scripture: 1 peter 4:7-4:11

Pastor Gary talks about I Peter 4:7-11

"The end of all things is at hand..." How should we be ready? By doing the things He’s called us to do while we wait: • be self-controlled & sober-minded [v.7] • be vigilant in prayer [v.7] • keep loving one another earnestly [v.8] • show hospitality without grumbling [v.9] • serve one another with the gifts God’s given [v.10] There is a direct relationship between self-control & prayer. The end of all things is at hand, so…pray. But also love earnestly, be hospitible, and use your gifts to serve the church in God's strength for His glory.

"The end of all things is at hand..." How should we be ready? By doing the things He’s called us to do while we wait: • be self-controlled & sober-minded [v.7] • be vigilant in prayer [v.7] • keep loving one another earnestly [v.8] • show hospitality without grumbling [v.9] • serve one another with the gifts God’s given [v.10] There is a direct relationship between self-control & prayer. The end of all things is at hand, so…pray. But also love earnestly, be hospitible, and use your gifts to serve the church in God's strength for His glory.

• If you’re a Christian, you will face persecution (2 Timothy 3:12, Acts 14:22, John 15:18,20) • We are called to endure not to escape • As the end approaches, things will be rough (2 Timothy 3:1-5, 4:3-4) • Without the Word of God, we are incomplete and woefully unprepared (2 Timothy 3:16) 4 COMMANDS AND 1 GOAL To be prepared for the end of all things: 1. GET SERIOUS ABOUT PRAYER (1 Peter 4:7) - Be Alert = Spiritually Awake - Be of Sober Mind = clear minded, no clutter - Being Under Satan’s Yoke 2. LOVE EACH OTHER DEEPLY (1 Peter 4:8) - ABOVE ALL = Trumps everything - Love is NOT a feeling, it’s a decision / sacrifice - Deeply/fervently = Love is to be stretched - Biblical Gold Standard of Love = 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 - 1 of Satan’s chief strategies = Divide & Conquer - LOVE DOES NOT MEAN LEAVING….STAY TOGETHER! 3. OFFER HOSPITALITY WITHOUT COMPLAINING (1 Peter 4:9) - Use your home to serve others - Life Groups create community = essential to be prepared for the end 4. USE YOUR GIFTS FAITHFULLY (1 Peter 4:10) - Every Christian receives at least one gift - Pastor’s job not to do work of ministry, his job is to equip YOU to do work of ministry (Eph 4:11-13) - Challenge - Find Your gifts & use them - 301 Class – Discover Your Ministry (October) - Spiritual Gifts given to SERVE OTHERS 1 GOAL = TO GLORIFY GOD (1 Peter 4:11)

1 Peter 4:7-11

How should we be living if it's the end times? Pastor Bobby takes us to 1 Peter to find some answers.

If you only had a short time to live, what would you be involved in. Peter encourages his readers to see what God would have them focus on.

Three qualifying imperatives that help us ensure our service is godly

Peter tells us to live like the world is going to end. In this text, he tells us to think clearly, love constantly, and serve passionately and powerfully.

How are we to live and serve in expectation of the Lord's return?

How are we to live and serve in expectation of the Lord's return?

The church is so much more than a gathered group of people – it is a community of individuals gifted and called by God to love and serve those both in and out of the church.

Reaching the family with the message of Jesus Christ.

Reaching the family with the message of Jesus Christ.

Shaping our present, shaping our future, and sharing in God's glory

On this Mother's Day, Pastor Brian gives moms three reminders for their encouragement and endurance.

To watch the video used at the end of the message, go HERE.