Instructions for Living the Good Life

First Baptist Church Leominster

Subscribe

Download

Share

00

00:09

Well, let's turn to Acts chapter 14. This is a ongoing record of the first missionary journey of the

00:18

Apostle Paul. They're in the region of what is now

00:25

Southern Turkey. And they have a great response, of course, many people becoming

00:33

Christians, they're establishing churches. And yet, along with this expansion of the gospel, they also experienced great tribulation.

00:45

They go hand in hand, great expansion of the kingdom usually comes with great tribulation as well.

00:51

Acts 14. Now, it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the

00:59

Jews and so spoke that a great multitude, both of the Jews and of the Greeks, believed.

01:06

But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren.

01:13

And therefore, they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

01:25

But the multitude of the city was divided, part sided with the Jews and part with the apostles.

01:32

And when a violent attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to abuse and stone them, they became aware of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia and to the surrounding region.

01:49

And they were preaching the gospel there. And in Lystra, a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother's womb, who had never walked.

02:01

And this man heard Paul speaking. Paul observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, said with a loud voice, stand up straight on your feet.

02:12

And he leaped and walked. And now when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices saying in the

02:20

Lycaonian language, the gods have come down to us in the likeness of men.

02:26

And Barnabas, they called Zeus and Paul Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.

02:33

And then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, he brought oxen and garlands to the gates intending to sacrifice with the multitudes.

02:44

But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out and saying, men, why are you doing these things?

02:54

We also are men with the same nature as you and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living

03:02

God who made the heaven, the earth, the sea and all things that are in them.

03:08

Who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless, he did not leave himself without witness and that he did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.

03:26

And with these sayings, they could scarcely restrain the multitudes from sacrificing to them.

03:33

Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned

03:39

Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city.

03:49

And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith saying, we must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.

04:12

So when they had appointed the elders in every church and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the

04:18

Lord in whom they had believed. And after they had passed through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.

04:25

Now when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Italia. From there, they sailed to Antioch where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had completed.

04:39

And now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them and that he had opened the door of faith to the

04:47

Gentiles. And so they stayed there a long time with the disciples.

04:54

Let's pray. Father, we thank you for this record that we have in your word about the expansion of the gospel of Jesus Christ in the first century

05:05

Roman empire. Lord, it would seem that our world today is growing more and more like that first century

05:12

Rome. There is so much injustice and corruption, so much unbelief, defiance.

05:20

We just pray our God that you would help us to be faithful, to proclaim your gospel, your word in our world today.

05:29

And we pray our God that you would bless it just as you blessed the witness of Paul and Barnabas in these cities that you would bless our efforts to proclaim your word today.

05:41

We thank you our God that we have such testimony, such witness for it reveals to us and testifies to us that power belongs to you our

05:51

God and that you're able to save to the uttermost those who come to you through Jesus Christ.

05:57

And so help us our God to preach the gospel widely, help us to make many disciples and help us also be aware and be willing to endure many tribulations that may come our way as we attempt to be true and faithful to you.

06:14

And so give us great grace and we pray our God the day would come when we can gather together and rejoice together and report all that you have done through us that you've opened a door of faith to many and we'll thank you and praise you for your work of mercy and grace for we pray in Jesus name.

06:35

Now help Pastor Jason as he comes our God and opens your word to us. Fill him with the

06:41

Holy Spirit our Lord, may your word instruct us, encourage us, exhort us.

06:49

We pray our God that we would become better Christians as a result of understanding your word and applying it.

06:57

And so may the Holy Spirit help us our God, illuminate our mind to the truth that's in Jesus, inspire our hearts and conform our will to your will for we pray in Jesus name, amen.

07:26

Morning everybody. What do you consider to be the good life?

07:44

What is it that makes life good? Is the good life a life of ease and comfort?

07:52

Is it a life of leisure and recreation? Is it a life of adventure and excitement?

08:01

Is it a life of money, power and possessions? The ability to do whatever you want, whenever you want, with whomever you want.

08:11

Is the good life family? Is it friends? Is it sharing your life with those whom you love?

