Living To Share Scripture
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Peter minces no words as he has challenged his readers concerning their Actions and Attitudes as they live for Christ since 1 Peter 2:11-12.
Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.
In a non-apologetic and to the point way Peter has challenged us to reflect Christ as we submit to
The governing authorities regardless who they are or what time or culture we live in
To have a submissive spirit to those who would be over us (employers) regardless of good or harsh
To display a submission and honor in our marriages that is not typical in this world
This morning will find us in 1 Peter 3:8-17…as we continue and summarize our actions and attitude as followers of Christ. Please follow along as I begin by reading our passage for today.
To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. For, “The one who desires life, to love and see good days, Must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit. “He must turn away from evil and do good; He must seek peace and pursue it. “For the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, And His ears attend to their prayer, But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.
ALL OF YOU!!!
ALL OF YOU!!!
Peter is summarizing now why our actions and attitude are so important… in case any of his readers have thought to exclude themselves up to this point Peter emphasizes ALL OF YOU BE… Peter gives us NINE IMPERATIVES / COMMANDS!!!
These Commands are designed to have us live in order to share the gospel… God’s Word!
These are not optional or suggestions
These span time and culture
Christ remains our continued example
We will briefly address all nine which when implemented reveal a MATURE BELIEVER
Too many Christians grow old without growing up
You can be a believer for twenty years and still act like you’re in your terrible two’s!
It is time many to start acting their age spiritually speaking
Many have the knowledge, but lack the desire to change or do what’s right
Today’s passage can either be knowledge you hear or ACTIONS you IMPLEMENT… let’s look at these NINE COMMANDS...
1- Be Harmonious
1- Be Harmonious
Uniqueness coming together like minded to create something beautiful
Not uniformity but harmony
Each one contributing to the whole
2- Be Sympathetic
2- Be Sympathetic
To feel with someone… engage with them… FELLOWSHIP
Weep with those who weep, rejoice with those who rejoice
Drawing close to do this it takes EFFORT
3- Be Brotherly
3- Be Brotherly
Love each other as brothers and sisters
We belong to the Family of God!
Our Father is not happy when we quarrel
4- Be Kindhearted
4- Be Kindhearted
Showing compassion from deep within the heart
Paul speaks to this compassion in Ephesians 4:32… forgiveness is associated with this compassion
Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
There is a reaching out to others
5- Be Humble
5- Be Humble
“PRIDE” is making one’s self large and making God small
There needs to be a shrinking of ourselves, our pride
Building up others
Christ exemplified this beautifully (Washing Feet)
6- You Must Contrast
6- You Must Contrast
Don’t do what others do around you… verse 9
RATHER… in contrast do what Christ commands Matthew 5:39 & Romans 12:14
“But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
A blessing… requesting divine favor for them
This has FORGIVENESS written all over it… we as followers of Christ should be a forgiving people
How do you pray for those who hurt you, do evil to you, insult you???
7- You Must Control Your Tongue
7- You Must Control Your Tongue
The last three Peter uses and quotes from Psalm 34:12-16 to address his readers with
The scripture as a whole speaks to contrasted living
One of the greatest contrast should be our tongues...
Speak truth!
Speak edification and good
Your mouth represents what is within you (WHO IS IN YOU!!!)
8- You Must Choose Wisely
8- You Must Choose Wisely
With being freed from sin we can choose to do good vs evil
One who follows Christ should seek to live a pure lifestyle
Each day is filled with opportunities to choose good or evil
9- You Must Pursue Peace
9- You Must Pursue Peace
We are NOT to love to argue and fight
A hot head and anger are not depicting Christ
We serve the Prince of Peace… should we not pursue peace with one another, and even outsiders
These nine commands need to be lived out in the christian’s life… Not perfectly, BUT CONSISTENTLY! Peter gives us fair warning and an INCENTIVE…
Our Incentive
Our Incentive
Verse 12… God is watching. He knows not only the ACTIONS, He sees the ATTITUDE of the HEART!!!
The way we live will impact our prayers
There is both negative and positive incentive here!
Those who are doing evil, persecuting them, causing suffering… God turns against!
Our Identity
Our Identity
As Peter reminds us our IDENTITY… he ask a very good question “ Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good?”
Generally speaking doing good, living as God has commanded results in a good life
However, Peter states we may SUFFER for living this way as God has commanded.
BUT WE ARE BLESSED…Don’t be troubled, don’t fear… WHY?
Peter has championed this… we are His, this is not our home, we are temporarily here!!!
Remember Peter is writing to those suffering…
Verse 17 “Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!” NLT… and it is God who brings punishment on wrong doers
What then is the grand purpose of living this way… even if we suffer???
Apologetics 101
Apologetics 101
VERSE 15… but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;
Live according to the scriptures in order that people would ask about the scriptures
Your life lived according to God’s Word requires you know and implement it into your life
Have people asked you WHY???
If not, have you asked yourself WHY NOT???
“make a defense” Apologia… (APOLOGETICS) defend why you live different
Many great apologist yet Peter is calling all of us to be!!!
do so with “gentleness and reverence”
Defend why you have a HOPE!!!
Do you live so others see a hope or hopeless???
If you stood trial today for being a follower of Jesus Christ… would there be enough evidence to convict you or would they have to let you off with circumstantial evidence?
Since Jesus came into YOUR heart your life there should be a difference a change… How is your MATURITY???
Infant… Toddler… Teen… Adult… Mentor...
It is time to go beyond knowledge and time to implement change and growth!