Do You Love Life? Series

Text: 1 Peter 3:9-12

Title: Do you want to love life?

Date/Place: LSCC, 11/20/05, AM

A. Opening illustration: The boxer Muhammad Ali was known as “the champ,” arguably the most famous athlete of his generation. He was on top, and his entourage of trainers and various helpers shared the adulation with him. Ali himself, now halting in speech and uncertain in movement, says “I had the world, and it wasn’t nothin.’”

B. Background to passage: Peter quotes Psalm 34:12-16 in this passage as he is still continuing his thought to wrap up the section on authority. He goes a little different direction than before where he simply admonished them to act a certain way towards each other. Here he tells them that if they want to have a great life, live godly. He puts personal comfort under the category of proper motivation for doing good. This illustrates the truth that do something because of the joy it brings does not nullify its value in the grand scheme of things. We must simply be careful that our joy is well-placed—in Christ! Live to please Him! Secondly, Peter appeals to our own desire of self-worth and self-esteem (although not self-centeredness) when he uses the word “agape life.” So in this passage we have the cure for boredom, depression, self-centeredness, fighting, grudges, disputes, anger, wrath, and a multitude of other life cursing sins.

C. Main thought: If you want to have a great life of pleasing Jesus, here is a start…

II. BODY

A. Control your speech (v. 10)

1. Peter says two things about your speech to make your life lovable. First, he says to make a willing concession, or take a rest from speaking worthless, mean-spirited, bad, wicked, troublesome, destructive, harsh words to anyone! Easy enough right? Secondly, he says to cease from lying and deception.

2. James 3:6-8, Eph 4:29,

3. Illustration: marriage counseling is the prime example, trying to explain to Erika one time that not telling the whole truth was not the same a telling a lie,

4. So when that cousin of yours starts ranting and raving about politics, or the way you dress, or how you spend your money, take a rest from what you really want to say, exhibit some self-control, and be sweet! Even children and dogs can be taught self-control. You must learn to recognize when you will be/are being tempted to speak these words. You must stop immediately, apologize, repent when you do it. Deal with root issues like stress, selfishness, anger, etc. Your life should be an open book, you should have nothing to hide. Take some responsibility for your actions, own up to them. Honesty promotes trust and unity in all relationships, and ultimately it will make your life easier, because you won’t be pleasing self directly, but indirectly.

B. Turn from evil, do good (v. 11)

1. This word means to lean out from, shun, avoid, disapprove, and reject evil deeds. And if that wasn’t enough, he says to do good. This word means to do things that are of good constitution or nature, useful, salutary, good, pleasant, agreeable, joyful, excellent, distinguished, upright, and honorable.

2. Pro 16:6, Eph 2:10, Titus 2:7, 14, 3:8, 14, Heb 10:24,

3. Illustration: While my wife and I were shopping at a mall kiosk, a shapely young woman in a short, form-fitting dress strolled by. My eyes followed her. Without looking up from the item she was examining, my wife asked, “Was it worth the trouble you’re in?” “Well, Dad,” he explained, “I had my bathing suit with me and I couldn’t resist the temptation.” “Why did you take your bathing suit with you?” he questioned. “So I’d be prepared to swim, in case I was tempted,” he replied. "Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can." -- John Wesley

4. Your life will be easier and more pleasing to you and God if you stay away from things that you should be around. Turn from office gossip, mean thoughts about another person, all kinds of sexual perversions, dating relationships with non-Christians, misrepresenting you self to others, forsaking fornication, drunkenness, adultery, anger, jealousy, covetousness, etc. We must not relegate social and service ministries to liberal groups. However, do forget the gospel. As Christians we must be about the business of doing good! Get involved in the community in some way. Reminder that the only way that we can do either of these things, is to be born again, and empowered by the Spirit.

C. Seek peace diligently (v. 11)

1. Peter says to try to obtain/find/make peace. He says to seek it earnestly, passionately, and eagerly. As Christians we are the ones that should live our lives with inner peace, and peace with others. Inner peace comes from three things: understanding your forgiveneness in Christ, trusting completely in His sovereignty, and walking in close communion daily with Him. Expound on these three. Outer peace comes from maintaining Christ-likeness in our relationships with others. Operating consistently on principles of love, dignity, compassion, and truth.