How To Act In Church
(Part II)
I Peter 3:8-12
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At Sunday school, the teacher asked Little Johnny, "Do you know where little boys and girls go when they do bad things?" "Sure," Little Johnny replied. "Their daddy takes them out behind the church"
Six-year old Angie and her four-year old brother Joel were sitting together in church. Joel giggled, sang, and talked out loud. Finally, his big sister had had enough. "You're not supposed to talk out loud in church." "Why? Who's going to stop me?" Joel asked. Angie pointed to the back of the church and said, "See those two men standing by the door?...they will... they're hushers."
Even children know that there is a certain way to act in church. And they know that there are consequences when you act up. The only way that they will be know the proper way to act in church is for them to be taught. Even if it is done by a "husher"! But there are many adults that need to learn how to act in church as well. And in our selected text the Apostle Peter gives some very clear instructions as to how God's people are to act toward one another. If you were with us this morning then you saw the first part of a sermon entitled "How To Act In Church". we saw that:
a. There Is To Be Unity In The Church - We are to be likeminded with one another. The only way for us to achieve "like-mindedness" is for us to all have the same focus... and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. We also saw that:
b. There Is To Be Sympathy In The Church - This literally means that we are to sympathize with each other. The Greek word used here means to "suffer with someone". When our brother or sister has reason to rejoice, we should rejoice with them. And when they are hurting we hurt with them. - Verse 8 also reveals the fact that:
c. There Is To Be Charity In The Church - We are to have love for our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are to love them when it is easy and love them when it is difficult. In fact, charity or love is essential, with out love we will not have unity, sympathy, pity, courtesy, integrity or consistency.
Let's pick up where we left off this morning and continue to examine "How To Act In Church". As we continue in verse 8 we see that:
d. THERE IS TO BE PITY IN THE CHURCH - "be pitiful"
Peter says "be pitiful". The word here literally means to be tenderhearted. The idea here is that we should have compassion for those in need. We are not just to notice that someone is hurting. We are not just supposed to see the need We should care enough to meet the needs of others.
Consider the story of the Good Samaritan: There was a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. He was attacked, beaten, stripped and left for dead on the side of the road. A priest came along, saw him and walked by on the other side of the road. A Levite came along, walked over to the man and looked at his condition and just left him there. Then a Samaritan came along put ointment on his wounds, bound them up, put him on his donkey and took him to an inn and cared for him. Notice that the religious men saw the need. But they did not have time... or they refused to take the time to help this man. Then comes the Samaritan who was tenderhearted and compassionate and he met the needs of this man who was left for dead.
There are hurting people everywhere we go. There are even hurting people inside the church. Will you have a tender heart? Will you have enough compassion to help others in their time of need???? It is easy to make excuses. It is easy to ignore people and their problems. It is easy to get so consumed with "life" that you don't even notice the problems. But God has given us eyes to see, ears to listen, hearts to care, and hands ready to reach out to those who are wounded. May we use what God has given us to minister to those in need!
Not only are we to have a tender heart and possess pity, we also see that:
e. THERE IS TO BE COURTESY IN THE CHURCH - "be courteous"
As Christians we are to maintain a humble attitude. We must follow the example of Christ and be humble servants. We must do what it takes to help a brother in need, We are to be courteous toward all men. Whether they are rich or poor, Whether they are polite or rude, Whether they are brethren or pagans, Whether you consider them superior or inferior to you we must be courteous!
John Wesley says - Indeed, the mode of showing your courtesy may vary, as Christian prudence will direct; but the thing itself (courtesy) is due to all; the lowest and worst have a claim to our courtesy.
It is usually not difficult to show "courtesy" to a brother or sister in Christ. We have the common bond of Jesus. We serve together, pray together, study together and worship together. We have a friendship and a faith family relationship. And in most instances we treat each other with kindness.
But How do you treat people that you don't know? How do you treat that waitress who is not giving you the service that you would like. How do you treat the cashier when the item rings up the wrong price or the debit card reader is not working? How do you treat people that come up to you asking for money? How do you treat that Jehovah's Witness or Mormon who knocks on your door at 8:00 on Saturday Morning? How do we treat people who come into this church and don't look like us? How do you treat those of another race or culture or even another religion? How do you treat those who aren't dressed like you? Are you as friendly and courteous to these people as you are those who attend your Sunday School class? If not...You should!!
Or would you have to admit that when someone looks or acts different, you ignore them or treat them harshly??? Remember that Samaritan woman at the well in John 4? It was the custom of the Jews to ignore such a person. But when Jesus met her He didn’t ignore her. He offered her “water springing up to eternal life” (v. 14). We have the opportunity to point people to that same well of water today!!! And if we don't, who will??
