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HOPE Covenant Sermons

Living and Loving

November 18, 2012 Speaker: Series: Living Hope

Topic: Personal Growth and Recovery Verse: 1 Peter 4:7–4:11

LIVING HOPE

“Living and Loving”

Pastor Duane Cross | 11.18.2012

“The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”         (1 Peter 4:7-11)

“The night is nearly over; the day is almost here.”   (Romans 13:12)

“The Lord is at hand.”      (Philippians 4:5)

“The Lord’s coming is near.”        (James 5:8)

“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.                                                                                                                                            (Revelation 22:20)

1) LIVE INTENTIONALLY

“The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.”                                                                                                                                 (1 Peter 4:7)

2) LOVE DEEPLY

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”       (Peter 4:8)

3) SHARE OPENLY

“Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.”    (1 Peter 4:9)

4) SERVE FAITHFULLY

“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10)

“What did you do with what I gave you?”

 

GOING DEEPER QUESTIONS

For the Week of November 18

1 Peter 4:7-11 | Pastor Duane Cross

These questions are designed to help you go deeper with the sermon during your week-to take a closer look at the Scripture and find fresh ways to live out the main points of the sermon. Going Deeper questions also are used for discussion in all of our Grow Groups at Hope.

Getting Started                                                                                                                           What insight or principle from this weekend’s message did you find helpful, interesting or challenging? Explain.

How are you living “the dash”?

Do you believe Jesus is coming soon? If so, why?

What does it mean to you to be “clear minded and self-controlled”?

Pastor Duane said we are to “stay the course in spite of circumstances.” What does that mean to you?

What does it mean to love deeply? Your spouse? Close friend? Enemy?

A Closer Look                                                                                                                             Read 1 Corinthians 3:10-15; 3:2: 2 Corinthians 5:10; Matthew 25:31-36. What does it mean to live in light of “the end” (i.e the day of judgment)? How should it impact our life? How does it differ with what the things the world lives in light of (e.g. the myth of progress)?

Where do you see examples of hospitality in Scripture? Is it hard for you to be hospitable? What would Peter say is the importance of hospitality?

Read 1 Peter 1:3; 3:7; 5:7; 4:7b. Why does Peter mention prayer so often? How can we cultivate the kind of prayer life God desires?

Digging Deeper                                                                                                                          What are your spiritual gifts? (see 1 Corinthians 12) How do you use your gifts in the church? In the world?

What are several practical ways you can use your gifts “so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ?

After this study, how would you answer the question “How do I live the dash?”

More in Living Hope

November 25, 2012

Passing The Baton

November 11, 2012

Suffering For Jesus

November 4, 2012

Unfading Beauty and Heirs of Life