1 Peter 4:7-11

Until He Comes…

1. Get serious about prayer.
   1 Peter 4:7
   First, “Be alert.” Keep our wits about us, or be sensible.
   Second, “Be sober-minded.” Literally means, don’t be drunk, but also be alert and self-controlled.
2. Don’t hold grudges.
   1 Peter 4:8
   Love is not a warm, fuzzy feeling. Rather, it takes sustained, strenuous effort.
   Four guidelines on whether to cover someone’s sin or to confront it.
   • Distinguish between immaturity and defiance.
   • Cover what offenses you can, but if an offense bothers you to the extent that it hinders your relationship, you need to confront it.
   • Do I have an adequate relationship to confront the offense? If not, I need to cover the sin for a while and work on deepening the relationship so that I will be heard when I do confront.
   • Is this a minor flaw that just grates on me, or is it a character defect or sin that hinders this person’s growth in Christ.
3. Don’t be a poor steward.
   1 Peter 4:10
   Use the gifts God has given you.
   Speaking gifts are usually more visible: preaching, teaching, exhortation (counseling) and prophecy
   Serving gifts are usually more behind the scenes: good deeds, helping, showing mercy, giving, and administration.
   A local church will be healthy only to the extent that every member conscientiously exercises their gifts as stewards before God.