1 Peter 4:7-12 Called to Stewardship / Steward of our design

1 Peter overall message live for Christ in the midst of suffering.

Talked about difficult marriages / bosses / leaders / circumstances

So what should we do? In the face of trouble

Withdraw and self protect?

Live for Him / Care for those who bring trouble / Shine forth in the midst of trouble / allow the trouble to shape you into the image of Christ

You are what God has made. The circumstances continue to mold you into what He desires you to be.

Be good stewards of this creation that He has made and continues to make.

He has designed us as He has desired.

Eph 2:9 – doile work / handwork

(ESV) Ephesians 2 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship,created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

We are what He has made. We belong to Him.

Our responsibility as stewards is to use our design for His glory. To minister to others. To glory Him.

(ESV) 1 Peter 4 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:

I. Stewards of our design: In light of the time v. 7a

(ESV) 1 Peter 4 7 The end of all things is at hand; …

A. The end is close

Spacial in addition to time - Like a wall about to burst open – there but can’t see it

1. Reach out and touch it

2. Live with eternity in your reach

B. Time is short

Hourglass flowing to the end

1. Don’t have much time / uncertain when

2. No time to waste

C. Christ is coming

1. He is coming

2. Spend time not figuring it out but living in light of it

II. Stewards of our design: Time to get serious about important stuff

7 … therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.NKJV

A. Live with discipline v. 7b

(ESV) 1 Peter 4 7…therefore be self-controlledand sober-mindedfor the sake of your prayers.

Clear headed / under control --- focused

1. Live when its hard

2. Live intentionality

3. Live with purpose

4. Live with priorities

B. Live passionately focused on others v. 8

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

1. Focus on the difficult ones / everyone can love a friend or one of the click

2. Let that offense go

C. Live graciously reaching out v. 9

9 Show hospitalityto one another without grumbling.

1. Reaching out

2. Not under obligation but willingly

III. Stewards of our design: Use how God designed you

A. Everyone is gifted as a package v. 10a

(ESV) 1 Peter 4 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:

1. Every Christian

2. Uniquely crafted – God’s handiwork / varied grace --- an intricate rug / woven together to display the skill of the craftsman

Huntington Art Gallery - Malibu

Blueboy / Pinki / Rembrandt

Amazing photolike pictures of intricate detail – the skill of the masters

3. Designed as a package

a) Personality

(1) Outward person / Inward person

(2) Detailed & analytical / big picture

(3) Visionary / practical

b) Experiences

(1) Troubled times

(2) Health

(3) Relationships

c) Skills

(1) Teachers

(2) Craftsmen

(3) Workers

d) Spiritual giftedness

(1) Evangelists – Lost are moved to be saved

(2) Helpers – Take care of things

(3) Encouragers – Lift people’s spirits and cause them to serve God

(4) Mercy givers – Meet people’s needs (especially when down)

Best to think of giftedness as a gift cluster

Leadership cluster – speaking / encouraging / teaching

Outward personality and able to connect with people / driven personality

Given insight and character building from a number of difficult experiences that bring empathy with troubled people

Managerial and leadership skills developed over the years / cross cultural awareness and skills from days as a misisonary

4. Supernatural usefulness shaped by God’s sovereign work in you

B. Use your unique design v. 10b

(ESV) 1 Peter 4 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:

1. Not responsible to be someone else – great preacher

2. Are responsible to use what he has given you

3. What are you doing?

C. Serve one another v. 10c

(ESV) 1 Peter 4 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:

1. Not a self edifying thing

2. Purpose of gifts are for the benefit of others

D. Act with His empowerment and authority v. 11a

1. Speaking on His behalf

11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—

Serious / responsibility / make sure you are right / represent God

Teaching / preaching / singing / greeting

2. Doing in His place by His strength

11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—

Be empowered / work as strengthened by God / Like the artisans in building the temple / like God doing thru you

Cutting and nailing wood / doing electrical / painting / picking up trash / serving food / cleaning tables / putting up chairs / working flower beds

IV. Stewards of our design: All used for His sake

A. Everything to cause glory to God v. 11b

11 … in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus

Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

B. Because it can only happen through Christ v. 11c

11 … in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus

Christ.To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

1. He took sinful creatures and transformed them into good stewards

C. Impacts eternity v. 11d

11 … in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus

Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

D. Overall parameters

1. Time is short

2. Be under control

3. Be alert with prayer

4. Have love

5. Minister to one another freely

6. Use gifts

7. Use gifts in proportion to one’s giftedness

8. Use them recognizing it is grace from God

a) Undeserved

b) Abundant

c) A responsibility

9. Purpose to glorify God