Simon Says 18
In this message we learn from the mind of God practical principles, that when put into regular, consistent practice will lead you to loving your life and seeing good days.
NOTES:
Simon Says – A Study in 1st Peter
1 Peter 3:10-12 The Good Life
Dave Spooner – Mosaic Rockford – May 24th, 2015
Intro:
- Do you want to love life? Do you want to see good days? If this is you, then today’s message will give you the tools as to how to make these goals realities.
- I want you to view church services as the place to be equipped . . .
- Last week we looked at the verses right before these ones where we were instructed to “bless” in order for us to inherit a blessing. This is especially true when it comes to those who injure and hurt us “do not repay evil for evil or insult for insult” . . .
- I believe the number one thing that makes life miserable and difficult are relationships that have gone bad . . . . these things make us hate life and live horrible days . . .
- So the tools I am giving you today are things that you can use that will help the situation and create good relationships and help to repair broken ones.
1 Peter 3:10-12 NIV
For, “Whoever would love life
and see good days
must keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from deceitful speech.
11 He must turn from evil and do good;
he must seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
Watch your mouth
1 Peter 3:10NIV
For, “Whoever would love life
and see good days
must keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from deceitful speech.
- Keep your tongue from evil
- “Keep” – Pause, stop, restrain, edit
- Do not speak words that injure others . . . keep your words from injuring others
- Which would include lying about them, representing them incorrectly, slandering them, speaking evil of them, . . .
- The power of life and death is in the tongue Proverbs 18:21
- I have seen people’s lives changed for the better . . . with words of life
- I have seen people’s lives changed for the worse . . . with words of death
- Eph 4:29 NIV
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
- Keep your lips from deceitful speech
- this word means “decoy” or a “trick”
- Don’t create decoy’s . . . .
- Pretend like things are worse than they are to get sympathy
- Make up stories to cover things up
- Don’t bate people to get what you want
- Form of manipulation for you to get what you really want
- Why . . . because the truth will come out . . . and it will end bad for you.
- Luke 8:17
- Don’t create decoy’s . . . .
- this word means “decoy” or a “trick”
For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all.
- 1 Cor 4:5
He will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.
- 1 Tim 5:24-25
Remember, the sins of some people are obvious, leading them to certain judgment. But there are others whose sins will not be revealed until later. 25 In the same way, the good deeds of some people are obvious. And the good deeds done in secret will someday come to light.
Watch your step
1 Peter 3:10-11 NIV
For, “Whoever would love life
and see good days
must keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from deceitful speech.
11 He must turn from evil and do good;
he must seek peace and pursue it.
- This section deals with our actions
- Pause, stop, restrain, edit
- Any action that is causing injury or harm
- Not only turning away but turning towards doing good . . .
- Not just refraining from evil . . . passively . . . but actively engaging with good
- Overcome evil with good . . .
- If you turn toward good you will automatically turn away from evil. You can only face one direction at a time.
- Not just refraining from evil . . . passively . . . but actively engaging with good
- You must seek peace
- Looking for this, being open to it, not being a war with . . .
- And pursue it
- It does not happen by itself . . . you have to pursue it
- Peacekeeper vs. Peacemaker
- It does not happen by itself . . . you have to pursue it
Engage with God
1 Peter 3:12 NIV
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.
- His eyes are on the righteous
- He is watching out for you . . .
- 2 Chron 16:9 NIV
The eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.
- His ear are attentive to their prayers
- He is listening and will answer your prayer . . .
- Get Him involved, ask him to do things, engage, deploy, employ, . . . .
- The face of the Lord is against those who do evil
- He is for them but against the evil . . .
- He is not attentive to their prayers . . .
- We are also to be for people and against evil
- He is listening and will answer your prayer . . .
Conclusion
- Watch your mouth
- Watch your step
- Engage with God