If you struggle with this, allow the Holy Spirit to produce His fruit in you. Christ-like kindness can only be developed as you walk in obedience to His Spirit. Treat others as you’d like to be treated...with courtesy and kindness. When situations tempt you to respond harshly, see them as God-given opportunities to bless others with kind words and actions.
Dr. Charles Stanley shares certain evidences of a kind or courteous person: The courteous individual is someone who Gives, Forgives, Smiles, even in tough situations, Is willing to be second, Does not insist on having his or her own way, Takes pleasure in pleasing others, Has a pleasant disposition, Has concern and care for others, Is gentle, Is warm-hearted, Is unselfish, Is generous, Is understanding, Is considerate, Is thoughtful, Is healing, Is merciful, Uses kind words, Is helpful.
These are attributes that should mark the lives of each and every born again child of God! In the church there is to be courtesy..... Maybe you can honestly say that you are courteous. But perhaps you have trouble dealing with those what treat you wrong. How should we act when people intentionally treat us bad?
- Notice that:
f. THERE IS TO BE MERCY IN THE CHURCH - v9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
Nowhere in the bible are we authorized to only treat people well who are nice to us! Peter says that we are not justified in repaying evil with evil. We are not to insult people when they insult us. In fact we are to do the direct opposite. God has us to bless those that harm us And in return He will bless us! - Jesus covered this in His sermon on the mount - Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Peter uses the word "Blessing". In the Greek this word is - (ulogeō-yoo-log-eh'-o) which is where we get our word "eulogy". It means to speak well of... or to praise. When someone dies, there is usually someone at the funeral who will deliver the eulogy. This person will stand and point out the good things about the deceased.
When someone harms us, cusses us, or persecutes us, our response should be to Serve them, Pray for them, be kind to them and forgive them. The fact that we do not take vengeance on those who abuse us, is what separates us as Christians. We have a great example of the proper response to those who would hurt us in the Old Testament story of Joseph. After being mistreated by his brothers, Joseph received great blessings from God. He had the power and authority to take vengeance on them. But he did not. Instead he forgave them and when they thought they would face his wrath he said unto them “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” (Gen. 50:20). We are not told that this will be easy...but it is what is right!!!
Can you imagine how hard this was for the people who made up the churches of Asia Minor. They were facing great persecution and suffering, and now Peter says....BE NICE TO YOUR ENEMIES!!! Just admit it... we don't want to hear this any more than they did! We live in a culture that's motto is "don't get mad, get even!!! But the Lord says "Vengeance is mine, I will repay!!"
Maybe you struggle with anger... Maybe you are holding a grudge... Maybe you are out for revenge...The answer for you is look to your Savior, follow His example that Peter shared back in - 2: 21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
C. S. Lewis said - “To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable, because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.”
God showed us mercy, He did not give us what we truly deserve. We are to show that same mercy toward our enemies. Moving on we see that:
g. THERE IS TO BE INTEGRITY IN THE CHURCH - v10 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:
Here Peter quotes from Psalm 34. These verses describe a life of honesty and integrity. When we live as we should..... We will keep our tongue from evil. We will keep our lips from deceitful speech. We will turn from evil and do good. We will seek peace and we will pursue it.
The Lord gives a promise to those who live this way in verse 12 - 1) His eyes will be upon us. 2) He will hear our prayer. 3) His face will be against those who do evil.
Throughout history men have spent their time in the pursuit of happiness. In these verses Peter gives us the prescription for happiness! And these things that will bring happiness are things that should be found in the church!
It is not enough to do all of the things that we have seen in these verses, we must also maintain this lifestyle..........Consider:
h. THERE IS TO BE CONSISTENCY IN THE CHURCH - v11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
We are to turn away from evil. We are to do what is right, When we do this we will find peace. But Peter uses a strange word here in verse 11....."ensue". This means to continue or maintain. It is not enough to practice the truths found in these verses periodically. This should be our lifestyle . Unity.... Sympathy...Charity...Pity...Courtesy...Mercy and Integrity should be attributes that ever mark our lives. These are not actions that should only take place inside the place of worship. These are actions that should be seen everywhere we go and in all that we do
We should possess these attribute concerning the believer, and we should treat the unbeliever in the same manner. We do not simply attend the church...we ARE THE CHURCH!!! And we must learn "How To Act In The Church". When we do, our Father will receive honor and glory from our lives! I don't know about you, but this portion of scripture has convicted me in many areas of my life. I have had to get with God and pray for a more compassionate heart. I have realized that some of my thoughts, beliefs and actions have been wrong for a long time. Maybe you are in the same position. It cannot stop with the revelation that you do not know "How To Act In Church". There must be submission in our lives. And we must take the proper steps to make things right! Will you do that today? Will you listen to the Word of God and see just "How To Act In Church".
