November 8, 2020
Pastor Ricky Smith

Sermon Notes

I. Respond In Love

1 Peter 3:8-12
8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 10 For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; 11 let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Responding In Love Will Promote Peace

Why Your Response Matters:
1. Healthy unity in the church
2. Peace with those outside of the church
3. Experience the blessing of hope in Christ

II. Keep Vertical Focus Amid Horizontal Opposition

1 Peter 3:13-17
13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

III. Rejection Is A Broken Record

1 Peter 3:18-20
18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 19 in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, 20 because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water.

IV. Dead Men Walk With Clarity

1 Peter 3:21-22
21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

Real Life Identifies With Death

Why should I get baptized?
1. To follow the example set by Jesus.
2. Because Christ commands it.
3. It demonstrates that I really am a believer.

What is the meaning of baptism?
1. It illustrates Christ’s death and resurrection.
2. It illustrates my new life as a Christian.

Next Steps

• I will promote peace while responding in love
• I will respect others to point them to Jesus
• I commit to follow Jesus in baptism.

Deep Dive

1. Read Luke 10:25-37 and discuss how we can show similar compassion in our everyday lives.
2. Share an example of when you have defended your faith. How did you or could you have done so with gentleness and respect.
3. Read Matthew 28:18-20 and discuss why baptism is important. Share with others when and why you were baptized.

Springboard

1. Sin is about living for ourselves instead of God. Discuss why this is dangerous and describe what it looks like.
2. Search online for a video of salmon swimming upstream. Discuss how this is an example of godly living in sinful culture.
3. Read 1 John 4:7-8 and discuss the role loving others plays in our relationships.