Lesson 9Live in Harmony

1. Lesson 9~Live in Harmony Hi everyone, my name is Jason and tonight we will be continuing in the 3rd chapter of 1 Peter where we will be learning to Live in Harmony with each other. But before I start, let's bow our heads in prayer�Hi everyone, my name is Jason and tonight we will be continuing in the 3rd chapter of 1 Peter where we will be learning to Live in Harmony with each other. But before I start, let's bow our heads in prayer�

2. Introduction Today's church concentrates mostly in the New Testament. Think of an Old Testament teaching that you still find applicable today. Break up into 3 groups and answer the following question.Break up into 3 groups and answer the following question.

3. Scripture Reading There are many Christians who believe that when Jesus came, he closed the book on the OT with his new covenant of grace. Therefore, New Testament gets the central spotlight because it is rich with wisdom that can be applied directly to our lives. Many think that the OT is no longer relevant except that it can entertain us with funny stories, cultural references and a whole lot of hard-to-pronounce names. But in tonight's lesson, Peter shows us that the OT has as much meaning for the NT church as it does for the ancient Jews. Can I have a volunteer read the next slide please?There are many Christians who believe that when Jesus came, he closed the book on the OT with his new covenant of grace. Therefore, New Testament gets the central spotlight because it is rich with wisdom that can be applied directly to our lives. Many think that the OT is no longer relevant except that it can entertain us with funny stories, cultural references and a whole lot of hard-to-pronounce names. But in tonight's lesson, Peter shows us that the OT has as much meaning for the NT church as it does for the ancient Jews. Can I have a volunteer read the next slide please?

4. (thank the reader)(thank the reader)

5. Live in Harmony Today's scripture reading starts out with a command to live in harmony with one another. When Peter gave this order, he was specifically addressing harmony between believers withing the church. A key part of this harmony had to do with controlling the tongue. As an interesting side note, both Peter and James addressed controlling the tongue in the 3rd chapter of each of their books. This gives me the impression that, unlike today, the 1st century church had problems with disunity caused by gosip, slander, arguing, complaining, and grumbling. That was sarcasm, BTW. Peter wrote this 2000 years ago, but he might as well have written it today, because the runaway tongue movement is still a problem haunting the church. Peter gives us his two cents worth on how to deal with this problem. But before we can get to that point I'm going to have to rearrange tonight's verses into something that makes more sense.Today's scripture reading starts out with a command to live in harmony with one another. When Peter gave this order, he was specifically addressing harmony between believers withing the church. A key part of this harmony had to do with controlling the tongue. As an interesting side note, both Peter and James addressed controlling the tongue in the 3rd chapter of each of their books. This gives me the impression that, unlike today, the 1st century church had problems with disunity caused by gosip, slander, arguing, complaining, and grumbling. That was sarcasm, BTW. Peter wrote this 2000 years ago, but he might as well have written it today, because the runaway tongue movement is still a problem haunting the church. Peter gives us his two cents worth on how to deal with this problem. But before we can get to that point I'm going to have to rearrange tonight's verses into something that makes more sense.

6. This is how tonight's verses are laid out in the NIV version of the Bible. On a quick read-through, it would seem that the top half is different than the bottom half. And you would be right to some extent,This is how tonight's verses are laid out in the NIV version of the Bible. On a quick read-through, it would seem that the top half is different than the bottom half. And you would be right to some extent,

7. The bottom half of the verses did not come from Peter. They are actually a quote from Psalm 34:12-16. This would be a passage familiar to most of the Jews in Peter's time.The bottom half of the verses did not come from Peter. They are actually a quote from Psalm 34:12-16. This would be a passage familiar to most of the Jews in Peter's time.

8. The top half is Peter's application of the Psalm passage. Peter is doing what I actually do. On the bottom part, he prints out a scripture to study, while on top, he explains to what the verses mean.The top half is Peter's application of the Psalm passage. Peter is doing what I actually do. On the bottom part, he prints out a scripture to study, while on top, he explains to what the verses mean.

