Sermon Based on 1 Peter 4: 7-11

Theme: Grace of Fellowship as we Live with Purpose in the End Times

 Introduction:

 I am exploring a passage from the letter of Peter, a message filled with wisdom and guidance for believers navigating the challenges of their time. Turn with me to 1 Peter 4:7-11, and let’s dive into the Word of God together.

 Scripture Reading:

“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—so that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:7-11, ESV)

Living with Purpose:

 Recognizing the Urgency (Verse 7):

Peter begins with a powerful statement: “The end of all things is at hand.” In every generation, believers have lived expecting Christ’s return. This awareness should shape our lives, prompting us to live intentionally, knowing that time is short. We are called to be self-controlled and sober-minded, grounded in Prayer as we navigate a world filled with distractions and challenges.

 Love Covers a Multitude of Sins (Verse 8):

Peter emphasizes the transformative power of love. In a world marked by division and strife, the love of Christ manifested through us can bridge gaps and cover sins. Our love for one another is not merely a suggestion but a command that reflects the love God has lavished upon us.

 Practicing Hospitality (Verse 9):

Hospitality is not just about entertaining guests; it’s about welcoming others with open hearts. Peter challenges us to show hospitality without grumbling, highlighting the importance of a gracious attitude. Through hospitality, we reflect God’s open arms to a needy world.

 Using Our Gifts to Serve (Verses 10-11):

God has endowed each believer with unique gifts, not for personal gain but for the service of others. Peter encourages us to be good stewards of God’s grace, using our gifts to build up the Body of Christ. Whether through words or deeds, we are to serve with the strength God provides, acknowledging that all glory and dominion belong to Him.

 Emphasis on Verses 7 & 8:

“The end of all things has come near; therefore, be of sound and sober sound mind for prayer.” That is to be: Serious, Prayerful, Loving, Hospitable, Serving, and Worshipful

 The Three Sub-Themes:

1. The Priority and the Protection of Love

2. Desiring God

3. Living on the Edge of Eternity

 Our Mandate is to grow and be like Christ and to see that God is glorified in all we do.

PASSAGE MAIN IDEA (Central Proposition of the Text):

Living with a healthy expectancy of Christ’s return should motivate the Christian to be in constant Fellowship with God (pray, love, and serve unto the Glory of God).

A. What is Fellowship?

B. What is Grace?

C. What does ‘Grace of Fellowship’ indeed imply?

 A. What is Fellowship?

The other related words for Fellowship are Companionship, Comradeship, Friendship, Partnership, and Association. God wants to be our friend, our companion, and our partner. He wants to participate in all our endeavors and decisions on earth. – 1 John 1:3 (To be read by someone). John says, “Truly our Fellowship is (not was) with the Father and His Son.

 B. What is Grace?

The dictionary meaning of grace differs from the Definition of God’s Grace.

Grace, according to the Dictionary, connotes:

• Elegance or beauty of form, manner, motion, or action

• A pleasing or attractive quality or endowment

• Favor or goodwill.

• A manifestation of favor, especially by a superior: It was only through the dean’s grace that I wasn’t expelled from school.

• Mercy, compassion, pardon: He was saved by grace from the Rector.

 A prominent Old Testament word describing God’s grace is Chesed. This word speaks of deliverance from enemies, affliction, or adversity. It also denotes enablement, daily guidance, forgiveness, and preservation. The New Testament word is Charis. It focuses on the provision of salvation.

 Definition of God’s Grace – How do theologians define it?

In the New Testament, Grace means God’s love in action towards men who merited the opposite of love. Grace means God moving heaven and earth to save sinners who could not lift a finger to save themselves. Grace means God sending His only Son to descend into hell on the cross so that we guilty ones might be reconciled to God and received into heaven. ‘(God) hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him'” (2 Corinthians 5:21).1

“Grace may be defined as the unmerited or undeserving favor of God to those who are under condemnation.” – Enns2

 Definition of God’s Grace – What does the Bible say?

“This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:22-24).

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace” (Ephesians 1:7).

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works so that no one can boast, for we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:8-10).

“For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17).

 C. Grace of Fellowship

In Fellowship, the tripartite nature of man must be involved – 1 Thessalonians 5:23.

• The first step towards Fellowship with God is ‘Repentance’ from Iniquities.

• The second step is Quite Time – Mark 1:35; Every Christian needs to know God personally – This is the act of Fellowship.

_ Prayer is a tool of Communication

– Word of God, 1 Peter 2:2: “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.” Logos is the Word of God, and Rhema is the Living Word of God that jumps into your peculiar situation, and you can apply it to yourself to attune to the Will of God

 The three essential things needed in fellowshipping with God are:

1. Exposure – 1 Peter 1: 23-2:1: It is essential to be exposed to God through daily communion and Scripture reading.
2. Passion – Desire for God – Matt. 7: 33-36, Jesus must become your rock, way, and Life.
3. Experience with the Living God brings about miracles in your Life. Examples of Moses, Abraham – Gen. 24:12-15, Isaac – Gen. 26:2, Jacob – Gen. 32:30, Samuel – Jer. 15:1, David – Psalm 36: 5-9

Fellowship with God includes but is not limited to (1 John 1: 5-7)

• Hearing God’s Word
• Obeying God’s Word – James 1:22
• Staying or Abiding in God’s Word

Some tasks are involved in Fellowship with God:

1. Singing of songs, hymns, and chanting Psalms
2. Reading, Studying, and Meditating on the Scripture
3. Applying the Word of Scripture to daily Life
4. Prayer of Adoration, Confession & repentance, Thanksgiving, Supplication – intercessory, petition and warfare
5. Preaching the Word (Gospel Sharing)
6. Witnessing & Making Disciples for Christ

 The Premise for Having Fellowship with God:

• God is Light – Ephesians 5:8-10
• In Him, there is no Darkness at All – 1 John 1:9
• Fellowship with God requires an Advocate – 1 John 2:1-2

 Fellowship with God brings us to the same conclusion Apostle Paul reached when he wrote Romans 8:38-3: For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 Let us imbibe the Apostles and remain in Christ. Spiritual Growth can only occur as we learn to know Christ and make Jesus our Savior and the Lord of every part of our Life.

 Conclusion:

As we contemplate these words from Peter, let us commit ourselves to living with purpose and intentionality. The end times may be upon us, but we do not shrink back in fear. Instead, we press forward in faith, fueled by love, hospitality, and the use of our God-given gifts for His glory. May we be a community that embodies the transformative power of Christ’s love, drawing others into the Kingdom as we eagerly await His return.

 Let’s pray, seeking God’s guidance and strength to live out these truths daily. Happy Sunday!