How to Shape Your Life Around God’s Priorities

 In this New Year message from 1 Peter 4:1-11, Pastor Chris challenges believers to pursue a life shaped by God’s priorities rather than culture’s pursuit of comfort, pleasure, or success. This passage calls Christ followers to endurance, obedience, and faithful ministry so that our lives honor God and make an eternal impact.

Link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2285086/episodes/18422922

Key Points:

#1 Let God Shape Your ATTITUDE for Endurance (1 Peter 4:1)
 Just as Christ endured suffering with purpose, believers are called to arm themselves with the same mindset. Following Jesus will sometimes bring hardship, rejection, or spiritual opposition, yet we continue forward with perseverance and trust in God’s plans.

#2 Let God Shape Your ACTIONS for God’s Will (1 Peter 4:2-4)
 Because we belong to Christ, we leave behind old patterns of sin and self-centered living. Through the renewing work of the Holy Spirit, we choose obedience, holiness, and a lifestyle that reflects God’s values rather than the world’s expectations.

#3 Let God Shape Your MINISTRY for God’s Glory (1 Peter 4:5-11)
 Every believer will one day give an account before God, so we live with urgency, prayerfulness, love, and hospitality. God has given each of us spiritual gifts to serve others, and when we speak or serve, we do so in His strength so that He alone receives the glory.

Personal Stories from Pastor Chris:
 He shares reflections on how resolutions often fade, including a humorous youth-group memory about switching from donuts to fruit for two weeks. He also reflects on trying new ministry approaches, celebrating encouraging moments where God used messages and outreach to touch lives.

Notable Quotes:
 “Success in God’s eyes is shaping your life around His priorities.”
 “When you put God first, He makes enough time for the things that truly matter.”
 “In Christ you are no longer bound to sin. You have a choice to walk in freedom.”

Actionable Takeaways:
 Heart-level reflection: Ask God to reveal where your attitude needs to shift toward endurance and trust.
 Daily-life application: Choose obedience in one area where old habits still compete for your heart.
 Spiritual step or challenge: Identify and begin using your spiritual gift to serve others for God’s glory.
 Practical next step: Prayerfully evaluate what to stop, what to continue, and what to prioritize for God this year.

Scripture References:
 1 Peter 4:1-11
 Romans 6:1-14
 Ephesians 4:22-24
 Titus 2:11-13
 1 Peter 2:9 and 2:23

Keywords:
 Priorities, New Year, endurance, holiness, spiritual gifts, ministry, obedience, discipleship, 1 Peter 4

Challenge:
 Ask the Lord how He wants you to align your attitude, your actions, and your ministry with His priorities, and take one intentional step of obedience this week in response.

The WELL Faith Sermon Audio Podcast shares practical and encouraging Bible-based messages from Pastor Chris Teien to help you grow in your walk with Christ. A new message is released every Sunday. Episodes marked with an asterisk (*) are replay episodes from previous years. Find resources at ChrisTeien.com and Rockwell.church in Virginia, MN. Follow and review on your favorite platform. Send comments to: connect@christeien.com