Sermon

Called To Bless

March 15, 2026 Lakeside Bible Church Sermons

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Finally, all of you have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and humble mind.
! A tender heart and humble mind.
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.
for whoever desires to love life and see good days
let him keep 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
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
amen
I want you to look back at the beginning of verse 8
notice just the first phrase that Peter uses
finally all of you he says
now I always perked up as a kid
whenever the preacher would use a term like finally
it usually meant that he was about to wrap things up
and I was going to be able to move on with my day
and enjoy my time with my friends
let's be honest we all know what it's like to
grow a bit weary or distracted throughout the course of a
an extended monologue
and the relief that we sense when we get one of those signal words like
finally or lastly
but alas those tricky preachers
they don't always mean that they're wrapping up the sermon when they use a word like this
sometimes they just mean that they're wrapping up that part of the sermon
and you've got a little way still yet to go
and that's basically what Peter's doing at this point in his letter
we get to this verse and he says finally doesn't mean to signal that he's beginning the end of the letter
but rather he's drawing a conclusion to this section of the letter that he began all the way back in chapter 2 in verse 11
remember it was in a verses 11 and 12 that we said those were functioning as something of an introduction to this section
kind of like a doorway into the house that is this section of the letter
and he moved on from there and he's covering different things
well now we get to 8 to 12
and this is really functioning as something of a conclusion or a summary to the section that we've just walked through
it's also functioning as a bridge
that gets us into the rest of chapter 3 and chapter 4
where really the focus is on suffering
suffering
so in this part of the letter Peter has been instructing Christians
on how to live in the fear of God
while also living under the authority of men
and of course
the focus of living under that authority is not just of men
but even especially of
wicked and unbelieving men
the theme of the section
is submission
Jesus
Jesus
is the example of the section
and it is his suffering for our sins
his atonement
that provides the hope
of the section
so Jesus shows us how we are to
suffer righteously
and it is his suffering for our sins
that reassures us of a future hope
beyond this exile
beyond this time
of suffering injustices
and then of course
Jesus helps us to endure that suffering
as we face
as we face it for his sake in this life
now after addressing these
specific circumstances
of Christian citizens
and then Christian slaves
and then Christian wives
as we covered last week
in this concluding section
Peter addresses
all of you
notice this is very simple
isn't it
this is just clear
from your English classes
right
what's happening here
in the literature
he's addressed three specific categories
of people
and now he's saying
in case you didn't get any of that
let me just make it clear
I'm talking to everyone now
all of you
and no matter what
their specific circumstances
may entail
he has something for them to hear
and it actually serves
as a fitting summary
for everything that he's been saying
in the last few passages
so what exactly is it
that Peter's concerned
to say to all of us
the emphasis of this final instruction
is on the Christian's responsibility
to bless others
and it's not only a responsibility
to bless others
it's a responsibility to bless
all others
no matter who they are
no matter what they've done
and we see this theme
of continuing here
where Peter is instructing us
over and over
in the difficult circumstances of life
as you face suffering
for the sake of the gospel
as you're dealing with wicked people
in many occasions
as you're dealing with unbelievers
as you're dealing with oppressors
and abusers in your life
over and over he says
don't retaliate
don't retaliate
and stoop to their level
there's a different way
that God intends for you to live
that's essentially
what he's been saying
these last three sections
now he's qualifying that again here
and he's saying
all of you
bless others
no matter who they are
and what they've done
and the point is
that as God's people
in the world
we are called to bless
the people of the world
and we do that
in light of the fact
that we are on our way
to the blessing of God
this future inheritance
that is undergirding
this whole letter
as we go through
this time of exile
everything we covered
in chapter 1
that blessing
that is to be obtained
by God's people
we bless others
in light of that truth
so again
at the heart
of this instruction
is what?
it's the gospel
isn't it?
it's the gospel
that Jesus has provided
a way for us
to be at peace with God
that God
in his loving grace
has called us
to be his own
he has chosen us
he's regenerated us
he's called us
out of darkness
and into his marvelous light
we are headed
to an imperishable
and unfading
inheritance
and in light of that
we're going to live
to bless other people
even those
who are not
themselves
headed toward
that same inheritance
now the call
to bless
comes in
actually in verse 9
the second half of it
he says
on the contrary
bless
for to this
you were called
that you may obtain
a blessing
now the primary command
here is clear
isn't it?
