The Church that Glorifies God

In his book Dangerous Calling, Paul David Tripp, a pastor, writes:

You could argue that every worship service is little more than a glory war. The great question of the gathering is, will the hearts of this group of people be captured by the one glory that is truly glorious or by the shadow glories of the created world?

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I know that this is a battle. I am speaking to people whose hearts are fickle and easily distracted. I know I am talking to people who are seduced by other glories. I know I am talking to people who live in the light of God’s glory every day and yet are capable of being functionally blind to its splendor.

I know I am addressing the single lady who has set her heart on the affection of a certain young man whom she thinks will deliver to her the happiness she has been craving. Sitting before me is the teenager who can’t think beyond the glories of Facebook, Twitter, and the Portal2 video game. In the congregation is the middle-aged man whose heart is captured by the glory of somehow, someway recapturing his youth. A wife is sitting there wondering if she will ever experience the glory of the kind of marriage that she dreamed about, the kind she knows others have. A man sits in the crowd knowing that he feeds his soul almost daily on the dark and distorted glories of pornography and has become a master at shifting spiritual gears. Some listening are more excited about a new outfit, new home, new car, new shotgun, newly sodded lawn, the opening of a new restaurant, a new vacation site, or that new promotion than they are about the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Of those who have gathered for worship, there are those distracted by grief, anger, discouragement, loneliness, envy, frustration, despair, or hopelessness, because the glories that they have looked to for their meaning, purpose, and inner happiness have failed them once again.

Tripp, P. D. (2012). Dangerous calling: confronting the unique challenges of pastoral ministry. Crossway.

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Last week, we looked at Acts 2, which describes the life of the early Church.

Acts 2:42–47 ESV

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

In this scripture, we see several key themes and characteristics that should be true of every local church. Last week, we talked about how the believers devoted themselves to God’s Word - the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship.

Today, we will focus on their practice of worship and the fellowship that the church enjoyed to see how we as a church can truly bring glory to God.

Acts 2:46 ESV

And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,

In doing this, we will look to Peter’s first epistle in which he gave very practical instructions to the churches who read his letter.

1 Peter 4:7–11 ESV

The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 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.

Scholars place the writing of 1 Peter before the Neronian persecution in Rome, probably about A.D. 62-63. It is believed that Peter wrote this letter from wrote.

He addressed believers in Asia Minor. Probably, the majority of those he wrote to were Gentiles, but there were probably a number of Jews also.

The theme of Peter's letter is this:

Those who persevere in faith while suffering persecution should be full of hope, for they will certainly enjoy end-time salvation since they are already enjoying God’s saving promises here and now through the death and resurrection of Christ.


Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (p. 2401). Crossway Bibles.

We are breaking in near the end of Peter's letter. He had spoken of their calling to be holy. He had given various instructions for how the people were to live for Christ in the midst of a wicked and hurtful world.

Now, Peter gives several specific exhortations about how the church was to live … in fellowship with each other. He began this instruction by saying, "The end of all things is at hand."

Some have taken sayings such as this to try to discredit scripture and those who wrote it. But the simple truth is that from the time of Jesus’ first coming to his return, biblically, is the "last days."

As someone has noted:

Explaining the miraculous descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, Peter made clear that “this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel: ‘And it shall be in the last days,’ God says, ‘That I will pour forth of My Spirit upon all mankind’ ” (Acts 2:16–17; cf. Joel 2:28, emphasis added).

The Messiah, Jesus Christ, initiated these last days, the continuation of which was attested by the descent of His Holy Spirit at Pentecost and the birth of the church.


MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1995). 2 Timothy (p. 107). Moody Press.

We are living in the last days, not because Christ is definitely going to return in the next couple years. Rather… even if Jesus were to delay his coming for another one hundred years, we would still be living in "the last days."

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In this context of living in the last days, when Christ's return is imminent but has not yet happened, Peter exhorted his readers (and us today) on four priorities of the church.

He then concluded this exhortations in verse 11 saying that we should do all these things in order that God might be glorified through His Son, Jesus Christ. We then find the main principle in our text:

Big Idea: The church that lives prepared for Christ's return glorifies God.

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We have heard for many years exhortations and warnings that Christ’s return is imminent, haven’t we?

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With the state of world affairs today, we wonder how long till Christ will return, don’t we?

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No, we don’t know how long it will be time Jesus does come. But, we can live with the assurance that our church gives God glory! How?

A church that lives prepared for Christ’s return (and thus honors God by its actions) will be noted for four things.

1. Focused Prayer, v. 7.

1 Peter 4:7 ESV

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

In the verses immediately preceding this, Peter contrasted the Christian way of life from that of worldly living. He wrote…

1 Peter 4:1–2 ESV

Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.

Peter then listed various characteristics of wicked, immoral living - sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.

The Christian has been called to leave such a lifestyle behind. Instead, we are called to live in control of ourselves and with a sound mind, so that our fellowship with God through prayer might not be obstructed.

