As we approach this time of year we are called to look around at what we are thankful for, and that looks very different for each one of us, and it also looks different to the worldly and to the Christian. the world looks at what worldly things they have, the Christian at what god has given them, ultimately Christ. No matter the size of your bank account or the size of your house if you have Christ you are rich far beyond anything in this world. But what are we doing with those riches. Are we thankful for them, are we being good stewards of what God has given us, or are we being hoarders of our riches. Tonight we are going to be looking at 1 Peter 4:7-11, lets see what God has to teach us through Peter.

1 Peter 4:7–9 ESV

7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.

1 Peter 4:10–11 ESV

10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Good Stewards

1 Peter 4:7 ESV

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

Peter continues to point our that the end is near, and we are called to live in anticipation and a confidence of Christ’s return. Since the Resurrection of Jesus we have been living in the end times. So, for Peter and for us the end is near, whether that is, that we draw our last breath or that our Lord returns we should be living our lives like the end is near, with a sense of urgency, busy about the work that God has called us to all to. Peter tells us a few things to do since the end is near. Peter was certain of Christ’s return as should we. he starts us off with being “self-controlled” and “sober minded”. The end being near causes some people to in a sense lose their minds, they become frantic, or obsessed with when the end is coming, they have gotten off balance, and lost sight of what the end being near should cause. These two phrases “self-controlled” and “sober minded” go hand in hand. The believer should think sensibly about the breavaty of life, in this world and use this sensible thinking in their prayers asking God to move and act in the time that remains.

1 Peter 4:8 ESV

8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

Love is central in the life of the believer. And Peter calls us to love earnestly, our love is to be sincere, genuine. As God’s children we are to love one another earnestly. Its about loving god and loving others. Why do we love others—because love covers a multitude of sin—now lets be very clear Christ’s blood is the only way sins are covered. So, what does Peter mean. Our love for one another allows us to not give way to sin. It helps us not to gossip, to not carry accounts on people. Time is short there for we should not hold grudges, and carry malice towards others. One commentator puts it this way “Love takes the oxygen out of sin”. Candle illustration. Love will not allow sin to continue to spread. (gossip).

1 Peter 4:9 ESV

9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.

The next thing Peter gives for us to do is to “show hospitality to one another”. Hospitality as defined by the Lexham Theological Workbook “is a practical kindness paid especially to strangers, often in the sharing of food and drink, lodging and provisions. The quality of being hospitable and its practices are enjoined of all Christians”. now this is to be done among those of the church as well as those outside of the church. Our Christian love should not only be fervent and forgiving, but practical as well, and that is where hospitality comes in. taking what we have so graciously been provided and sharing it with others. this is to be done with out “grumbling”. When love is the motivation it does not leave room for grumbling. We share with others because we have been given so much by our Lord and Savior. hospitality was especially important for those living in the 1st century. The availability of Hotels and Motels were not very common and poor Christians traveling could not afford them anyways. They relied on the hospitality of others. Hospitality has become quite scarce in our world today, but it is something that believers should always show—shown out of love not obligation, without grumbling— In our world today people are always coming and going, and this causes many people to pull back, and stay to themselves. After all why invest in someone that is only around for a short time. Well we should practice hospitality because we are God’s children and God’s grace overflows the threshold of our homes.

1 Peter 4:10–11 ESV

10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Peter now instructs us to use what God has given us to serve others. in verse 10 we see we are to take what has been given to us as a gift, and God has given us all something we ca use in service to others and the Kingdom. we are to be good stewards of God’s gracious gifts. What is a “good steward”—the broad definition is someone who manages something entrusted to their care in a careful and responsible way. A good steward uses the gifts God has given them to serve others and enrich their relationship with God, they are trustworthy, diligent and prayerful—. We are to take the gifts God has entrusted us with and use them to serve others, bringing honor and glory to Him, using them to do the work of the kingdom. Peter says of "God’s varied grace” we are not all given the same gifts, they are different, but all work together for the good of the Kingdom. Now Peter does not give an extensive or exhaustive list, but a list that covers a broad range of things, speaking and service. “the one who speaks” those ho speak and teach are to speak as one who speaks the very “oracles of God”. Our speaking and teaching must come from Him and must be Christ focused. We are not fit for speaking and teaching it is but by the grace of God our words become His, for the Holy Spirit is the one speaking.

Now to the one who serves, this groups would also include the one who speaks. The servants are the ones who have given themselves to the running of the home. Working diligently to ensure all things are being accomplished. Those of us who are serving Christ in His kingdom. How do we do this, it is through God’s strength so that He and He alone is the one glorified through our service. We are good stewards of what we have been given so that God is glorified through our speech and our service.

Good Stewards

Now you may be asking yourself what does this have to do with Thanksgiving. Well Thanksgiving is a time we are thankful for what we have been blessed with, our “gifts”. but I want us to be more than just thankful, i want to take what we have been given and bless others. We have been given so much and should be being that good neighbor. I think one of the ways we can show God our thankfulness is to bring honor and glory to Him through being good stewards of our gifts of varied grace.