Serving Together

What is something you have done recently with the following justification: “It doesn’t really matter that much, and besides, no one cares”? (For example: eat an unhealthy food, binge a questionable Netflix show, talk negatively about one friend to another friend, etc.)

On the other hand, when has a “small task” you’ve done over a long period of time made a positive impact?

Many of the small things we do and don’t do in our lives can actually end up having larger consequences if we allow them to consistently build.

The little white lies we tell that are continually told over the course of time could have a very negative effect on our reputation.

The little things we do to encourage other people could have a positive effect on our rep as well. All of things can add up to do good or harm.

We are followers of Christ are called to serve others.

We should desire to not only serve the people within our church membership, we should also desire to serve people within our community as well.

Followers of Jesus have been created and gifted for ministry that will build up the body of Christ and take the Gospel to Parkersburg and beyond.

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.

When we hear about end times, there are a lot of things which go through our minds. There are so many different interpretations of what is going to take place. However, right now, we need to set those aside and just focus on what Peter is trying to say here.

What did Peter tell his readers to do during this time of waiting?

We should be sober-minded, self-controlled, and self-sacrificing. We know we will one day be welcomed home for the place we will spend eternity.

If you knew for certain that the world would end next week, how would that affect the way you approach your life and relationships?

Knowing these things we talked about in the previous question and answers, we should look forward to the grace God is going to grant to us one day.

Peter wanted his readers to focus on others.

He wanted them to examine themselves and see where they were coming up short.

The inner condition is the foundation for outward good works.

Why does it matter that our service be preceded by a right heart?

We should be striving to become more and more like Jesus as we await His return.

This involves an inward and outward transformation.

Think about the time Jesus spent here on earth. Who was He the most critical of?

He was the most critical of those who wanted their outward works to be noticed. These people would be the ones who would help the old lady across the street and make sure all saw what they were doing. The would be the ones who made sure when they were putting their offering in the plate that it would make noise for all to hear. They would do good deeds to make sure everyone would recognize them for what they were doing.

These were people who excelled at outward forms of devotion, but were spiritually bankrupt on the inside.

Matthew 23:27 ESV

27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness.

There were the religious leaders of the time Jesus was talking about.

We need to look at our motives on why we do things.

Is it for our glory? Is it to truly help someone? In the end, am I seeking gratification for people seeing what I did? Honestly, take a look in the mirror and see what you come up with. There may be some of us who need to take a back seat for a little while and allow God to soften our hearts to the ministry He has in store for us to do. We can only do this if our motives are right.

1 Peter 4:8–11 ESV

8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 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.

How did Peter tell his readers to relate to one another?

What can we learn from Peter’s wording, “keep loving one another earnestly”?

These folks were already loving each other. They were doing well. However, Peter wanted them to stretch this even further. He used the word agape here. This is the type of love that is unconditional. It is the same type of love our God has for us. He wanted them to love each other earnestly.

In what ways were the believers supposed to serve one another?

The fact we all have been given spiritual gifts means that we are all to take part in edifying the body of believers. We are all to have a part in it. We aren’t supposed to hoard them. We aren’t supposed to celebrate one gift over the other. Each is important to building up the church. We are to use our talents and invest them in the church. Think of the parable of the talents. The people who invested them were rewarded. The one who hoarded his was punished for what he did and his attitude. We should use what God has blessed us with to help build and strengthen His church.

By what strength should the believer serve?

Why is it important to keep this truth in mind?

We are servant leaders by the grace God provides.

Think about what all we owe to God. While there are things we have to do in order to accept the gift of salvation, it is God who will complete the work. There is nothing that we can do of ourselves to complete this work. If you remember what Jesus shared with the disciples and the way our attitude should be towards serving others, we should put others before ourselves. Jesus did one of the lowest jobs a servant could have when he washed the feet of the disciples. If Jesus did this, how should we see ourselves when it come to serving others?

When we serve others in this light, it allows for the glory to go to God instead of ourselves. When we get ourselves out of the way, and allow God to use us, He is the one who not only receives credit, but is glorified through it. He is the one who has brought this servant attitude towards us. When we have the inner transformation He can create, the outward works are put on a whole new lever when it comes to serving others.

1 Peter 4:13–18 ESV

13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”

Why might Peter discuss servanthood (vv. 7-11) and persecution (vv. 1-6,12-18) together?

1 Peter 4:19 ESV

19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

According to verse 19, what effect should suffering as God’s servants have on us?

This suffering we are going through isn’t something which is created by sin we may have done. It’s there because of the relationship we have with God. It is because we are Christians.

How should we react?

We should realize there is no suffering we are going to face or go through that Jesus didn’t go through himself. We need to realize when we are suffering hardship, our Savior relates to what we are going through.

Instead of letting suffering stop you in your tracks, allow suffering to lead you to greater levels of trust and faith in Christ.

How you live matters!

Some questions for you to think about tonight:

Is it burdensome for you to give of your time, money, or energy to help build up the body of Christ, or is it a joy? Explain.

Do you know the talents and spiritual gifts that God has given you in order to use them for the building up of His church? If you don’t know, how can you find out?

Are you using your spiritual gifts and personal abilities to serve on a ministry team? If yes, how so? If not, why not?