Read I Peter 4 Suffering produces Obedience

If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. (I Peter 4:11 NKJV)

In the exercise Gods stewardship, Peter wrote everyone do so with the gravity, the gifting and the goal in in mind.

The gravity of preaching is to speak as the oracles of God. The emphatic word is of God. The speaker does not trust his own natural powers and wit. He does not seek applause for himself, He does not act as one possesses of the powers. Instead, he is to speak only that which God inspires him to speak. He speaks the truth in love and in accordance to God's word, Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (II Timothy 2:15) The power of God's word that transforms one's life comes through experiential knowledge.

The gifting God supplies for ministry. We are the stewards of His gift. We therefore serve according to the ability which God has provided us. Just as the man who preaches is to preach as a mere mouthpiece of God, so the man who gives himself to serve must consider himself as Gods dispenser. Thus how dependence we are of the Holy Spirit rather than self.

Finally, the goal is to glorify God through Christ. It's not directed at self or others but to the glory of God. Regardless of outcome like the parables of the sower have different results. Our part is to be Gods sowers; that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. All we are capable of doing is through Christ. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13).

When affection is drawn to God in our ministry of the word; it will end in this doxology, all glory and the dominion belong to Him forever and ever.

Prayer: Lord let me represent You through my speech with the strength You have given me. It is spoken accurately, truthfully, seasonably and humbly in total reliance on the Holy Spirit. As we serve one another, we do it with the strength God provides, the ability which God supplies - so that to You belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever.

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