November 20, 2016
Morning Service

I Pet. 3:8-22

 

            The title of our study last week was ( Building character ).  Peter addressed Pilgrims, and strangers as dearly beloved, servants, wives, and husbands.  Peter had words of instructions for all.  Obeying these instructions is what will build our character, help us live a life that is pleasing to our Lord.  Living this life will also put to silence foolish people that would judge, or condemn us.  After giving these words of instruction, Peter said;                    1Pe 3:8-22  Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:  (9)  Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.  (10)  For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:  (11)  Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. 

·        A life of meekness, gentleness, and forgiveness, wrapped up in LOVE.

·        And who is it that doesn’t want a life of love, and good days?  If so, we must refrain our tongue from speaking evil, and our lips speak no guile:  We must forsake, or turn our back on a life of evil, we must do good, and seek after peace.

·        You see, the Lord of Life, teaches us what will produce a happy, and enjoyable life for each of us, if we are only willing to strive for these attributes in our lives.

NOW NOTICE:

(12)  For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers:

·        Righteous, means what’s right?  How do we judge what is right, and what is wrong, or evil?  Christians know that the Bible is our rule, and standard of faith, and what’s right, or wrong.  It teaches us about righteousness, and sin.  It is our guideline, and instruction book.  It is the inspired Word of God.

·        And how about having God’s ears open to our prayers.  What a faith builder.  If I am trying to do my best God hears my prayers.  Does this mean I will get everything I ask for?  Not necessarily, but God will do what’s best for the situation. 

but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. 

·        On the other hand, if we pursue a life of evil, and wickedness, we need not expect any help from the Lord.  His face will be turned away from us.

(13)  And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? 

·        This is true in most situations, but there are some people that are just down right evil.  We have seen it in the case of Isis, pure evil, in the name of religion.  Sad.  But overall, if we live a life of love, and peace, no one will bother you.

(14)  But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 

·        It would be extremely hard to be happy, while being persecuted.

·        Jesus said one time, “fear not man who is able to destroy the body, but fear God, Who is able to destroy both body, and soul in hell fire.”

(15)  But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 

·        Set apart a special place in your heart for the Lord to live.

·        And don’t be obnoxious, and pushy in your relationship with the Lord, but always be ready to give an answer to every man that asks you concerning your hope, with meekness, and fear.   ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING.

(16)  Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. 

·        A good conscience built by the Word of God.

·        By you living a good life, it will put to shame those who would call you evil.

(17)  For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. 

·        If you are going to have to suffer, it’s better if it is for living a good life, God never wants you to be evil.

(18)  For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:  (19)  By which (meaning by His Spirit)also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; 

·        Now what is meant here is this;  The Spirit of Christ that was in Noah, preached to all the lost souls (now referred to as being in prison) that was in his day.  They rejected His message. 

·         Jesus said one time, concerning His second coming; “Mat 24:37-39  But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.  (38)  For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,  (39)  And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

·        Doesn’t this describe the time in which we are living?  To busy for God, not looking for His return, and they will know not until it is too late.

(20)  Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. 

·        Noah preached to those people for 120 years, and to no avail.

(21)  The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:   Baptism, a D.B.R.

·        Why does baptism give us a good conscience toward God?  Because of what the Bible teaches us concerning baptism.  Romans 6;

(22)  Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

·        Now Paul describes all these things in I Cor. 15.  He tells us exactly what is going to happen when God brings things to a close, and earth time is no more.  Take time to read it.

 

ALMIGHTY GOD, THANK YOU FOR YOUR REVEALED WORD, AND MAY WE ALWAYS HAVE A DESIRE, AND LONGING TO STUDY, TO LEARN MORE ABOUT  YOUR WAYS.  AMEN.