Praying & Serving for God’s Glory

Introduction

We continue our journey through Peter's first letter addressed to believers who have been exiled throughout Asia Minor.

They are living within cultures that neither share nor welcome their faith and throughout this series we have been asking one central question, which is pertinent to how we navigate our culture today:

What does it look like to worship God while living as exiles in a hostile world?

Peter, very much so like Paul, when we studied Romans 12, has shown us that worship is much more than singing songs on Sunday morning. Worship is seen in every area of life.

It is expressed in our holiness, our relationships, our submission to authority, our conduct, and suffering, our marriages and even in the way we respond when we are treated unjustly.

Last week Peter reminded us that Christ suffered once for sin, conquered death, and now reigns victorious at the Father's right hand because Christ has already won the victory.

We do not suffer as people who have no hope. Our confidence is anchored in Him. Now Peter turns his attention to answering another important question:

If Christ has won the victory, how then should we live while we wait for his return?

In our culture, waiting is a passive ideology. It assumes inactivity but waiting for Christ is not to be viewed that way. Peter presents a different picture where the Christian life is not to be marked by passive waiting but by active worship.

Peter calls believers to pursue God's will. Rather than becoming distracted by the culture, believers are to become devoted to prayer.

Rather than becoming consumed with themselves, they are to love one another deeply and faithfully serve one another with the gifts that God has given them.

Peter is not about to merely give us a list of Christian activities. He will show us what a church looks like when it truly believes that Christ could return at any time.

A church that lives with eternity in view becomes a praying church, a loving church, a serving church. That is the kind of worship Peter wants us to embrace.

A kind of worship that goes beyond our lips, beyond our lifted hands. Worship that fills our calendars with worshipful priorities. Worship that shapes our relationships and directs the use of our gifts

So as we come to 1st Peter 4:1 through 11, Peter reminds us that worship is seen in fervent prayer and faithful service for God's glory.

I. Worship by Living for God’s Will (vv. 1-3)

1 Peter 4:1 LSB

1 Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose—because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin—

Peter says "therefore" so he's connecting his previous thought concerning Christ's sacrifice, His once-for-all death on the cross, with what he's about to say.

Since Christ has suffered in the flesh, believers are to have the same purpose or mindset that Christ had. What was Christ's mindset? He willingly embraced suffering in obedience to the Father's will rather than yielding to sin. Peter tells us to arm ourselves with that same resolve.

You should suffer in the flesh. What kind of suffering? The kind of suffering that is caused because you are continually telling your flesh, "No, you cannot, no, you will not." It is a refusal to continue doing that which sentenced Christ to die.

We all bask in the precious grace afforded to us by God through the sacrifice of His Son. How much do you value that grace? Paul asks a very poignant question:

Romans 6:1–2 LSB

1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? 2 May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?

Every parent in this room has experienced cleaning your house thoroughly and your children coming in, enjoying the cleanliness of your house while creating new messes in every room they walk in. The ingratitude and betrayal is a slap in the face.

Likewise, sin is the enemy of God. If it took the life of his Son to conquer that enemy so that we should live, how can we align ourselves with the very thing that cost him his life? We are to die to sin,

1 Peter 4:2 LSB

2 so as to no longer live the rest of the time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.

The goal of the Christian life is to live increasingly free from sin’s rule. We are to live the remainder of our lives on earth pursuing the holy will of God rather than the ungodliness that comes from the lust of the flesh that manifests itself in a myriad of ways. Peter maintains,

1 Peter 4:3 LSB

3 For the time already past is sufficient for you to have worked out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.

Peter exhorts his readers to live for the present in God’s will because the old habits must be a thing of the past. With blunt language Peter stresses that there must be a definite break from what pagans choose to do.

You already have already wasted years in all kinds of sins. Years coveting things that don’t belong to you, years of Intoxicating yourself with mind-altering substances.

Years of undressing people with your eyes, years of gossiping, cheating, lying, and placing things and people before God.

The apostle is plainly saying, "Enough is enough. Been there, done that. It's done." Paul cries out the same thing when he says,

1 Corinthians 6:9–11 LSB

9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such WERE some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.

Peter is saying, "You have engaged in these things long enough." Though you have indulged in such sins before salvation, you must leave these behind. These things no longer profit you. They create undue guilt in your mind.

“Sin in the believer is a burden which afflicts him rather than a pleasure which delights him.”

–John MacArthur

Now we pursue God's will. There must now be a new direction, a new directive in our lives. What is it that God wants? That is what I must incline my heart to. Because that is true worship.

Peter is not saying Christians become sinless. He is saying there has been a decisive change in allegiance. Sin is no longer our master. Do not make peace with it. We would rather suffer than knowingly dishonor Christ.

