Lesson 67
Study of
First Peter Chapter 4
Intro
overview of paragraph:
4:7a The end, the consummation of the of the
present course of history the church age is at hand,
its near.
4:7b Speaks of our responsibility in
light of His soon return
2 key
responsibilities here
First of having sound
judgment
Having spiritual commons sense from sound thinking is
only possible if one has a solid foundation of truth and evaluates all input
and circumstances faced by that grid of truth.
The
second indicated responsibility is to be sober
in our thinking
- word used
speaks of being free from mental and spiritual drunkenness which indicates sin
nature rulership
Then in 4:8 we were commanded to maintain a fervent love
for one another
Then Peter challenged us to an application of hospitality
towards one another, other believers in vs:9.
Next in vs:10 he presents a
challenge in our relationships within the local body to exercise our spiritual
gifts for the benefit of the body.
As we employ these gifts in
the body we are good stewards of the multifaceted grace of God, the means that
God uses to provide for the proper function of the body.
God
has graciously distributed His provision with masterly variety to enable His
people successfully to encounter to deal with the manifold trials (1:6) to
which they will be subjected to while living in the devil's world.
The if clause is "if anyone
(indefinite pronoun) speaks" lale,w to speak or communicate
Point or force of the text is
made I believe with the way the NET translates the apodosis "let it be with God's words."
- Examples of use:
Acts
Rom 3:2
Heb 5:12
Have the same pattern with
the second functional category of spiritual gifts that Peter is
emphasizing.
- NET Whoever
serves, do so with the strength that God supplies,
This is a generalized
exhortation since all spiritual gifts are for the ultimate service of the body
and all of them when properly functioning will do so on the basis of the
strength or might (ivscu,j) that God supplies.
Point is that God supplies
the assets needed for the believer to fulfill their service to the body. This is not just speaking of spiritual needs
but also physical needs to carry out the service.
Next we see the ultimate
purpose for the proper functioning of the spiritual gifts and living the
Christian life!
so
that in everything God will be glorified through Jesus Christ.
Where does this begin? First with believing in Jesus Christ and then
as we advance in our understanding of the Word we are making Jesus Christ
increasingly at home in us with that word we're learning with the result we
will have the capacity as we live out that truth to glorify God through Christ.
To him belong
the glory and the power forever and ever.
Amen.
This is a short doxology, a
statement of praise for Who He is and what He has provided for us.
Then Peter reminds us that
the glory and dominion that God possesses is forever and ever. Amen.
The Amen also appears at the
end of doxologies in the OT as well.
- Neh. 8:6; Psa.
41:13; 89:52
-
As is common in the NT. Rom.
4:11 "If anyone
(indefinite pronoun) speaks let it be with God's words, if anyone serves, do so with
the strength that God supplies, so that in all things God may be glorified
through Jesus Christ to whom keeps on being the glory and power forever and
forever Amen.
Observations
1. Whether one is a pastor or Joe/Jane pew we must be
cognizant of the fact that when we communicate truths of the Word to others we
are communicating the "oracles of God."
2. If the P/T is doing his job than his teaching is to be
received not as the word of men but as it really is the Word of God. 1 Thes.
3. As advancing believers any time that you communicate
DVPT to others we must remember that God is speaking through you as a function
of your ambassadorship. 2 Cor. 5:20
4. Jesus Christ set forth the principle that we are to
adhere to in John 7:14-18 as we evaluate the source of supply for teaching
whether its from God and therefore DVPT or from men
and tradition.
5. Those who teach the Word of God are preparing others to
serve, to fulfill their spiritual gift.
6. If we're to be
effective in our serving/ministering in the sphere of our spiritual gift we
ought to rely not on our own human resources but on the strength that God
supplies. 2 Pet 1:3
7. God provides the
doctrine we must have and the strength, both spiritual and physical to take
advantage of the opportunities we might have not only to witness to others but
also to make right decisions in our life.
8. Because it is God who supplies the assets needed it is
He who receives the glory, it’s a total grace operation.
- He provides, we respond and apply the truths learned and
are benefited but He gets the glory.
- All bonifide promotion or advancement in f2 is related to our response to and utilization of
these divine resources which are available to all by grace.
9. So one of the motivations we should have to live the CWOL is that when we do so we are bringing not only God but our Savior Jesus Christ great glory.