02-08-2020
1 Peter 4:1-2 (MSG)
v. 1 “….weaning from old sinful habits of always expecting to get our own way…”
v.2 “….. live out our lives (set free) to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want…”
A Tale of 2 Men: As we ponder on th lives of these 2 men of God (John Bunyan and King Solomon), we need to ask ourselves – how then are we to live out our lives on earth?
Are we living for God or Ourselves?
1 Peter 4:3-6 (NIV)
v. 3-4 “For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do – living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.“
v. 5-6 “But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is the reason the gospel is preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit”
Consider times in our lives where we experience LTI, i.e.
Loss
Time
Injury
Living for God
1 Peter 4:7 – 10 (NIV)
“The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms”
LISTEN
God speaks to us (and the world) through:
Scriptures
Psalm 81:8 “Hear me, my people, and I will warn you – if you would only listen to me, Israel”
His Messengers (apostles, prophets, church elders, pastors, etc.)
TRUST
Cooperating with God (Proverbs 16:3)
Trust that God is in control
Trust God’s promise for success
INTERCEDE
Pray regularly (Acts 16:16)
Pray in all circumstances (Acts 16:25)
Pray changes history
Summary – Our Goal in Life
1 Peter 4:7 – 10 (NIV)
v. 7 – 8 “The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
v.9 -10 “Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms”
The Christian life is not easy
Choose to stay close to JESUS
We become stronger, wiser and more Christ-like
All of us are blessed to be a BLESSING . .
Final Questions?
God has shown us a way that we can overcome our difficult circumstances….so how do we choose to live out the rest of our lives on earth?
Are we living a “lip-service” Christian life or are we living out the PURPOSE for which we have be chosen and called for?
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