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Biblical
references in Gahanna-Jefferson Church of Christ's nondenominational sermon
outlines are linked directly to text of the King James version of the Bible.
Bible quotes you hear in the streaming audio may be from the New King James
version of the Bible.
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Introduction.
1. So far in his epistle, Peter has defined the Christian’s duties in various
relationships.
a. Our duty in relation to those of the world -
I Peter 2:11-12
b. Our duty in relation to governmental authorities -
I Peter 2:13-17
c. Our duty in a servant-master relationship -
I Peter 2:18-25
d. Our duty in wife-husband relationships -
I Peter 3:1-7
2. Beginning now in verse 8 of the third chapter, Peter defines our duty to each
other as brethren in Christ.
Body.
I. OUR DUTIES TO EACH OTHER (8-9)
A. To be of one mind.
1. That is, to be united in the same purpose, the same goal.
2. Jesus prayed for this kind of unity in
John 17:20-21.
3. A church that demonstrated this oneness of mind is that of Jerusalem
Acts
4:32.
4. How can we have this oneness of mind?
a. It is attainable only to the extent that we all submit to the will of God.
b. Therefore, we all need to make God’s Will our will, His Purpose our purpose.
c. Even as Christ did while on earth -
John 5:30
B. To have compassion for one another.
1. This means to have pity, a feeling of distress toward the ills of others.
2. It is that disposition which is moved by the problems of others (like
sickness, hardships, etc.)
3. This is the attitude manifested by Jesus.
a. During His earthly ministry -
Matthew 9:35-36
b. During His heavenly ministry -
Hebrews 4:15
C. To love as brothers.
1. Literally, this means to be brother lovers.
2. This attribute is essential, if we are to.
a. Grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ -
2 Peter 1:7-8
b. Convince the world that we are truly disciples of Jesus -
John 13:35
3. Are you a brother lover? If not:
a. You are not a lover of God, either! -
1 John 4:20
b. You do not even know God! -
1 John 4:7-8
D. To be tenderhearted.
1. It is this kind of heart that is compassionate, capable of loving our
brethren.
2. The opposite would be cold-hearted, where we are insensitive to the needs and
feelings of others.
3. Even if we start out as cold-hearted, in Christ Jesus we can and must undergo
a transformation, in which we develop a tender heart -
Ephesians 4:22-24, 31-32;
Colossians 3:8-12
4. Have you considered what kind of heart you have?
E. To be courteous.
1. Literally, to be friendly of mind, kind.
a. Such courtesy would imply a humility of spirit.
b. For an arrogant or proud spirit does not bother to be courteous.
2. Christians are to imitate their Lord and Savior, and not think so highly of
themselves that they cannot be kind and courteous to others -
Philippians 2:3-5
F. To return blessing for evil.
1. When someone (e.g., a brother) does us evil, we are to respond with a
blessing!
2. While this may go against human nature, Peter gives two reasons why we are to
react in this way:
a. We are called to follow the example of Christ -
I Peter 3:9 with
I Peter
2:21-23
b. That we might receive a blessing from God -
Luke 6:35
G. These are six duties that we have one toward another. They are part of what
constitutes the Christ-like character that we are to develop as His disciples.
Being saved, then, is not the end of God’s plan for us; He would have us become
like His Son (Romans 8:29). To motivate us in fulfilling these duties, Peter quotes
from the 34th Psalm.
II. MOTIVATION TO FULFILL THESE DUTIES (10-12)
A. That we might love life and see good day.
1. Everyone wishes to enjoy life as they experience it from day to day.
a. But too often, many make their own lives miserable by their own self-seeking,
self-destructive attitudes.
b. Constantly complaining, contentious, retaliating to evil with evil, they only
aggravate the situation.
2. But David in his psalm gives the secret to loving life and seeing good days:
a. Refrain the tongue from evil, and lips from speaking guile -
I Peter 3:10
1) I.e., don’t engage in slander, backbiting, complaining, lying, murmuring, and
grumbling.
2) It doesn’t solve difficulties, but only makes them worse.
b. Do good, seek peace and pursue it -
I Peter 3:11
1) Do the very kind of things mentioned by Peter in
I Peter 3:8-9
2) Only then will your life be pleasant, for the qualities described by Peter:
a) Make the best out of difficult situations.
b) Make good situations even better!
B. So the lord will be open to us.
1. Only by doing the will of God (as found in
I Peter 3:8-9) can we ensure that:
a. His gracious eyes will watch over us.
b. His ears will be open to our prayers -
I Peter 3:12
2. On the other hand, the Lord’s face is against those who do evil, and will not
hear their prayers.
3. Indeed, consider the list of abominations found in Proverbs 6:16-19, and
notice how many are the direct opposite of how we are to be:
a. We are to be courteous (humble) - but the Lord hates a proud look!
b. We are to be compassionate - but abusing the innocent is an abomination to
the Lord!
c. We are to be tenderhearted - but the Lord hates a cold heart that thinks evil
of others!
d. We are to return good for evil - but those who respond quickly with evil, the
Lord abhors!
e. We are to be of one mind - but if we sow discord by murmuring and
complaining, we are abominable in God’s sight!
Conclusion.
1. If we want the Lord to watch over us, if we want Him to heed our prayers,
let us be sure to fulfill our duties to each other as brethren as outlined by
Peter in vs. 8-9.
2. In so doing, we will enjoy life to its fullest, and see many good days during
our pilgrimage here on earth!
Don Treadway,
November 2003 |
