Peter has spent his whole letter teaching us that God's people are special. We have a unique identity and mission. We are (identity) "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, (mission) that we may proclaim the excellencies of him who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9).

In our study last week, Peter taught us that we are also living during a special time: "The end of all things is at hand" (1 Peter 4:7). Peter wrote those words almost two thousand years ago, but they were just as accurate then as they are today. We are living in the final stages of God's redemptive plan. Creation and the fall of humanity into sin are past tense. So is the law of Moses, the tabernacle system of worship, and the Aaronic priesthood. Prophecies have been fulfilled. The Son of God has come and died for our sins. He rose and ascended and birthed the church by His Spirit. And in this church age, we await his return.

One day, Christ will descend, the trumpet will blast, and he will bring his church home to himself (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). He will judge the world with a seven-year period of tribulation that will feel similar to the time of the plagues in Egypt (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Revelation 6-19). And the world will follow their Pharaoh, the man of sin or the Antichrist, until finally turning to war against Jesus Christ (2 Thessalonians 3:1-12, Revelation 13, 19:17-21). Jesus cannot and will not lose. And, after judging the world, Jesus will establish one thousand years of peace and rule here on earth, and his people will rule with him for those thousand years until one last rebellion (Revelation 20). Then, the heavens and earth will melt away, giving way to a new heaven, a new earth, and a new heavenly city for us to dwell in forever with God (Revelation 21-22).

And Peter tells us the church age is a final stage leading up to that time. The end of all things is at hand.

In response, Peter has already told us to press into our church community -- not to isolate ourselves from the world, but to get what we need to fulfill our mission. And, as we saw last week, the community Peter envisioned was one of sober prayer, sacrificial love, and cheerful hospitality. But, today, we see a bit more of God's heart for us. Let's read:

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.

1. Steward God's Gift (10)

Every Believer Has A Gift

Notice first that we should steward God's gift. Peter said that each has received a gift (10). We must use those gifts to serve one another (10).

According to Peter, everyone in the church has something to offer the others in the church. This is particularly impressive when you think of the original recipients of Peter's letter. Many of them had lived their entire lives in the filth of idolatry. Many of them were the outcasts of society. And there are strong indications throughout Peter's letter that they had mostly been a partying and sensual people before surrendering to Christ. But, now converted, justified, and born of the Spirit, they all had something to offer the rest of the church.

In hockey, there is a penalty box for bad behavior. I don't follow or understand hockey very much, but that penalty box situation cracks me up -- grown men, penalized, taking a timeout in a box with plexiglass walls so the whole world can watch them think about what they've done. I especially love it when way too many of them are stuffed in there at the same time.

I think many of us have a penalty box view of our usability before God. We think our past lives, our exposure to various sins, our bad behavior takes us out of the game. And, make no mistake, God wants us to pursue holiness because he is holy. The less we sin, the less we hurt others and ourselves. The less we sin, the less we hurt the church's mission. But, no matter our pasts, and sometimes because of our pasts, every true believer has something to offer the church. Every believer has (and can be) a gift to the rest of the church. He wants all of us to serve one another.

The Gifts of the Spirit

God envisions the church as a community with Christ as its head. He gave the church apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers (Ephesians 4:11). But he also gave the church every individual believer. Earlier in his letter, Peter introduced us to the priesthood of all believers. Though some word-based offices exist, all of us are called to serve others. And the Holy Spirit longs to gift and empower each one of us to make a difference in the church community.

Before Jesus died on the cross, he told his disciples:

John 14:16–17 (ESV) — 16 I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

Jesus said here that the Spirit was with his men, but he also promised the Holy Spirit would come and live within them. At that point, since he hadn't yet died and resurrected, the Spirit could not live within them. Jesus had to be the first to experience resurrection life. But after he rose and ascended, the Spirit would no longer only be with them, but in them.

And before Jesus left earth, he added:

Acts 1:8 (ESV) — 8 You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

So the Spirit was with them, would be in them, and would finally come upon them. And with the Spirit upon you, you become strengthened for the work God asks of you.

Part of God's Spirit coming upon and empowering us is by the gifts of the Spirit. Paul wrote:

1 Corinthians 12:4–7 (ESV) — 4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

Though the gifts come in all sorts of packages and are used in all sorts of ways, it is God the Spirit who empowers them all in everyone. And he gives these gifts to us for the common good.

Paul went on to say:

1 Corinthians 12:11 (ESV) — 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

I don't have time today to break down every gift of the Spirit the New Testament mentions. I have done so in a previous series, and I would encourage you to listen to it, but we must know the Spirit has gifts he wants to give to each of his children. He gives them out as he wills.

These gifts are not scary, strange, or self-focused. They are good and for the benefit of others. So pray for the Spirit to empower you and reveal the gifts he's given you. Jesus said:

Luke 11:13 (ESV) — 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

As Jesus said, ask the Father for the gifts he has for you, trusting him that he will give you the gifts of the Spirit he has planned for you.

