Hope and Community (1 Peter 4:7-11)

1 Peter 4:7-11

I know this is a serious question for an email, but I'm going to go for it:

When you think about the end (either the end of your life individually or the end of the age for all of us), how does it make you feel?

Does it scare you? Make you angry? Grateful?

Thinking about our own mortality and eternity can have a helpful recalibrating effect, forcing us to consider the things that really matter. But it can also drive us into self-centered behaviors - thinking about what we want to accomplish or experience.

This week at Grace, we're continuing our series in 1 Peter 4:7-11. It's a profound passage because Peter lays out a case for how the Christian community can be a counter to the self-centered thinking that often accompanies thinking about the scarcity of life. Instead of being irrational, he tells us to be sober-minded and prayerful. Instead of selfish, we're to be loving and hospitable. And instead of trying to build our own kingdom, we're to build Christ's.


Let's reflect together on this beautiful passage and why we have a powerful enough hope to change the world's story of how to face the end.

In Christ,
Pastor Bob

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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.

-1 Peter 4:7-11