASTE YOUR
LIFE but INVEST THE REST OF YOUR LIFE in God and others. Today is the first day of THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. Make the most of
it for God!
