1 Peter 4:7-11

“The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 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.”

3.         Give generously

When we are saved the Spirit of God gives us different spiritual gifts so that we can serve each other. This passage reminds us of several key truths:

• Everyone has at least one gift
• Everything we have is a gift from God – it’s not earned but supernaturally given.
• Every member is a minister, Every saint is a servant. Spiritual gifts are not given to help my self-esteem but to help me serve.
• Exercised them well – Don’t mismanage God’s gift.

Peter then summarizes the wide spectrum of spiritual gifts into two categories – speaking gifts and serving gifts:

1. Speaking gifts – Preaching, teaching evangelism. Preaching is a privilege, it’s a sobering calling that I take very seriously. When I preach always give God the glory because it’s His gift your witnessing. Second we see the: 

2. Serving Gifts. This category is broad and includes any kind of encouraging, showing mercy or helping ministry.

Peter cautions us to serve in God’s strength not ours. Prayer positions us before Him and serving should cause us to stay not stray. But when we serve in our own strength, things go south pretty quickly. We either get proud because we’re doing so much or prickly because we think no one else is. As Peter closes he bursts into song, because serving should cause us to sing not sour. Our practice sould lead to praise; our work should culminate in worship. It’s all about God; it’s not about us: “Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.” Are you giving God the glory? Are you passionately praying, lavishly loving and generously giving so that God gets the glory?