1 Peter 4:7-11
7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Don’t
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demonstrates
on
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is the
one who can give you a clear
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When your mind is clear you are freed to:
better (1 Peter 4:8)
quietly (1 Peter 4:9)
more (1 Peter 4:10-11)
Sermon Discussion
1) Peter begins verse 7 by saying that “the end of all things is near.” It may seem like a “churchy” question, but do you live like you believe the end of your life is near or that Jesus return is imminent? How would your behavior change if you began to live like the end was near? How would your attitude change?
2) Read 1 Peter 4:7. Peter encourages these exiled believers to be self-controlled and sober minded. Why is it important for Christians to be self-controlled and sober-minded? In times of exile or uncertainty, why are self-control and a sober mind hard to maintain?
3) What connection does Peter make between self-control and sober mindedness and prayer? How does being self-controlled and sober-minded affect our prayer life? Think back on Peter’s experiences with Jesus and read Matthew 26:36-41. What did Jesus teach Peter about prayer at a time when Peter was tired and in a stressful situation?
4) In verse 8, Peter encourages these exiles to love one another. Based on how Peter begins verse 8, how important does Peter consider showing love to one another? Read John 13:34-35, 15:12. From whom did Peter learn the importance of loving Christian brothers and sisters? How does Jesus teach his disciples to love others? In John 13:35, why does Jesus say that loving one another is so important? Why would displaying Christian love in a time of uncertainty or exile be an especially powerful testimony to the power of Jesus Christ?
5) What does it mean to love one another earnestly (refer back to John 15:12)? What are practical ways to demonstrate Jesus’ love to other believers? What are practical ways to demonstrate Jesus’ love to people outside the church?
6) How does love cover a multitude of sins? Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 for guidance. How did Jesus’ love cover a multitude of sins? How can the way we love others cover a multitude of sins? How can understanding love in the context of 1 Corinthians 13 help us in our walk as disciples?
7) How would you define Biblical hospitality? Is hospitality the same as entertaining guests? The welcoming and fellowshipping with believers and non-believers out of truth and love for Jesus Christ so that they may see Christ more clearly and/or so they will join us as exiles themselves (or join us as believers). How does Peter qualify our hospitality? What kind of hospitality is Peter commanding Christians to show to one another? b. What does grumbling do to our hospitality? Can you see why Peter calls us to be hospitable without grumbling? c. What did Jesus say about hospitality? (Matthew 25:34-40) How does this change our attitude towards being hospitable?