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Basic Bible Study: Key Qualities of Church Conduct (Based on 1 Peter 3:8-9)
Basic Bible Study: Key Qualities of Church Conduct (Based on 1 Peter 3:8-9)
Basic Bible Study: Key Qualities of Church Conduct (Based on 1 Peter 3:8-9)
Key Qualities of Church Conduct (Based on 1 Peter 3:8-9)
This teaching explores the essential qualities of church conduct as outlined in 1 Peter 3:8-9, emphasizing key points such as:
• The importance of unity and being of one mind within the church.
• The significance of compassion, love, and tenderness among believers.
• The need to avoid returning evil for evil and slander.
• The call to bless others, even those who persecute or insult us.
Chapter Marker
00:00 Key qualities of church conduct
11:05 - Compassion: sharing others' feelings
15:16 - Brotherly love for fellow believers
21:07 - Humbleness is essential
25:22 - Do not repay evil for evil
34:16 - Reference: Colossians 3:12-15
Today I want to share with you guys key qualities of church conduct.
Speaker 1:These essential qualities are basically characteristics that we, as Christians, as believers, we are required, commanded and called to display in our conduct, in our day-to-day interaction with people and how we treat people. We're going to look at 1 Peter, chapter 3, verses 8 and 9. It says, finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another, having compassion for one another, love as brothers, be tender-hearted, be cautious Verse 9, not returning evil for evil or reviving for reviving, but, on the contrary, blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. We're going to look at what we are to be as a church. Secondly, we're going to look at what we are not to do as a church. And, lastly, what we are to do as a church. Let's look at what we are to be as a church. Look what it says in 1 Peter, 3, verse 8. Finally, all of you be of one mind. See, here is an instruction given to us as the church, what we ought to be. And the first instruction that is given here, that you and I we ought to be as a church, is all of you be of one mind, all of you. That is why I use the word church. It's not just for individual Christians. This instruction is for the entire church, the entire body of Christ, the church in Asia, the church in Africa. No one is excluded from observing this instruction for us to be of one mind. Because it says all of you be of one mind. What does that mean to be of one mind? Because it says all of you be of one mind. What does that mean to be of one mind? To be of one mind is pretty much, uh, in a sense of unity, unity based on, on being of the same mind or thoughts. It means that you and I, we, we should be, we as a church, we should be in one accord. Oneness in our thinking, you know, oneness in our spirits. Agreement among the church. We think alike because we have one scripture, which is the Bible, and the Bible influences our thoughts. So that is why, as long as you are a child of God, you are part of the body of Christ, you're part of the church, and because we are part of the church, we are being instructed to be of one mind, all of us, including the pastors.
Speaker 1:Look what it says in Ephesians, chapter 4, verse 4 to 6. Powerful. There is one body and one spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling. One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and the father of all, who is above all and through all and in you all. We have to be In one mind, all of us, and the reasons are listed here In Ephesians, chapter 4. Verse 4 to 6.
Speaker 1:Because we are one body, there's only one Christ, one savior, one Lord. We are Pieces in the body of Christ. We are, are pieces in the body of Christ, we are parts of the body of Christ, and Jesus is that body that we are all connected to. So we are one body, one organization, one big divine kingdom family. We are one spirit. The same Holy Spirit that works in me is the same Holy Spirit that works in you as well. So we have one spirit, we have one spirit, and that is the Holy Spirit, the same spirit that resurrected Jesus from the grave. We have that same Spirit of God indwelling us, indwelling you as a child of God. So we have one Spirit, not many, many Spirits in each of us. No one Spirit that is so powerful to indwell all of us at the same time, anywhere, everywhere, anyone, as long as you believe in Jesus Christ. So, just as we are called in one hope of our calling, our calling is one One Lord, one master, one faith, one baptism, one God. We don't have multiple gods. We don't have multiple gods, we don't serve multiple gods. So that is why there has to be agreement, unity in the body of christ, no matter your race, your gender, your economical status. We are being instructed, all of us, to be of one mind.
Speaker 1:Let let's continue. Look what it says in Romans, chapter 12, verse 16. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. So what we see here, the focus is really on being in one mind.
Speaker 1:And I'm asking myself why is it that we're finding it very hard, as a church, to be in one mind? Because our view of the scripture, which is the truth of God, would shape and determine our mind, our mindset, our thoughts. That is why we have to start with the scripture to be the basis, to be the source of our truth. So we don't have diverse opinions or diverse beliefs. We only have one truth, one faith, one scripture, one belief, one doctrine. And that is possible when all of us get back to the foundation, get back to study the truth of the word of God and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth of the word of God, so that way our minds can be influenced and we all can be of one mind.
