Do right
Notes
Transcript
Hall of fame football coach Lou Holts three simple rules:
Do right
Do you best
Show people that you care
In 1977 Coach Holtz became the head coach of your beloved Arkansas Razorbacks. He led the team to a a 10-1 record an won a bid to the Orange Bowl against Oklahoma.
Not only were Holtz’ Razorbacks were an 18 point underdog, in the weeks leading up to the game, Holtz suspended three starters for violating his Do Right Rule.
Police found a half dressed woman in the players dorm room.
Under immense pressure to change his mind and a law suit, Holtz refused to budge.
In Peter’s first letter to the Churches in Asia Minor, He is urging his Christian readers to live by the Do Right rule?
In relation to their Government, their bosses, and their spouses.
Half way through Chapter 3 He asks an interesting question.
13 Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good?
He has hinted at this subject,
19 For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly.
Now he takes on the question head on. But understand what he is asking and how he is asking.
Let’s look at the whole passage:
13 Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good?
14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled,
15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;
16 and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.
17 For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.
18 For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;
19 in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison,
20 who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water.
21 Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
22 who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him.
Who is there to harm you?
Who is there to harm you?
Prove zealous for what is good?
NOT: Confronting people with the gospel.
NOT: Fighting against abortion.
NOT: Defending you faith.
Feeding the hungry.
Caring for widows.
Giving to the poor.
Being kind in the face of unkindness.
Serving your brother/sister.
SALT and LIGHT kind of goodness
If you are thinking…..
Who in their right mind would want to hurt someone for doing those things?
That is what Peter’s asking.
14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled,
You are Blessed! NOT will be… But are in that moment.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
12 “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Instead:
15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;
This is your inner and outer response……..
Set apart as Holy!
It feels good to help people. You help someone and they are appreciative, the say how kind you are and how much they appreciate you…..
ON THE INSIDE: I want to help more people because I like this feeling…..
WHAT WE SHOULD THINK: Thank you LORD for the Leading of your Holy Spirit. Thank you for giving me the means and opportunity to help others. Lord, please give me more opportunities like this one.
BECAUSE: there may come a time when you do what is right, and get spit on…That dog bites the hand that feeds them….
The temptation will be: This sucks, and I ain’t helping anyone else.
I prayed for this opportunity, so…..Thank you LORD for the Leading of your Holy Spirit. Thank you for giving me the means and opportunity to help others. Lord, please give me more opportunities like this one.
Make a defense:
Make a defense:
Everyone who asks…
This is not a prohibition against unsolicited evangelism…..
It is also not suggesting that you have a PHD in Biblical Apologetics.
When your motives are questioned of why you are not only doing good, but also refused to repay evil with evil, but with good….
Be prepared to give the reason. I received mercy when I didn’t deserve it.
Gentleness and reverence…
If your response leaves you with the feeling of… “Well, I showed them.”
SALT and LIGHT:
Good Conscience
Good Conscience
Avoid disobedience.
Practice quick repentance when you don’t.
Those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.
Not that their shame is good, but that it may cause them to consider the Gospel for themselves.
Better to suffer for doing good rather than for doing bad…..
18 For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;
19 in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison,
20 who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water.
Who are the spirits in prison?
—unbelievers who have died?
—Old Testament believers who have died?
—fallen angels?
2. What did Christ preach?
—second chance for repentance?
—completion of redemptive work?
—final condemnation?
3. When did he preach?
—in the days of Noah?
—between his death and resurrection?
—after his resurrection?
Colonel Mustard in the Dining room with the lead pipe.
21 Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
22 who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him.
1 Peter: An Introduction and Commentary (iii) God Will Save You (as He Did Noah and Christ) (3:21–22)
‘Baptism now saves you—not the outward physical ceremony of baptism but the inward spiritual reality which baptism represents.’
Peter rejects
any magical view of baptism.
any works righteousness.
