A Field Manual for Warriors in a Hostile Land Part 15: The Goal for Christian Suffering? 1 Peter 4:7-11

A Field Manual for A Field Manual for Warriors in a Hostile LandWarriors in a Hostile Land

Part 15: The Goal for Christian Suffering?Part 15: The Goal for Christian Suffering?

1 Peter 4:7-111 Peter 4:7-11

Five specific commands;Five specific commands;

• Be self-controlled, Be self-controlled, • Be sober-minded, Be sober-minded, • Keep loving, Keep loving, • Show hospitalityShow hospitality• Use your gift to serve, Use your gift to serve,

1 Peter 4:7-11 (ESV)1 Peter 4:7-11 (ESV)

The end of all things is at hand; therefore The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. sake of your prayers.


Above all, keep loving one another Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. without grumbling.


As each has received a gift, use it to serve As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God one who serves by the strength that God supplies—supplies—


in order that in everything God may be in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.ever. Amen.

Jesus-centered living isJesus-centered living is disciplineddisciplined living living

• It’s It’s almostalmost overover

The end of all things is at hand;The end of all things is at hand; (v.7a) (v.7a)


• So what does this phrase "So what does this phrase "The end of all The end of all things is at handthings is at hand mean?mean?


• So what does this phrase "So what does this phrase "The end of all The end of all things is at handthings is at hand mean?mean?

Don’t think “Don’t think “worldworld” history. ” history.

Think “Think “redemptionredemption” history. ” history.


• Stay Stay mentallymentally alertalert

The end of all things is at hand; The end of all things is at hand; therefore therefore be self-controlled and sober-mindedbe self-controlled and sober-minded (v.7b) (v.7b)


• Mental discipline is necessary for Mental discipline is necessary for goodgood prayersprayers

The end of all things is at hand; therefore The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded be self-controlled and sober-minded for the for the sake of your prayerssake of your prayers.(v.7b).(v.7b)


For the time that is past suffices for doing For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. (1 drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. (1 Peter 4:3)Peter 4:3)


When the hard times come and you need to When the hard times come and you need to rely on your prayers you better be sure rely on your prayers you better be sure your prayer life is ready for the hard times.your prayer life is ready for the hard times.

Jesus-centered living isJesus-centered living is focusedfocused on on othersothers

Above all, keep loving Above all, keep loving one anotherone another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to sins. Show hospitality to one anotherone another without grumbling. As each has received a without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve gift, use it to serve one another,one another, as good as good stewards of God's varied grace: stewards of God's varied grace:


whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies (1 Peter by the strength that God supplies (1 Peter 4:8-11b)4:8-11b)


Above all, keep loving Above all, keep loving one anotherone another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to sins. Show hospitality to one anotherone another without grumbling. As each has received a without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve gift, use it to serve one another,one another, as good as good stewards of God's varied grace: stewards of God's varied grace:


• Love for one another is a Love for one another is a prioritypriority

Above all, keep lovingAbove all, keep loving one another one another earnestly, (v.8a) earnestly, (v.8a)


• The focus is on The focus is on forgivenessforgiveness not not faultsfaults

Above all, keep loving one another Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, earnestly, since love covers a multitude of since love covers a multitude of sinssins.. (v.8) (v.8)


• The focus is on their The focus is on their needsneeds not our not our rightsrights

Show hospitality to one another (v.9)Show hospitality to one another (v.9)


• AttitudeAttitude is everything (v.9) is everything (v.9)

Show hospitality to one another Show hospitality to one another without without grumblinggrumbling (v.9) (v.9)


• The focus is on The focus is on servingserving not being not being servedserved

As each has received a gift, use it to serve As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another,one another, (v.10) (v.10)


• The focus is on The focus is on servingserving not being not being servedserved

As each has received a gift, use it to serve As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another,one another, (v.10) (v.10)

• Each person is Each person is giftedgifted for for serviceservice. .


• Each person is Each person is accountableaccountable

As each has received a gift, use it to serve As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, one another, as good stewards of God's as good stewards of God's varied grace:varied grace: (v.10) (v.10)

Jesus-centered living isJesus-centered living is focusedfocused on on others others

Jesus-centered living isJesus-centered living is focusedfocused on on others others

whoever speakswhoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles , as one who speaks oracles of God; of God; whoever serveswhoever serves, as one who serves , as one who serves by the strength that God supplies (v.11)by the strength that God supplies (v.11)

Jesus-centered living makes Jesus-centered living makes GodGod famousfamous

in order that in everything God may be in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (vv.11c-11d)ever. Amen. (vv.11c-11d)

Bottom Line:Bottom Line:

• Christian service must be humble and yet Christian service must be humble and yet aggressive – performed in full dependence aggressive – performed in full dependence on God!on God!

If you haven’t started living If you haven’t started living Jesus-centeredJesus-centered

• Prepare for the Prepare for the emergencyemergency!!

If you haven’t started living If you haven’t started living Jesus-centeredJesus-centered

If you are trying to live a Jesus-If you are trying to live a Jesus-centered lifecentered life

• UpUp – living in good relationships with – living in good relationships with GodGod


• UpUp – living in good relationships with – living in good relationships with GodGod• In – In – living in good relationships with living in good relationships with mymy

churchchurch


• UpUp – living in good relationships with – living in good relationships with GodGod• In – In – living in good relationships with living in good relationships with mymy

churchchurch • Out – Out – living with compassion toward the living with compassion toward the

notnot yetyet believers believers

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A Field Manual for Warriors in a Hostile Land Part 15: The Goal for Christian Suffering? 1 Peter 4:7-11