II. Worship with Eternal Perspective (vv. 4-6)

1 Peter 4:4 LSB

4 In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, maligning you,

This has to do with previous friendships. People with whom you shared wrongdoing. These people are surprised, offended, and resentful because you are starting to lack interest in ungodly pleasures.

You have stopped laughing at the crude jokes. You have stopped participating in conversations that tear people down. You no longer enjoy getting drunk.You stop watching what everyone else watches.

You are beginning to guard your speech, thoughts, your relationships and suddenly people who once welcomed your company begin asking what happened to you?

They are offended because in their vernacular you are seeing yourself as better than them. Of course that's not the case. Your change of life is exposing them. Light doesn't have to say anything to expose darkness.

You are lacking interest in the things that you use to do in the past but they so closely identify with those things that as far as they are concerned you are lacking interest in them. Jesus spoke of this:

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you…because you are not of the world, therefore the world hates you.” (John 15:18-19)

Ultimately this is not about you. It is about Christ. When you identify with Christ, you inevitably separate yourself from the values of the world.

That word dissipation refers to the state of evil in which a person thinks about nothing else but evil. The picture here is of a large crowd running together in a mad wild race pursuing sin.

Turning around and going in the opposite direction in the midst of that crowd is inconvenient and disturbing to the crowd because you are blocking the flow. So they revile you and they slander you. Peter says,

1 Peter 4:5 LSB

5 but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

People who have spent their lives in indulgence and idolatry will someday give an account. They will face the one who is ready to judge. No one will escape this final judgment.

There is a day in which Christ will judge both the living and the dead. Every careless word, secret thought, or hidden motive. Nothing shall escape his perfect justice.

Honestly this should produce compassion within you. The very people who ridicule your faith today are marching toward a holy judge.

That reality should move us to pray for them and proclaim the gospel to them while there is still time. Peter concludes this thought by saying,

1 Peter 4:6 LSB

6 For to this the gospel has been proclaimed even to those who are now dead, so that though they were judged in the flesh as men, they live in the spirit according to the will of God.

This verse has generated much discussion over the centuries. Peter is not saying that the gospel is preached to people after they die. Scripture consistently teaches that the opportunity to respond to Christ belongs to this life.

Instead Peter is referring to believers who heard the gospel while they were alive but have since died. From the world's perspective they lost. Some suffered, some were executed. Some died under persecution.

Their bodies experienced the same physical death as everyone else but death was not the end of their story, For they now live according to God in the Spirit.

In other words the world judges them as failures but God declares them victorious, which is why Christians can endure ridicule, rejection, and even death without losing hope. Our victory is not determined by this world.

Romans 8:18 LSB

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

This is the eternal perspective Peter wants believers to embrace. If all we see is this life, suffering will discourage us. If all we hear are the voices of our critics, we will be tempted to compromise.

But when we remember that Christ is judge, eternity is certain and our future is secure, we find the courage to remain faithful.

The world has two responses to all of this: surprise and slander. But God also has two responses: judgment of unbelievers and vindication of believers.

The world may misunderstand your worship, ridicule your obedience, or even condemn your faith but one day every voice will be silenced before the throne of Christ.

Therefore his point is, worship God now by living with eternity in view rather than seeking the approval of a world that is passing away.

III. Worship Through Fervent Prayer and Genuine Love (vv. 7-9)

1 Peter 4:7 LSB

7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be of sound thinking and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.

After reminding believers that even death cannot rob them of the hope of the gospel, Peter points them to the certainty that God's redemptive plan is moving toward its consummation.

The return of Christ and the completion of God's purposes are drawing near. This is what he means by the end of all things. This Greek word, “telos” Rarely means chronological end in the New Testament.

Instead this word means consummation or a goal achieved, a result attained, or a realization. He is calling believers to live obediently and expectantly in the light of Christ's return.

And he exhorts believers to be of “sound thinking and sober spirit.” Which implies not to be swept away by emotions. In other words they are not to be ruled by fear, panic, anger, and such, thus maintaining a proper eternal perspective on life.

So we are to be clear-minded, self-controlled, sober so that we are able to pray. A distracted, panicked, or emotionally uncontrolled believer will struggle to pray rightly.

A sober mind allows us to bring our fears, needs, and burdens before God with confidence and perseverance. Paul says,

Ephesians 6:18 LSB

18 praying at all times with all prayer and petition in the Spirit, and to this end, being on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,

You have to be clear-minded in order to achieve this. And then he says,

1 Peter 4:8–9 LSB

8 Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.

Being fervent comes from the Greek ektenē which means stretched or strained. It was used to describe the taut muscles of an anthlete who strains to win a race. Biblical love is not effortless. It is intentional, disciplined, and often costly.

A Christian’s unselfish love and concern for others should be exercised to the point of sacrificially giving for the welfare of others. This kind of strenuously maintain love is not blind.