Steward God's Gift

And when he gives you his gifts, use them!

Recently, Christina and I were at a local restaurant we like. When we walked in, the young hostess kept giving me strange looks before finally admitting that I reminded her of a creepy and villainous character in The Walking Dead television show. I assured her that whatever the character did in the show, I wouldn't do in the restaurant. Still, she stopped us on the way out to show us some pictures of the character she'd found online. She then commissioned me to watch a scene.

We tried. The YouTube clip we found was the character in a profanity-laced tirade. Since women and children were around, we closed it, and I forgot about her assignment. A month later, we returned, and she wanted to know if we'd watched the show. Forgetting the five-second clip, I said no. She scolded me and told me not to come back without watching it. Yes, ma'am. So now I dare not go back to Baja Cantina without watching a (cleaner) clip of that character.

In, of course, a much stronger sense, I dare not head to Christ's forever kingdom without executing the assignment he's given to me. The gifts he's given me are not for me. And the gifts he's given you are not for you. They are for us. And they glorify him. They must be used. It is the assignment we've been given.

Jesus told various stories about this concept. In one, a certain landowner, the master of a house, departed on a long journey, committing resources into the hands of three of his servants. With an eye on his return, the first two servants doubled the investment by the time the master returned. But the third servant buried his money in the ground, producing the exact same amount to the master. The master was not impressed with the third man. He had not used the gift given to him (Matthew 25:14-30).

Brothers and sisters, Peter says we should be good stewards of God's varied grace (10). We must use the gifts he's given. We must fulfill the assignment he left us.

2. Speak God's Word (11)

The second exhortation the text gives us is that we must speak God's word. Peter said:

11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God...

Speaking Gifts & Offices

Peter broke up the spiritual gifts and the work we have inside the church into two categories: speaking and serving.

These categories hold true when looking at the lists of gifts in a few other New Testament passages. We already thought about a list of speaking authoritative offices in the church -- apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers (Ephesians 4:11). Even in the context of this passage, Peter is warming up to talk about the pastors of the church, which he will do in the next chapter (1 Peter 5:1-5). Beyond these offices are gifts such as prophecy, teaching, exhortation, words of wisdom, or words of knowledge (Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:8-11).

Beyond official offices and specific gifts, Peter was also likely thinking of times individuals counsel, encourage, and exhort others in the church. It's not that every single word we ever speak has to be a quotation of Scripture, but that we should represent God well when positioning ourselves as his representative. This happens in pulpits and publications, but also in kitchens and coffee shops. You could be hammering nails on the job site while giving biblical counsel to a coworker. Peter said, when we speak in this way, we must speak what God says.

How To Become Competent To Speak God's Words

This ability to speak the oracles of God seems especially important right now. Again, this doesn't mean we only speak direct Scripture quotations. But when speaking as God's representative, we should take care to justify our words and opinions and counsel by God's word. To speak the oracles of God means to speak God's message, even if communicated in our own words. But how can our words represent God's word?

1) Our words can represent God's word when they are saturated by the Scripture. Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Deuteronomy 8:3, Matthew 4:4). As his ambassadors, we must know his thoughts, and he has revealed them to us in Scripture.

2) Our words can represent God's word when they accurately represent the gospel message. Paul observed a time when Peter and Barnabas engaged in hypocrisy and were "not in step with the truth of the gospel" (Galatians 2:14). For instance, right now, I'm teaching through Leviticus on Tuesdays. Leviticus in line with the gospel is much different than Leviticus before the cross.

3) Our words can represent God's word when they carry the correct emphasis. God's word is comprised of many nails of truth, but when a believer perpetually hammers on the same nail, they might be in danger of misrepresenting God's word.

4) Our words can represent God's word when they carry God's tone. God hates sin, but a believer should not give the impression God hates the sinner. He longs for all to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:3).

So how can we become more competent to speak the oracles of God to each other? Here are five suggestions:

1) First, read the word every day. I recently spoke with a young man who, in the craziness of some major life changes, took some time to sit on the beach and read the entire book of Acts. He was searching God's word, allowing it to peer into his life and reorganize his thoughts. Each day, we need God's word. There is grace when we don't, but it is good medicine to pick up the book every day.

2) Second, hear the word exposited. I am praying through teaching topically a bit more during some of my non-Sunday teachings. But part of the reason I exposit verse-by-verse is that it is a great way to purge my communication of my own ideas and opinions. Anyone can spout off, and I know you are listening to many other voices, but at least follow expositors.

3) Third, read good books. In our modern world, you cannot expect a thirty-five-minute sermon each week, one spoken to various generations and both genders, to cover every subject you need Scripture to inform your thoughts. I will list some good systematic theologies, books, and publishers to get you started.

4) Fourth, run with solid believers. In small groups or one-on-one, they can help test your thoughts and impressions in a safe space. They can point out where some of your thoughts aren't in line with the word.

