Gospel-Centered Community
We’re moving onward in our series called ‘Stand Firm” where we’ve been doing a deep dive into the Books of 1 & 2 Peter. For Week 21 took a dive into 1 Peter 4:7-11 which reads,
7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for thesake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers amultitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each hasreceived 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 bythe strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified throughJesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Peter makes a bold claim in 1 Peter 4:7-11 about the future — a claim intended to shape the behavior of his readers. He is reminding his readers (and us) to live into the Story of God. He is saying that because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, his readers (and us) are living in the last stage of God’s great redemptive plan — and the goal of that plan is being realized — it’s playing out and you and I are a part of it! But many Christians today are confused about the end. NT Wright helps us set the record straight when he says, “Jesus's resurrection is the beginning of God's new project not to snatch people away from earth to heaven but to colonize earth with the life of heaven. That, after all, is what the Lord's Prayer is about.“
With all of that in mind, Peter continues by giving this disenfranchised church four exhortations to live into…
Think rightly and be clear-minded so you can pray.
Persist in a love for one another that “covers” sin.
Be graciously hospitable to fellow believers without complaining.
Serve one another with the gifts of grace you have received.
Give the sermon text a read and a listen and we hope to see you this week at a Family Meal and/or a DNA group to dive even deeper.