9. Oh but it gets much worse. Peter employs a literary technique known as parallelism (read definition) Oh but it gets much worse. Peter employs a literary technique known as parallelism (read definition)

10. Observe. Verse 10 from Psalm is related to verse 8.Observe. Verse 10 from Psalm is related to verse 8.

11. Verse 11 is related to the first half of verse 9Verse 11 is related to the first half of verse 9

12. And verse 12 is related to the last half of verse 9.And verse 12 is related to the last half of verse 9.

13. What does looking at all these colored squiggles remind you of? A hamburger? There is a point to all this, believe it or not. Peter is building a literary structure, where parallel ideas are written down in specific order, forming a 6-layered sandwich. If you spot the sandwich, you can re-arrange the parts in the proper order and make sense of the passage.What does looking at all these colored squiggles remind you of? A hamburger? There is a point to all this, believe it or not. Peter is building a literary structure, where parallel ideas are written down in specific order, forming a 6-layered sandwich. If you spot the sandwich, you can re-arrange the parts in the proper order and make sense of the passage.

14. Live in Harmony 10For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. 8Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble Keep: Pauo~ pause; to stop or hush Deceitful Dolos~to decoy Love life, see good days-harmony Keep your tongue from evil, don't lie Let's begin with the red verses. Verse 10 from Psalm reads (read 10). The word Keep comes from the Greek word, pow'-o, where we get the word pause. It means to stop or to hush. And the word Deceitful. This comes from dol'-os which means to decoy. Like using a duck decoy. It sounds like this verse is talking about contentment with "loving life and seeing good days", but it's not. This verse in Psalm was written by David as he was fleeing from both King Saul and King Abimelech. So this verse is literally talking about survival or living in harmony among hostile people. David urges his audience to Keep their tongue from evil, which would include vulgarity, meanness, complaining, boasting; and don't lie. Let's begin with the red verses. Verse 10 from Psalm reads (read 10). The word Keep comes from the Greek word, pow'-o, where we get the word pause. It means to stop or to hush. And the word Deceitful. This comes from dol'-os which means to decoy. Like using a duck decoy. It sounds like this verse is talking about contentment with "loving life and seeing good days", but it's not. This verse in Psalm was written by David as he was fleeing from both King Saul and King Abimelech. So this verse is literally talking about survival or living in harmony among hostile people. David urges his audience to Keep their tongue from evil, which would include vulgarity, meanness, complaining, boasting; and don't lie.

15. Live in Harmony 10For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. 8Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble Harmony: Homophron~of one mind~believers only Compassionate: Eusplagchnos~ having strong bowels. Live in harmony; Keep your tongue from evil Showing sympathy, brotherly love, compassion and humbleness And this would explain Peter's application in Verse 8 because his audience also had to live in harmony among hostile people. The irony here is that the hostiles included other believers. (read 8) Harmony comes from the Greek word hom-of'-rone~which means, "of one mind" or spirit~this is clearly talking about believer to believer relationships only. Compassionate comes from yoo'-splangkh-nos~which means, " having strong bowels". You see, the Jews believed that compassion and kindness came from the guts of a person. Today we would say something like, "compassion from the heart". Peter is saying that living in harmony requires keeping your tongue from evil and this is done by Showing sympathy, brotherly love, compassion and humbleness towards each other. And this would explain Peter's application in Verse 8 because his audience also had to live in harmony among hostile people. The irony here is that the hostiles included other believers. (read 8) Harmony comes from the Greek word hom-of'-rone~which means, "of one mind" or spirit~this is clearly talking about believer to believer relationships only. Compassionate comes from yoo'-splangkh-nos~which means, " having strong bowels". You see, the Jews believed that compassion and kindness came from the guts of a person. Today we would say something like, "compassion from the heart". Peter is saying that living in harmony requires keeping your tongue from evil and this is done by Showing sympathy, brotherly love, compassion and humbleness towards each other.

16. Live in Harmony 11He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. 9Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, Blessing: Eulogeo~to praise verbally Replace insult with praise! This is stupid! What's in it for me? Now let's move on to the yellow section: Quoting from the Psalm in verse 11, Whoever would love life and see good days (read verse 11). This what I call, "replacement theology". No not the idea that the New Testament church has replaced Israel. I mean that God wants us to replace all things in our lives that are evil with things that are good. And Peter's application in verse 9 is (read verse 9). And this is the hardest part. Whereas the world's way of handling injury and insult is to fire back immediately with overwhelming firepower, this is not the way for those who seek to be holy. Instead, we are to fire back with: Blessing: yoo-log-eh'-o, where whe get the word eulogy. It means to praise verbally. So if someone insults you, Replace their insult with praise! I know what you're thinking: This is stupid! In this dog-eat-dog world where any lapse in self preservation will cost you your job, honor or even your life, how can I possibly tell you to praise those who persecute you? What's in it for me? Well, Peter anticipated this kind of response from short-sighted-people-like-you and he answers with both a slap down and an encouragement: Now let's move on to the yellow section: Quoting from the Psalm in verse 11, Whoever would love life and see good days (read verse 11). This what I call, "replacement theology". No not the idea that the New Testament church has replaced Israel. I mean that God wants us to replace all things in our lives that are evil with things that are good. And Peter's application in verse 9 is (read verse 9). And this is the hardest part. Whereas the world's way of handling injury and insult is to fire back immediately with overwhelming firepower, this is not the way for those who seek to be holy. Instead, we are to fire back with: Blessing: yoo-log-eh'-o, where whe get the word eulogy. It means to praise verbally. So if someone insults you, Replace their insult with praise! I know what you're thinking: This is stupid! In this dog-eat-dog world where any lapse in self preservation will cost you your job, honor or even your life, how can I possibly tell you to praise those who persecute you? What's in it for me? Well, Peter anticipated this kind of response from short-sighted-people-like-you and he answers with both a slap down and an encouragement:

