Sermon Tone Analysis

Reading: 1 Peter 4:1-11

Pray

God Expects Us to Be Good Stewards in the Context of Suffering

The Representative of Suffering

Since, therefore, Christ suffered in the flesh - What Peter says in this passage is based upon the reality of Christ’s physical suffering

The Requirement of Suffering

Arm yourselves with the same way of thinking - Peter is telling his readers to “get suited up for battle; get your armor and weapons ready because you’re going into the fight” (cf.

BDAG); and the way of thinking provides the arsenal for the suffering servant of God

What kind of thinking?

The Result of Suffering

Whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin - (Result) Peter isn’t claiming that those who suffer are perfect, but that suffering is necessary for spiritual maturity; if you aren’t suffering on account of your faith, then you’re not maturing in your faith

The Repercussions of Suffering

So as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. - The ongoing effect of our willingness to suffer like Christ is that we live for him, and not for our sinful desires like we used to.

That’s what Peter addresses in verse 3 - the way we used to live.

The Routine of Suffering

Because we no longer do the evil practices that we used to do, we face suffering from those who are still doing those things.

But they will have to answer for their works, and so will we.

So how do we succeed in being good stewards amid our suffering?

The Gospel Makes Us Good Stewards While Suffering

The life-changing power of the gospel does not just make us saints.

It doesn’t just make us God’s children.

It is the power of the gospel that makes us faithful stewards of all God has entrusted to us.

The gospel makes us good stewards of his own life in us.

It is this gospel that also makes us good stewards of other things as well.

Verses 7-11 give us at least four other aspects that the gospel helps us steward

We Steward Our Selves

We Steward Our Attention

We Steward Our Relationships

We Steward Our Gifts

We don’t just have gifts merely to have them, or simply to enjoy them.

We have gifts to serve each other.

God gifts his children so that they will utilize their gifts for the benefit of their brothers and sisters in Christ.

No matter what that gift is - verse 11 shows us that whatever gift we have, we are to steward it well.

Notice in verse 11 the purpose of all these things is not for our glory.

The steward always, always, always manages someone else’s stuff.

It’s not the steward’s property, the steward’s money, the steward’s business, or the steward’s family.

None of it belongs to the steward.

And the steward isn’t managing it for himself.

No, the steward must faithfully administer everything for the maximal benefit of the owner.

God is the owner of all things, including you, Child of God!

You belong to him.

So when God calls us to steward our selves, our attention, our relationships, our gifts, and even our suffering, we do it for him.

Are you stewarding your suffering for God’s glory?

Are you stewarding your self for God’s glory?

Are you stewarding your attention for God’s glory?

Are you stewarding your relationships for God’s glory?

Are you stewarding your gifts for God’s glory?

Maybe you need to wonder at the gospel once again, or maybe you need to come to Christ in repentance and trust him to save you from your sins.

Whatever God is calling you to do, be a good steward of his call and follow him while we sing...