Moments in the life of a Pastor

Walking with God

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49 Sold out Servants – Part 4

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: 
  1. 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?


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46 Sold out Servants – Part 1

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.”

Peter starts by reminding us about the truth of time, that it’s limited and the end is coming soon. The word “end” refers to a completion or conclusion, to a goal that has been achieved. At first this statement about the end seems fearful but it’s actually very favorable, because it reminds us that God is in control not the chaos. That in the midst of the problems and persecution God’s plan will prevail. When Peter reminded these people being plummeted by persecution that the end was near it would have been a huge encouragement. This is a call to refocus on the truth that our Redeemer will return. The rapture is the next event on the calendar and it covers much of scripture, there are over 1,500 references to the second coming of Christ in the Old Testament and an amazing 1 out of 30 verses in the New Testament speak of His return. Are you aware that for every prophecy in the Bible concerning Christ’s first coming, there are 8 that look forward to His Second? Are you living in the reality of His return or are you getting wrapped up in the problems. When we get wrapped up in the problems we lose sight of the plan. In light of the shortness of time we should be motivated to move. The return of Christ is always presented in Scripture as a great motivation to action, not as a reason for apathy. In Luke 19:13 Jesus told a parable about his return telling His servants: “Do business till I come.” This is a call to move, to adopt an attitude of action, I like what Corrie Ten Boom said: “Drive shallow tent pegs, because we are moving on in the morning.” Look studying the end times should not be to satisfying your curiosity but to sanctify you so that you are ready for Christs return. We are not just living on the edge of eternity we are called to engage in eternity. In light of our limited time we are called to live lives that line up with God’s plan. The shortness of time should serve to spur us on to pursue three practices, to pray passionately, love lavishly and give generously.