1 Peter 4:7-11

Introduction

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.

Have you ever had a moment where your judgement was severely clouded? What happened, and what brought you to your senses?

Explanation

1 Peter 4:7 “The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.”

1. Why did Peter say that the end was near if we are still here today?

a. Just because God inspired Peter to write a New Testament book does not mean that he made Peter has complete omniscience.

b. We ought to always be remembering that Christ will return.

c. God’s silence even to His apostle shows us that our pondering the return of Christ is more valuable than our definite understanding of the exact moment of his return.

2. What does sober-minded mean?

a. Undivided, uninhibited, and no distraction; Not necessarily serious

b. Think of the opposite - a drunk person; A drunk person can be serious, but a drunk person cannot use their full faculties.

c. Sin has the ability to dull our senses and cause our spiritual disorientation; the return of Christ is a sobering effect.

i. This applies to sin and anxiety.

1 Peter 4:8 “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.”

a. Before you do anything else, love the people who are around you.

b. I love that the Biblical account on multiple points shows Peter putting his foot in his mouth or not doing what he is supposed to do.

c. I am sure that Peter is thinking about his years in the church; some situations we know from the Biblical text, and some that we don’t.

d. He must think, “They were certainly gracious with me.”

e. God’s love covers a multitude of sins, but our love for one another will cover a multitude of sins as well.

1 Peter 4:9 “Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.”

a. Live in hospitality.

b. Open your home.

c. Be gracious with the little one’s that run around here.

d. Invite a young couple or an older gentleman who is here for the first time to sit with you.

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

a. God does not give gifts equally, but He does give gifts equitably.

b. God does not give us all the same gifts, but he does gift us gifts with an equal amount of care.

c. We covet others gifts and abilities and callings all the while forgetting that we will be accountable for OUR gifts just as others will be accountable for them.

d. Be thankful that God’s grace is varied. If God gave everyone every gift either:

i. You would have to be good at everything (and accountable for it).

ii. Some gifts that we have would be missing.

e. God’s varied grace is the way that he places limitless grace into limited people.

1 Peter 4:11 “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.”

Peter calls attention to the fact that gifts all come from God, so we ought not be proud of what we have or shamed for what we do not have.

If we speak, we speak the revelation of God.

If we serve, we serve by the strength of God.

Speakers needs servers, and servers need speakers.

Garrett Kell Jr. on Christian community // We are not all weak in the same way, nor are we all strong at the same time.

Application

Christ could return in the next 15 seconds. Are you ready for his return? Are there any habits of your life that you would be ashamed if he returned and you were in the middle of it?

The hope of glory is a POWERFUL tool of our salvation.

It is great motivator to do good.

It is a great salve when life is hard.

As the question, how can I show hospitality to someone this week?

Delight in the gifts that God has given you, and use them for his glory.

Invitation

Believe the gospel.

Fight for sobermindedness.

Give grace to others.