Read 1 Peter 1:3 and 4:1-7
In 1 Peter 4:7 it is written that, “the end of all things is at hand.” The Greek word for “end” is “telos” (τέλος). Bible scholar Karen Jobes writes, “while modern readers may immediately think of the end of the world” it instead refers to “the last stage of a process as well as to its outcome or goal.” Peter is saying that because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ we “are living in the last stage of God’s great redemptive plan, and the goal of that plan is being realized.” She goes on to write, “The consummation of the kingdom of God will involve the return of Christ and the end of history as we know it because those events are necessary for God to achieve” his intended goal. God’s goal is to manifest his glory, restore heaven and earth, sum up everything in Christ, redeem his people, and give them everlasting life in communion with him. Jobes writes, “therefore, ‘the end of all things is at hand” signifies the final stage of that redemptive process, which leads to its consummation in the return of Christ.”
God reveals such truth in order to influence our behavior from the inside out. Therefore, Peter writes, “as each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace” (1 Peter 4:10). Every Christian has received a gift from the resurrected Christ by the working of the Holy Spirit. Paul refers to them as “spiritual gifts” (1 Corinthians 12:1; 14:1), reminding his readers that the greatest spiritual gift, that makes all the spiritual gifts actually valuable, is love (1 Corinthians 13). Nevertheless, Peter’s point is that these gifts, or renewed abilities, are to be used to serve one another. Humble service of one another with our gifts is intended to be a signal to us and the watching world that Jesus is alive and that we are living in the last stage of God’s salvation plan.
Do you know what your gift is? Are you using it or not? Are you making space for others to use their gifts in the congregation? Are you trying to do something that you have not been gifted for and need to consider other possibilities? These are all questions worth considering in light of King Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins on the cross.
It takes discernment to know what your gifts are. Ask your pastor or elder what they think. Ask trustworthy, mature, Christians what they think? Consider what you would be willing to do even if it cost you. (After all, the spiritual gifts are from Christ and when exercised should take on the pattern of his death and resurrection.) The church community needs you to exercise your gift for our good and God’s glory.
It may be that there are some in the Chinese Christian Church of Virginia, even in Living Hope’s English ministry, who have been gifted to be elders or deacons. Current CCCVA church members are welcomed to submit nominations for church officers to the Session between April 27 and June 29, 2025. Nominate men for ruling elder who possess obvious Christian maturity, a knowledge and love Scripture, love for the church, and a demonstrated ability to teach. Nominate men for deacon who likewise possess obvious Christian maturity, knowledge and love of Scripture, love for the church, and a habit of serving the church’s physical needs. Nominees must be active members of CCCVA for at least two years prior. For more information about the spiritual gifts and requirements for elders and deacons prayerfully consider 1 Timothy 3:1-13, Titus 1:5-9, and 1 Peter 5:1-4. You can find nomination forms in the hallway outside of the sanctuary.
