The Mind and Personality of a Christian

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 ) => 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.