Practicing what we believe - Grace and togetherness

Next week Gift Maseko will be with us

We say that “We are a family of Christ followers, loving God, loving people and loving the world.”

If that’s what we are and what we are aiming to be, it’s not something that comes from a void but rather a place where we are living out our identity and beliefs.

That’s why the Gospel and sound doctrine are important for us because that informs our worship. That’s why mission is important.

2 things I want you to hear today.

i. We are doing this together

ii. Grace is to be evident

1 Peter 4:7–11 CSB

7 The end of all things is near; therefore, be alert and sober-minded for prayer. 8 Above all, maintain constant love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Be hospitable to one another without complaining. 10 Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let it be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, let it be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

We’re only that by God’s grace to us!

1. Understand and embrace the times

1 Peter 4:7 CSB

7 The end of all things is near; therefore, be alert and sober-minded for prayer.

He’s is writing this to believers who are in exile because of persecution. Life was tough. Many had to leave home and family, and even face the possibility of death.

But he’s calling them to live! Live well until the end!

Suffering now reminded him of the things that would come.  He looked forward to a time when all things will be brought under submission to Christ, to the time when there will be not more crying and pain, when the old order of things will pass away and all things will be made new.

He wanted to remind them that they were people of hope!

The fact of the matter is that we have the 100% assurance that Jesus is coming again.

So, there’s an urgency in his speaking. We’re not to embrace a peace time mentality.

When we face challenges in life, we often forget God’s sovereign working and that God has called us to stand out from the world, and shine light like stars in the world (Phil 2:15). What do we often think when life is tough? God must be angry with me. God must not love me. That’s not true!

1.1. Live well NOW

Because of the times we are in, we are called to be alert and sober-minded. Grounded in the Gospel!

In other words, don’t let anything cloud your mind, your judgement or the truth of the hope in you - Christ in you IS the hope of glory! Don’t loose sight of who you are and what is yours as believers in Jesus.

Watch what informs what you believe and how you lives that out. The two are actually linked together, because your actions reflect what you are believing. 

We meditate on a lot of things, worry is wrong meditation. Hatred, coveting, envy, lusting, bitterness etc., is wrong meditation. The Bible encourages us to meditate on God’s word because God’s Word puts our minds on God.  The Psalmist says, “I hide God’s word in my heart that I might not sin against You.”

Peter says the same thing in the next chapter.

1 Peter 5:8 CSB

8 Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.

1.1.1. Because you have an enemy

Don’t miss this. The world, the flesh and the devil are teaming up to make you thgink self-righteoussly and independent of God! RESIST!

1.1.2. Because the days are evil

Ephesians 5:16 CSB

16 making the most of the time, because the days are evil.

1.2. Hold on to God

Find your strength in God. Go back to the great Shepherd of your soul.

We do this FOR prayer. We won’t pray as we should until we understand the days we are in and the dangers for us. You know it’s truye that we don’t pray as we should until we are desperate for God to break through.

2. Love one another

2.1. Let love be a priority

“Above all…”  In other words, most important in our lives should be love. This surely means that we are not going to be all that effective in our Christian life and witness unless this important ingredient is evident.

We love because we have been loved. We are being called as a church to love like Jesus!

2.2. Let love be constant

Because you have been loved!

Ephesians 5:1–2 CSB

1 Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children, 2 and walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.

At the end of a long letter, C. S. Lewis wrote the following:

"When I have learnt to love God better than my earthly dearest, I shall love my earthly dearest better than I do now. Insofar as I learn to love my earthly dearest at the expense of God and instead of God, I shall be moving toward the state in which I shall not love my earthly dearest at all. When first things are put first, second things are not suppressed but increased."

2.2. Let love be manifest

He states why we are to love each other – “love covers a multitude of sins.”  This is the reality of this Christian love.

Proverbs 10:12 CSB

12 Hatred stirs up conflicts, but love covers all offenses.

There is a readiness to drop and overlook offences for the sake of others and the glory of God. But where love is lacking then every word is viewed with suspicion, every action is open to misunderstanding, and every action is matched with mistrust!

Understand this, love doesn’t condone sin, it covers it. 

The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament 2572. καλύπτω kalúptō

To envelop, wrap around as bark, skin, shell or plaster, to cover over.

Marriage s meant to be the picture of this but when it doesn’t work there are we surprise that we hold on to offense in the church?

3. Let love flow into action

3.1. Be hospitable

Constant love is seeking the good of others in it is practical love. I am not sure how willing most of us to show our Christian love. How willing are we to share our homes with others?

He also challenges our attitudes in doing this – without complaining.  Do it cheerfully!

This has got to be more than duty, but a response to God’s unfailing love to us.  Remember this, Abraham was hospitable to three strangers and ended up discovering that he had entertained the Lord and two angels.  Hebrews says, “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.” 

This is a Gospel expression as we see God showed hospitality to us.

3.2. Use your gifts

Spiritual gifts

Material gifts

Developed skills

Life

They are all grace.

3.2.1. To serve others

It’s not about being self-serving. It’s considering the good of those around you. Many choose to only serve when it fits their agenda. Serving from a place of love for others changes that because it places to good of the church others ahead of ourselves.

2.3.2. As a good steward

The implication is that we will give an account. Many will do things that they believe is for their good, to cultivate their worth, but what is needed now for the good of others?

3.3. Use your speech

Speak as one who speaks God’s Words

Let your words be seasoned with grace. Let them build up rather than break down.

3.4. Use your service

As you do serve, in whatever capacity God has called you to serve, don’t do it according to your own energy and to draw attention to yourself. Do it in the strength God supplies and as an active expression of love. 

4. So that God will be glorified!

1 Peter 4:11 CSB

...so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

What adjustments do you need to make to align your heart and affections for God’s glory?

In what ways is your love for the church lacking?

In what areas do you need to repent?