Speaker 1:Paul is saying that be of the same mind toward one another, especially when it comes to our faith. We have to be of one mind to one another, especially when it comes to our faith. We have to be of one mind to one another, the things that we have been taught in the scripture. As a church, we have to think in that direction. We all have to seek the interest of God. We all have to seek the thoughts of God, the will of God. This is all what it means to be of one mind when we are all in agreement, when we are all in that same direction of the truth, when we are all, when we all possess the view of God on matters of life, when we all possess the value system of God according to his word that shapes our thoughts and our beliefs.
Speaker 1:Romans, chapter 15, verse 6, gives you and I the reason why we are to be of one mind because it glorifies God, the father of our Lord Jesus Christ. When we think alike, when we speak alike as a church, it brings glory to God. Look what it says in first Corinthians, 1, verse 10. Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. Perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
Speaker 1:Yes, again, this is a big theme, especially in the New Testament calling the body of Christ to be of one mind, calling upon the body of Christ, especially at this time, that we find ourselves to be of one mind and one mouth and not to cause division. Philippians, chapter three, verse 16. Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule. Let us be of the same mind. Wow, again, this theme of being like-minded, having the same mind, is all over the New Testament and it's very, very significant for you and I, as a church, to be of one mind, because the Bible says in the Old Testament can two work together except they agree? We have to be of one mind, we have to be of one spirit, we have to be of one mouth, and the other point that we're going to look at that you and I, we ought to be of one spirit, we have to be of one mouth and the other points that we're going to look at that you and I we ought to be as as a church is having compassion for one another.
Speaker 1:Having compassion for one another means sharing the feelings of others. It could be feelings of sorrow of what you're going through. Having compassion for one another as a church can also mean showing understanding. You understand that we are weak. We understand that we need to be strengthened. We understand that we still have our flaws. We understand that we still have our flaws. Showing understanding and sharing the feelings of people this is what it means to have compassion for one another.
Speaker 1:Look what it says in Psalms 103, verse 13 to 14. As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear him, for he knows our frame. He remembers that we are dust. Yes, god shows greater understanding of how weak, how frail we are. God knows our frame, that we are dust, that we are nothing we are. God knows our frame, that we are dust, that we are nothing. That is why God shows compassion and pity on us, especially for those who fear him. Zechariah, chapter 7, verse 9,. It says Thou says the Lord of hosts, execute true justice, show mercy and compassion everyone to his brother. So this idea of having compassion to one another is what we have been instructed to be as a church Sharing the feelings of people when they are hurting, when they are grieving, when they are in pain, showing understanding that you understand that they can fall at times.
Speaker 1:Because you also can fall, people can make mistakes. You extend grace and mercy to them. Look what it says in Matthew, chapter 18, verses 33 to 34. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you, and his master was angry and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him? This is a perfect example that when we are showing compassion by others from God, we should also display compassion to those that we come across. We should also do unto others as they have done unto us. Another example of the good Samaritan in Luke, chapter 10, verse 33. Of the good Samaritan in Luke, chapter 10, verse 33,. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was and when he saw him he had compassion.
Speaker 1:You are able to have concern and a sense of care to come to the rescue of people who are hurting, people who are grieving, people who are in pain, people who are in bad situations in life. You are able to show compassion. Romans, chapter 12, verse 15,. It says rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep, showing understanding of people's situation. You're able to apply wisdom to rejoice with those who are rejoicing. When you are with those who are weeping, you weep with them. That is not time to rejoice with them. That is time to do what? To weep with them. That is not time to bring non-essential matters to them. You focus on the current situation, essential matters to them. You focus on the current situation. This is what it means to show understanding that you know what people are going through and you're able to respond accordingly.
Speaker 1:Another point is love as brothers, being loving, loving the brethren, especially in the body of Christ. Brotherly love characterized by love for fellow believers. As brothers and sisters in God's family, we are actually called to love each other as believers. The church should be a place of love, where we love each other, where we love our sisters in Christ, our brothers in Christ. We love them with that brotherly affectionate love. Look what it says in 1 Peter 1, verse 22. Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the spirit and sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently, with a pure heart. That love is not just with the profession of your mouth. There has to be action that goes along with the expression of your love for your brother in Christ, for your sister in Christ. That love has to be sincere. That love has to be based on the truth. That love has to be from a pure heart. That love has to be from a pure heart, not with wrong motives or ill intentions. That's the type of love that God wants you and I to love each other as brothers and sisters in the body. Look what it says in 1 Peter 2, verse 17. Honor all people, love the brotherhood. Fear God, honor the king.
