About

Call to worship: Psalm 16

Text: 1 Peter 4:7-11

Sermon Outline:

1. God's historical reality: the imminent end of all things, 4:7a.
2. Our practical response: for God's eternal glory in everything, 4:7b-11c.

   How the church is to live as heirs of grace on the edge of eternity:

   • Live to pray, 4:7b.
   • Pray to love, 4:8.
   • Love to serve, 4:9.
   • Serve to glorify God, 4:10-11c.
   • Our practical response then goes through 4:11c.
3. Peter’s doxological reaffirmation, 4:11d.

Prepare

Questions:

1. Read 1 Peter 4:7-11. It is an immensely practical and convicting text on the church as God's alternate society amid this passing, evil world. How shall we show it? How now shall we live?
2. In 1 Peter 4:7a, what is at hand? What does Peter mean by 'the end'? By 'all things'? Have you connected Christianity and the Gospel to all things? Have you identified it as a holistic worldview?
3. In 1 Peter 4:7b, Peter offers the first thing that should characterize a church that lives in light of eternity. What is it? Do we live our lives, order our days to pray? What would it mean about us if prayer is not our way from day to day?
4. In 1 Peter 4:8-9, Peter offers the second and third things that should characterize a church that lives in light of eternity. They are related. What are they? How does love 'cover' a multitude of sins? Why does Peter put this 'above all'? How does hospitality relate to love? If we aren't hospitable to one another, are we loving in Peter's mind? Do you show hospitality? When did you last 'serve tables' in your home? Do you mark out our members for regular invitations? Do you do this 'without grumbling'?
5. In 1 Peter 4:10-11, Peter offers the fourth thing that should characterize a church that lives in light of eternity. What is it? Does every Christian have a gift? What should every member do with it? Do you have an area of service in our church? Are you being a good steward of God's grace to you? Can you be that without serving the church? What happens if you're a poor steward (Mt 25.28)? Peter breaks serving into two broad categories: how does he charge those who speak? How does he qualify the service of those who otherwise serve? How does this all bring the glory to God and to Christ? Are we a church marked by the practices that God prioritizes? Where can we grow to show more of the victory of Christ, the power of grace, and the hope of glory in us?