1 PETER 3:12

THE EYES OF THE LORD…

• Introduction

1. Duties of Christians in context of suffering for righteousness

Satan afflicts, discourages from duty Duty not changed in time of trial

• Introduction

2. “The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous”

Great encouragement if right with God! Great fear if not right with God!

• Introduction

3. Study 1 Peter 3:8-22 to encourage saints to fulfill our duties

Vv. 8-12 Duties to each other Vv. 13-17 Duties in time of persecution Vv. 18-22 Duty to follow example of Christ

I. 3:8-12 - Duties to Each Other

“Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for

one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be

courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a

blessing.”1 Peter 3:8,9

“For he who would love life and see good days, let him

refrain 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.”

1 Peter 3:10,11

“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.”

1 Peter 3:12

I. Vv. 8-12 Duties to Each Other

A. Vs. 8 Be United in Genuine Love

“Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be

courteous:”

BE UNITED IN GENUINE LOVE

“ Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:”

United as one body: protect, nourish!

Sympathetic: share joys and tears

Unselfish, brotherly love

Merciful, tenderhearted

Courteous: humble, considerate

I. Vv. 8-12 Duties to Each Other

A. Vs. 9 Help Those Who Hurt Us

“Not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the

contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may

inherit a blessing.”

HELP THOSE WHO HURT US

“Not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing:”

The carnal mind—retaliate Spiritual mind—return blessingsNot overcome by evil, inherit blessing

I. Vv. 8-12 Duties to Each Other

A. Vs. 10 Control the Tongue

“For He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his

tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit.”

CONTROL THE TONGUE

“For he who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit.”

Blessings of spiritual life, fruitful daysAvoid corrupt, bitter, deceitful speechHow many ears? Tongues?Many ways to use tongue for evilMany ways to use tongue for goodBible filled with many lessons

I. Vv. 8-12 Duties to Each Other

A. Vs. 11 Pursue the path of Peace

“Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and

pursue it.”

PURSUE THE PATH OF PEACE

“Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.”

Conviction and Courage: Speak Out for truth—Against EvilMoral and doctrinal issuesSatan at war against God: compromise aids SatanTrue path of peace with God: no compromise, retreat or surrenderSacrifice self—not the truth

I. Vv. 8-12 Duties to Each Other

A. Vs. 12 God Hears Our Prayers

“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.”

GOD HEARS OUR PRAYERS!

“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.”

Pray at any and all timesGod rejects prayer if we serve two masters—(elder, preacher, world, Satan), etc.)God’s eyes a comfort or fear

I. 3:13-17 … Duties in Time of Persecution

“And who is he who will harm you if you become

followers of what is good? But even if you should

suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. And

do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”

1 Peter 3:13,14

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and

fear.”

1 Peter 3:15

“Having a good conscience, that when they defame you

as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of

God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.”

1 Peter 3:16,17

I. Vv. 13-17-- Duties in Time of Persecution

A. Vs. 13,14 Not Afraid: They Cannot Destroy Our Salvation

NOT AFRAID: THEY CANNOT DESTROY OUR

SALVATION

“And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”Minor, temporary wounds: falsely accuse, throw rocks, sue, burn, killNo ultimate harm—happy in the end!Zealous to do right, not intimidated

I. Vv. 13-17-- Duties in Time of Persecution

A. Vs. 15-17 Answer Unbelievers by Word and Life

ANSWER UNBELIEVERS BY WORD AND LIFE

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.”Reaction reflects fearless faith

exalting Christ as DeityPrepare to answer questions, challengesFirm yet, gentle, humble, reverent

ANSWER UNBELIEVERS BY WORD AND LIFE

“Having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.”

Reinforce the truth by good conductEvil conduct undermines the truth

I. Vv. 18-22-- Duty to Follow Example of Christ

“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring

us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, by whom also

He went and preached to the spirits in prison.”

1 Peter 3:18,19

“Who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while

the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through

water.”1 Peter 3:20

“There is also an antitype which now saves us--baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward

God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

1 Peter 3:21

“Who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of

God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.”

1 Peter 3:22

I. Vv. 18-22-- Duty to Follow Example of Christ

A. Vs. 18, 22 Faithful in Service and in Persecution—Raised and Rewarded!

FAITHFUL IN SERVICE AND IN PERSECUTION—RAISED AND REWARDED

“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit... who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.”

Suffered and died to save usRaise and rewarded

I. Vv. 18-22-- Duty to Follow Example of Christ

A. Vs. 18-20 God’s Patience and Judgment

GOD’S PATIENCE AND JUDGMENT

“For Christ…but made alive by the Spirit... by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison; who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.”

In unison with the Spirit, Christ “preached” through NoahJudgment came: a few saved by water

I. Vv. 18-22-- Duty to Follow Example of Christ

A. Vs. 21 Baptism Does Now Also Save Us

BAPTISM NOW SAVES US

“There is also an antitype which now saves us--baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

In this time of God’s patience: preach, suffer—a few will be savedBaptism saves: appeal for cleansing of the consciencePower in resurrected Savior not water

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Baptism doth also

NOW

save us

Baptism doth also

NOT

save us

I. Vv. 18-22-- Duty to Follow Example of Christ

A. Vs. 22 Exalt Christ as Our Example, Savior and King

EXALT CHRIST AS OUR EXAMPLE, SAVIOR AND KING

“Who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.”

On His throne at God’s right hand: the church is His kingdom on earthHis glory and power above all others

THE EYES OF THE LORD…

• Invitation

1. “The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous”

Satan afflicts, discourages from duty Duty not changed in time of trial

THE EYES OF THE LORD…

• Invitation

1. “The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous”

Great encouragement if right with God Great Fear if not right with God!

• Invitation

2. God watches over us, teaching us to fulfill our duties

Vv. 8-12 Duties to each other Vv. 13-17 Duties in time of persecution Vv. 18-22 Duty to follow example of Christ

• Invitation

3. Judgment Follows God’s Patience Christ frees sinners from bondage to Satan:Believe, Repent, Confess Christ, Submit to BaptismChrist frees saints taken captive again: Repentance, Confess sin and Prayer