Today, on the verdict with Pastor John Monroe. Is there anyone here who wants the good life? Answer: Yes, I want that, Lord. All right. What is Peter saying?
Even when you're surrounded by difficult circumstances, you cannot have a good day, you can have a long life of blessing. If you follow the example of the perfect man, Jesus Christ. Um Welcome to The Verdict, featuring the Bible teaching of Pastor John Monroe. Scripture teaches about living the good life and explains that it starts with our attitudes rather than our circumstances. Today, John continues in 1 Peter chapter 3: moving from our attitudes to our external actions.
He's going to challenge everything our culture teaches about standing up for ourselves, getting even, and protecting our reputation. Here's Pastor John Monroe with Part 2. of living the good life. Are you having a good day? For most people, a good day is when things go well, when there are no problems or hassles.
On the other hand, there's a bad day when we have problems such as the washing machine giving up. In 1 Peter chapter 3, Peter writes about living the good life. And explains that it begins not with her circumstances but with her attitudes. There are many things in our lives over which we have no control. But how we respond to difficult circumstances is within our control.
Last time we saw That Peter deals with the importance of having a godly attitude and living a life of harmony. Sympathy. Brotherly love. tenderness and humility. Having dealt with these godly attitudes, Peter is now going to describe some godly actions which will impact our day.
So let's stand and read our text. It's found in 1 Peter. Chapter three. And we're going to be reading from verses 8. Through twelve.
Read with me. Finally, all of you have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love. a tender heart and a humble mind. 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.
For whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil. and his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil. And do good. Let them seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous. and his ears are open to their prayers. But the face of the Lord. is against those who do evil. Amen.
Please be seated. Remarkable passage. And we're going to learn that having a good day begins with godly attitudes. Secondly, having a good day is sustained by godly actions. Verses nine through eleven.
Do not repay. Are we listening to this? Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless. For to this you were called. That is called by God.
that you may obtain a blessing. Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good. Let him seek peace and pursue it. When you're misunderstood.
When you're hurting. When you're criticized, When you're persecuted, yes, unfairly, don't retaliate. We are never to repay evil for evil. We are never to repay slander for slander. That is the spirit of Christ.
That is the way of the Christian. That is how Christians make a difference in our world. And Peter, to make his point, gives the authority of Psalm 34, which we'll look at in a minute. One of the ways, one of the most common ways we demonstrate a bad attitude. is by your speech.
What's the example of our Lord Jesus Christ? We read about it in chapter 2. Who, when he was reviled, he reviled not again. When he was. threatened he did not respond.
That's your example. This is to which you are called. Don't be mean spirited. Don't be foul-mouthed. Don't be insulting.
Don't seek revenge. Insulting words. And actions have no place in living a good life that pleases. God. What do you used to do?
Instead of insulting the person who's hurt you, Instead of retaliating, What are you to do? You're to bless those who offend you. It's called loving your neighbor as yourself. It's called loving your enemies. This is the Beatitudes.
This is the teaching of Jesus. This is the teaching that Peter has learned from the lips of our Lord and seen in action for three years as he followed him. And now, as a mature man, as he's writing, he's giving the example of Jesus and saying, now, when you're insulted, when you're persecuted, when that person does evil to you, you're not only not to retaliate, you are to bless them. Have you ever done that? How do you respond?
to the person who upset you. Mm-hmm. Here is the way to have good days. Refrain from rendering evil for evil. Refrain from giving an insult when you have been insulted.
Bring a blessing to that person. Be kind to them. What are we to do? Let them seek peace and pursue it. Here you are in a difficult situation at work.
You may be. criticized because you're a follower of Jesus Christ. And instead of retaliating, and instead of standing aloof, what are you to do? You're to think of ways. of blessing.
These people. I've been kind to them. Here is someone who goes through a difficult illness. Here is someone who goes through a loss. Here is someone whose marriage is falling apart, and they're the very individual who are making life difficult for you.
Instead of retreating, instead of saying, Well, I'm really glad that's happened, that will keep them humble. No, you are to go to them and think of ways. of blessing them. Wouldn't that be wonderful? Wouldn't that be a demonstration of true Christianity to reach out and to bless this individual who's pretty obnoxious?
To give grace to those who hear. Remember, Paul writes in Ephesians 4? He tells us not to have corrupting speech, but our speech should give grace to those who hear. I know some people like that. You interact with them.
And their lips give grace. I know other people After a conversation with them, you feel like going home and having a shower. You're almost polluted by the way that they speak. A young lady, in speaking to John Wesley, the great preacher, said, I think I know what my talent is. Wesley said, Tell me, she said, I think it is to speak my mind.
Wesley said. I don't think God would mind if you bury that talent. Do you pride yourself in speaking your mind? It's good to speak your mind sometimes. We're to speak truth.
