Use the Green Bananas

In one paragraph

This message came from 1 Peter 4:7-11, and Pastor Ray used a vivid personal story about 70 pounds of green bananas to press home what that passage is actually asking of us. The core question he kept returning to was simple: what do you do with a gift you have been given but have not yet used? Pastor Ray opened by connecting this passage to where Peter began the letter, reminding the congregation...

Read together

1. 1 Peter 1:3-9 Read aloud as the opening doxology Peter begins the letter with, about being born again to a living hope and rejoicing through trials
2. 1 Peter 4:7-11 The main passage for the sermon, covering sober prayer, fervent love, hospitality, using spiritual gifts, and glorifying God

Talk about it

1. Pastor Ray described Santiago going to pray over the sick chief even though he was uncomfortable with it, and said God honored that obedience. When have you done something for God that you were genuinely uncomfortable with, and what happened?
2. Peter writes that love covers a multitude of sins. What does that look like practically in this congregation, and where have you seen it work or break down?
3. Pastor Ray said he hung up the bananas and simply forgot about them until they rotted. What gifts or opportunities do you think you have been given that you may have hung up and stopped paying attention to?
4. Pastor Ray said you will most likely only discover your spiritual gift by using it, and that other people affirming it is a sign you are on the right track. Do you agree with that, and has that been your own experience?
5. The passage closes with the goal that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. How does keeping that end in view change the way you think about whether your gift is ready enough to use?