5) Fifth, walk in the Spirit. He searches the deep things of God's heart (1 Corinthians 2:10-13). He can illuminate God's word for you better than anyone. This does not mean he will show you new truths or even things no one else has ever seen before, but he is able to make the word come alive to you.

And once it comes down to speaking words of counsel, encouragement, or correction, you must lean on the Spirit to strengthen you for the work. Peter talked about this strength from God (11). But how does the Spirit strengthen us to speak as God's representatives?

1) One way is by giving us boldness. We especially need this boldness in our time. When you deliver it, whether to hundreds or to one, you increase the possibility of becoming someone's enemy. So you need boldness.

2) Another way is by giving us clarity. Too many words of counsel or teaching or exhortation are a fog of platitudes, sentimentalism, pop-psychology, and self-help. But the Spirit can help make us clearer and more rooted in the truth.

3) Another way the Spirit can strengthen you is by leading you to share at the right time. The Proverbs say, "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver," meaning you delivered the right word at the right time and in the right way (Proverbs 25:11). Be sensitive to the Spirit's prompting. He will help you know when and how to share.

4) And the Spirit can also strengthen you by opening the right opportunities to you. He prepares hearts. He creates the moment. He opens doors.

5) And, finally, the Spirit will strengthen you by giving you strength. To share the word -- personally or publicly -- can be tiring work, emotionally and mentally, so God must energize you for the job.

But the Spirit can also strengthen you to get the knowledge and wisdom you need to share the word with others. He can also lead you in the right timing, knowing when and how to share. And he will be the one to give you opportunities to share, along with the energy required.

3. Serve With God's Strength (11)

So we are meant to steward God's gifts and speak God's word, but next, we learn we need to serve with God's strength. Peter said:

11 whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies...

Serving Gifts

All of us are called to serve. Jesus said that greatness comes through service and that the last shall be first (Mark 10:31, 44).

In the exiled church, we must serve one another. In families, men must serve their wives and children. In groups, members must serve others. In ministries, we must serve.

But Peter also has in mind the gifts of service mentioned throughout the New Testament -- gifts of generosity, leadership, acts of mercy, helping, and administration (Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:27-31). He might even mean the rarer gifts of faith, healing, miracles, and discerning of spirits (1 Corinthians 12:8-11).

With God's Strength

With these gifts, we are meant to serve one another. Peter said we must do it by the strength that God supplies (11). Why must we tap into God's strength when serving?

1) We need God's strength for faithfulness. We cannot remain committed to serving others if we are not faithful. If we say "yes" but mean "no," if we constantly commit and then cancel, we aren't helping. When you serve, receive God's strength to be faithful. There will be times and days you don't want to serve, but you must push through. You've committed, and there is a reward for keeping your commitments.

2) We need God's strength to push through a lack of appreciation. When you serve others, sometimes others treat you like a servant. It doesn't feel great, but God can strengthen you to endure that lack of honor. He loves you. He sees your service even when no one else does.

3) We need God's strength to endure shameful treatment. Serving others puts you with others. And sometimes, people do and say hurtful things. I don't know anyone who has served Jesus' church who hasn't also accumulated some scars. But God can strengthen you to endure this form of suffering.

4) We need God's strength for the energy needed to do the work. Opening up your home on week 12 of the Life Group quarter can be a tiring experience. Serving at the 8:30 AM Calvary Kids service can feel a bit early. Staying up late with a distressed friend in Christ can be demanding. But God can give you energy.

5) We need God's strength for the humility required to serve well. If we are not humble, we won't serve, or we will expect much in return when we do serve. But humility helps us lower ourselves to help others.

6) We need God's strength for the cheerfulness and patience required to serve Jesus and others well. It is an honor to serve him by serving his people, of course, but our natural self does not like doing it. So the Spirit can strengthen us to cheerfully and patiently serve our church family.

So Serve!

So let's serve one another with the strength God supplies. Extend yourself to make disciples, practice hospitality, foster ministry, counsel, and encourage. Use your life well. It isn't about wealth accumulation, peace accumulation, or experience accumulation. It's not about you, but him, and he wants us to use our gifts for others. When we do, it represents him well. It brings him glory. Peter said:

11 in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Starter Book Recommendations

Reference Material

• The Bible Knowledge Commentary by Roy Zuck, John Walvoord
• Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem
• Systematic Theology by Henry Thiessen
• Baker Encyclopedia Of Christian Apologetics by Norman Geisler
• Talk Thru The Bible by Bruce Wilkinson, Kenneth Boa

Spiritual Development

• Spiritual Disciplines For The Christian Life by Donald Whitney
• Confronting Christianity by Rebecca McLaughlin
• Romans by John Stott
• The Cross by Martyn Lloyd-Jones
• Authentic Christianity by Ray Stedman

Personal Life

• The Meaning Of Marriage by Timothy Keller
• Seven Myths Of Singleness by Sam Allberry
• Rethinking Sexuality by Juli Slattery
• Raising Passionate Jesus Follower by Phil & Diane Comer