FREEDOM’S TRUTH: HONOR CHRIST AS LORD (Outline)
July 5, 2015 - Pentecost 6 - 1 PETER 3:9-15
INTRO.: Satan tempted Adam and Eve with a lie. It sounded good, almost like the truth. Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?” The truth has been under attack for centuries. Today people call truth whatever suits their desires. This is called relative truth. Such relative truth makes people slaves to their own selfish, limited thinking. As believers we are blessed to know the truth that really matters: God’s truth. "To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’" (JOHN 8:31, 32). Today we celebrate God’s truth that sets us free from sin, death, and the devil. FREEDOM’S TRUTH: HONOR CHRIST AS LORD. I. Believers answer evil with blessing. II. Believers are prepared to share hope.
I. BELIEVERS ANSWER EVIL WITH BLESSING.
A. This was a dark period in the history of the world and the church. Christian persecution flourished.
1. Verse 9. The Lord encouraged believers not get even or take revenge.
2. The persecution was unfair and brutal. Believers were to repay evil with blessings.
B. Verse 10. Blessing would come from tongues that were not evil or deceitful. Truthful blessings.
1. Verse 11. The believers were not to give in to the wicked darkness of their day.
2. Instead the believers needed to turn away from evil. They were to chase after peace.
3. Chasing after peace would drive out evil from their hearts and lives. Blessings answer.
C. Verse 13. Their blessing attitude would defend them against their enemies. Persecution continued.
D. The Christians during this time faced some of the worst persecution in history. It seems as if history is repeating itself once again. We have heard of the anti-Christian rulings handed down by the Supreme Court. We hear the world cry out against what is true and right in the sight of Christ. Immorality rules. We might get so angry that we want to get even with the enemies of Jesus. “How can we make them pay for such miscarriages of justice?” The Lord gives us a much higher standard than the world. By grace we do know the truth. We do know what is right. Anger only feeds more anger. We are to bring blessings. "On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (ROMANS 12:20, 21). May we never allow evil to overcome us. Goodness overcomes evil.
E. It is challenging not to get caught up in the way our society reacts. People think the one who wins the argument is the last one talking who is shouting the loudest. It is disgraceful to watch the many discussions end up in a shouting match. This is what happens when evil insults are traded with one another. Wicked words will only end up hurting feelings. Worse they may even lead to physical violence. Remember the Lord has given us high standards as believers. "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger" (PROVERBS 15:1). Confronted with insults blessings will turn aside anger.
F. How are we repay evil and insults with blessings? We recognize such a reaction is not a natural part of our sinful nature. Our old Adam within us is always looking to pick a fight. God gives us the challenge to live our Christian lives above the fray. Our heavenly Father gives us a high standard for our lives. Our Christian lives of love is challenging. Without any challenges our lives would be pretty boring. Jesus gives a place to start for training ourselves to repay evil with blessing. "But I tell you: Love your enemies bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven" (MATTHEW 5:44, 45a). Jesus reminds each of us that we are children of our heavenly Father. Jesus is not ashamed to call us his brothers and sisters. As God’s children we know our heavenly Father’s great love for us. We are reminded to love and bless our enemies. Not easy. The Lord also reminds us to pray for those who persecute us. That is a good place to start. Yes – pray for the President, the Supreme Court, and all in authority. Pray for them over and over.
FREEDOM’S TRUTH: HONOR CHRIST AS LORD. We want to answer evil with blessings.
II. BELIEVERS ARE PREPARED TO SHARE HOPE.
A. Verse 12. These believers faced great persecution. The Lord’s eyes still watched over them.
1. The Lord was always listening to the cries of his people. His ears were always open.
2. The Lord also promised his righteous judgment against the wicked. His time, his way.
B. Verse 14. Blessed for suffering for doing what was right? Persecution came because of Christ.
1. If they suffered for their faith it meant that the world recognized the love of Christ in them.
2. The suffering may not seem pleasant but it was a testimony to their faithfulness to the Lord.
C. Verse 15. They honored Christ as Lord even to the point of death. Many were put to death.
1. They did not face their end with weeping and wailing but praying and praising God.
2. Some asked about the hope they had because they faced death boldly. Their hope was eternal.
3. They answered with gentleness. Blessing did not change their fate. Others heard their hope
D. Have you noticed “polite conversation” in our society today? It is shameful to hear much of the un-filtered language too common today. Words once considered unacceptable in society are now freely and carelessly used daily. Our ears are assaulted by the disrespectful words that pour out of the mouths of foolish people. Bad words can easily be replaced with other words. It takes knowledge. We are remind-ed to be careful with the words we use. "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone" (COLOSSIANS 4:6). We are never to use “salty” language. But we are the salt and light of the earth. Others will notice. They may even ask.
E. Once again the Lord God places before us his challenge know his word and live his word. This is especially important in this time in history. There is a spiritual ignorance that has flooded the world. Many simply do not know God’s Word. The Bible has become an underused book if even used at all. We are blessed to have so many translations for our use. We have no excuse not to find a translation that is easy for us to read and understand. As shining lights people will ask about the hope we have. We will want to know how to answer their questions. The Bible is our answer book. "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth" (2 TIMOTHY 2:15). Now is the time to read, learn, and study God’s Word. It is truth.
F. Have you noticed how hopelessness abounds? Many are disappointed in their lives. They gather and store up treasures for themselves here on earth. When things do not go right there is great disappointment. We know that our own earthly hopes and dreams are dashed to pieces from time to time. We hope for a safe and successful harvest. We hope our family would always be followers of Christ. We hope…. We know full well that there is much more to this life than an earthly hope. Our hope is an eternal hope based on the sure promises and fulfillment of our loving, heavenly Father. Some challenged Jesus’ resurrection. Some still challenge Jesus’ physical resurrection. "If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men" (1 CORINTHIANS 15:19). Christ rose from the dead for us.
CONC.: We celebrate the freedoms we richly enjoy in our nation today. We have such freedoms be-cause our nation was founded on Christian principles. Some of those very foundations are being attacked today. We truly celebrate freedom’s truth as God’s word reveals. We answer evil with blessings. We are prepared to share God’s eternal hope. The Lord does not leave us on our own to figure out how to do this. "Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace" (EPHESIANS 6:14, 15). FREEDOM’S TRUTH: HONOR CHRIST AS LORD. Amen. Pastor Timm O. Meyer
PENTECOST 6 Readings:
LAMENTATIONS 3:22-33; 2 CORINTHIANS 8:1-9, 13, 14; MARK 5:21-24a, 35-43 (PSALM 30)
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