08:20

King Solomon was a man who sought to answer these kinds of questions. According to the scriptures,

08:27

King Solomon was the greatest and wisest man ever to live. There was none like him before his time and there has been none like him after his time.

08:39

Ecclesiastes 112, I the preacher have been king over Israel and Jerusalem. And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven.

08:51

It is an unhappy business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. King Solomon applied his heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven.

09:06

In other words, he applied his heart to seek and to search out by his great wisdom, the meaning of life.

09:17

Ecclesiastes chapter two, I said in my heart, come now, I will test you with pleasure.

09:24

Enjoy yourself. But behold, this also was vanity. I said of laughter, it is mad and a pleasure.

09:32

What use is it? I searched with my heart, how to cheer my body with wine and how to lay hold on folly till I might see what was good for the children of man to do under heaven during the few days of their life.

09:46

I made great works. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. I made myself gardens and parks and planted in them all kinds of fruit trees.

09:57

I made myself pools from which to water the forest of growing trees. I bought male and female slaves and had slaves who were born in my house.

10:07

I had also great possessions of herds and flocks, more than any who had been before me in Jerusalem.

10:13

I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces.

10:20

I got singers, both men and women, and many concubine wisdom remained with me. And whatever my eyes desired,

10:27

I did not keep them. I kept my heart from no pleasure for my heart found pleasure in all my toil.

10:33

And this was my reward for all my toil. Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil

10:41

I had expended in doing it and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.

10:48

In all good life, what constitutes the good life? What is it that will bring you lasting satisfaction and joy and contentment?

10:58

For three verses eight through 12, which defines Christians often suffered.

11:06

Many Christians suffered greatly. Christians were discriminated against. They were mistreated.

11:13

They were physically abused. They were imprisoned. And in many cases, they were killed for their faith in the

11:20

Lord Jesus Christ. So here's a group of people who from the vantage point of circumstance might not love life all that much.

11:31

These folks probably did not view their days as particularly enjoyable or satisfying or even all that good.

11:40

And so it is in the midst of this suffering that Peter encourages them to stand fast.

11:46

He encourages them to hold true, to do good and to entrust themselves to a faithful creator, the

11:55

Lord God. Recognizing that the good life does not result from the passing pleasures of this world, but from having the right attitude, the right response, the right actions and the right motivation.

12:10

Let's take a look at each one of these points in more detail. Point number one, the good life results from having the right attitude.

12:17

First Peter 3 .8. Finally, all of you have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart and a humble mind.

12:29

The good life results from having the right attitude. And the right attitude consists of five spiritual virtues.

12:39

The first virtue, believers are to pursue and possess unity of mind.

12:46

The Greek phrase unity of mind means to be of one mind. It means to agree.

12:52

The term refers to being like -minded with other believers, to think in the same way as other believers, to be harmonious, to be lined up as the one true people of God.

13:07

You know, one of the great tragedies of the church today is conflict and dissension amongst the people of God.

13:15

And it's ironic because those who should be the most unified and the most harmonious are often seen as the most divisive and the most conflicted.

13:26

All throughout the scriptures, great importance is placed on the unity of God's people.

13:33

In John 13, the Lord Jesus Christ instructs his disciples that it would be by their loving unity that all men would know that they were his disciples.

13:44

In John 17, the high priestly prayer of the Lord Jesus Christ, he prayed that we might all be one as he and the

13:51

Father are one. In the book of Acts, the early church was said to be of one accord in one place and held all things in common together.

14:02

In Romans chapter 12, Paul calls for love and unity. In Romans 15,

14:08

Paul calls for love and unity. In 1 Corinthians 1 .10 to the church at Corinth, Paul appeals to them by the name of our

14:16

Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind with the same judgment.

14:28

In Ephesians 4, verses one through three, Paul writes, I therefore, a prisoner of the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, being eager to maintain the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.

14:53

Now, do you understand Paul's reasoning in this passage? Why is it that with all humility and gentleness and patience and loving perseverance, are we to be eager to maintain the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace?

15:10

Well, Paul answers this question in the following verses, because we share the same identity,

15:17

Ephesians 4 .4. There is one body and one spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call.

15:25

Because we share the same testimony, Ephesians 4 .5. One Lord, one faith, one baptism.

