Turning Your Life Around
Sermon Recording
Sermon Outline
Speaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: Spiritual Vitality
1 Peter 3:8-12 (ESV)
8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 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. 10 For
“Whoever desires to love life
and see good days,
let him keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from speaking deceit;
11 let him turn away from evil and do good;
let him seek peace and pursue it.
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.”
Sermon Outline
A good life (v10) has the characteristics of the life of Jesus (v8), who changes the direction of our lives so that we can energetically bring God’s goodness into the world.
1. Turning Against
v9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling
v10 let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit
2. Turning Around
v11 let him turn away from evil and do good
v12 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
3. Turning Towards
v9 on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called
v11 seek peace and pursue it.
Prayer of Confession
Almighty and most merciful Father, hear our prayers, and look with favor on us. We have not lived righteous lives so that we have earned your attention and favor. We admit we have turned from you and your ways. We have lived according to the harmful patterns of our world, and out of the corrupt desires of our hearts. We have held on to anger, bitterness and spite. Our thoughts and words have exposed the murderous inclinations of our hearts. We have reviled when we should have blessed. Lord, we desire life and good days, not death. Forgive us. Heal us. Shape us. As we turn to you, work graciously in us so that we gain the heart and mind of Christ. Renew our souls to enthusiastically seek peace, with an eagerness to bless. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
Why does mistreatment have such an effect on us? When someone does something you don’t like what kinds of reactions or responses are typical for you,?
Why is it so hard to let go of bitterness, anger, thoughts of revenge or punishment?
How do our words reveal what is going on in our hearts?
As you recognize thoughts or words that expose inner hostility, what can you do? What are your options?
How does the gospel bring power to change hearts and lives? How does Jesus bring healing? How does he help us deal with our wounds?
What kinds of things can you do when you live in the tension of feeling anger, and not feeling the presence and healing power of God? How do you wisely navigate those situations?
Why is it important to actively seek to bless and to do good? Why is it not enough simply to try to “not sin”?
How can the church community foster growing people with the heart and mind of Jesus?
What can you do to bless others? What simple/ordinary actions can be part of how your regularly relate to friends, co-workers, neighbors, etc.?