17. Live in Harmony 12For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." 9�because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. God is watching Eph 5:5~ of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person�has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Called Kaleo~Military term: To be commanded by name Blessing Eulogia~verbal praise of Christ or God (read verse 12) This is something that we often forget: God is watching everyone. For believers, He sees what their going through and He listens to their prayers. And for unbelievers, God is watching them too, for the face of the Lord is against them. The Apostle Paul says Eph 5:5-6: of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person�has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6�Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Peter has his own spin on this, "what's in it for me". (read verse 9). Called comes from Kaleo (kal-eh'-o)~Military term: To be commanded by name. And this is tough stuff. Part of being holy and living as a good witness for Christ is blessing those who hurt you. This is commanded of you. But there is a reward. Peter promises that by doing so you may "inherit a blessing". yoo-log-ee'-ah~ which is verbal praise of Christ or God. This means that God will reward you for obedience. I don't know what this reward is, but I can guess that it will be far greater than the humiliation of blessing those who curse you. (read verse 12) This is something that we often forget: God is watching everyone. For believers, He sees what their going through and He listens to their prayers. And for unbelievers, God is watching them too, for the face of the Lord is against them. The Apostle Paul says Eph 5:5-6: of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person�has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6�Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Peter has his own spin on this, "what's in it for me". (read verse 9). Called comes from Kaleo (kal-eh'-o)~Military term: To be commanded by name. And this is tough stuff. Part of being holy and living as a good witness for Christ is blessing those who hurt you. This is commanded of you. But there is a reward. Peter promises that by doing so you may "inherit a blessing". yoo-log-ee'-ah~ which is verbal praise of Christ or God. This means that God will reward you for obedience. I don't know what this reward is, but I can guess that it will be far greater than the humiliation of blessing those who curse you.

18. Application Three Commands from Psalm Keep your tongue from evil Show sympathy, brotherly love, compassion & humbleness. Turn from evil and do good Replace evil with good. Seek & pursue peace Repay evil & insult with blessing God is watching! Eph 5:21~Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Let's bring this to a point of application. Three Commands from Psalm Keep your tongue from evil. Peter says to live in harmony by Showing sympathy, brotherly love, compassion & humbleness for one another. Turn from evil and do good. Replace evil with good. Seek & pursue peace Repay evil & insult with blessing God is watching! Ephesians Chapter 5 covers the same subject matter of Peter. Both are talking about submission. Whereas Peter tells us to submit for the Lord's sake, I like the way Paul summarizes it better: Eph 5:21~Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Although these passages are definitely addressing believer to believer relationships, these commands can also be extended to believer-unbeliever relationships but only up to a point: Showing submission to an unbeliever is a sign of weakness in their eyes so don't expect any blessings in return from them, but you should to do it anyway because God is watching and He rewards your obedience.Let's bring this to a point of application. Three Commands from Psalm Keep your tongue from evil. Peter says to live in harmony by Showing sympathy, brotherly love, compassion & humbleness for one another. Turn from evil and do good. Replace evil with good. Seek & pursue peace Repay evil & insult with blessing God is watching! Ephesians Chapter 5 covers the same subject matter of Peter. Both are talking about submission. Whereas Peter tells us to submit for the Lord's sake, I like the way Paul summarizes it better: Eph 5:21~Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Although these passages are definitely addressing believer to believer relationships, these commands can also be extended to believer-unbeliever relationships but only up to a point: Showing submission to an unbeliever is a sign of weakness in their eyes so don't expect any blessings in return from them, but you should to do it anyway because God is watching and He rewards your obedience.

19. Lesson 10: Suffering for Doing Good Next time�Next time