Learn to Live in Peace

I. Live in peace in the Home -

A. Peace in a divided home -

1 Peter 3:1–2 NET 2nd ed.

In the same way, wives, be subject to your own husbands. Then, even if some are disobedient to the word, they will be won over without a word by the way you live, when they see your pure and reverent conduct.

B. Peace in the life of the wife -

1 Peter 3:3–4 NET 2nd ed.

Let your beauty not be external—the braiding of hair and wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes—but the inner person of the heart, the lasting beauty of a gentle and tranquil spirit, which is precious in God’s sight.

1 Peter 3:5–6 NET 2nd ed.

For in the same way the holy women who hoped in God long ago adorned themselves by being subject to their husbands, like Sarah who obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. You become her children when you do what is good and have no fear in doing so.

C. Peace in the life of the husband -

1 Peter 3:7 ESV

Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

D. Rules of peace for all -

1 Peter 3:8 NET 2nd ed.

Finally, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, affectionate, compassionate, and humble.

II. The practice of peace when challenged -

1 Peter 3:9 NET 2nd ed.

Do not return evil for evil or insult for insult, but instead bless others because you were called to inherit a blessing.

A. Be a blessing.

Remember...

Luke 6:20–21 NET 2nd ed.

Then he looked up at his disciples and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God belongs to you. “Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.

Luke 6:22–23 NET 2nd ed.

“Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you and insult you and reject you as evil on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and jump for joy because your reward is great in heaven. For their ancestors did the same things to the prophets.

Luke 6:24–25 NET 2nd ed.

“But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your comfort already. “Woe to you who are well satisfied with food now, for you will be hungry. “Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.

Luke 6:25–26 NET 2nd ed.

“Woe to you who are well satisfied with food now, for you will be hungry. “Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. “Woe to you when all people speak well of you, for their ancestors did the same things to the false prophets.

Luke 6:27–28 NET 2nd ed.

“But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

Be weird - bless instead of curse.

1 Peter 3:10–11 NET 2nd ed.

For the one who wants to love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from uttering deceit. And he must turn away from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.

B. Keep the main thing the main thing

1 Peter 3:12–14 NET 2nd ed.

For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous and his ears are open to their prayer. But the Lord’s face is against those who do evil. For who is going to harm you if you are devoted to what is good? But in fact, if you happen to suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. But do not be terrified of them or be shaken.

C. The Christian Secret Service? - God.

III. Live in peace with your King

1 Peter 3:15–17 NIV

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

1 Peter 3:18–19 NIV

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits—

1 Peter 3:20–22 NIV

to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

IV. “The End of Me,” lessons learned.

Altar Call

1 Peter 3:18 ESV

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,