When I was barely 3 months old, one of the earliest of daytime soap operas began to air. "Love of Life" began in September of 1951. For the first seven years, it was only 15 minutes long and ran five days a week. In 1958 it was expanded to a half-hour show and continued to air until 1980. As is the case with most TV series, they have very little to do with real life. I do like the title though. 'Love of Life' Do we love life tonight? We ought to! How can we? Listen as Peter instructs us in the third chapter of his first epistle. Read: 1 Peter 3:8-11
(1 Peter 3:10) 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:
I. Be an Encourager v8
(1 Peter 3:8) Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
Ex. Prisoner = More Power to You!
A. Be of One Mind = harmonious thinking
1. To be in one accord and not in discord
2. If we are going to be encouragers then we must be thinking straight.
3. The O.T. prophet Amos asked the question, "Can two walk together except they be agreed?" - NO!
4. Who will encourage you in your walk with God?
5. Certainly not the lost people around us…and not the marginal Christians we know.
6. The only ones that will encourage us in our walk with God are those who are on the same road heading in the same direction!
7. That is why we so desperately need our local church fellowship!
B. Be Compassionate = sympathetic
1. Not pity toward others, but being of the same heart.
2. Paul admonished us to weep with those who weep and to rejoice with those who rejoice.
3. Compassion is putting ourselves in the other's place and then acting upon how we would like to be treated.
4. Compassion moves us to action.
(Mark 6:34) And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things. [3] 5. If are to be encouragers, we must show compassion!
C. Be loving toward the brethren = family love
1. We are family aren't we?
2. There is a bond there that covers a multitude of sins.
3. I often speak of my family…I have two brothers: Edd and Ken and I love them both, but they are different. Ken is really different!
4. As I look out upon our congregation each Sunday, I see an assembly of family members that are different, and yes some are really different!
5. But where would I be without you?
6. To be an encourager, I must love the brethren.
(1 John 3:14) We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
D. Be Respectful = tenderhearted and courteous
1. Every so often I meet people who are just jerks!
2. But that doesn't give me the right to treat them like a jerk!
3. Once again Paul admonishes us to be tenderhearted toward others.
(Ephesians 4:32) And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
II. Be a Blessing - v9
(1 Peter 3:9) Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
A. Not rendering evil for evil and railing for railing.
B. Jesus Christ is our great example in this.
(Matthew 27:12) And when He was accused of the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing.
C. No paybacks!
1. Let God take care of this area.
2. Vengeance is mine saith the Lord
(Romans 12:19) Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. [5]
D. But we are called to be a blessing!
1. A blessing = speaking good things
2. Words that will edify the hearer.
(Ephesians 4:29) Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
(James 3:10) Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
3. Since we are blessed, we ought to be a blessing to others.
4. Does that make sense this evening?
5. To love life we must be a Christian not just in word, but in deed!
(Colossians 3:17) And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
III. Be a Christian - v10-11
(1 Peter 3:10-11) 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.
A. Look (verb) like a Christian - See good days
1. Good days and bad days are a matter of perception and perspective aren't they.
2. Riley = This is my worst bad day!
3. Prisoner: 3 days vs 30 days in brig.
4. We have so much to look forward to…let's see good days ahead!
B. Talk like a Christian - refrain his tongue
1. I was recently talking with someone who 'claimed' to be a Christian.
2. Throughout the conversation they caught themselves before saying something that they shouldn't.
3. Do we have to look around to see who is nearby before we speak?
(James 5:12) But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.
4. Obviously there is more to being a Christian than how we talk, but…how we talk should reflect our faith in Christ.
5. The Bible has much to say about our talk as believers…
a. Warns of lying and deceit
b. Warns of gossips, talebearers, and busybodies
c. Have you ever sat in a restaurant and overheard the conversation of another?
d. Guess what, people do that with us all the time.
e. What is being heard, when we think no one else is listening?
f. We need to talk like a Christian!
C. Act like a Christian - do good and seek peace
1. Following His resurrection, Jesus confronted Peter on the shore.
2. Remember what He asked him?
3. Do you love me? Then feed my sheep.
4. Jesus was reminding him of what He had said earlier on.
(John 14:15) If ye love me, keep my commandments.
5. If we love Him, we will live like it!
How can we love life? Peter gives us three thoughts in this passage. Be Encouragers, Be Blessings, and Be Christians. How are we doing in these areas? Why not come tonight and recommit to loving the life that He has given to us.