Speaker 1:Romans, chapter 12, verse 10, states Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love and honor, giving preferences to one another. We love one another. We won't treat each other with partiality. We will love each other equally, without any favoritism, without any reservation. In Hebrews, chapter 13, verse 1,. The Bible says let brotherly love continue. And Jesus gave a perfect example when he says that this is the proof that we are his disciples. When people see that we love one another in the church, when unbelievers, when they come to church, they see, they observe not just us saying it, but they see, based on our actions, how we treat one another, they see love, then they will know that indeed we are the disciples of Jesus Christ. They will know that God is our Father, because God is love, very significant theme in the entire Bible when it comes to love. Love God first, love our family members, but now the focus is loving the children of God in the faith.
Speaker 1:2 Peter, 1, verse 7, it says To godliness, brotherly kindness, to brotherly kindness, love. So Peter is saying that I want you to add all these magnificent attributes Kindness, godliness and brotherly love. Let's look at 1 John, chapter 3, verse 14 to 15. I read we know that we have passed from death to life because we love the brethren. Wow, he who does not love his brother abides in death. Whoever hates his brother is a motherer, and you know that no motherer has eternal life abiding in him.
Speaker 1:So what we see here is a contrast between love and hate. Love produces life, hate produces death. When you hate somebody, you will have the chance of killing them. When you love somebody, you want to give life to them. You want to give life to them. When you love somebody, when you truly love somebody, your goal is not to kill them. Your goal is to bring life to them. But when you hate somebody, your goal is not to give them life, your goal is to kill them. When we love one another, it's a sign that we are living, but when we hate one another, it's a sign of death, because hate does not produce life. When you have hatred in your heart, your heart is dying, but when your heart is full of love, you are living. So there's a connection between love and life and also contrast that with the connection between hate and death. So, if you want to die, keep hating on people. If you want to leave, keep loving people.
Speaker 1:Look what it says in our final reference 1 John, chapter 3, verse 18. My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. We shouldn't express our love for one another in the body, just based on our profession, our work. The Bible is saying that we should also express, exercise our love in action, in deed, and also in truth, not in falsehood or in pretense, but sincere love, honesty, in truth. We should love one another Another point of what we are called to be as a church To be tender hearted.
Speaker 1:To be tender hearted also means to be compassionate, to be pitiful, the good bowels, that inner feature known as the bowels of being good. Your heart is tender, your heart is soft. You have a soft spot to do good to people. Your heart is soft to love. Your heart is soft for compassion. Your heart is soft for care for others, that good nature in you. Look what it says in Psalm 103, verse 13 to 14. As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear him. As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear him. You have a soft spot for people who are vulnerable, people who are weak. You don't take advantage of them. You're very calm.
Speaker 1:Proverbs, chapter 28, verse 8, it says One who increases his possessions by treasury and extortion, gathers it for him, who will pity the poor? When you have a tender heart, you don't treat people anyhow. You have a soft spot for the vulnerable, for the weak, for the young, for the old, for the oppressed. James, chapter 5, verse 11, says Indeed, we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord, that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. When Job was going through a hard time, god was tenderhearted to restore Job back to life.
Speaker 1:Ephesians, chapter 4, verse 32, states and be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another even as God and Christ forgave you. So these are all instructions in the Bible Brotherly love one another, to be compassionate, to be of one mind, to be tender hearted. We are called, we are instructed, we are commanded To possess this awesome qualities. As a church, everyone, including the ministers and the members, we are all called to be of one mind, all called to love each other as brothers and sisters in Christ, to be tender-hearted. We are all called to be compassionate.
Speaker 1:The last point, as a church, where we ought to be humble, humble-minded, marked by meek or modest thoughts about oneself. Humility is a wonderful trait that we see exemplified in the life of Jesus Christ, and that is what God wants us to exercise to be humble. God wants us to display humility. God wants us to humble ourselves, not to think too highly of ourselves and think lowly of the brethren of the faith. Romans, chapter 12, verse 16, says Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. You're humble. You value the believers in the body, you cherish them, you honor them. This is all part of being humble. You don't think too highly of yourself. You're not too arrogant and proud. When you're in church, when you're interacting, you're humble. You're able to treat everyone with equal respect and dignity and value and worth.
Speaker 1:Now let's look at, as a church, what we ought not to do. Not returning evil for evil, not paying back, not to repay, not to recompense. God doesn't want us to do that. God doesn't want us to pay back people for the hurt that they have done to us. God doesn't want us to pay back people for the hurt that they have done to us. Instead, god wants us to respond in the opposite way.
