Entrusted with the gospel

Introduction/scripture

1 Peter 4:7–11 NIV

The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Pray.

Introduction

Summer camp. We had an emotional night of worship. Afterwards there was a young man that came forward and said he wants to follow Jesus. We spent some time talking to him about this decision and what it looks like, etc. Then me and another counselor prayed for him and he professed his faith in Jesus. Afterwards we hugged and rejoiced and just sort of looked at each other. I could tell he was thinking through something. I asked him what is on your mind. After a long pause....

He said, “NOW WHAT?”

We all had a good laugh. What he meant was, what does this mean for my life now? Where do we go from here.

What does it mean to live for God? What do I do know?

This entire series has been about stewardship. Stewarding over what God has entrusted to us:

our faith

the next generation

the generosity of God

and of the Gospel

All of what God has entrusted us leads to an activation of our lives to bring the Gospel into the world.

1 Peter text

This letter from the apostle Peter is a circular letter written to several churches. It is general in nature because it is designed to travel among several churches. Written for a people in specific circumstances and from a person. Often times we can forget that.

Peter’s writing is to encourage churches facing severe persecution. Many are suffering. Peter is likely writing from Rome at this time and that might be the place he is martyred. This letter is written before one of the gospels even and it is simultaneous to much of Paul’s writing.

So the letter written to these people facing persecution and suffering. Peter encourages them about the brevity of their suffering in light of Glory and the truth that their hardship is not lost.

Can I just say here up front, we are not facing these kind of hardships. In a time of anxious and fretful attitudes that I see from Christians whether it be about the need for education reform or perceived political problems, or this pandemic....this is far from the worst thing that has faced the church.

I know we have our challenges, but let’s keep perspective.

Peter instructs them, this is how you live out your life and your calling.

Turn away from the old (1 Peter 4:1-6). Walk away from the old way of life, and live life in Christ for the world.

What does that look like? Well he gives us a litany of exhortations in 4 verses.

1. Be Alert and sober turning to prayer

Peter says, be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. A couple things here....

it is impossible to pray when we are not alert and sober minded

When our minds are cluttered with:

doubts

stresses

insecurities

fear

addiction

We cannot turn to prayer

Everyday is a battle with our minds, battle to be alert, a battle to stay clear, a battle to focus on following Jesus. This is coming from Peter, remember the one who fell asleep on Jesus in the garden, now it is his task to stay alert and focused.

second thing to see here, prayer is the top priority for the churches facing hardship.

“Prayer gets us in on what God is up to.” -Eugene Peterson

2. Love each other deeply, because love covers sins

This is an interesting statement that he says. One that I hear quoted often and printed on coffee mugs, church slogans, etc. But what does it mean?

Two options for interpretation

Love deeply because that is how you receive forgiveness

or love deeply because it is through that loving that other’s receive forgiveness

Well upon investigation we know the first one is a little wonky. Because it involves doing something ourselves to earn forgiveness. That is pretty inconsistent with what we believe about forgiveness. And it feels more transactional.

The second one is better and I think it carries significant meaning about stewarding over the gospel.

If we love deeply, then that love covers over sins of others.

let me give you and example. Friends of ours had a history before we got to know them. Not here, in another place. He was caught in some severe sexual sin. His transgression was public and damaging. Almost causing not just him but the whole family to lose everything. He lost his job, family had to move from their home, and family even could not attend church together for a while. She stuck by him. Of course that was years of battling in herself and finding healing but she stayed by him. She lost family and friends over it.

Later on I was asking about how he persevered through it all. Guilt, shame, hardship, years of trying to survive economic and other kinds of uncertainty. He looked me in the face and said, “I finally understood the sacrifice and forgiveness of Jesus through my wife.”

What if in our love we can be a conduit of love. Listen, not flimbsy full acceptance, not this spineless “I am not here to judge anyone” everyone is welcome here.

No but a love that will not equate someone’s struggles or sin to who they are. A love that will create room for the gospel and for healing and growth.

3. Offer Hospitality......without grumbling

I love that Peter throws this nuance in here. It appears that ancient antiquity also knew what it was like to host their in-laws but not like it.

Hahaha, if my MIL is watching that was a hypothetical of course. for the room.

For those that have received the fullness of Christ, we can love without expectation of reciprocity, or further, we love knowing it may be messy and hard.

Kentucky kids

4. Stewards of God’s Grace

one of my favorite verses in the bible...

1 Peter 4:10 NIV

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

you will hear me use this language frequently. We are called to be stewards of God’s grace. As the body of Christ, we all have giftings to be the body in the world.

I am in a continuing education program with the denomination, for young clergy. We have been meeting for a couple of years quarterly with coaches and learning about leadership and the church, but over the next few years we will travel to different locations and learn from corporate, church, non profit leaders across the country and even internationally. This past week we were in Galveston. “I dont really need to show you the sanctuary, not much happens in there.” Bike shop, hot meals, communal space for unsheltered to find wifi and computers, laundry, showers. Bike shop. UTMB nurses and students walking around helping.

5. Speak with the words of God

Your words have the power to destroy or to heal. I think this is what James is getting at when he says that the tongue is a fire…words can spark a fire that burns out of control. But can fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring, James asks?

No of course not. When we speak it should be with words from God like the old is gone and the new is here.

6. Serve with God’s Strength

Interview with Callynth Finney, founder of a now established non-profit called Tyler Street Team

Introduce yourself to us

How did Tyler Street Team come to be?

This injustice and hardship feels so big…how do you keep going and what would you say to us if we are feeling inadequate or unequipped to help?

“The greatest issue facing the world today, with all its heartbreaking needs, is whether those who, by profession or culture, are identified as ‘Christians’ will become disciples – students, apprentices, practitioners – of Jesus Christ, steadily learning from him how to live the life of the Kingdom of the Heavens into every corner of human existence.” ― Dallas Willard, The Great Omission: Reclaiming Jesus's Essential Teachings on Discipleship

Endings:

Ended first week with this challenge: You have been given life, how will you walk in life? Now the challenge is extended… you have been given life, how will you bring life into the world?

All throughout scripture there is this thread of God’s holiness. Early in scripture, it is God’s holiness that is a consuming fire. Moses and the burning bush, “do not come any closer” or Moses and the face of God, he can only look at God passing by. But then this hint of what is to come happens in the throne room vision of Isaiah. The holiness of God confronts Isaiah and he thinks he is toast. but instead of destroying the prophet, it cleanses him. Enter Jesus and his holiness brings healing to all he touches, all he encounters. The spirit of God is given to the church and they are sent into the world. “To do greater works” John’s gospel tells us.