6
blessing with all of life
1 Peter 4:1-11
introduction
Last week we looked at the urgency and importance of blessing people with
the good news about Jesus, giving a reason for the hope that we have (1
Peter 3.15). How we need to grow in compassion for people who lack that
hope, conviction of the truth and importance of the gospel (Romans 1.16) and
confidence, yes, in our ability to share something coherent(!), but even more
importantly, confidence in Jesus’ ability to open hearts to his truth.
This week we are inspired to see the whole of our lives as an opportunity to
bless people with the gifts we have been given by the God who made us to
be a blessing. We are called to bless others ‘in all things’, with every gift, in all
our speech, in our acts of service and love, in all things (v.10). Simple acts of
kindness and generosity, an offer to pray for someone at the school gate, or in
the office, will bless people and can help warm someone to ‘asking the reason
for the hope that you have’.
In v.10 we are told we have all received these gifts. You might feel like you
haven’t been gifted - you have (and you can always ask for more!) Secondly,
there are all sorts of gifts and ‘graces’ (v.10) we have been given to use to
bless others - these can include gifts and skills not always understood as
‘spiritual’ but empowered by the Spirit can be used to bless and bring glory to
God. If you think because you can’t lead worship or preach well, that you
can’t be used by God, you’ve misunderstood the ‘all of life’ calling to a
ministry of blessing. Thirdly, we are called to be ‘faithful stewards’ - we are
‘stewards’, not ‘owners’ of the gifts/blessing given to us by God. The CEV
version of this verse says, ‘So use your gift well.’ We are to ‘steward’ them
well - that means giving them away in serving others (vv.8-11).
I had a moving conversation recently where it became clear that the person I
was speaking to didn’t really believe that their unique gifts were really as
valued by God and as significant in his purposes as other people’s. God has
made you uniquely the way you are because he want to use you and your
shape in this ministry of blessing. I hope this week’s teaching will encourage
people that they have been gifted by God in unique ways to be a unique
blessing. I hope it will also release us in fresh, creative ways of seeing all of our
lives and all of life as an opportunity to be a blessing in Jesus’ name.
THANK YOU GOD FOR ME. I CHOOSE TO BELIEVE THAT YOU MADE ME AND HAVE GIFTED ME
UNIQUELY, AND THAT THOSE GIFTS ARE UNIQUELY VALUED BY YOU AND GIVEN THAT I MIGHT
USE THEM TO YOUR GLORY. SHOW ME HOW I CAN ‘STEWARD’ ALL OF MY LIFE AND ALL OF
MY GIFTING SO THAT, ‘IN ALL THINGS GOD MAY BE PRAISED THROUGH JESUS CHRIST.’
6
blessing with all of life
1 Peter 4:1-11
study/discussion questions
In v.2 Peter says there are fundamentally two ways to live, what are they?
In v.4 it is suggested that living differently, for God, might not be popular, you
might be misunderstood or bullied - has that ever been your experience?
In vv.5-6 Peter talks about a coming judgement and in v.7, Peter says “the
end of all things is near.” Do you think he knew the precise time when
Jesus was going to return? If not, what difference might it make if the
believers Peter is writing to lived ‘as if Jesus’ return was imminent’?
It’s interesting that the first things he suggests we do with this ‘urgency’ is
to be alert/watchful, to think soberly/sanely [about the things of God and
the state of the world] and to pray. Why do you think that’s important
before we ‘get busy’ blessing…?
How does the life of blessing others
described in vv.8-11 contrast with
what’s described in vv.3-4?
In v.10 we are called to be ‘faithful
stewards of God’s grace’ - discuss
what that word means, what does it
mean that we are ‘stewards’ of the
gifts God has given us?
What does v.11 say of our position of
privilege and responsibility in this?
What are my spiritual gifts!?
If you are asking that, don’t know the
answer, or feel like you just don’t have
any gifts, then perhaps following this link
to a Spiritual Gifts assessment from The
Growth Course might help. Why not
print it out and give it a go, and ask
someone you know a bit at church how
they think you’re gifted! One thing’s for
sure, you ARE gifted by God and
blessed to be a blessing.
http://bit.do/whataremyspiritualgifts
Peter calls us to be a BABE! Be A Blessing Everyday. We might expand
that to say, Be A Blessing Everyday, Everywhere, to Everyone and in Every
way… think creatively as to how you might ‘be a BABE’ this week, at
school, at work, at home so that ‘in all things’ we are a blessing, to the
glory of God - and have fun in the process!
what difference will this make to my life…?
memory verse(s)
1 Peter 4.11: If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of
God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all
things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for
ever and ever. Amen.