The Scripture reading is 1 Peter 4, verse 11, in a section which details love and grace and ministry and stewardship. And in future sermons, we'll deal with these particular topics. But here now, verse 11 of 1 Peter 4. 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. Word of God for us, the people of God. And behold, the word be praised now and even forevermore. Amen. If Peter is describing spiritual gifts and doing ministry, he emphasizes the provision of ability supplied by God to the servants of a son. The second half of verse 11, that in all things, God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and dominion forever and ever, amen. Now John Calvin remarked, God does not adorn us with his gifts that he may rob himself and make himself, as it were, an empty idol by transferring to us his own glory. In other words, God does not make us godlike. Although Christians aspire to be godly, we're unable to be godlike in supreme power and complete holiness exercising divine authority over all things. So no way does God's gifting of believers diminish His glory and His dominion any more than it diminishes His capacity to be uniquely God. Psalm 145 verse 13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. Furthermore, God is glorified through Jesus Christ, his crucified and triumphant son. And we're aware of the doxologies which erupt in praise to God. Romans 16, verse 27, that God alone lies, be glory through Jesus Christ forever, amen. In Jude 25, that God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forevermore, amen. Ephesians 3 verse 21, to God be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. And thus the glory and the dominion belong to God and God receives these as rendered to him through Jesus Christ, the Savior he has given. With all of these truths, we encounter words in our text, the words, in all things. And scripture speaks frequently about all things. 2 Timothy 4, verse 5, Paul charged him, you be watchful in all things. Endure afflictions to the work of an evangelist. Fulfill your ministry. Be watchful in all things. The Israelites tried to encourage Joshua when they claimed in Joshua chapter 1 verse 17, not long after the death of Moses. Just as we heeded Moses in all things, So we will heed you, only the Lord God be with you as he was with Moses. Now we, of course, can't help but wonder if that was mentioned somewhat tongue-in-cheek, because the Israelites did not obey Moses in all things. That, at least, is something of an exaggeration. A more accurate declaration, rendered by King Hezekiah, found in Isaiah 38 verse 16. O Lord, by these things men live, and in all these things is the life of my spirit. So you will restore me and make me live. God is the one who gives all spiritual things, all truly spiritually beneficial things. Third John, verse two. Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health just as your soul prospers. Back in Genesis 24 verse 1, the narrative reads, that Abraham was old, well advanced in age, and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things. John 16 verse 15, Jesus preparing his disciples for his departure All things that the father has are mine Therefore I've said that he will take of mine and Declare it to you all things The father has are mine And then Paul spoke of contentment, whatever the circumstances, in Philippians chapter 4, verses 11 and 12. And now that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am to be content. I know how to be abased. I know how to abound. everywhere and in all things. I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. And then we have the well-known 13th verse. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, that is all things We're doing ministry that honors God through Jesus Christ. Whatever context I'm in, whether I'm well-fed or on the edge of starvation, I can do all things ministerially that God has called me to do in the name of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 9, verse 8. In the midst of a section on largely financial giving, 2 Corinthians 9a, God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. Not every self-serving work, but every good work. And God can give you all sufficiency for all those things. And then in Acts chapter 17, Paul spoke on Mars Hill to a theologically pluralistic audience. And in Acts 17, verse 22, he said, Men in Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious. And of course, they were not yet saved. So he pointed them to the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and as King. in obedience to what he was called to do. Now turn to 1 Kings chapter 18. 1 Kings 18 verses 30 through 39 of 1 Kings 18. Here we have Elijah's challenging mission. He was woefully outnumbered by the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. And the prophets of Baal had their turn to convince Baal to send rain. And it didn't happen, despite their best efforts. Then beginning with verse 30 of 1 Kings 18, then Elijah said to all the people, come near to me. So all the people came near to him and he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down. Elijah took 12 stones according to the number of the tribes of the son of Jacob to whom the word of the Lord had come saying, Israel shall be your name. Then with the stones, he built an altar in the name of the Lord. And he made a trench around the altar large enough to hold two seeds of seed. And he put the wood in order, cut the bull in pieces, and laid it on the wood and said, fill four water pots with water and pour it on the burnt sacrifice and on the wood. Then he said, do it a second time. And they did it a second time. And he said, do it a third time. And they did it a third time. So the water ran all around the altar, and he also filled the trench with water. And it came to pass, at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near and said, Lord God of Israel, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel. and I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word. Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that you are the Lord God, and that you have turned their hearts back to you again. Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, And it licked up the water that was in the trench. Now when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces. And they said, the Lord, He is God. The Lord, He is God. Elijah was obedient in doing all the things here that God wanted him to do. Likewise, Peter was obedient to God in writing this epistle for the people of Christ. And Peter was emphatic that in all things, God would be glorified through Jesus Christ. That God would receive the glory through Christ and no other. No other being is the God-man who blesses and saves his people. And the God-man is the one who instituted the Lord's Supper. This is to be done in remembrance of Him. He is Lord of all, and nothing can separate us, his people, from the love of God, through Christ Jesus, our Lord. The theme of the latter part of Romans chapter eight conveys the realities of life in Christ, even though we live in a fallen and sinsick world. A world in which we, at least occasionally, experience hardship and persecution for the name of Christ. Romans 8 contains reminders of the numerous guarantees and promises of God through Jesus Christ, the one whom he has given. Romans 8 verse 32 reminds us, he who did not spare his own son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely Give us all things. Let's pray together. Father in our God, we thank you that our times are in your hands and that eventually we will be glorified. In time, in the time of your choosing, we will be in a realm with no pain or conflict, disappointment, suffering. That you will freely give us all things through Christ. We thank you that we will then be perfected and enable to glorify you through Jesus Christ. This we ought to do. We pray that you would choose to accept our efforts to give you glory through Christ. Even now. And this prayer is made in this most glorious name. Amen.