But it does not keep a record of wrong. It is eager to forgive because it has first been forgiven.

Proverbs 10:12 LSB

12 Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all transgressions.

Christian love may be displayed through extending food and lodging, offering hospitality. And this is not limited to when it's just convenient.

Hospitality is more than entertaining guests. It is opening our homes, our schedules, our resources, and our lives for the good of God's people.

Peter says to do this without grumbling. Love that complains is no longer serving others; it's serving itself.

IV. Worship by Faithfully Serving One Another for God’s glory (vv. 10-11)

Peter has called believers to pray. He has called them to love one another fervently. Now he tells us what that love looks like in action.

1 Peter 4:10–11 LSB

10 As each one has received a gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God— 11 whoever speaks, as one speaking the oracles of God; whoever serves, as one serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and might forever and ever. Amen.

Notice that Peter says, “As each one has received a gift…” This is not just some believers, pastors only, or elders only. This is not directed at those with outgoing personalities. This is each and every one.

Every believer has at least one spiritual gift from God. Paul makes the same point:

1 Corinthians 12:7 LSB

7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for what is profitable.

God has not called anyone into his church merely to be a spectator. Every Christian has been gifted in some manner or another and every Christian has been called.

Every one of us has been entrusted with something that benefits all of us. Peter says we are to employ those gifts. That word "employ" carries the idea of putting something into active use.

A screwdriver sitting in a toolbox accomplishes nothing. A saxophone that sits in its case produces no music. Likewise a spiritual gift that is never exercised benefits no one.

And I want you to notice the purpose of this gift. It has nothing to do with personal fulfillment or aggrandizement. The purpose is that of serving one another.

The purpose of spiritual gifts is never self-promotion. It is mutual edification. We are to be good stewards of the manifold grace of God. A steward does not own the master's possession. He manages them.

This means that your abilities, your opportunities, your resources, your experiences, and The gifts God has given you (none of it ultimately belongs to you. It has been entrusted to you.)

One day the master will ask you, "What did you do with that which I gave you?" Peter describes God's grace as manifold grace. That word literally means many-colored or varied.

Think of a diamond. As light strikes it from different angles, different colors are displayed and Grace is kind of like that.

Sometimes His grace teaches, other times it encourages, sometimes it comforts and other times it corrects, and there are times when it serves quietly behind the scenes.

Every believer reflects another beautiful facet of God's grace. That is why every member of the church matters. When one member refuses to serve, the church misses one display of God's grace.

Now Peter gives two broad categories of gifts. Let's read it:

1 Peter 4:11 LSB

11 whoever speaks, as one speaking the oracles of God; whoever serves, as one serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and might forever and ever. Amen.

So what does he mean by "whoever speaks"? Well some believers teach, preach, encourage, counsel, disciple, or lead Bible studies. If God has entrusted you with speaking His word, Peter says,

“Speak as one speaking the utterances of God.”

Meaning you are to handle the Word of God with reverence, accuracy, humility, and faithfulness. But then he says, "Whoever serves" Many ministries never stand behind a pulpit. These are the ministries that really keep a church going.

Everything from preparing meals, welcoming guests, cleaning the building, running sound, working with children, visiting the sick, giving generously, showing hospitality, encouraging the discouraged, to praying faithfully for others. And the list goes on

Peter says,

"Serve by the strength that God supplies."

God never asked you to serve him Out of your own strength. He supplies what he commands. Isaiah reminds us.

“Yet those who hope in Yahweh will gain new power…” (Isaiah 40:31)

Paul testifies,

“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

God does not call the self-sufficient; he strengthens the dependent. All of this is done that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.

All that we do, the praying, the pursuing holiness, the loving, the serving, all of it is not for people to notice us or so that we can win the applause of men. It is so that God, who has transformed us, receives the glory.

That is the great danger of ministry. It is possible to use God-given gifts to draw attention to ourselves. A gifted preacher can crave applause. The gifted musician/singer can pursue recognition.

A generous giver can desire admiration. The faithful servant can quietly hope someone notices. Even the person serving behind the scenes can quietly become proud that no one notices how much they do.

Because pride doesn't only exist on the platform, it also exists in obscurity. But Peter reminds us that every gift has one destination and that is the glory of God because these gifts are not yours. You're just a manager.

John 3:30 LSB

30 “He must increase, but I must decrease.

This ought to become the heartbeat of all of us. As exiles living in a world that often misunderstands our faith, our greatest ambition should never be comfort, popularity, or recognition. It should be the glory of God.

Do you see where Peter has taken us? He began by calling us to die to sin. Then he lifted our eyes to eternity. Then he brought us into the life of the church through prayer, love, and service. And where does it all end?

Not with us—but with the glory of God. That is the ultimate purpose of every aspect of the Christian life.