Faith in the Crosshairs 1 Peter (Pray, 1 Peter 4:7-11) (Pray, 1 Peter 4:7-11)

Review …arm yourselves with the same way of thinking… − Christ's suffering is a pattern and an honor that has purpose In identifying with Christ, my desires begin to become his desires for me

Review Those who would call me to account for living the gospel will one day stand and give account to Jesus Therefore, I live for the approval of Christ, not men

The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

Show hospitality to one another without grumbling

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:

…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.

The end of all things is at hand; ConfusedChristiansayswhat?

Imminent Return: By God's design, believers are meant to live informed by Christ's imminent return We are living in the last days- and have been since Christ's resurrection and ascension

The end of all things is at hand; The point of "the end" is never the end, but God's desire to see us live in light of the coming end of the age

Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness- 2 Peter 3:11

Therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers Big Glass of Warm Spit

Jesus: "Pray that you may not enter into temptation…Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation." Peter: "Man, I do not know what you are talking about"- Luke 22 − Jesus knew Peter wouldn’t pray- and would fail. But…what if he had prayed?

Therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. When faced with trials and suffering- esp. from without- we are tempted to become: − Full of anxiety − Escapist

Therefore be self-controlled… Anxiety:Anxiety: − Overwhelming and controlling fear − Feeling out of control because I think I have to be in control= illusion − Concentrating on things I can do nothing about − Core: An unwillingness to trust God

Anxiety:Anxiety: − Is both the result of not trusting God and will keep me from trusting God in prayer − Answer: Release to God my illusion of control …casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you- 1 Peter 5:7

Therefore be self-controlled… Anxiety- focuses on and magnifies the problemAnxiety- focuses on and magnifies the problem To be self-controlled is to reign in anxiety and release control to God- focusing on himTo be self-controlled is to reign in anxiety and release control to God- focusing on him

…sober-minded… Escapism Denial and DistractionDenial and Distraction − Refusing to acknowledge the problem (not sober and serious about it) − Not taking action, esp. praying/ releasing it to God

Therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers Why does God care if we pray?

Therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Why does God care if we pray? Prayer moves the hand of God. It reminds us who's in charge and centers our faith on our God

Prayer keeps us from the temptation to fall when suffering and hardship comes − Disillusionment − Bitterness and Comparison − Accusing God − Denial of the faith

"End is near…know that suffering will come…don't give in to fear or denial. Instead, seek God in prayer…"

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins Anxiety and fear cause us to strike out at one another, dividing us so we that we become weaker rather than stronger

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Christ's love took away our sins. Our love for one another causes us to see past each other's flaws and failures rather than center on them

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins Love is the mark of a believer: only a Christian can really forgive the faults in others because he knows God's forgiveness in his own life

If I know Jesus and my life is not marked by this kind of love right now: − Fruit (time with Jesus) − Deep awareness of my own sins- and God's complete forgiveness

Show hospitality to one another without grumbling − When I have problems and people come to me with their problems, they are bringing a gift − My ultimate healing comes from God working through me in the lives of others

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: − We all have spiritual gifts − Each gift contains an assignment, a place among God's people (the ekklesia= church)

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: − We're managers (stewards) of what belongs to God − Managers are accountable to the owner − The purpose of our gifts is ministry to one another

…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 Whatever we do, we ultimately do for and because of Christ in the strength he provides

What's the job of a minister?

How many ministers should a church have?

To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen Our goal and purpose is to glorify God. He alone is in charge- and can handle what we'll face as we follow him

Sharpen Your Axe

Takeaways: How am I responding to life right now?How am I responding to life right now? − Faith and prayer? − Anxiety and fear? − Denial and distraction? What do I need to do? Will I?What do I need to do? Will I?

Takeaways: Am I seeing flaws, failure and sin in people?Am I seeing flaws, failure and sin in people? Or do I have a desire to love and serve?Or do I have a desire to love and serve? − Why?

Takeaways: Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you…so that you may know that you have eternal life- 1 John 5:12-13