Intro: Do you believe the Bible? Do you trust God? What about when…
*1Pe 3:8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.*
*1Pe 3:9 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.*
-This is extremely counter culture, then and now. Injustice.
-Retaliation rarely gives what it promises.
-Anger satisfies the flesh. Action satisfies the anger. Action in anger creates regret. Don’t do something you are going to regret.
-Stop drop and roll
Pro 25:21 - 22 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
*1Pe 3:10 For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; 1Pe 3:11 let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.*
-Good “loving life” days begin with your mouth.
-Speaking deceit is saying things you don’t mean.
-Seek peace (cant we all just get along)-but are you pursuing it?
*1Pe 3:12 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.”*
-God is looking on those who are walking in Him.
-God’s protection is absent and His wrath is present in those who don’t
*1Pe 3:13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good?*
*1Pe 3:14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 1Pe 3:15 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, 1Pe 3:16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.*
-Stepping out in faith causes even good people to come against you. sometimes it is to justify inaction or wrong action.
Mat 10:34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.
Mat 10:35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-lawWho do you serve? no fear
-When you are weird people will always ask why.
-But don’t be arrogant or condescending
-Slander and opposition will come.
*Conclusion:*
-How you see the world determines how you react to it.
-When you reflect Christ teachings and His spirit of Love in you, then
you will not act in anger because you know who has your back,
-watch what you say when you are emotional
-and Seek peace and do what it takes to ensure peace.
_*Group Questions:*_
1. Where does “revenge” thought processes come from and what are the negatives to it?
2. How should you react to injustice against you?
3. Why do we struggle with injustice?
4. What are some practical ways that you can control reaction?
5. What are some practical ways that you can be preemptive in controlling actions?
Hope V: "Attitude of Hope"
11/10/19
November 10, 2019 • Paul Barnard
Hope X: "Hope Killers"
December 8, 2019 • Paul Barnard
Hope IV “Hope Killers” Suffering causes severe things in our life (weakness, faltering and isolation) *1Pe 5:8* Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. The adversary (Against what is right) is the one is coming against you The devil-author of confusion, deception and fear —a beautiful angel of light, Prowling or roaming in his world (greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world) Like a lion- - Away from the herd - Weak and sick - Young *1Pe 5:9* Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. Resist him -Jas 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. firm in your faith- *intervention vs. prevention* Intervention faith is faith born out of crisis (foxhole faith) Prevention faith is faith born out of discipline and intentional, planned growth (faith before the foxhole) *Conclusion:* Satan is coming. When he gets here is not the time to grow faith your faith. Grow your faith before. How is your faith at this moment? Are you planning your faith or hoping your faith? First step is repentance, second is obedience and the third is victory. Connect, Grow and Repent (turn away from sin) _*Questions:*_ 1. How do you picture Satan when you see him in your head? What does he look like? Is this reality? 2. How has connecting, growing and repenting protecting you from Satan? (specific instances) 3. How does your faith measure up? Is it an intervention faith or prevention faith? 4. What are some ways to get prevention faith not intervention?
Hope VII "The Decisive Moment
November 24, 2019 • Paul Barnard
Hope VIII “The Decisive Moment” 1. 1Pe 4:1 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 1Pe 4:2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. * The more you go through the more you should have a “don’t quit now” * “Whoever has suffered for doing right, and has still gone on obeying God in spite of the suffering it involved, has made a clear break with sin.” (Grudem) 2. 1Pe 4:3 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. You’ve already put in your time in that God-ignorant way of life, partying night after night, a drunken and profligate life. Now it’s time to be done with it for good. MSG * Suffering always leads to a decisive moment * Your decisive moment can be your defining moment 3. 1Pe 4:4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; 1Pe 4:5 but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. * There are people all around that do not make it through the suffering and will encourage you to give in as well. * Once again, the tension rises and a decisive moment is born. * Example- Marriage suffering and the bad advice from other sufferers. Conclusion: You have a choice. Live for you or Jesus. Live for them or Jesus. Live for it or Jesus. Its time to make your decisive moment your defining moment *Life Group Questions:* 1. How does suffering cause you to be stronger in your fight against sin? 2. Have you had to decide to move forward in a time of struggle when you did not want to? What caused you to move forward? 3. Explain how your decisive moments can be you defining moments in your peronsal life. 4. How have people treated you when you abstained from sin? Negative? Positive? 5. What could Jesus have done to end His sfuffering on the cross? Did He? Should You?