15:34

Because we share the same family, Ephesians 4 .6. One God and father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

15:45

Beloved, we are to be united. The church is to be united.

15:52

The church is to be unified. The church is to be like -minded. The church is to be harmonious as the one people of God.

16:02

In all the world, it is the church that should be the manifestation of true unity and true harmony.

16:09

So be eager, be diligent, impart maximum effort to maintain the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.

16:20

All of you have unity of mind. The second virtue, believers are to possess sympathy.

16:32

The Greek word translated sympathy literally means to share the same feeling. In Romans 12 .15,

16:40

Paul writes, rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.

16:46

Christians must be sympathetic. Now at first thought, to rejoice with those who rejoice would seem to be a very easy command to follow.

16:57

It should be relatively easy to rejoice with those who rejoice. But what if the other person's blessing comes at your expense?

17:08

Or what if their great profit exacerbates and magnifies your own great need?

17:16

The truth is, our sinful flesh often leads us not to rejoice with others, but rather to resent.

17:25

To be sympathetic is to sincerely rejoice with those who rejoice. And it is to genuinely weep with those who weep.

17:35

To weep with those who weep means that we need to be sensitive to the disappointments, the hardships and the sorrows of other people.

17:43

Not just with other Christians, but with all men. As believers, we are called to share in the grief and the suffering of other people.

17:52

As the Lord God is compassionate and tender towards his children, just as his grace and mercy never fails, so are we to be compassionate and tenderhearted, sharing the same feelings with others.

18:08

Colossians chapter three, verse 12. Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts.

18:17

Kindness, humility, meekness and patience, bearing with one another.

18:24

And if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other, as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must forgive.

18:32

A tremendous example of sympathy in the scriptures is seen in the priesthood of the

18:38

Lord Jesus Christ. Hebrews 4, 15. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

18:51

In this verse, the term weaknesses does not primarily refer to our sin, but to our inadequacies, our feebleness, our infirmities.

19:01

The Lord Jesus Christ sympathizes with the natural limitations of our humanity.

19:07

He sympathizes with our frailty and with our weak disposition. Matthew Henry remarked, the

19:16

Lord Jesus Christ is not only a great, but a gracious high priest.

19:22

Merciful, compassionate and sympathizing with his people. Though he is so great and so far above us, yet he is very kind and tenderly concerned for us.

19:36

He is touched with the feeling of our infirmities in such a manner as none else can be.

19:41

For he himself tried with all the afflictions and troubles that are incident to our nature in its fallen state.

19:49

And this, not only that he might be able to satisfy for us, but to sympathize with us.

19:57

For believers to be sympathetic is to imitate the character of the

20:02

Lord God. It is to imitate the character of the Lord Jesus Christ, our great high priest.

20:10

But do you know another reason why we are called to be sympathetic? I'll give you a hint.

20:16

It has to do with the first virtue, unity of mind. All believers from every race and every nation are unified in the

20:25

Lord Jesus Christ. All true believers from every race and every nation are one body. There is only one church.

20:32

There is only one body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12, for just as the body is one and has many members and all members of the body, though many are one, so it is with Christ.

20:47

For in one spirit, we are all baptized into one body, Jews or Greeks, slaves or free, and all are made to drink of one spirit.

20:57

Verse 26, if one member suffers, all suffer together.

21:03

If one member is honored, all rejoice together. This same truth is found in the book of Hebrews, chapter 13, verse three.

21:13

Remember those who are in prison as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated.

21:20

Why? Since you yourselves also are in the body.

21:27

Did you catch the principle that is found in these two passages? Sympathy, to share the same feeling.

21:34

If one part of the body is suffering, then the whole body should likewise suffer. And if one part of the body is rejoicing, then likewise, the body should rejoice.

21:46

Why? Because there is only one body. Despite our doctrinal differences, despite our liturgical differences, despite our cultural differences, there is only one body of Christ.

22:01

So within the body of Christ, there should be no contempt for one another. Within the body of Christ, there should be no competition or rivalry.

22:11

Within the body of Christ, there should be no envy or bitterness, no inferiority or superiority, but only mutual and brotherly love.

22:23

In fact, the third spiritual virtue that believers are to possess is brotherly love.

