2020-06-03 1 Peter 3:9

1 Peter 3:8–9 CSB

8 Finally, all of you be like-minded and sympathetic, love one another, and be compassionate and humble, 9 not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing, since you were called for this, so that you may inherit a blessing.

I. Don’t pay back evil for evil.

1 Peter 3:9 CSB

9 not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing, since you were called for this, so that you may inherit a blessing.

A. Our constant culture war feeds off of and eye for and eye philosophy.

1 Peter 3:9 CSB

9 not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing, since you were called for this, so that you may inherit a blessing.

Illus: We have been at war in our nation socially my whole life. The issues change from week to week, day to day but we have lived at war for far too long.

For the last 15 years social media has become the platform to war. There is almost an expectations that if you don’t respond bluntly and quickly online you don’t care.

What quick and blunt responses have done is create a polarized society where everyone feels they must take sides about everything.

Not only that, but there is this feeling that no issue should not be met without being harshly rebuttaled.

Our way of communicating has created an environment where people are necessary casualties to win arguments.

Let my try to illustrate. Right now we are walking through major tensions nationally regarding race and policing, with outside groups on both sides maximizing the tension to create chaos.

Our black community is hurting. People with faces, names, and families are hurting. There are moms in our community scared for their sons.

If you were to go online and share that there are issues justice wise for the our black brothers and sister you would be seen as anti police.

On the opposite hand, we have seen police specifically targeted as well in the midst of this time. Responding that you support the police to many is seen as anti black.

I want to be clear, I stand alongside my black brothers and sisters AND alongside my police friends.

I am for protecting black men. I am for protecting police officers.

I am against racially profiling, pre judging, and the murder of young black men. I can see that it happens. I can see the need for reform.

I am also against the rioting and destruction of people’s property as well as the coordinated physical attacks on officers.

This stance of being pro life both for my black friends and for my police friends does not fit neatly in a culture war.

I reject that we must see the world in an eye for an eye way. That is not the way of Jesus.

Instead we should look at people not as though they are issues to defeat but instead as people whom God loves.

If the love of God is who we are at our core, it should be the way we view the world.

Matthew 5:38–44 CSB

38 “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. 39 But I tell you, don’t resist an evildoer. On the contrary, if anyone slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 As for the one who wants to sue you and take away your shirt, let him have your coat as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and don’t turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. 43 “You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

B. Christ is most seen when we refuse to lower ourselves to the worlds ways.

1 Peter 3:9 CSB

9 not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing, since you were called for this, so that you may inherit a blessing.

Illus: Can you imagine if we abandoned the eye for an eye way of relating to world.

Can you imagine if we placed our hope back into the gospel over political and social power.

We could change the world. Yes the gospel could change the world today.

God has called you to be the embodiment of his love, sufferings, death, and resurrection to the world.

The way of the cross runs diametrically opposed to the way of the culture way.

The culture war teaches you that your fellow man is a person to defeat.

The gospel teaches that your fellow man is a person to embrace and love.

What will that take… it will call you to deny yourself and take up your cross.

It is the deliberate act of not carring about winning, but instead choosing to love.

Does it really take all that much to look at your black brother in humanity and say, you matter (while not feeling compelled to say I matter too.)

Deny yourself, take up your cross, follow Jesus.

What was in Jesus’ mind when he taught them to love one another as he loved them… the fact that all of his disciples would turn their backs on him.

John 13:34–38 CSB

34 “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” 36 “Lord,” Simon Peter said to him, “where are you going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow later.” 37 “Lord,” Peter asked, “why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” 38 Jesus replied, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly I tell you, a rooster will not crow until you have denied me three times.

II. Do not payback insult for insult.

1 Peter 3:9 CSB

9 not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing, since you were called for this, so that you may inherit a blessing.

A. The first evidence of your heart are your words.

1 Peter 3:9 CSB

9 not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing, since you were called for this, so that you may inherit a blessing.

Illus: There have been words and posts stated and shared in the last week that I have been heart broken over.

I have seen many friends post pictures from the communist countries of China and Venezuela using high powered water cannons to blast people protesting for their freedom as a solution for the protests.

Hear me… I am not condoning the destruction of property, or the abuse of our law enforcement officers, but if our first response is to resort to the brutal ways that we put down demonstrations in the 60s we should lament and repent.

I have seen posts that take a sadistic joy that those out peacefully protesting will catch the corona virus.

As we carry the name of Jesus and our church, what have our posts been saying about us.

Have they displayed the love of christ for a world that is hurting, or has it shown a level of depravity that grieves the heart of God?

When I have pushed against the viral foolishness that has become normal among the people of God, there is almost always push back.

On Sunday I shared our desperate need for repentance. I’m doubling down. Our words have revealed our hearts, and shown us to be broken, sinful, and angry.

James 3:5–6 CSB

5 So too, though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things. Consider how a small fire sets ablaze a large forest. 6 And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among our members. It stains the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

B. Words are powerful. They can destroy, restore, divide, reconcile, tear apart, and build up your fellow man. What are your words accomplishing?

1 Peter 3:9 CSB

9 not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing, since you were called for this, so that you may inherit a blessing.

Illus: Do you remember when you parent said, if you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all? Perhaps you told that to your child.

As the church, people who have been transformed by the selfless and sacrificial love of Jesus Christ, this standard is to low.

If your words do not restore, reconcile, build up, love, give grace to your fellow man… if your posts do not, than it is better to say nothing at all.

You are the reputation of First Baptist Church, and you are the reputation of Christ to the world.

If there is any group who should be speaking boldly for the humanity and dignity of every single life it should be the church.

If there is any group that should be for racial reconciliation and restoration it should be the church.

If there is any group speaking love and life into a culture of death and war it should be the church.

James 3:9–10 CSB

9 With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in God’s likeness. 10 Blessing and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way.

Ephesians 4:29–32 CSB

29 No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear. 30 And don’t grieve God’s Holy Spirit. You were sealed by him for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander be removed from you, along with all malice. 32 And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.

III. Bless others.

1 Peter 3:9 CSB

9 not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing, since you were called for this, so that you may inherit a blessing.

A. Blessing others is not conditional on other people’s behavior, it is a reflection of God’s work in you.

Illus: Tonight I am challenging you to embrace a radical heart change which abandons the political, cultural, and racial war you have been fighting.

It is a heart change that does not need to respond to everything, and chooses to never respond in a way that dehumanizes or devalues another human being.

It is a heart change that chooses to love, no matter offense.

It is a heart change to deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Jesus with your words, actions and attitudes.

It is the heart change to be the blessing of Christ to our world of evil, war, racism and brokenness.

When we embrace that heart change, we will see the world change.

Romans 12:14–18 CSB

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud; instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Give careful thought to do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes. 18 If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.