That is true. We're to speak the truth. But we're to speak the truth in love. We are to bless Others, I praise God for the many people at church who reach out and bless. Others, not only here, but in your neighborhoods and at your work.
What a blessing! We bless unbelievers when we share the gospel with them. We are called, Peter is saying, that we might. Obtain verse 9 a blessing. God blesses us when we bless others.
God's grace comes on us, and now through us, that grace, that kindness, that love that we receive from our great God through His Spirit, now we radiate that grace and that love and that kindness to others. As I say, we live in a cruel world. You understand? I've spoken to them. As people have told me their background.
Some people know very, very little of kindness. And it shocks them. When someone is kind to them. Not because they're trying to manipulate them. but because of Christian love, of reaching out to someone with sympathy.
Think of our world. the chaos and the negativity. And the tremendous levels of anxiety among children and students and adults. We live in a very insecure, anxious world. How wonderful for you.
to come to such people. and give them A blessing. Verse 11, seek peace. and pursue it. Wise parents pursue peace.
in their home. Wise parents do all they can to promote harmony in their home. I know that, my mother, particularly with six boys. Would quote to us time and time again, Psalm 133, verse 1: how good and pleasant it is. When brothers dwell together in unity.
We began by singing about that. You know, and you're family, isn't it? It's a wonderful thing. If you're a father, you're a mother for your children to dwell in unity. You know it's a heartbreak when brothers and sisters in your own family.
Fight each other. or are alienated from you. Seek peace. Pursue it. Jesus said, Blessed are the peacemakers in every circumstance.
Pursue peace, pursue reconciliation.
So when someone slanders you, don't ignore that person. But have a good life. And do what Jesus says. Be a peacemaker. Here it is.
Pursue peace, seek peace, and pursue it. Action point, bless that person who criticizes you. Bless that person who. persecutes you and upsets you and irritates you. Be kind to them.
Help them. Pursue. Peace. And then finally in verse 12, having a good day. is motivated By living In the Lord's presence.
Each day I have an awareness That you're living in the presence of the Lord. Verse 12. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous. Do you like God is watching you? And his ears are open to their prayers.
That is the prayers of the righteous. The prayers of those who've been saved by the grace of God. The prayers of those who are authentic followers of Jesus Christ. The eyes of the Lord are on us. His ear is open to our prayers.
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. If you do evil, God is against you. If you're proud, God opposes you. But they're wonderful. To have a good life.
As day by day you understand. That the eyes of the Lord are on me. And his ears are open. to my request. Peter is quoting Psalm 34.
Let's go to Psalm 34. You got your Bible there. Psalm 34. Psalm thirty-four is one of the great psalms of the Psalter. We won't read it all.
I commend you to do it. But Peter is quoting from verse twelve. Let me read it. What man is there who desires love and loves many days that he may say good?
So anyone here? Who wants to love many days? Is there anyone here who wants a good life? Answer: Yes, I want that, Lord. All right.
What am I to do? Verse thirteen. Keep your tongue from evil. And your lips from speaking deceit. No lies, no deceit from the lips of the believer.
Turn away from evil and do good. Seek peace and pursue it. That's what Peter is quoting. The eyes of the Lord are towards the righteous and his ears towards their cry, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. Peter is quoting from this Psalm, what's the context of Psalm 34?
David is being persecuted while he's in exile. And the point is this. Just as God delivered David from his enemies, God will deliver you. Don't be anxious. Don't be overwhelmed in your difficult circumstances.
That's the point. That's the context of Psalm 34. That's why Peter is quoting it in 1 Peter 3. Was watching David. God's ear was open.
to this great man. And God is watching you. particularly in your difficulties. particularly in your struggles. Particularly when we find life very, very difficult.
No need to be anxious. This is a great comfort, isn't it? See, godly living is motivated by understanding The omniscience of God, His complete knowledge, and His goodness. Proverbs 5:21 For a man's ways are before the eyes of the Lord, and he ponders all his Yeah. Living in the lards.
I prayed for our children. That they would grow up and walk in the path of righteousness. That's true for you. Today, tomorrow, walk in the paths of righteousness. Live your life in accordance with the Word of God.
And as you do that, here is something wonderful. That God's ear is open to your requests. God wants to respond to our prayers. as we ask for his help. As we ask for His guidance.
As we ask each day for his wisdom, as we ask each day for his blessing. What an incredible motivation to live a good life and to pursue good days. God is not only watching over us, he's there to meet our every spiritual need. Here is a mother. of a newborn baby.
Is the ear of that mother Open to the baby. Yes. She hears that baby. And when the baby cries, she goes and attends to the need of that baby. His God a better parent than we are, of course.
Our Heavenly Father, Here is a picture. That as you, a parent, a father, a mother, You are tuned to the voice of your children. And if it's a wise request from your children, you will do all you can to meet that request. A wonderful and our struggles. and are difficult.