22:29

Brotherly love refers to affection among people who are closely related in some way. And this is actually the second time that Peter has mentioned brotherly love in this letter.

22:41

1 Peter 1 .22, having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart.

22:56

Peter's point in this verse is that the evidence of a purified soul will be sincere and brotherly love.

23:05

The Greek word that translates sincere is anapokritos, which literally means not pretend.

23:13

It means not hiding under a false appearance. To be sincere is the opposite of being hypocritical.

23:21

It means to be genuine. It means to be real. It means to be free from deceit and undisguised.

23:28

It means to be without pretense. 1

23:33

John 3 .16, by this we know love, that he laid down his life for us and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

23:44

But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does

23:52

God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk, but in deed and truth.

24:03

Let us not love in word or talk, but in deed and truth.

24:10

Enough with the insincere talk. Enough with the insincere words.

24:16

Let us not love in word or talk, but in deed and truth. Love is not a feeling.

24:24

Love is not a state. Love is an action. Love is a deliberate volitional act of the will that involves meeting the needs of others, even if that involves personal sacrifice, even if that involves pain, even if that involves discomfort to you.

24:46

Love does not wait for the other person to ask for help. Love does not wait for the other person to respond so that you can reciprocate.

24:57

Love is not conditioned upon anything. Love is not what the other person does for me or to me.

25:03

Love does not even focus on me at all, but on others. Love is others focused.

25:11

Love takes the initiative. Love pours out freely, expecting nothing in return.

25:18

Beloved, all of you are to have unity of mind. All of you are to have sympathy and sincere and earnest brotherly love that is others focused.

25:35

The fourth spiritual virtue that believers are to possess is a tender heart.

25:42

First Peter 3 .8, finally, all of you have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.

25:52

Well, what's the difference between having a tender heart and being sympathetic? Well, not a lot.

25:59

The words are actually very similar. Both words imply compassion and both words imply empathy.

26:06

The difference between these two is that to have a tender heart is to literally feel it deep down in your gut, in your bowels, in your intestines.

26:18

It is a profound and gnawing pain that is felt deep within you for someone else, for their needs or for their pain.

26:29

A tender heart is sympathy to the point of pain and sickness. The Lord Jesus Christ demonstrated a tender heart when his sympathy resulted in his weeping over the city of Jerusalem.

26:44

The Lord Jesus Christ demonstrated a tender heart when he wept over the death of Lazarus, John 11, when

26:51

Jesus saw her weeping and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled.

27:01

And he said, where have you laid him? And they said to him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept.

27:08

The same tender heart that the Lord Jesus Christ demonstrated to the unbelieving

27:15

Jews and to his friend Lazarus is the same tender heart that all believers should possess towards others.

27:23

It is a deep sympathy that is felt in your bones. The fifth spiritual virtue that believers are to possess is a humble mind.

27:37

Finally, all of you have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.

27:45

Well, what is a humble mind? A humble mind is the mind of Christ.

27:51

A humble mind is to have the mind of Christ. Philippians 2, verses one through five.

27:58

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

28:16

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

28:24

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.

28:36

A humble mind is the opposite of selfish ambition. A humble mind is the opposite of empty deceit.

28:44

Humility is the foundation of Christian character. It is the foundation of Christian virtue.

28:50

It is to count others more significant than yourselves. It is to put other people and their needs before yourself and your own needs.

29:00

It is to count other people as more significant than you count yourself. It is to have the mind of Christ.

29:10

Verse six, who though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men and being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

29:35

Have this mind in yourselves, which was also in Christ Jesus.

29:41

In the midst of suffering, in trials, in persecution, the natural tendency is to direct your focus inward.

29:51

The natural tendency is to focus your attention, your energy and your time to yourself and your issues and your problems.

30:02

In difficult circumstances, it often becomes all about me. Christians are often crippled by their circumstances, so much so that their responsibilities to the

30:13

Lord God, their responsibilities to their family and their brothers and sisters in Christ are often laid aside.

30:23

Beloved, if this describes you, let me tell you something. You will not find relief from your problems by focusing more on your problems.

