Choose Good (1 Peter 3:8-4:11)

Intro

Review - We’ve been in 1 Peter learning what it looks like to own our faith. The last few chapters have been talking about the hope we have and that we should be living for the glory of God in any situation.

Hook - How do you know who you are?

Living in a time right now and in your stage of life we are all trying to figure out who we are and what does it mean to be us?

Makes us wonder what it is that makes us who we are?

Some might say who you are is based on what you want to be

Maybe, I really want to be a great athlete one day and i like sports and I want to be a great athlete and so I identify myself as an athlete and tell people I want to be a great athlete one day. I could even buy the nicest cleats and the name brand baseball bat and I can even hang out with all the great baseball players - does that make me who I am?

Or maybe it’s not only the future - Maybe I want to be known as a nice guy so I need to make sure people know me as a nice guy so I spend my time thinking about how people think of me and then I argue with others trying to convince them that I am a nice guy

Some might say its how you feel

That your feelings start to shape your reality and that I feel a certain way and that makes me who I am

This question of identity reminds me of one of my favorite movies - Batman Begins

There’s a scene in that movie where Bruce Wayne (Batman) makes some foolish decisions and makes a scene to show off his wealth and parties

His love interest sees and he gets embarrassed. He tries to convince her that deep down he’s really a good guy

She makes the claim “It’s not who you are underneath, but what you do that defines you.”

Think about your habits and your actions. Think about the kind of behaviors your known for

You may want to be a good person, you may say your a Christian, you may even real feel a desire to be one, but what do you do?

What kind of things can we do to show we are a Christian?

Preview - Today we’ll look at 1 Peter Chapters 3 and 4 and take a close look about what it means to own our faith and how we can clearly demonstrate we our followers of Jesus

1. Choose Good always

English Standard Version Chapter 3

8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 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. 10 For

“Whoever desires to love life

and see good days,

let him keep his tongue from evil

and his lips from speaking deceit;

11  let him turn away from evil and do good;

let him seek peace and pursue it.

12  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.”

Includes a call to love and support each other

Peter has been writing to Christians about how to live in a way that shows you love Jesus in the midst of a world that doesn’t

Stresses the importance of unity and love within the Church

Our habits are essential to our message

We teach that God loves the world and wants to restore us to perfect relationship with himself and each other

Why would anyone want that if we don’t demonstrate loving relationship now?

It reminds me of the Oscars a few years ago

Celebrities gave speeches on caring for the environment and helping the poor. (Good Message)

Lifestyle was lavish and they used private jets and limos to go to LA for the show. (Bad Behavior) - Lost credibility

Followers of Jesus have an important message, we need to be sure to live in a way that supports it

We choose to look to be on the same page, we choose to care about each other and be aware of what others need, and we realize maybe we aren’t the most important person in every room

We choose to deescalate conflict rather than fighting for what we think we deserve. We choose good.

What do you think others would say about the Church if we lived like that?

How do you think people will respond? Peter breaks down 2 possible outcomes

English Standard Version Chapter 3

13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 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, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

Peter says when we choose good, what could go wrong?

Even if something does go wrong, that’s okay. God will reward you.

Many of this struggle with this idea

It’s natural to want to do the easy thing

it’s natural to avoid what might be painful

It’s natural to want to fit in

But natural doesn’t always mean better

Enduring what’s hard now will lead to a greater reward. More on that later

It’s also possible that choosing to do good will catch the attention of those around us

This is why a habit of doing good and a habit of following Jesus is necessary

He says in v. 15/16

English Standard Version Chapter 3

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, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

Peter says to always know your why and always be prepared

Let give you a picture of that in then tell you what it means for us

Who watched the big basketball game this weekend were you happy about the outcome?

How about Caleb Love’s 3-Point shot (explain)

Do you think he only shoots 3’s with 20 seconds left? How do you think he was able to do that? Did he just sit next to his friends in basketball class? Did he just think about shooting 3s?

Or does he practice even when it doesn’t feel like it matters? How many long shots do you think he takes every single day?

So many of us want to do something incredible. So many of us want to be remembered.

Let’s look at people who changed the world

William Wilberforce ended slavery in the West. Before he ever did that there are legends pf him doing little things like protecting abused animals on the side of the road. He didn’t wake up one day and decide to do one great thing, he had a lifestyle of choosing good

Martin Luter Changed the world as we know it by sticking to what he believed, but the 95 theses were not the first time he stood for what was right. He had a lifestyle and reputation of sticking to his convictions

When we look at people who changed the world we don’t see popular people doing what they want to do. We don’t see people who were just good at getting people’s attention; we see a lifestyle and a practice of doing good, so when it really came down to it they did great.

What are your habits? What do you do regularly? Who are you when it doesn’t feel like it matters, because that’s who you will be when it does matter.

Choose to do good. Even when it’s hard.

