Living as Purposeful Sojourners in Faith
Summary
In a world filled with challenges, uncertainties, and the constant reminder that this earth is not our final home, we are called to live as sojourners—strangers and exiles—who are passing through but not without purpose. The early believers Peter addressed in his letter faced persecution and hardship, yet he encouraged them to live with a sense of urgency and hope, knowing that “the end of all things is near.” This perspective is not meant to create fear, but to inspire us to live faithfully, joyfully, and intentionally for the glory of God and the good of others.
We are reminded that God’s patience in delaying Christ’s return is an act of mercy, giving more people the opportunity to come to repentance and know the love of Jesus. Our lives should reflect both readiness for Christ’s imminent return and wise stewardship for the future. This means living each day as if Jesus could return at any moment, while also planning and investing in the lives of those around us for generations to come.
Peter gives us practical instructions for how to live in this “middle space” between salvation and our eternal home. First, we are to be vigilant in prayer, recognizing that our effectiveness in serving God flows from our intimacy with Him. Prayer is not just preparation for the work; it is the work. It is in the presence of Jesus that we are strengthened, guided, and transformed.
Second, we are called to be warm and welcoming, practicing genuine hospitality without complaint. The church is a family, and our love and kindness toward one another—and especially toward guests and outsiders—can be a powerful testimony of God’s grace. Every member is deputized into the ministry of welcome, ensuring that no one feels like a stranger in the house of God.
Third, we are to serve one another with the gifts God has given us. Every believer is uniquely equipped by the Holy Spirit to contribute to the life and mission of the church. When everyone serves, the body is built up, no one is overwhelmed, and God is glorified.
Finally, above all, we are to maintain constant, fervent love for one another. Love is the distinguishing mark of the Christian community. It covers a multitude of sins, fosters forgiveness, and reflects the sacrificial love of Christ, who gave Himself for us. The invitation is open to all: to receive the love of Jesus, to walk in His ways, and to be transformed by His grace.
Key Takeaways
- Living as Sojourners with Purpose
As followers of Jesus, we are called to embrace our identity as strangers and exiles in this world, recognizing that our true home is with Christ. This perspective frees us from clinging to temporary things and empowers us to live with eternal priorities, seeking to glorify God and reach the lost even in the midst of hardship. Our journey is marked by both longing for home and purposeful engagement in the world around us. [45:29]
- The Power and Priority of Prayer
Intimacy with God through prayer is the foundation of a fruitful Christian life. Prayer is not merely a prelude to action but the very place where battles are fought and won, where our hearts are warmed by God’s presence, and where we declare our dependence on Him. True effectiveness in ministry and daily living flows from time spent with Jesus, not from our own strength or abilities. [52:59]
- Radical Hospitality as a Witness
Hospitality is more than a friendly greeting; it is a reflection of God’s welcoming heart. By intentionally reaching out to guests, outsiders, and even those who may be difficult to love, we embody the grace of Christ. The warmth and kindness of God’s people can be the difference between someone finding hope or remaining isolated, making every member’s role in welcoming others vitally important. [59:19]
- Serving with Spiritual Gifts for God’s Glory
Every believer has been entrusted with spiritual gifts, not for personal recognition, but for the building up of the church and the advancement of the gospel. When we serve from the strength God provides, each contribution—whether visible or behind the scenes—matters deeply. The goal of all our service is that God would be glorified in everything through Jesus Christ. [01:04:47]
- Fervent Love as the Mark of Christian Community
Love is the highest Christian virtue and the defining characteristic of Christ’s followers. Maintaining constant, earnest love for one another means forgiving, bearing with, and building up each other, even when it is costly. Such love creates a community where sin and resentment cannot easily take root, and where the love of Christ is made visible to the world. [01:07:18]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[42:05] - Honoring Pastors and Church Leadership
[42:44] - Sending Missionaries and the Cost of Obedience
[44:03] - Introduction to 1 Peter and the Sojourner’s Life
[45:29] - Living in the “Middle Space” as Exiles
[46:06] - Reading 1 Peter 4:7-11
[47:25] - Responding to Scoffers and God’s Patience
[48:35] - Living with Urgency and Planning for the Future
[50:31] - Traveling Light and Choosing God’s Best
[51:07] - The Call to Vigilant Prayer
[52:59] - The Transforming Power of Time with Jesus
[54:13] - The Fire of God’s Presence in Prayer
[56:45] - Submitting to God’s Will in Prayer
[57:22] - Practicing Hospitality in the Church Family
[59:19] - The Impact of Radical Hospitality
[01:02:54] - Serving Others with Spiritual Gifts
[01:04:47] - The Goal of Service: God’s Glory
[01:05:27] - Keeping Love at Full Strength
[01:07:18] - The Power of Christlike Love
[01:09:10] - The Gospel: Christ’s Sacrificial Love
[01:11:35] - Invitation to Respond
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Living as Sojourners with Purpose
*(Based on 1 Peter 4:7-11 and the sermon summary above)*
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### Bible Reading
1 Peter 4:7-11 (ESV)
> The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 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.
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### Observation Questions
1. According to 1 Peter 4:7-11, what are the four main instructions Peter gives to believers living in the “middle space” between salvation and their eternal home?
2. What does Peter say is the reason for being “self-controlled and sober-minded”?
3. How does Peter describe the way we are to love one another? What does he say love does?
4. In the sermon, what practical examples were given for showing hospitality in the church? [[59:19]]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Peter connect the urgency of “the end of all things is near” with the call to prayer, love, hospitality, and service? How does this perspective change the way believers live? [[45:29]]
2. The sermon says, “Prayer isn’t just preparation for the work. It is the work.” What does this mean for how we approach prayer in our daily lives? [[52:59]]
3. The passage says to “show hospitality to one another without grumbling.” Why might Peter add “without grumbling,” and what does this reveal about the heart behind hospitality? [[57:22]]
4. The sermon describes every believer as “deputized” into the ministry of welcome. What are the implications of this for how we see our role in the church community? [[01:01:06]]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon challenges us to live as sojourners, not clinging to temporary things but focusing on eternal priorities. What is one area of your life where you tend to hold on to temporary things? How could you shift your focus this week? [[45:29]]
2. “Prayer is not just preparation for the work; it is the work.” What is one practical step you can take to deepen your prayer life this week? Is there a specific time or place you could set aside to “linger in the presence of Jesus”? [[54:13]]
3. The sermon described hospitality as a powerful witness, especially to guests and outsiders. Think about your experience at church—have you ever felt like an outsider? What could you do to help someone new feel welcomed this Sunday? [[59:19]]
4. Peter says to serve one another with the gifts God has given. Do you know what your spiritual gifts are? If not, what is one way you could begin discovering and using your gifts to serve others in the church? [[01:02:54]]
5. The sermon mentioned that when everyone serves, no one is overwhelmed. Is there a ministry or area in the church where you see a need? What is one step you could take to help meet that need, even if it’s small? [[01:04:11]]
6. “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.” Is there someone in your life or in the church you need to forgive or show extra grace to? What would it look like to take a step toward reconciliation or deeper love this week? [[01:07:18]]
7. The sermon ended with an invitation to receive the love of Jesus and be transformed by His grace. If you have never experienced this love, what is holding you back? If you have, how can you share that love with someone else this week? [[01:09:10]]
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*Close in prayer, asking God to help the group live as sojourners with purpose, to grow in prayer, hospitality, service, and love for one another.*
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