Speaker 1:Proverbs 17, verse 13, says Whoever rewards evil for good, evil will not depart from his house. So if you reward evil for good, evil will not depart from your house If people are doing you good when you treated them evil and they're still doing you good and you still respond by treating them evil, evil will not depart from your house. So we, as children of God, as a church, we are not supposed to do this. We are not, definitely we are not to return evil for good. We also are not to return evil for evil. I know it's hard, you want to pay back, you want to strike, but because we are children of God, god wants us to be examples. God does not want us to return evil for evil, but the opposite.
Speaker 1:Matthew, chapter 18, verse 33 to 34. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you? The master forgave this servant who couldn't repay him, but this servant could not have compassion over his fellow servant. That's evil. See 1 Thessalonians 5, verse 15.
Speaker 1:See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good, both for yourselves and for all. Wow, let me read that again. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourself and for all. Wow, even when people are evil to you. We are instructed as a church, as individual Christians. Not to repay people back, not to recompense, not to return, not to render evil for evil, instead render good for evil. And to ensure that when we are pursuing, instead render good for evil. And to ensure that when we are pursuing what is good not just for ourselves but for all those who are in the body of faith, and also unbelievers too, because we are called to extend grace and mercy romans, chapter 12, verse 17 to 18 repair no one evil for evil.
Speaker 1:Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it's possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men, wow. Again. This is another theme in the Bible that you and I. We should not retaliate, we should not take vengeance, we should not revenge on people, even when they do us wrong. We should not render, repay or recompense evil for evil, but instead we should do good to all men, wow. And if possible, to live peaceably with all men, wow. Proverbs, chapter 20, verse 22. Do not say I will recompense evil. Wait for the Lord and he will save you. Don't fight for yourself. Be still and know that God is a God of justice and is also a God of mercy. He knows how to deal with people. He knows how to deal with situations. But don't take it upon yourself to recompense evil. Allow God to do it, because you yourself, you will sin against God in the process of doing it and you will also become wicked and evil when you recompense, when you repay, when you render evil for evil.
Speaker 1:What we ought not to do as a church, we are not to revile one another. That means to slander, to insult, verbal abuse, abusive words, words spoken falsely to damage someone's reputation, evil speech to bring reproach. We are not supposed to do that. Look what it says in 1 Corinthians 4, verse 12-13. And we label walking with our own hands being reviled. We bless being persecuted, we endure being defamed, we entreat.
Speaker 1:There are times when people are going to slander you, people are going to gossip about you, people are going to verbally abuse you. They're going to say gonna gossip about you. People are gonna verbally abuse you. They're gonna say false things about you. They're gonna try to ruin your reputation, ruin your name. We shouldn't repay back, we shouldn't speak insult to them, we should let it go and allow god to take control and we should definitely not slander each other as brothers and sisters.
Speaker 1:And finally, what we are to do? On the contrary, how do we respond to what we're not supposed to do? We're not supposed to repay evil for evil, render evil for evil, recompense evil for evil or insult those who insult us or slander those who slander us. We are not supposed to do that as a church. On the contrary, this is hard.
Speaker 1:We are to do what we are called and instructed to bless. To bless in a sense of to speak well of those who are speaking negatively to you or about you, to praise, to be kind, to mean well, to wish good to good. This is all part of blessing those who hurt you, those who persecute you, those who slander you, those who abuse you. It's hard. Look what it says in Romans, chapter 12, verse 14. Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse. The king will say to those on his right hand Come, you are blessed of my father and narrow the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
Speaker 1:Look at Ephesians, chapter 4, verse 31. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice. We should not be speaking evil about one another. To conclude, with everything that I've said, what you and I we ought to be as a church, what you and I we ought to be as a church, what you and I we ought not to do as a church, and what you and I we ought to do as a church. Let's look at Colossians 3, verse 12 to 15.
Speaker 1:Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, long suffering. These are all the instructions that we have read that we, as a church, we need to be compassionate, humble, tender hearted. That we, as a church, we need to be compassionate, humble, tender-hearted verse 13,. Bearing one another and forgiving one another If anyone has a complaint against another, even as Christ forgave you. So you must also do Wow. So you must also do Wow, but above all these things, put on love, which is the bond of perfection, and let the peace of God rule your hearts, to which also you were called in one body, and be thankful. This is my concluding word based on this verse. This sums up everything that we have read today, that we have learned today. God bless you, thank you.
