Ron Lutz ~ I Peter 4:7-11   Sermon Quotes: 1 Peter 4:7-11 7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 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. THE END OF ALL THINGS IS AT HAND, THEREFORE: • Sober-minded instead of drunkenness • Sincere love instead of lawless idolatry • Hospitality instead of orgies • Serving one another instead of maligning and attacking John 13:34-35 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” I commit myself to giving only good reports about others. When this is not possible, I purpose to remain silent or go privately to the person and explain the offense that would prevent me from giving a good report. I will go in a spirit of genuine love and gentleness, having first examined my own attitudes and actions. I will pursue harmony and peace within our church in every possible way. If there are policies or decisions made by the elders and other leaders with which I do not agree or may not understand, I will go to them and make my concerns known, rather than going to others with the possibility of sowing seeds of dissension and division. To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable in others because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you. -C. S. Lewis “In the New Testament, we don’t find our gift through self-examination and introspection and then find ways to express it. Instead, we love one another, serve one another, help one another, and in so doing we see how God has equipped us to do so.” -Russell Moore