30:34

You will not find comfort by dwelling on the difficulty of your circumstances. You will not find comfort or peace or happiness for looking within at yourself.

30:49

Well, where do you find relief? Where do you find comfort and peace and happiness?

30:56

In surrendering yourself and your circumstances and your everything into the hands of your faithful creator.

31:05

In surrendering your will to the will of the Father. In living out the words and the works of the

31:11

Lord Jesus Christ. First Peter 2 .21, for to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.

31:25

He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return.

31:34

When he suffered, he did not threaten. But what did he do? He continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.

31:47

In the midst of suffering and trials and in persecutions, you must direct your focus to the

31:54

Lord God. And you must entrust yourself to him. To him who judges justly.

32:03

The good life results from having the right attitude. And the right attitude is unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.

32:18

Number two, the good life results from having the right response. First Peter 3 .9,

32:26

do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless.

32:34

For to this you were called that you may obtain a blessing. Not only should our approach to life consist of the right attitude, it must also consist of the right response when we are sinned against.

32:50

No matter how poorly you are treated, no matter how disrespectfully you are treated, no matter how unfairly you are treated, do not repay in kind.

33:02

Do not retaliate, do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling.

33:10

Now this is an extremely hard and difficult truth to live out, but this is what the scriptures teach.

33:20

In the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord Jesus Christ spoke of this principle. Matthew 5 .38, you have heard that it was said, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.

33:31

But I say to you, do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.

33:40

And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.

33:49

Give to the one who begs from you and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. You have heard that it was said, you shall love your enemy and hate, you shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.

34:01

But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you so that you may be the sons of your father who is in heaven.

34:13

An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth was a reference to the Mosaic law.

34:19

It was both a command to punish as well as a limitation on the punishment.

34:26

In other words, it ensured that the penalty must not exceed the crime. The penalty must fit the crime.

34:34

And in this passage, the Lord Jesus Christ goes beyond the law and he establishes a much higher righteousness.

34:42

Retaliation, which was once legally permissible, is abolished altogether. The Lord Jesus Christ instructs his disciples to offer no resistance to an evil person.

34:55

And not only that, he further commands his disciples to love and to pray for those who are their enemies, for the very people who would be persecuting them.

35:09

The Lord Jesus Christ, not only did he speak and teach these principles, but he perfectly lived them out in his life.

35:19

The Lord Jesus Christ perfectly modeled these principles in his own life. Remember, he committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in his mouth.

35:29

And while being reviled, he did not revile in return. When suffering, he uttered no threats, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.

35:41

He committed no sin, nor was deceit found in his mouth. Now think for a moment about his life.

35:50

Think for a moment about what he had to endure as a man. Hostility, exile, threats, danger, temptation, disrespect, mockery, rivalry, unbelief, misunderstanding, rejection, name -calling, gossip, slander, intimidation, betrayal, false witness, false arrest, unjust trial, conspiracy, flogging, beatings, imprisonment, and crucifixion.

36:34

In all of these difficulties, the Lord Jesus Christ did not sin. In all of these difficulties, the

36:40

Lord Jesus Christ did not violate the word of God. He did not transgress the law of God.

36:47

In all of these difficulties, he did not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling.

36:55

And if in the most difficult of circumstances, the Lord Jesus Christ did not sin, then neither should we sin in far easier circumstances.

37:08

But on the contrary, we are to bless. For to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.

37:16

The ideal response for a believer who is being treated in a hostile way is to give their persecutors a blessing.

37:26

We are to bless. Well, how do we do this? How do you bless?

37:32

How do you give a blessing? Believers give their enemies a blessing by loving them, by loving them unconditionally.

37:43

Believers give their enemies a blessing by serving them, by doing good to them, by praying for them, by expressing gratitude for them, by forgiving them, by proclaiming the word of truth to them.

37:58

Now, in the midst of difficulty, especially difficulty with other people, none of these options may seem all that realistic to you.

38:08

But again, look to the example of the Lord Jesus Christ. Did he love his enemies?

38:15

Yes. Did he unconditionally love his enemies? Yes. Did he serve?

38:22

Did he do good to them? Did he pray for them? Did he express gratitude for them? Did he forgive them?