rather than do evil
to others
rather than speak evil
of others
Christians are to
bless them
but the question is
what does that actually mean?
what does it mean
when Peter says
that we are to
bless
that we are to
bless
other people
I don't want you
to think about this
blessing
in the scripture
in this formal sense
is a priestly
function
it involves
going to God
on behalf
of someone else
to seek
his favor
and grace
on their lives
and then it is
taking the truth
of God
and pronouncing
a blessing
on the recipients
of that blessing
in accordance
with the truth
you see it's
you go to God
on behalf
of someone else
you seek his favor
on their lives
and then you take
his truth
and you communicate
that truth
you communicate
the blessing
you pronounce
the blessing
in accord
with what God
has said
and who is at
that function
to do this
on a regular basis
it was the priest
who did this
it was a priestly
function in the home
fathers to bless
their families
it's a priestly
function of course
in the nation
of Israel
the priest
operating
this way
and then we see
here in chapter 2
of 1 Peter
verses 5 and 10
what is it that he
calls Christians
he says that we are
a holy
priesthood
as God's priestly
representatives
in the world
we are called
to be a blessing
to others
to seek
God's favor
to seek
God's grace
for them
and then to
pronounce
his blessing
in accord
with his
gospel
and notice
this
this call
to bless
is
not separate
from
it's actually
rooted in
the call
to believe
and I've said
this many times
in this study
calling
in the New Testament
never refers
to vocation
or gifting
we use the term
that way
it's not a problem
to use the term
that way
but that's not
how the New Testament
scriptures use
the term
calling
in the New Testament
is always rooted
in the effectual
call of God
to salvation
and then there's
all these
implications
that flow out
of that call
because God
has called
us
to salvation
because he
has effectually
effectively
that means
that it
achieves
its end
when God
does his
saving call
he affects
the end
of that call
which is
to grant
us faith
and repentance
when he
does that
he also
calls us
to a life
of
righteousness
and holiness
so when Peter
comes here
and he says
that you are
called to this
you are called
to bless
he's not
talking about
a calling
that is
separate
from your
salvation
he's actually
talking about
a calling
that is
rooted
in your
salvation
that because
God has
called you
to be his
own
he has
also called
you to be
his priestly
representatives
to bless
the people
in the world
to bless
the people
around you
Terry just
read it a
moment ago
did you pick
it up at
the end of
Romans chapter
six maybe
just flip there
real quickly
I think it
would be helpful
to set our
eyes on it
again just
at the very
end of
Romans chapter
six and
what Terry
read a
moment ago
in verse
was it six
that you read
Terry it was
six wasn't
it
yeah so
verse 20
when you were
slaves of sin
you were free
in regard to
righteousness but
what fruit were
you getting at
the time of
those things
which you are
now ashamed
of for the
end of those
things is death
but now you
have been set
free from sin
and have
become slaves
of God
the fruit you
get does
what leads
to
sanctification
and what is
the end of
sanctification
eternal life
is that not
what Peter's
saying here
in in this
section
he's saying
God has
called you
to sanctification
this act of
of holiness
which is to
bless others
to represent
and will
in the world
and that
blessing
comes with
a blessing
from God
and that
is the
blessing
of eternal
life
but it
would be
inappropriate
to say
well we
receive that
blessing from
God
and that
eternal life
on the basis
of how well
we bless
others
that would
be a
work
salvation
that's
not what
Peter's
saying
which is
why we
need to
understand
this word
call
will
it's
the same
thing
Paul's
saying
in that
verse
in Romans
6
it's
rooted
in the
call
to
salvation
and the
implications
of that
is that
there's a
way that
God intends
for his
people to
live
the evidence
of their
faith
and the
outworking
of that
is the
obtaining
blessing
of the
blessing
of this
future
inheritance
God
has
called
you
to
this
when
he
called
you
to
himself
and it
comes with
this promise
doesn't it
God calls
us to
bless
so that
we
may
obtain
the
