Six Words that Make a Big Difference
March 13, 2016 (1Peter 3:8-12) Command Baptist Church
ILLUSTRATION on DIVISION –
Could we agree this evening that we are living in a very disruptive and divided world? I think we can agree on that. Any thinking person can see that there is much division in our country and the world in general. Not only is there division in the world; there is a great amount of it in the church as well. There are so many issues that divide the church. For example,
• “What kind of music should we play and sing when we meet for worship?”
• “What style of worship do we prefer: traditional, contemporary, or blended?”
• “What translation of the Bible will we use?”
• “What group of Christians will we associate with if we associate with any at all?”
• “What type of preaching and preacher do we prefer: expositional or story teller?”
• “How will we support missions or will we support them at all?”
• “How will we determine who should give and then how we should spend the money that comes into the church?”
• “How can we meet the needs of the different affinity groups in the church?”
These are just a few of the more relevant issues facing the church in America today. That’s not counting the insignificant things that people “want” to do or expect others to do.
These may seem trivial to you, but believe me, they are serious issues in the church today. The church needs to decide what they believe and what they will do about these issues. However, what we really need to do is to focus on the things that unite us. You see, there will always be as many differences in the local church as there are people in that church. What we must do is to decide the essential things and lovingly deal with the rest.
What are the essential things?
• The Bible is the Word of God. It is inspired, infallible and completely without error! (2Tim. 3:16; 2Pet. 1:19-21)
• Jesus is the eternal Son of God, and as the Son He was virgin born. As the Son of God He lived a sinless life. As the Son of God He died a vicarious death. As the Son of God He arose from the grave three days after He was buried. As the Son of God He is co-equal with God the Father, and the author of our salvation! (John 1:1-5; Heb. 1:8; Heb. 12:2).
• Salvation is by grace through faith. There is nothing anyone can do to earn or merit God’s salvation! Jesus did it all – we believe it and receive it! (Eph. 2:8-9) In the words of the hymn writer, “Jesus paid it all. All to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.”
• Jesus is the only way to Heaven and eternal life. There is no other way to Heaven! (John14:6; Acts 4:12)
• Jesus ordained the institution of the local church to carry the gospel to the ends of the earth, win men to Christ and make disciples to follow Him! (Mt. 28:16-20; Mk. 16:15; Luke 24:47-49; John 20:21; Acts 1:8)
• Heaven is for the saved and Hell is for lost! (Mt. 7:13; Mt. 25:46).
These are the things that unite us. The world does not need to see believers arguing, bickering, backbiting, enticing, complaining and brawling. They need to see us walking in unity. How can believers walk in unity? I’m glad you asked because Peter used 6 words in (verses 8-12) of the 3rd chapter that will make a big difference in the church between believers. Let me share them with you this evening. The first word that can make a big difference is found in verse 8. It is the word:
1. Harmony – (vs. 8a) “Finally, be ye all of one mind…”
Simon Peter is saying that believers should to be in harmony with one another. The idea of being of “one mind” is that of living in “harmony, unity, kinship, or togetherness.” This word comes from a family of words used in the New Testament to express oneness or harmony.
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place, (Acts 2:1).
The word that is used in Acts 2:1 is used 7 times in the book of Acts alone to describe unity and harmony in the church. God has called us to live in harmony with Him and one another. He desires us to grow in unity and maturity until we become Jesus Christ Himself.
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ, (Eph. 4:13).
ILL: Harmony in an Orchestra
How pleasant it is to listen to a symphony orchestra whose instruments are in tune with one another and every member of the orchestra is following the skillful lead of the director. Nothing could be sweeter to the ear than a well trained, well tuned orchestra.
ILL: Harmony on the Ball field
You might not be a Carolina Panthers’ fan, but I believe just about everyone here tonight could agree that it was a pleasure to watch them play this year. It was an amazing sight to watch the team playing together. They accomplished so much by being in synch with each other. It was almost like they could read each other’s minds at times.
2. Sympathy – (vs. 8b) “having compassion one with another…”
The word used for compassion in the original language is the word “sumpa’thes.” You can almost hear the word “sympathy” can’t you? Peter instructs believers to exercise “sympathy” or compassion toward one another.
Every time we come together as the church in this location there are hurting people who are in need of compassion from their church. By the way, if they can’t get it here, where are they supposed to get it? Sympathy should be a major part of our personal ministry to each other and in the church as well as those outside of it. Paul said when someone in the church suffers all of us should suffer along side of them. He also said when someone in the body is rejoicing over soothing that has happened to them that the rest of the body should rejoice as well. The ministry of compassion takes on the very spirit of the Lord Jesus Himself.
And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it, (1Cor. 12:26).
Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits, (Rom. 12:15).
The ministry of compassion takes on the very spirit of the Lord Jesus Himself.
But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd, (Mt. 9:36).
But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him, (1Joh. 3:17).
And of some have compassion, making a difference, (Jude 1:22).
3. Brotherly Love – (vs. 8c) “love as brethren…”
This is not the word “agape” as used so many times in the Bible to express the love of God for us. It is the word “philadelphos” pronounced (fil-ad’-el-fos) from which we get the word “Philadelphia.” Philadelphia, PA is called: “The City of Brotherly Love.” This is the word Peter used in response to the Lord’s question, “Simon Peter, lovest thou me more than these,” (John 21:15-17). The Lord used the word “agape” for love. Peter used the word “philadelphos” in response.
Peter is not suggesting that we love one another in the church with a secondary quality of love. What he is suggesting is that we are to treat one another like the family of God to which we belong. We are members of God’s spiritual family and are expected to treat one another that way. Being in the family should be a special kind of relationship. Brotherly love should be the continual lifestyle from brothers and sisters in Christ.
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another, (Rom. 12:10).
Let brotherly love continue, (Heb. 13:1).
4. Tenderheartedness – (vs. 8d) “be pitiful…”
Please don’t misunderstand. Peter is not saying that we should be “pitiful” ourselves, but that we should respond in pity toward those who need a tender spirit. This is again the very spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ. If we are to be like Christ, we must be tenderhearted toward people. Paul said,
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you, (Eph. 4:31-32).
Being pitiful toward others means to be sensitive and affectionate towards the needs of others. It means to be moved with tenderness over the pain and suffering others are experiencing. Tenderheartedness demands self-denial while attempting to help those in desperate need.
I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive, (Acts 20:35)
Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body, (Heb. 13:3).
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world, (James 1:27).
5. Courtesy (vs. 8e) – “be courteous…”
This word also comes from the same root word “philadelphos.” It means to be “friendly of mind” and “courteous in attitude.” We are not simply to love the family of God, but we are to treat them with courtesy. We are to treat them as we would a dear friend.
6. Blessing – (vs. 9-12)
Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 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: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil, (1Pet. 3:9-12).