As v. 17 points out, life is hard. no matter what. But make it hard for what matters, don’t make it harder than it has to be.

This verse also makes an odd claim - that suffering could be God’s will

At first it could strike us weird, how could that be the case.

We have to remember that suffering is what he did for us and how our salvation works in the first place.

The Gospel is salvation through Sacrifice

2. God saves through sacrifice

English Standard Version Chapter 3

18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 19 in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, 20 because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. 21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

God doesn’t just demand we do hard things he did it first

The suffering we experience is less than the suffering Jesus received for us

God could have just destroyed evil and been totally just

Instead he sent Jesus to suffer so that we, the evil, could be rescued and brought back to relationship with him

Through his death, he claimed triumph over darkness and victory over sin

His victory didn’t come through a majestic display of power but through a human humbly choosing to do good

And one who stayed so committed to do good that he didn’t stop doing good even when it cost him his life.

But although doing good cost him his life, he was brought back to life, paving the way for new life for me and you

Peter compares this to Noah how God chose one who consistently chose good and brought about a new humanity by rescuing them from the chaotic and destructive dark waters

We get baptized to show this story of redemption- that God has brought new life through the death of old self.

Do you want to look like Jesus? Choose Good. Even when it’s hard. That’s what he did. That’s how we saved the world.

Jesus’ victory came through consistent humility, and it serves as a model for us. That’s why Paul says in Phil. 2

Philippians 2 (ESV)

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. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Peter not only teaches this in his letters but he lived it out.

Story of Acts 5:41

Acts 5:41 ESV

Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.

You want to do something that matters, you want to make all of this worth something? Choose good in the little things. Even when it hurts right now. And it will lead to a reward greater than you can even imagine. You want to be a Christian and you say you believe the gospel? then show it. Choose Good.

What does it look like to choose good? At its most basic concept it means to live differently

3. Live Differently

English Standard Version Chapter 4

Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. 3 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. 4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; 5 but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.

Christ suffered for us, not so we could live like we used to, not so we could keep following our own desires for free

He suffered so that we could pursue something other than our own destructive desires

It makes sense for those who don’t know Jesus to pursue their desires.

list in verse 3 all about selfish wants and gratifying what I feel right now

If there is no God, then I get it. Eat, Drink, and Be Merry.

Following Jesus will make you stand out

Following Jesus should look different from those who don’t

And they’re not going to understand it

We live in an age where everyone is quick to cancel what they don’t like or understand, and honestly, getting cancelled seems inevitible

But when you’re cancelled make sure it’s for good.

Peter says later at the end of the chapter that suffering for doing something wrong doesn’t help anyone. If you actually deserve to be cancelled that’s not living differently. So getting cancelled isn’t proof that you’re doing something right.

But Doing something right will likely set you apart

people won’t always understand, but that’s okay.

when we follow Jesus we have an entirely different value system

It’s more about God’s design for creation than what feels right in the moment, and that might not make sense to everyone

And you can expect to be treated differently. But when you choose good, you’ll be redeemed and vindicated

To say you follow Jesus is to say you find other things important

English Standard Version Chapter 4

7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Peter points out that life is temporary

(Typically temporary life notes are all about you) “Live like you’re dyin”

Peter doesn’t do that

It’s an encouragement to be reasonable.

Our value system as Christians is different in this way

We are forward thinking

We know that this world does not last. We know that there is more to life than what’s right now. We know that there is something more. Something that makes it worth it.

And because we are forward thinking

We are others focused.

Peter doesn’t make living like its the end of the world about meeting our desires, he makes it about building others up

He says love one another and show grace. He says care for one another

He even points out how God gifts people in different ways but he encourages us to use those gifts not for ourselves but each other

here’s what it looks like to live differently

Are you smart? don’t use it to get rich, but to solve problems

Are you socially gifted? don’t boost your own influence and leverage relationships, but lift each other up

Are you artistically or musically talented? Don’t just gain views and followers but tell stories that matter and teach and give hope

Whatever your gifts are use it for others. You can only gain so much anyway

When you build others up, Jesus Christ is better known. That’s the core of our value system. That’s the point.

Choose good not only because it benefits you, but because it points to Christ

If Good leads to suffering, there’s another picture of Jesus

If Choosing Good leads to attention, people meet Jesus

When we choose Good we show others who Jesus is and that’s whats most important. That’s our value system

Honest moment.

I know many of you agree that God is real and that Jesus is God. I know of you genuinely mean it when you say you are a Christian, but ver few of you actually choose to follow God when it poses even the most minor inconvenience.

I’d challenge you to reflect and ask yourself, who are you when things are hard? What kind of things do you find important? How is that actually affecting those around you?

What would it look like if all of us here who claimed to follow Jesus lived like we want to follow Jesus? What kind of impact could make if we chose good even if its hard?

I believe that Jesus use us, use you, to change the world; to be a beacon of light in darkness and to restore brokenness. But it’s starts when choosing good now.