*** THE NEEDS OF THE TIMES FOR THE CHRISTIANS ***

TEXT: I PETER 4:7-11

THEME: The needs of the times for Christians, call for a serious spiritual life.

INTRODUCTION: Obviously, this world has come to its perilous times. We can see the signs in

their peak as prophesied by saint Paul( II Tim. 3:1-5) “Man shall be lovers of

their own selves; covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to

parents, thankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce breakers, false

accusers, incontinent, fierce despises those that are good, traitors, heady,

high-minded, lover of pleasures more than lover of God. They have the form

of godliness but deny the power of God. We who like to please God in this

present world must be serious in our spiritual life.

I. THE NEEDS OF THE TIMES CALL FOR SOBERNESS. (v.7)

A. Soberness means temperate and well balance attitude or state of mind.

B. Soberness is the opposite of rushness or resorting to something without

proper consideration.

II. THE NEEDS OF THE TIMES CALL FOR PRAYERFULNESS. (v.7)

A. Let us increase our prayerfulness in these evil days. (Matt. 26; 41; phil. 4:6)

B. Prayers will motivate us to obedience to do the will of God.

III. THE NEEDS OF TIMES CALL FOR CHRISTIANS TO BE HOSPITABLE. (v.9)

A. Use hospitality without grudging, but with liberality. (v.9)

B. Give freely with all the heart without counting the cost.

IV. THE NEEDS OF THE TIMES CALL FOR GOOD STEWARDSHIP. (v.10-11)

A. Let us not “bury” or “hoard” the gifts, use them liberally to those that are in

need.

B. Gifts not being used will be lost.

C. If we speak, let us speak as the oracles of God (v.11), never apologize for

telling the truth.

D. Let us trust God for the good results in ministering of our individual gifts.