Three Keys to Enjoying Life

1 Peter 3:8-20

INTRODUCTION: Much like a preacher today, Peter gave his finally and then followed with two more chapters of content. That being said, oftentimes the word finally alerts the reader that the general direction of the overall message is about to be reached and concluding arguments offered. In Peter’s concluding statements, or not-so concluding statements, he offers instruction for “he that will love life, and see good days” (1 Peter 3:10). While this may seem a bit carnal for the super-spiritual, we all ought to look for the spiritual answer for how to love life and see good days.

I. LOVE RIGHT (1 Peter 3:8-9)

A. The Bond of Love (1 Peter 3:8)

1. Be ye all of one mind
2. Have compassion one of another
3. Love as brethren
a. Be pitiful
b. Be courteous

B. The Gift of Love (1 Peter 3:9)

1. Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing
2. Contrariwise blessing

C. The Call to Love (1 Peter 3:9)

1. Ye are thereunto called
2. That ye should inherit a blessing

II. LIVE RIGHT (1 Peter 3:10-12)

A. Shunning Wrong Things (1 Peter 3:10-11)

1. Refrain his tongue from evil (1 Peter 3:10)
2. Refrain his lips from speaking guile (1 Peter 3:10)
3. Eschew evil (1 Peter 3:11)

B. Seeking Right Things (1 Peter 3:11)

1. Do good
2. Seek peace, and ensue it

C. Living with the Lord in View (1 Peter 3:12)

1. The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous.
2. His ears are open unto their prayers.
3. His face is against them that do evil.

III. SUFFER RIGHT (1 Peter 3:13-20)

A. The Fulfillment of Our Suffering (1 Peter 3:13-17)

1. The minimal desire to harm doers of good (1 Peter 3:13)
2. The response when suffering comes (1 Peter 3:14-17)
a. The happiness involved (1 Peter 3:14)
1.) Happy are ye.
2.) Be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled.
b. The answer returned (1 Peter 3:15-16)
1.) Sanctify the Lord in your hearts in preparation of an answer of your hope (1 Peter 3:15)
2.) Having a good conscience (1 Peter 3:16)
i. Whereas they speak evil of you
ii. They may be ashamed that falsely accuse
c. The better suffering (1 Peter 3:17)
1.) It is better to suffer for well-doing
2.) Than for evil doing

B. The Example of Our Suffering (1 Peter 3:18-20)

1. Christ suffered for sins (1 Peter 3:18)
a. The just for the unjust
b. Put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit
2. Preaching to disobedient spirits (1 Peter 3:19-20)
a. He went to preach unto spirits in prison (1 Peter 3:19)
b. They were disobedient in the days of Noah (1 Peter 3:20)

CONCLUSION: The first two of the three keys have to do with our treatment of others. Perhaps this is because this is the area over the which we have the most control. The third involves how we respond to others when mistreated.