“Living the Good Life!” 1 Peter 3:7-12

Peter, under the inspiration of God, makes clear that if you want to live life, if you want to live the good life, then you must realize all the more that you are an alien/stranger in this world…

Ecclesiastes 2:10-11, 17 “I denied myself nothing my eyes desire; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun… So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”

How many people do you know who can afford most anything and can indulge accordingly; yet, they are miserable people? These eventually come to the point in their life where…

“… I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” Ecclesiastes 2:10-11, 17 “… I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.”

to see how we can life the good life Purpose: to see how we can life the good life

I Loving Your BROTHER / SISTER (v 8) A. Crucifying Self

Mark 8:34-35 “…If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me and for the gospel will save it.”

The meaning is clear – don’t let selfishness consume your life…

I Loving Your BROTHER / SISTER (v 8) A. Crucifying Self B. Grace is the Motive

Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

II Loving Your ENEMIES (v 9) A. Our Culture Says “Get Even”

Abe Lincoln was approached by a man wanting to file suit against someone who owed him $2.50… Lincoln encouraged the man to work it out without filing suit; yet, the man persisted… Lincoln finally said, “I’ll take the case, but my fee will be $10.”…

Luke 6:27-28 “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”

II Loving Your ENEMIES (v 9) A. Our Culture Says “Get Even” B. Bitterness Consumes Life

1 Thessalonians 5:15 “Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.”

III Loving Your SWEET TALK (v 10) A. Keep Your Tongue from Evil

James 1:26 “If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.”

Ephesians 4:29 “Do no 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.”

III Loving Your SWEET TALK (v 10) A. Keep Your Tongue from Evil B. Keep Your lips from Deceit

James 5:12 “Above all, my brothers, do not swear… Let your ‘Yes’ be yes and your ‘No’ no or you will be condemned.”

IV Loving Your DOING GOOD (v 10) A. Not Being a “Do-Gooder” B. Instead We Are Doers of Good

V Loving Your PEACE MAKING (v 10) A. We Are to Seek Peace B. We Are to Pursue Peace

“Make every effort to live in peace with all men…” Romans 12:18 “Make every effort to live in peace with all men…”

Hebrews 12:14 “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”

The good life is NOT a life of being pampered and sheltered…

Summary and Conclusion There are a lot of solid people right here in this church family living the good life. They don’t have great earthly wealthy nor do they have great notoriety; nevertheless, life doesn’t get any better than how they are living their lives. Why? They are living their lives for Christ!