It can be incredibly difficult to be a Christian when it seems like nobody shares your faith. When most everyone around you seems to discredit your beliefs and make different choices. It can easily cause us to make compromises or feel like we need to defend ourselves. In this video, Pastor Sean Sears shares from the Bible how you can live in a way that attracts people to you, even if they don’t agree with what you believe.
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MESSAGE NOTES
[1 Peter 2:15]
“It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you.”
“The more unpopular your faith becomes, the more honorable your conduct should become.”
- Be WILLING to do the hard things
[1 Peter 2:15-17]
“It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. Respect everyone, and love the family of believers. Fear God, and respect the king.”
He gives us four specific areas in which we are live obediently to God, in relationship to others: GOVERNMENT, masters (EMPLOYERS), MARRIAGE, the COMMUNITY
GOVERNMENT
“Fear God and respect the King”
MASTERS (EMPLOYERS)
[1 Peter 2:18]
“You who are slaves must submit to your masters with all respect. Do what they tell you—not only if they are kind and reasonable, but even if they are cruel.”
- Peter’s instruction is to do your job and work hard, regardless of the character they have/don’t have
MARRIAGE
[1 Peter 3:1-2]
“In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over by observing your pure and reverent lives.”
[1 Peter 3:7]
“In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.”
CAVEAT: we have more research, study, books, classes, speakers on marriage now than ever and we are MORE unhealthy in our marriages now than ever. Can we admit that, regardless of what people say about how marriages SHOULD be, we ain’t getting any better at this?!
COMMUNITY
[1 Peter 3:8-12]
“Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.””
[1 Peter 3:14-15]
“But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.”
Do the hard thing
Say the right thing
Keep going
What’s the hard thing you need to work on?
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Application Questions
- What stood out to you from this message and why?
- What is one thing God is telling you to START doing because of this message?
- What is one thing God is telling you to STOP doing because of this message?
- How will this message change how you act at home, work and in your relationships?