Living as Christ’s Church: 1 Peter 4:7-11 Sunday, May 1, 2016

CONVERSATION GUIDE:

The curtain could fall at any time, ushering in the can pray” (NIV) but “in order to pray more return of Christ and the end of the age. effectively, appropriately, intelligently.”1 who realize that this could happen at any time will live a certain way – in prayer, in love, in hospitality, Above all. Peter didn’t doubt that his readers were and in glorifying God with spiritual gifts. practicing love, but he knew that under trials it’s easy to start taking out our frustrations on those closest to us. So he writes, “Keep fervent in your READ 1 Peter 4:7-11. love for one another.” “Fervent” (lit., “to stretch” or “strain”) was used of an athlete stretching and straining every muscle toward the end of the race. DISCUSS 1. Peter urges believers to embrace several Love takes sustained, strenuous effort, such as disciplines in light of “the end of all things is at athletes expend as they near the finish line. The fact hand.” What are they? And what reason does that love can be commanded confirms that it is Peter give for embracing each one? primarily an action, not emotion. We should exert ourselves to love one another. Why? Because love covers a multitude of sins. Where love is lacking, 2. How does being self-controlled and sober- every word is viewed with suspicion, every action is minded aid our prayers (4:7)? liable to misunderstanding, and conflict abounds – to Satan’s perverse delight.2

3. Love covers a multitude of sins (4:8). How can Ungrudgingly. Earnest love finds practical expression we properly “cover” sin without condoning it? in hospitality and in using spiritual gifts to serve one another, without resentment of the time or the expense which may be involved. 4. What is the difference between showing hospitality and entertaining guests? (4:9) Why might showing hospitality be hard and make us APPLY grumble? 1. Why is it important to know your spiritual gift? What do you think might be your strongest spiritual gift from God? 5. Remember that Peter knew in the flesh as a teacher and as his friend. Read Matthew 26:40-43. Was Peter alert, sober, and prayerful 2. How does the body of believers benefit if you in this passage? Discuss Peter’s transformation use your gift for the right reasons? How does from a hearer to a doer of Jesus’ words. the body of believers suffer if you use your gift for the wrong reasons?

The end of all things is at hand indicates that all the 3. If you were mindful every day that “the end of major events in God’s redemptive history have all things is near,” how would this change your occurred – creation, fall, , Sinai, Israel, thoughts, choices, priorities, etc? kings, exile, temple, Jesus’ incarnation, death, resurrection and ascension, and the indwelling Holy Spirit of God to establish the church – and the final In order that in everything God may be glorified act that will usher in the return of Jesus could through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and happen at any time. dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Therefore, pray more and love each other more. Think about and evaluate situations maturely and correctly (4:7). The idea is not simply “so that you 1 Wayne Grudem, 1 Peter. Page 181. 2 Hebrews 12:15; 1 Cor. 13:4-7; Proverbs 10:12 1 Living as Christ’s Church: 1 Peter 4:7-11 Sunday, May 1, 2016

HOMEWORK THIS WEEK:

Day 1: MEMORIZE Day 4: TRAIN “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one Read and summarize each passage. Ask yourself, another, as good stewards of God's varied grace.” What does it say? (Comprehension) ~ 1 Peter 4:10 What does it mean? (Interpretation)

:20 Day 2: READ James 5:8, Matthew 26:41, Luke 21:36 and 1 Peter 4:7. What is the common theme(s)?  1 Peter 4:8 Next Week: Faithful Exile: Esther 4:5-17

Day 3: EXERCISE  Nehemiah 4:5 There are 5 lists of spiritual gifts in the . List the spiritual gifts found in each passage:

 Romans 12:6-8 -  Psalm 32:1

 Psalm 85:2  1 Cor. 12:7-11 -

 Proverbs 10:12

 1 Cor. 12:28-30 -

Day 5: PRAY  Ephesians 4:11-13 - For your Heart: Take a moment to reflect on what it means to be in exile. Ask God to lead your life to bless the exiles in our city and to use your spiritual gifts for the sake of serving others and glorifying him.  1 Peter 4:10-11 - For our Church: Pray for God to increase our awareness of how we can fall into being consumers of the city and that we would instead be a church that sacrificially serves and seeks the good of the Is there one gift on every list? Does any passage city. include all gifts? Do you think it is reasonable to conclude the lists are not exhaustive? For our City: In light of the recent flooding, pray for shalom - peace and flourishing - in spheres of What does 1 Peter 4:10 reveal about the purpose of Houston that may seem overwhelming or hopeless spiritual gifts from God? What do we sometimes to you. Pray for glimmers of hope that you’ve seen wrongly believe to be the purpose? Why? or experienced that offer a foretaste of that shalom.

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