1 Peter 4

 1 Peter 4 contains some of the heaviest statements in the entire Bible.

• Since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude
• They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.
• But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
• The end of all things is near!
• Do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you
• Rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ
• If you are insulted because of the name of Christ...
• If you suffer...
• If you suffer as a Christian...

With all of these strong statements, it could be easy to simply see this chapter as negative, but sandwiched between these warnings of suffering are instruction on how to live life in times of persecution.

1 Peter 4

Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 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.

How do we thrive in the hardest of settings:

• Be alert
• Be of sober mind
• Love each other deeply
• Offer hospitality without grumbling
• Use your gifts
• Speak the Words of God
• Serve with the strength of God

As simple and obvious as these may seem, just imagine how different our society if the churches which fill our streets were filled with people who lived like this?  Imagine our community if just our church was filled with sober-minded people who loved deeply, offered hospitality generously, spoke boldly, and served with the strength of God. 

• We would transform this community!
• We would be a light of hope in a dark culture!

As you look at that list of seven instructions, which one is most applicable to where you are in life? Where do you see a need to grow in your faithfulness?

  Sean Chandler | Associate Pastor

Sean has been a part of the association of Hill Country Bible Churches for over twenty years. He received Christ as a youth while attending Hill Country Bible Church Austin. He attended Hill Country Bible Church NW from 1989 to 2002. At that time he began attending HCBC Pflugerville. He served as a student ministry intern there for two years. In 2008, Sean graduated from Columbia International University with a double major in Bible and Bible teaching. Sean married his wife, Jennifer, in 2006. Their first child, Liam, was born in 2012, and their second, Chloe, was born in 2014.

He blogs regularly at seanchandler.net.