Living In Harmony

Introduction

Biblical: This whole section of Peter’s letter started in 1 Peter 2:11-12 (NET)… He summarizes this section in 1 Peter 3:8: “Finally, all of you be harmonious…”

Harmony is when you have two or more people singing or playing their part, and when you bring the parts together, they blend and compliment one another, creating something that is more beautiful together than it was individually.

Here’s an example… [Audio Clip of Amazing Grace]

Peter says that as Christians living in a non-Christian society, we are supposed to live in harmony. But, do you live in harmony with other people? If we’re honest, we often don’t live in harmony, even with other believers, let alone non-Christians who may have different political views, different lifestyle choices, and different values.

Not only that, but our society is a society in discord. The world is not harmonizing but is filled with dissonance. People clash with each other over their differences. Society is filled with hate for people who disagree with you. We don’t live in a harmonious world. We live in a dissonant world.

Subject: How do we live in harmony when we live in a dissonant world? How do we live at peace when we live in a society filled with unrest?

Body

To live in harmony, we must be others-focused, not self-focused. To live at peace, we must look out not only for our own interests but for the interests of others.

Exposition

Understand that life is not a solo performance; it’s a choir. It’s not about me; it’s about us (1 Peter 3:8). This requires humility—pride kills harmony.

Pride is thinking of yourself before others.

Humility is thinking of others before yourself.

Know your part and play it (1 Peter 3:9). This is the same thing Paul taught in Romans 12:19-21. No one lives this way.

Illustration: CareNet Pregnancy Center in Madison was the first pregnancy center to be firebombed after the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision was leaked… and I was deeply moved by CareNet’s response: they prayed for God’s blessing on those who firebombed their clinic.

Application: If I’m the harmony, then I’m not the melody. Who is the melody? Jesus. Is Jesus the melody in your life/home/church/neighborhood/school/workplace?

To live in harmony, we “must seek peace and pursue it.” To live at peace, we must strive for peace.

Exposition

Look at 1 Peter 3:10-11. Peter is not calling Christians to be passive pushovers. Living in harmony requires actively striving for peace.

It’s not easy, but God has promised to help us, if we commit to living this way (1 Peter 3:12).

Live a life that speaks for itself.

Illustration: “I don’t agree with her views, but I can’t argue with her life.”

Application: Be the first Christian that people around you like.

Conclusion

Never underestimate the power of God’s presence in your life.

1 Peter 2:11-12… “when he appears” = when God shows up in your life