The Greek word rendered as “self-controlled” by the ESV literally means to be sober. Peter exhorted the believers three times in this letter to be sober. Someone has explained…

Obviously this includes literal sobreity in contrast to drunkenness, but it also indicates the attitude of mind that is the opposite of drunken stupor or delusion.

Clowney, E. P. (1988). The message of 1 Peter: the way of the cross (p. 177). InterVarsity Press.

The word for “sound mind” has further been explained. It …

describes the practical wisdom that comes from the knowledge of the Lord. In Greek use the term was contrasted with mania; the demonized man healed by Jesus was found seated, clothed, and ‘in his right mind’. Preoccupation with the second coming, particularly by those who have set a date for it, has often led to hysteria rather than sober wisdom. ‘Faced by the imminent end of all things the community must not give way to eschatological frenzy. In such excess it would fall victim precisely to this world.’

Clowney, E. P. (1988). The message of 1 Peter: the way of the cross (pp. 177–178). InterVarsity Press.

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It almost seems like Peter was warning against two extremes here: an attitude and mindset that is unaware of the wickedness and downward pull of the world on the one hand and a paranoia that results in an unhealthy fear of the world on the other hand.

Instead of being deadened to reality or crazed by fear, we instead should be focused on living a holy life and thus pray deliberately, passionately, importunately, seeking God’s direction for our church and our lives.

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Do you wonder if Peter, as he wrote these words, remembered that awful night in the Garden of Gethsemane? Could he still see Jesus’ pleading eyes asking his disciples to stay awake and pray with him?

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Could Peter still feel the exhaustion he felt that night when he slept for sorrow? Did he remember how he woke with shock as Jesus shook him, saying that his betrayer had arrived?

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The challenge for us today is the same as it was for Peter on that night long ago. We must stay awake, alert, not burdened by sorrow or paranoia, but focused as we commune with God.

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A church that lives prepared for Christ’s return (and thus honors God by its actions) will be noted not merely for focused prayer but also…

2. Forgiving Love, v. 8.

1 Peter 4:8 ESV

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

Again, we must wonder if Peter, as he wrote these words, recalled various experiences that he and the other disciples had as they followed Jesus.

Did he remember asking Jesus how many times he had to feel obligated to forgive his brother? The commonly accepted Jewish standard was three times. Peter doubled that and added one extra for good measure.

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If he forgave his brother seven times for the same offense, was he good?

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Did he still remember the shock that swept over him as Jesus answered, “Seventy-seven times.” In other words, don’t even bother counting, just forgive.

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Maybe Peter then remembered that terrible night when Jesus was betrayed by Judas Iscariot. Peter had tried to resist. He struck at the high priest’s servant, yet his sword skills obviously needed work as he only sliced off the man’s ear.

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Then, the Master stunned Peter as he told him to stop, and proceeded to heal the man’s ear.

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In confusion and fear Peter fled with the rest of the disciples.

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But Peter did turn back after a few moments. At a safe distance he trailed the witch hunt party to the high priest’s residence. John was already there, and arranged for Peter’s entrance.

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But that was almost worse, as Peter was badgered by a servant girl who insisted he was one of Jesus’ disciples. Peter shrugged off her questions at first, but when she grew more insistent, he began to curse and flatly deny knowing Jesus.

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Then Jesus turned at looked Peter in the eye.

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Peter left to weep. The crucifixion and Jesus’ resurrection were like unreal dreams. Several days later, Peter was uneasy. He decided to go fishing. Some of the other disciples accompanied him, but fishing that night was fruitless.

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The next morning, there was a man standing on the shore who told them to cast the net on the right side. An impossible haul was caught, the disciples enjoyed breakfast with their Master, hardly daring to ask Jesus if it were him.

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Then Jesus asked Peter if he loved him… three times. Peter was hurt, but Jesus demonstrated his forgiveness by simply commissioning him again to do God’s work.

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Now, as Peter penned this letter, he remembered his Lord’s love and how it covered over his sin, wiping it out, making it as if it were nothing.

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And Peter wrote the first recipients (but also us today) this powerful principle: our passionate love has incredible power. Even though there may be many wrongs done, love can cover, can forgive, can erase the offense.

A church that lives prepared for Christ’s return (and thus honors God by its actions) will be noted not merely for focused prayer and forgiving love, but also her…

3. Full-hearted Hospitality, v. 9.

1 Peter 4:9 ESV

Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.

Hospitality throughout biblical times was highly valued and even a cultural expectation. We see an example of that when Lot welcomed in the angels when they visited Sodom and when the elderly man welcomed in the Levite and his concubine when they stopped in Gibeah during the times of the Judges.

Ancient travelers risked encountering bandits or pirates. … When problems arose, ancient travelers had limited or nonexistent support, as there were no regular police or emergency services.

Additionally, safe lodging was not always available, though inns and taverns could be found in more populated areas …. The limited support and lodging opportunities required travelers to be self-sufficient or to rely on the goodwill of local people.