blessing
not
the
blessing
of
men
but
the
blessing
of
God
the
truth
is
there's
no
guarantee
that
people
will
reward
your
kindness
toward
them
but
there is
a
100%
guarantee
that
God
smiles
on his
people
when
they
seek
his
favor
and
grace
on
others
you
know
make
God
smile
you
live
as
his
people
in
the
world
and
part
of
what
it
means
to
live
as
his
people
in
the
world
is
to
be
a
blessing
to
the
people
of
the
world
and
what
greater
motivation
could
there
be
to
bless
than
to
obtain
the
blessing
of
God
he
has
called
us
to
this
so
that
he
might
smile
upon
us
now
you
guys
know
that
our
family
through
the
years
has
enjoyed
vacationing
at
Walt
Disney
World
I
know
that
is
not
everybody's
cup
of
tea
we
like
it
one
of
the
things
that
we
like
about
it
the
girls
are
getting
excited
dad's
talking
about
Disney
world
one
of
the
things
we
like
about
it
they've
trained
in the
culture
of what
they call
cast
members
their
employees
to go
out of
their
way
to make
the
experience
for their
guest
as enjoyable
as possible
and so
every once
in a while
it's not
something you can
make happen
it just
kind of
just
happens
an employee
will just
go out
of the way
to do
something
really
significant
or special
for your
family
something that
they're not
doing for
everybody else
it just
kind of
happens
it's an
exciting
moment
they call
it pixie
dusting
right
it's just
adding
just a
little
touch
of
magic
to
somebody's
vacation
and Julie
and I
have often
talked about
you know
what an
awesome
job it
would be
to go
to a
place
like that
and just
your
company
has just
empowered
you to
just do
this
all you
do
is
pixie
dust
people
right
all you
do
is be
a blessing
to people
all you
do
is take
the
authority
from your
bosses
and go
and try
to make
everybody
else's
life
better
and to
be
empowered
to do
that
do you
see
that's
what
Peter
is
saying
that
God
has
called
us
to
as
his
people
in the
world
essentially
God
almighty
has set
us apart
and he
said
part of
what I
want you
to do
in the
world
until I
return
is I'm
empowering
you
by my
spirit
to just
go
be a
blessing
to
people
just
go
do
good
to
people
go
and seek
my
favor
and my
grace
on their
life
what a
privilege
that is
right
what a
privilege
it is
to be
God's
instruments
of favor
and of
grace
in the
life of
others
what a
privilege
to serve
as God's
priest
seeking
his
favor
pronouncing
his favor
through his
word
God has
called
this
to be
a blessing
to other
people
and what a
privilege it
is for us
to do
that
but who
exactly is
it that we
are to
be a
blessing
to
I think
we can
discern
at least
two groups
of people
in this
particular
text
first
we're to
bless one
another
to bless
one another
look at
verse 8
finally all
of you
have unity
of mind
sympathy
brotherly
love
a tender
heart
and a
humble
mind
Peter's
clearly
speaking about
our spirit
and conduct
toward other
Christians at
this point
isn't he
these traits
they demonstrate
what it looks
like to be a
blessing to
other believers
in the life
of the local
church
let's just
walk through
them quickly
this word
that's behind
unity of
mind
it's the
word for
harmony
which is a
common
instruction
in the
New Testament
it doesn't
mean that we
never disagree
that would be
impossible
wouldn't it
what it means
is that our
pursuit
even in
disagreement
is to live
in harmony
with one
another
as God's
people
as the
church
harmonious
living
and that
happens
only
harmony
when our
unity
is rooted
deeply
in our
union
with
Christ
and
his
gospel
you know
what
tends to
happen
in churches
when this
spirit
of unity
this unity
of mind
begins to
falter
it's because
they've lost
focus on the
most essential
things
they've lost
focus on the
gospel
they've lost
focus on the
truth of
God's word
and they've
begun to root
their fellowship
with one
another
in all
kinds of
peripheral
things
they've
rooted their
fellowship
with one
another
in a
common
style
of worship
perhaps
or they've
rooted their
fellowship
with one
another
in a
cultural
hegemony
right
that just
we're all
alike
we all
have the
same
kind of
things
or maybe
they've
rooted their
fellowship
with one
another
in life
stage
well I
just want
to be a
part of
a church
where there's
just more
families
like my
family
or there's
more people
like me
or more people
that think
like me
and inevitably
whenever other