38:29

Yes, he did. Beloved, this is the path that all believers must follow.

38:36

Proverbs 20, 22, do not say I will repay evil, wait for the

38:41

Lord and he will deliver you. Proverbs 24, 29, do not say

38:46

I will do to him as he has done to me, I will pay the man back for what he was done. Beloved, do not say it.

38:53

Beloved, do not think it. Rather, 1 Corinthians 4, 12, when reviled, we bless.

39:02

When persecuted, we endure. When slandered, we entreat.

39:11

The good life results from having the right attitude. The good life results from having the right response.

39:18

Do not retaliate. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling.

39:26

Number three, the good life results from having the right actions. 1

39:33

Peter 3, verses 10 and 11. For whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.

39:45

Let him turn away from evil and do good. Let him seek peace and pursue it.

39:53

Here, Peter is quoting from Psalm 34 to further support and strengthen his exhortation.

40:00

The one who desires to love life, the one who desires to see good days, the one who desires the good life must keep his tongue from speaking evil and his lips from speaking deceit.

40:17

In James 3, we learn a lot about the tongue. James describes the tongue as a fire.

40:26

He describes it as a restless evil, a restless evil that is full of deadly poison.

40:34

James 3, 9, with it, we bless our Lord and Father and with it, we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.

40:42

From the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

40:50

Does a spring pour forth from that same opening, both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives or a grapevine produce figs?

41:01

Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. What is James getting at?

41:07

What's his point? The redeemed soul should have redeemed speech.

41:16

A Christian should speak and behave like a Christian, like a follower of Christ.

41:23

A healthy tree should produce healthy fruit. For the believer, there should be no evil.

41:30

There should be no deceit found in our mouths. The Greek word translated deceit is dolos and it refers to a fish hook or a trap or a trick and it's a general reference to the many forms of deceitfulness.

41:48

To be deceitful is to deliberately attempt to mislead, to snare or to bait others by telling them lies.

41:57

It's the desire to gain advantage over others, to preserve your position by deceiving other people through cunning and guile.

42:07

Proverbs 12, 22, lying lips are an abomination to the

42:12

Lord. Ephesians 4, 25, therefore put away falsehood.

42:18

Let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor for we are members one of another.

42:25

Beloved deceit must not be found in our mouths. In pain and suffering and in difficulty, our speech must reflect the speech of the

42:36

Lord Jesus Christ. It must be truthful, it must be honest, it must be pure.

42:42

There should be no form of deceitfulness, none whatsoever in any part of our speech.

42:51

But not only should our speech be free from evil and deceitfulness, so should our actions.

42:58

For whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.

43:05

Let him turn away from evil and do good. Let him seek peace and pursue it.

43:14

In verse 11, Peter lays out four straightforward commands. Christians must turn away from evil.

43:22

We must do good. We must seek peace and we must pursue peace.

43:29

The good life does not result from evil, but from turning away from evil.

43:36

And the Greek to turn away from evil implies an intensely strong rejection of that which is sinful and displeasing to the

43:44

Lord God. And in this context, the term is referring to our sinful treatment of other people.

43:50

Regardless of how you were treated, regardless of the difficulty of your circumstances, you must turn away from evil.

43:59

You must turn away from all sinful retaliation. You must strongly reject sinful retaliation.

44:08

And not only this, you must do good. You must seek peace.

44:14

You must pursue after peace. Every believer is a peacemaker and every believer should be known as a peacemaker.

44:24

Every believer should do good and go to great lengths to ensure peace. Peace with our brothers and sisters.

44:33

Peace with our enemies. Peace with our persecutors. And peace with those who do not know the

44:39

Lord Jesus Christ. Beloved, these truths are nothing new. These truths are littered across every page of the scriptures.

44:48

One of the most prominent passages that deals with many of these same themes is found in the book of Romans.

44:55

Romans 12, verse 14. Bless those who persecute you.

45:01

Bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep.

45:08

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.

45:14

Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.

45:23

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

45:30

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God. For it is written, vengeance is mine. I will repay, says the

45:37

Lord. To the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him.

45:43

If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. For by doing so, you will heap burning coals on his head.

