Welcome to Northland Bible Church!
|HOME|EVENTS|MISSIONS | STAFF|GALLERY|MESSAGES | LINKS|CONTACT US|
 
Hand It Over!
by Alex M Lindsay
   Download this message
Reference: I Peter 4:1-19

Our text brings out three important duties.

Arm yourself with the Mind of Christ (I Peter 4:1-7).

  • Separated for the service of God's purposes (I Peter 4:1-6).
  • Sober-minded [serious/disciplined self-control] (I Peter 4:7).
  • Sensitive [alert & watchful/careful to pray] (I Peter 4:7).
See Matthew 26:36-54; John 17:1-26; Ephesians 6:10-21; Philippians 2:1-16; 4:4-9.

Always be serving, under the control of God's love (I Peter 4:8-11).

  • Graciously forgiving sin (I Peter 4:8).
  • Giving hospitality without complaint (I Peter 4:9).
  • Good stewards of God's ministry gifts (I Peter 4:10-11).
See John 13:1-15, 34-35; II Corinthians 5:14-21; Romans 15:1-7; Ephesians 5:1-2.

Anchored with God during the sufferings and toils of Christian service (I Peter 4:12-19).

  • Rejoice in the Lord / Glory in the Lord (I Peter 4:12-16).
  • Remember the Lord's faithfulness / Trust the Lord to care for your soul (I Peter 4;17-19).
See Hebrews 6:10-20; Matthew 5:1-16; John 16:33; Philippians 3:1-10; Jeremiah 9:23-24; I Corinthians 1:18 - 2:16; I John 3:1-3. See also Psalm 25:1-6; 37:1-40; 56:1-13.


As we think of our nation's birth; its proposed mission in the world; its many labors, battles / victories, and failures, let us remember that a great spiritual war is going on in the United States - and in all of the world. We will serve our nation best if we serve Christ's kingdom first.

In all of God's dealings with the world, He thinks of the welfare and development of His own people first (I Peter 4:17). When we see problems in our country / in the world, we should first think of the effect on God's people / Christ's kingdom. We should also think of the responsibility of God's people - How should we be responding to the cultural war and the political-social issues that are abounding? This, as well as military wars and physical disasters and crises should prompt us to be drawing closer to God so that we can be more useful in God's service.

Hand it over!

Persecution, problems, labors, weariness, failure, or victory - should all be handed over to the Lord for His guidance, provision, forgiveness, and protection. This is what the word "commit" is talking about (I Peter 4:19). Let's point out two things:

Christ committed himself to the Father's will and righteous judgement (I Peter 2:21-25).
See John 6:38; 7:16-18; Hebrews 10:5-14; Matthew 26:38-39, 51-54; Luke 23:34, 46 cp. Isaiah 50:4-9; 52:13 - 53:12.

We need to consider Christ's call to yoke with Him, learn from His meekness and find rest for our souls (Matthew 11:28-30 cp. I Peter 4:19).
Peter tells us, that when we suffer for well-doing, to be careful to commit the keeping of our souls to our faithful creator. This will enable us to cheerfully continue serving the Lord without giving up. See Luke 18:1-8; I Peter 5:6-11; James 1:2-8; II Timothy 1:12; 2:8-10; I Peter 3:8-18; II Corinthians 1:3-10; 4:1-18 cp. Acts 13:44-52.

Originally delivered July 2, 2017
Download message notes

Here's how to find us!
|HOME|EVENTS|MISSIONS | STAFF|GALLERY|MESSAGES | LINKS|CONTACT US|