This is one reason that hospitality was stressed so heavily in the biblical world.

Sullivan, K. P., & Ferris, P. W. (2016). Travel in Biblical Times. In J. D. Barry, D. Bomar, D. R. Brown, R. Klippenstein, D. Mangum, C. Sinclair Wolcott, L. Wentz, E. Ritzema, & W. Widder (Eds.), The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Lexham Press.

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Persecution, poverty, orphans, widows, and traveling Christians made hospitality essential in New Testament times. They had no hotels or motels, and the inns were notoriously evil. Often they were brothels, or places where travelers were robbed or beaten.

MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1995). 1 Timothy (p. 107). Moody Press.

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Today, most hotels and inns are safe - at least much safer than in biblical times. And, while in some places around the world Christians must flee persecution, we are not confronted so much by that need here in the United States today.

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To cheerfully share one’s home is different from social entertaining. Entertaining focuses on the host—the home must be spotless; the food must be well prepared and abundant; the host must appear relaxed and good-natured.

Sharing the home, in contrast, focuses on the guests. Their needs—whether for a place to stay, nourishing food, a listening ear, or acceptance—are the primary concern.

This can happen in a messy home. It can happen around a dinner table where the main dish is canned soup.

Believers should not hesitate to share with those who need a meal or a place to stay just because they are too busy or not wealthy enough to entertain.

Hospitality is a strong expression of love, which Peter already commanded the believers to show (4:8).

Barton, B., Comfort, P., Osborne, G., Taylor, L. K., & Veerman, D. (2001). Life Application New Testament Commentary (p. 1121). Tyndale.

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This principle of demonstrating full-hearted hospitality truly applies to us and our church today, as well as Peter’s time.

How we welcome visitors and guests into our fellowship can be a demonstration of love. Do people feel truly welcome in our fellowship?

Consider the general principle of hospitality.

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Do we welcome others into our “lives”?

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Do we truly accept people, even if the timing is inconvenient, our life seems messy, and getting involved with others may mean sacrificing time and energy we might rather spend elsewhere?

Beyond forgiving love, do we practice welcoming love?

A church that lives prepared for Christ’s return (and thus honors God by its actions) will be noted not merely for focused prayer, forgiving love and full-hearted hospitality, but also her…

4. Faithful Service, vv. 10-11.

1 Peter 4:10–11 ESV

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 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.

In Romans 12, Paul listed seven spiritual gifts. In 1 Corinthians 12, he listed nine. Here, Peter categorizes spiritual gifts into two buckets. It would seem from these different categorizations that the intent was not to list all the specific ways that God gifts us spiritually.

But a key principle and truth we find in our text here is this: every Christian has received a spiritual gift.

1 Peter 4:10 ESV

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:

Furthermore, we find a principle of stewardship. We are responsible to use the spiritual gifts God has given us for God’s glory.

We remember the two different parables Jesus told of a master or king entrusting his servants with money before he went on a long trip.

When the master or king returned, he called his servants to give an accounting of how they had invested and used his money to make more money and profit his business.

In the same way, we can come before God at the end of time, give an accounting of how we have used the spiritual gifts he has entrusted to us and the opportunities to serve and then we will hear, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Enter into the joys of the Lord.”

Again, Peter provides two categories of spiritual gifts: speaking and serving. Both are essential. There are who preach and teach God’s Word. There are those who demonstrate God’s love by helping others in many various practical ways.

But note how we are to use our spiritual gifts.

1 Peter 4:11 ESV

whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; …

In other words, we must recognize the responsibility we have to carefully transmit God’s Truth. We are not speaking on our own authority. We are not delivering what is merely our opinion.

Rather, we are to recognize that God wants to speak through us to change people’s lives for the better.

1 Peter 4:11 ESV

… whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies…

Again, we see our dependence and responsibility to God. We are not to serve, and should not serve, by our own strength and wisdom.

Rather, we seek God’s direction, God’s blessing, and God’s empowerment. Then, we serve for God’s glory.

Big Idea: The church that lives prepared for Christ's return glorifies God.

The church that glorifies God is noted by its focused prayer, forgiving love, full-hearted hospitality, and faithful service.

This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of how a church brings glory to God, but it is a standard that if we, as a local church, truly embrace, we will lift high the name of Jesus in a wicked, profane world.

We started this message with a quote from Paul David Tripp noting that every worship gathering is truly a glory war. We all face the temptation to glory in other people or things than God.

Our calling, as God’s people, is to leave the idols of this world and to seek God’s glory. We must not glory in self, in others, or in things. We are here for God’s glory.

So as we apply God’s Word to our lives, here is our challenge: seek God today to show you how to apply these four priorities of prayer, love, hospitality, and service in your life.

Is God calling you to a deeper prayer life?

Is God speaking to you about a person or a situation in which you need to forgive wrongs done?

Is God asking you to open up your heart and life to be generous, without seeking something in return, to those in need?

Is God asking you to become active in serving him in specific way?

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Are you living for God’s glory?