Audio Sermons

Stewards of God’s Grace
Life B-P Church Worship Service, 7th June 2026
Text: 1 Peter 4:10-11

• Every one of us has a stewardship that is greater than any other stewardship, and is driven not by duty but by love.
• There are three lessons we can learn about this stewardship. 

1.  It Is Universal in Its Obligation 
“As every man hath received the gift…”

•  The word “gift” (charisma) refers to spiritual gifts. (Cf. 1 Corinthians 12:4; Romans 12:6).
• They are special abilities bestowed upon us only when we were born again by the Spirit of God.
• They may in some way be closely associated with our natural talents, but not necessarily.
• Everyone who belongs to Christ has received a spiritual gift. (Cf. Ephesians 4:7,8)
• Application: Know your spiritual gift and use it well. 

“…even so minister the same one to another as good stewards…”

• God’s gifts are meant to be shared to meet the needs of others.
• The gifts of the Spirit are freely given to every member of the church to benefit the whole church.
• A steward dispenses what his master has entrusted to his care according to the master’s directions. (Cf. Luke 12:42)
• The word “steward” (oikonomos) originated the word ‘economics’ – the prudent management of resources to meet everyone’s needs.
• Application: Let the benefits of your gift be shared widely to build up the church, knowing that you will have to give Christ an account for it. 

2.    It Is Manifold in Its Manifestation 
“…of the manifold grace of God.”

• The word ‘grace’ obliterates the idea that the gifts are rewards.  
• The word ‘manifold’ means rich in colour and variety.
• Every spiritual gift has been specially designed and crafted to fulfil a specific role that is needed by the church.
• Every spiritual gift is important for the health and development of the church.
• Two broad categories of spiritual gifts are mentioned in v.11: 

a.    Gifts that Involve Speaking
“If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God” 
This covers all spiritual gifts that communicate the Word of God.
E.g. Preaching, teaching, evangelism, counselling and exhortation. 

b.  Gifts that Involve Serving 
“If any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth…” 
E.g. Helps, giving, administration, mercy and hospitality. 

Application: Be a good steward of your spiritual gift:

• Use it in the right manner.
• Do not be stingy or grudging in your service. (Cf. vv.9,8)
• Use it only with the Holy Spirit’s power.

3.    It Must Be God-Honouring in Its Intention
“…that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ…” 

This must be emphasized because of our sinful tendency to glory in:

• The things we have, as though we did not receive them.
• The things we do, as though we did them all by ourselves. 

Application:

• Remind yourself that all glory for your gift rightly belongs to God.
• Giving glory to God should be the sole intention of your stewardship.
• Ensure that nothing removes anyone’s focus away from God.
• Apply this to all that you do in any area of service.

Questions for Personal Reflection:

1. In what ways should serving in a church ministry be different from serving in a volunteer welfare organisation?
2. What should a person do if he feels strongly that he should serve in a particular ministry, but everyone else feels that he should not?
3. Is it wrong to pray for a certain spiritual gift, or should you just be content with the one you have?