Elect Exiles - Part 8

Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.

1 Peter 3:10–12 ESV

For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

1 Peter 3:13–17 ESV

Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

Outline Ch 3:8-17

3:8 (Five virtuous foundations)

3:9 (Thesis)

3:10-12 (Psalm 34:12-14)

3:13-17 (Implications)

3:8 (Five virtuous foundations)

1 Peter 3:8 ESV

Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.

Finally (let me sum this up for you)

All of you (this goes beyond case studies… everyone)

Five christian virtues

Each points to the thesis

[[JUMP TO THESIS]]

1 Peter 3:9 ESV

Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.

All of the virtues mentioned support the thesis

Unity of mind

Not modern tolerance, or tolerance at all (unity does NOT equal tolerance)

Unity = common alignment to truth (Jesus) (Phil 1:27-28)

Gospel. To not believe is to believe lies

The truth

Evil is real

Justice is coming

God is sovereign (so we trust him)

Only the truth of the gospel will drive us to ultimate self-sacrifice and loving others, not repaying evil for evil.

Sympathy

To understand another’s situation or feelings

Example: Villains in movies (Gollum)

Sympathy will drive us to ultimate self-sacrifice and loving others, not repaying evil for evil.

Brotherly love

Brotherly love = philadelphoi, “affection among people who are closely related in some way”

Similar to sympathy. Not thinking us/them.

Share in our humanity

Share in our poor/sinful condition before God

Brotherly love will drive us to ultimate self-sacrifice and loving others, not repaying evil for evil.

A tender heart

A tender heart “refers to one’s internal organs and is sometimes translated “bowels” or “intestines.” Affection and emotions have a visceral impact, hence this word signifies a power kind of feeling. Much like sympathetic, the expression calls for being so affected by the pain of others as to feel it deeply, following the kind of tenderhearted compassion God, through His Son, has for sinners.”

John MacArthur

To have deep feelings of emotion for and toward others, much like Jesus.

A tender heart will drive us to ultimate self-sacrifice and loving others, not repaying evil for evil.

A humble mind

To be humble means to admit that you don’t have it all figured out

To be humble means to admit that you don’t deserve anything but death for your sin

To be humble is to receive everything in life as a precious gift from God because you’re owed nothing

Philippians 2:3–8 ESV

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Paul calls us to be humble

Have this mind (very similar to the language Peter uses. A humble mind OR humble-minded)

Which is yours in Christ...

Jesus, the one who would have been completely justified acting supreme and living better, humbled himself and served us, a sinful broken people.

3:9 (Thesis)

1 Peter 3:9 ESV

Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.

God calls you to this as his followers

But, it’s also for your good!

Matthew 5:10 ESV

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:11–12 ESV

“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Getting to the heart of what it means to be elect exiles.

Getting to the heart of what it means to be witnesses for Christ.

And the direction the world is going this message could not be more timely

3:10-12 (Psalm 34:12-14)

Peter backs up his position by quoting Psalm 34:12-14

1 Peter 3:10–12 ESV

3:13-17 (Implications)

1 Peter 3:13 ESV

Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good?

Generally, if you do the right thing, good things follow

When we live honorably, even among the gentiles, unbelievers, this keeps them silent.

1 Peter 3:14 ESV

But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,

But, if you DO suffer unjustly, which is common, YOU WILL BE BLESSED.

To this you were called...

Beatitudes...

Do good. Don’t create suffering for yourself, but when you do suffer for doing good… You will be blessed.

1 Peter 3:15–17 ESV

but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

Have no fear of those who do injustice (God will bring justice)

Matthew 10:28 ESV

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

1 Peter 3:15–17 ESV

Nor be troubled (God will protect you)

Matthew 10:29–30 ESV

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.

1 Peter 3:15–17 ESV

For it is better to suffer for doing good… (tie to first section)

BUT honor Christ the Lord as holy (motivation for everything)

Means to put Jesus in the highest place in your life

The highest authority

The highest treasure

Alway being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you

Do you have a hope?

Can people see your hope?

Are you prepared to make a reasoned defense?

Yet do it with gentleness and respect

Meekness and humility

Everything we talked about before in the 5 christian virtues

Having a good conscience...

1 Peter 2:12 ESV

Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

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