How wonderful for the first century readers being persecuted to know that in the middle of their persecution, God is watching over them and God's ear is open to their requests. Seventeen of Psalm 34, if I can read a little further. When the righteous cry for help, Have you ever done that? You ever been in a situation which is totally out of your control. I have.
It's a horrible situation, isn't it? I like to solve problems. I like to feel I can navigate my life pretty well. But God often Brings us to our knees, doesn't he? in situations where we Realize this is out of my control.
When the righteous cry for help, Do you hear this? The Lord hears. and delivers them out of all of their troubles. Situation, what do you think? You cannot Make it.
A situation where you feel you can hardly make another step. Situation when you think I don't know if I can get through this day. Cry out to the Lord. He delivers them out of all of their troubles. Verse 18, the Lord is near to the brokenhearted.
and saves the crushed in spirit. See, if you're not humble before the Lord, there is no salvation. In coming to Christ, there's an acknowledgement that we can't save ourselves. That I need your salvation, Lord, the one who died for my sins. It is in Christ alone, who died for our sins, was buried, and rose again, that my total dependence is on this one for salvation.
We sang it in Christ alone. And now as we navigate our life. We find all kinds of situations. Instead of retaliating, instead of insulting, I am to bless that person. And I am to cry out to my Heavenly Father, who hears my cry for help.
Who's going to deliver me? And he's near. to the brokenhearted. And he saves the crushed. Inspirit.
Some of you have experienced that, don't you? But the Lord's face is against the evil. The idea of the face of the Lord is a picture of the judgment of God. Don't resist God. Don't go your own way.
The Lord is against you. No, humble yourself before God, repent of your sin. and live a life of good days. live a life of the blessing of God. If you're having a difficult life, it may be.
because of your ungodly attitudes and actions. She've never repented before God. You've never received Christ as your Savior. Instead of pursuing peace, you're pursuing conflict. Brother, sister, you are saved by the grace of God, but perhaps you're involved in that which is evil.
Perhaps instead of turning the other cheek, you're retaliating, and you're taking pride in your retaliation. Pursuit of peace. Instead of criticizing that person. Show them love. Reach out in grace.
Turn away from evil. Too good. Seek peace. Pursue it. What a change that would be in our homes, our relationships, at church if we obeyed these simple instructions.
What is Peter saying? Even when You're surrounded by difficult circumstances. You cannot have a good day. You can have a long life of blessing. If you follow the example of the perfect man, Jesus Christ.
who in the midst of suffering and trusted everything. to his father, the righteous judge.
So instead of reacting to circumstances in the flesh, respond to God. Together? Instead of reacting, In the flash Do what the righteous do. and cry out to God. for help.
That's the way. to live a good life. That's the way to a long life. begins by humility. begins by the acknowledgement of our sin.
It begins each day by living in the presence of the Lord. And having these wonderful attitudes of Humility and sympathy and a tender heart and a unity of mind and pursuing peace, seeking peace with all of your heart. And when you're criticized. Instead of retaliating. Bless that person.
And when you're at the end of yourself, and these terrible circumstances. Don't be bitter against God, but rather cry out to him. in humility. And he Draws near. in a time of need.
In a time of difficulty. and reveals once again to us his kindness. and his goodness, his strength, and his power. that we will live. A good life.
and a long life. This is the verdict with Pastor John Monroe and his challenging conclusion to living the good life. What a profound reminder that God's ways are truly not our ways The Biblical principle John shared to day, blessing those who curse us rather than retaliating, strikes at the heart of human nature. Yet Peter, writing from his own experience of witnessing the example of Jesus, assures us that this is the path to genuine fulfillment. When we bless instead of curse, and trust God's justice instead of taking matters into our own hands, we experience the good life that transcends any circumstance.
To help you apply these challenging truths to your daily life, we encourage you to request John's booklet for the time is near. This resource helps you continue to develop an eternal perspective by reminding you of God's ultimate plan. When we understand that Christ is coming back and God will one day make all things right, it becomes easier to trust him with our hurts rather than seeking personal vindication. Get your free copy today at theverdict.org. Your generous support enables the verdict to bring these countercultural biblical truths to people across the globe.
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Now, here's Pastor John Monroe with closing remarks.
Well, what's your verdict? Are you living the good life? This is what God wants for you, regardless of your changing circumstances. What kind of choices are you making? How do you react when someone criticises you?
or when someone misunderstands you. And although you're trying to live a godly life, the person is nasty and mean. All of us have been insulted. And when that happens, it's very easy to respond in kind. Resist the urge.
Be different. Remember you're living in the presence of the Lord. And Have a good day. Thanks for joining us today on The Verdict. I'm Michelle Davies.
Today's program with Pastor John Monroe was produced and sponsored by Calvary Church in Charlotte, North Carolina.
