How to Enjoy Life
Notes
Transcript
Confidence in God’s goodness gives us joy in the midst of our circumstances.
Think Rightly (8)
Think Rightly (8)
The end goal of God’s commands is to love Him and love one another (particularly among believers).
5 The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
It requires a unity of mind (we agree on what God says is important).
So much of the division in this world is caused by those who seek to divide for personal gain (Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck).
How we think in relation to others is affected by how God’s Word has shaped our thoughts, “As a man thinks in his heart so is he...”
It requires a sympathy for others born out of humility.
Life is more enjoyable when you live at peace with others.
Talk Graciously (9-11)
Talk Graciously (9-11)
Don’t return evil for evil, instead be a blessing!
Don’t use your tongue for evil, instead become a blessing to others, even your “enemies”.
Illustration:
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.
Repaying good for evil will not only bless others, it will bring eternal reward and joy to your heart!
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
The joy is a result of being identified with the nature and character of your Heavenly Father!
Trust God’s Goodness (12)
Trust God’s Goodness (12)
Peter quotes from Psalm 34 to prove that we can trust God is good to those who seek Him.
God sees our need and hears our prayer!
8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! 9 Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! 10 The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
Though we may have trouble in this life, God will redeem us from every trial!
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
We can live confidently today, because God has redeemed our life and pardoned our sin! (Psalm 34:22).