Blessed Living - Inheritance
Notes
Transcript
18 The Lord knows the days of the blameless, and their heritage will remain forever; 19 they are not put to shame in evil times; in the days of famine they have abundance.
Matthew 5:38–48 (ESV) — 38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
9 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.
Introduction
Peter continues to speak of our responsibility to live as faithful believers. It is to be harmonious, here he he says it will be blessed and he is going to say that it will be both victorious and sacrificial. What he says is vital if we truly to live as faithful believers.
Are Christians interested only in fellow believers? No, they also demonstrate their love toward people who abuse and insult them. Christians follow the teachings of Christ: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matt. 5:44; Luke 6:27). Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Epistles of Peter and the Epistle of Jude (Vol. 16, p. 128). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.
Matthew 5:44 (ESV)
44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
We will consider
Bless
Called
Inheritance
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1 Peter 3:9 (ESV)
9 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.
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1. Bless
1. Bless
9 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.
Peter indicates that the readers are trying to settle injuries and insults on their own terms. He tells them to stop retaliating; repaying evil for evil and insult for insult has no place in the Christian religion. Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Epistles of Peter and the Epistle of Jude (Vol. 16, p. 128). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.
What is the meaning of the term bless? It means that we pray for our enemies, be kind to them in word and deed, and seek to promote their well-being. Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Epistles of Peter and the Epistle of Jude (Vol. 16, p. 128). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.
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Romans 12:14 (ESV)
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
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1 Thessalonians 5:15–18 (ESV)
15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
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2. Called
2. Called
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9 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.
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1 Peter 1:15 (ESV)
15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
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Romans 8:28 (ESV)
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
God is our pattern in love and compassion. People rate some virtues higher than others and trample on virtues like love, compassion, and meekness. Although these violets grow low and are dark in colour, they give a very sweet perfume. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:43–45). Be like that, no matter how other people behave. Leighton, R. (1999). 1 Peter. In 1, 2 Peter (p. 141). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
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3. Inheritance
3. Inheritance
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1 Peter 3:9 (ESV)
9 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.
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Ephesians 1:3 (ESV)
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,
The believer does not earn a blessing; he inherits it. Thus Peter writes, “So that you may inherit a blessing.” The concept inherit stems from patriarchal times when, for example, Isaac blessed his sons and gave them the inheritance of the land (Gen. 27:27–29, 39–40). “An inheritance is never earned; it is received as a gift. The inheritance which our writer has in mind is salvation, final salvation rather than its present enjoyment.” Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Epistles of Peter and the Epistle of Jude (Vol. 16, pp. 128–129). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.
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Matthew 25:34 (ESV)
34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
Slde
Hebrews 1:14 (ESV)
14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?
We are called to a holy inheritance, and we are called to a holy way of life. We are called to an inheritance of light, and so we are called to walk as children of light. The Lord has spoken pardon to the soul instead of the curse due to our sin. He has blessed us with a title to glory; so the believer can easily and readily speak about pardon and even of blessing on those who upset him most. Leighton, R. (1999). 1 Peter. In 1, 2 Peter (p. 141). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
So that you may inherit a blessing. Our calling does not exempt us from troubles and injuries here. We are not extolled by those in the world, but on the contrary we have to suffer their malice and scoffing. But all these curses cannot deprive us of our inheritance. Inheriting this blessing places on Christians the duty to bless others. It also encourages us to endure the worst the world can do to us. Leighton, R. (1999). 1 Peter. In 1, 2 Peter (p. 142). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
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Ephesians 1:11–12 (ESV)
11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.
God called us to inherit his infinite blessing; this impels us to bless others. The exposition appears in 18:21–35. The interpretation that we inherit the blessing which we bestow on others breaks down on the word “inherit”; no one inherits what he bestows. We are called to bless because we ourselves were blessed by God through his call. Lenski, R. C. H. (1966). The interpretation of the epistles of St. Peter, St. John and St. Jude (pp. 143–144). Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House.
14 For the Lord will not forsake his people; he will not abandon his heritage;
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Acts 20:32 (ESV)
32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
Conclusion
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Colossians 3:23–24 (ESV)
23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
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Psalm 37:18–19 (ESV)
18 The Lord knows the days of the blameless, and their heritage will remain forever; 19 they are not put to shame in evil times; in the days of famine they have abundance.
When this passing world is done,
when has sunk the radiant sun,
when I stand with Christ on high,
seeing all life’s history,
then, Lord, shall I fully know,
not till then, how much I owe.
2. When I stand before the throne,
dressed in beauty not my own,
when your fulness, Lord, I see,
when my heart from sin is free,
then, Lord, shall I fully know,
not till then, how much I owe.
3. When the praise of heaven I hear,
loud as thunders to the ear,
loud as many waters’ noise,
sweet as harp’s melodious voice,
then, Lord, shall I fully know,
not till then, how much I owe.
4. Chosen, not for good in me,
called by grace from wrath to flee,
hidden in the Saviour’s side,
by the Spirit sanctified,
teach me, Lord, on earth to show
by my love how much I owe.
Robert Murray McCheyne - 1813-43
Not to us be glory given
but to him who reigns above:
Glory to the God of heaven
for his faithfulness and love!
What though unbelieving voices
hear no word and see no sign,
still in God my heart rejoices,
working out his will divine.