TEXT:  1 Pet. 3:8-12

INTRODUCTION:

A.      LAST WEEK è "SHOWING FORTH HIS EXCELLENCIES."

          1.       Time of persecution.

          2.       Relationships that are the source.

B.      THIS WEEK è HOW CHRISTIANS REFLECT GOD'S IMAGE IN THEIR

          UNIQUE PERSONALITY.

I.      CHRISTIANS TO BE LIKEMINDED( vs. 8-9 ).  2 thoughts.

A.      WE MUST HAVE UNITY.

          1.       Jesus prayed for it( John 17:20-21 ).

          2.       Paul demanded it( 1 Cor. 1:10 ).

          3.       Eph. 4:3.

B.      WE MUST HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST( Phil. 2:5;  1 Pet. 2:21 ).

          1.       Jesus was compassionate, sympathetic( Matt. 9:36;  14:14 ).

                   trans. "touched"( Heb. 4:15 ).

          2.       Jesus loved his brethren( 1 John 4:19;  3:16 ) è us( 3:16-18 ).

          3.       Jesus was tenderhearted è KJV "pitiful" - quick to feel pity

                   ( Eph. 4:32;  John 11:31-43 ).

          4.       Jesus was humbleminded - his example( John 13:1-15 ).

                   a.       Phil. 2:5-8.  Have this mind in you( 1 Pet. 5:5 ).

                   b.       Phil. 2:9-11.  God will exalt us, too( 1 Pet. 5:6 ).

          5.       Jesus never rendered evil for evil( 1 Pet. 2:21-24 ).

                   - will evil overcome us( Rom. 12:17-21 ).

          6.       Contrariwise blessing - Our inheriting depends on it.

                   Wish even the persecutor( any abuser )well( Matt. 5:43-48 ).

II.     THE SECRET OF A HAPPY LIFE( vs. 10 ).

A.      WATCH WHAT WE SAY( Matt. 12:36-37 ).

B.      SPEAK NO GUILE - DECEIT( Matt. 5:33-37 ).

C.      TURN AWAY FROM EVIL( 2 Tim. 2:19 ). 

                   NO SUPPORT( Eph. 5:11;  2 John 9-11 ).

D.      DO GOOD( Titus 3:1 ).

E.      SEEK, EVEN PURSUE, PEACE( Heb. 12:14-15 ).

CONCLUSION:

A.      IF WE SEEK TO BE RIGHT, GOD KNOWS IT.

          1.       He watches over us.

          2.       He hears our prayers.

B.      IF WE SEEK TO DO WRONG, JUDGMENT AWAITS.