45:52

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

45:58

This passage here in Romans could very easily be used to summarize our passage in 1

46:05

Peter. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

46:13

The good life results from the right attitude, the right response, the right action, and lastly, the right motivation.

46:25

Number four, the good life results from the right motivation. 1

46:30

Peter 3 .12, for the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayer.

46:37

But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. The Lord God takes special notice of the righteous.

46:47

His eyes are upon the righteous, and His ears are open to the prayers of the righteous.

46:55

Beloved, the Lord God is always aware of what is going on in your life. The Lord God is always aware of what is going on in your heart.

47:04

God is always watching. God is always ready. He is ready to hear our prayers.

47:10

He is ready to answer our prayers. And this is tremendous motivation for righteous living.

47:19

Beloved, our God is near. Hebrews 4 .16, let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

47:34

The Lord God desires that we draw near to the throne of grace with confidence, with full assurance of faith.

47:43

The Lord God stands at the ready to abundantly pour out upon His children mercy, grace, and help in the time of our need.

47:54

Our Father God is good, and He does good. His eyes are upon us, and His ears are open to our prayers.

48:05

The flip side of this truth, the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.

48:13

God's wrath is against those who reject Him. God's wrath is against those who disobey

48:18

Him. His wrath is against those who are unrighteous, and against those who live their lives for their own advantage.

48:25

His face is against them. And these will most assuredly answer for their sins.

48:32

Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord. Charles Spurgeon remarked,

48:39

God is not indifferent to the deeds of sinners, but He sets His face against them, as we say, being determined that they shall have no countenance and support, but shall be thwarted and defeated.

48:54

He is determinately resolved that the ungodly shall not prosper. He sets

48:59

Himself with all His might to overthrow them. This too is a tremendous motivation for righteous living.

49:10

Judgment is coming. The face of the Lord is against those who do evil.

49:17

And do not be deceived, God is not mocked. Whatever one sows, this

49:23

He will also reap. This morning we began with King Solomon and his quest.

49:32

King Solomon applied his heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven.

49:39

He applied his heart to seek and to search out by wisdom the meaning of life. King Solomon found no meaning in any earthly endeavor.

49:49

He didn't find it in the temporal things of this world. He didn't find it in the very best things of this world.

50:00

Ecclesiastes 12, 13, the end of the matter. All has been heard.

50:06

Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment with every secret thing, whether good or evil.

50:19

This is the end of the matter. Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

50:28

The good life, a life of purpose, a life of contentment is found in the fear of the

50:35

Lord. It is found in the Lord Jesus Christ. The good life is found in the good

50:44

Lord. It comes from having the right attitude, pursuing unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart and a humble mind.

50:55

It comes from having the right response, not sinning when you are sinned against, not repaying evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but rather being a blessing.

51:08

It comes from the right actions. It comes from turning away from evil, from seeking peace and pursuing peace.

51:17

It comes from the right motivation. The Lord God is near and He is watching.

51:24

His eyes and His ears are attentive to your life, but His face is against the wicked.

51:33

The good life does not result from the passing pleasures of this world. The good life comes from a right relationship with the

51:41

Lord Jesus Christ. So pursue the Lord Jesus Christ. Pursue the right attitude.

51:47

Pursue the right response, the right actions, and the right motivation. A life that is lived without Christ is a life that is lived without purpose.

51:59

It is a life that is lived without meaning, a vain and empty life that will end in judgment.

52:08

If this describes your life, if your life is vain and empty, if you do not know the

52:15

Lord Jesus Christ, who is the source of all that is good, then repent and believe in Him, for the good life is found only in Him.

52:29

Let's pray. Our Heavenly Father, we confess that so often we look for satisfaction, we look for joy, we look for happiness, we look for contentment outside of Christ.

52:45

We look for it in the things of this world. We look for it in your creation. And in doing so, we serve the creation rather than the creator.

52:57

Lord, we confess our idolatry. Lord, we confess our false thinking. Help us,

53:04

Lord, in all of these things. Help us to look to Christ. Help us to follow Christ.

53:10

Help us to follow the pattern of His life. He committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth in the most difficult of circumstances.

53:23

Lord, keep our eyes upon the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you for this time.