people who
aren't like
that begin
to come
in
because your
fellowship's
been rooted
in that
your unity's
been rooted
in that
what happens
the unity
goes away
because it
was never
really about
the gospel
it was never
really about
union with
Christ
this kind
of unity
of mind
only happens
when we're
gospel focused
on what we're
doing
when we keep
the main
things
the main
things
and the
essential
things
the essential
things
of which
our
unity
is rooted
together
that's how
we bless
one another
we pursue
this kind
of harmony
that's rooted
in the gospel
to have
sympathy
is to care
deeply
about the
needs
and joys
and sorrows
of other
Christians
it's to
rejoice
with those
who rejoice
it's to
weep
with those
who weep
which requires
that we be
attuned
to one
another
personally
invested
in one
another's
discipleship
isn't that
one of those
other core
values we
talk about
we talk
about gospel
focus
we also
talk about
a discipling
culture
I think
that's what's
at the heart
of this
here
making such
a personal
investment
that you
understand
the cares
and the needs
and the joys
and the sorrows
of the people
with whom
you've made
a covenant
with in a
local church
and you
pursue
that kind
of sympathy
you invest
in it
can't just
help you
with some
easy ways
to do
that
you know
on Tuesday
mornings
when that
church email
goes out
the first
thing it
has on
there
is that
prayer
guide
every week
Becky
and Sarah
are doing
such a great
job to get
on the phone
with each
of you
it's a
different
member
family
every week
just trying
to figure
out what's
going on
in your
life
writing
that down
prayer
requests
things like
that
you know
one of the
easiest ways
to be
invested
in one
another
is just
to read
that prayer
guide
and pray
pray for
one another
and then when
you show up
at church
on Sunday
morning
you show up
at the
ladies group
or the
men's group
or the
teen group
or whatever
it is
you show up
and you say
hey I read
in the thing
this week
how's that
going
how's
the Lord
working
in this
situation
I've been
praying
for you
that's
what's
behind
this term
here
that's
what's
behind
sympathy
!
it's
hospitable
toward
others
it's
making
relational
investments
it's
not
seeing
church
as
something
that I
do
on
Sunday
and then
I've
got this
whole other
life
the rest
of the
week
no
it's
understanding
that this
is
essential
it's
seeking
it out
it's
mutual
discipleship
that shows
itself
in deep
care
and concern
for one
another
brotherly love
as we saw
in chapter
one
and verse
22
is the
fruit
of
genuine
conversion
Peter
said
it's
to be
the
earnest
pursuit
of
every
believer
Jesus
said
this is
how
the
world
will
know
that
you
actually
follow
me
is
when
they
see
the
way
you
love
one
another
this
familial
term
is
coming
to
the
surface
again
here
Peter
is
saying
this
is
how
you
bless
one
another
you
love
each
other
compassion
may
in
this
context
refer to
gentleness
and mercy
toward those
who are
suffering
in some
way
think
about
those
three
categories
he
just
went
through
Christian
citizens
who are
suffering
underneath
the
leadership
of a
wicked
ruler
like
Nero
in
his
day
Christian
slaves
who are
suffering
under
abusive
masters
and
they're
stuck
in a
situation
they're
trying to
do
what's
right
and
they're
being
beaten
for
it
Christian
wives
who are
trying to
be
faithful
to the
Lord
and pursue
righteousness
in their
lives
while they
live
with a
monster
at
home
compassion
tenderness
tender
heart
and
then a
humble
mind
of
course
seeks
the
good
and
interest
of
others
above
oneself
somebody
said
one
time
humility
is
not
thinking
poorly
about
yourself
it's
just
not
thinking
about
yourself
it's
just
thinking
about
others
isn't
it
now
those
of
you
who
are
Bible
structure
nerds
and
like
to
follow
people
like
me
like
Jim
Hamilton
you
will
appreciate
that
Tom
Schreiner
points
out
the
chiastic
structure
of
these
five
characteristics
here
notice
how they
pair
together
unity
of
mind
pairs
well
with
a
humble
mind
doesn't
it
isn't
it
a
humble
mind
that's
actually
necessary
to
achieve
harmony
wasn't
that
Paul's
entire
deal
with
the
Philippians
chapter
two
before
he gets
into
that
amazing
Christology
what is
it
that
he
says
don't
think
of
your
own
things
think
of
others
better
than
yourself
be
of
the
same
mind
he
says
and
then
we
see
sympathy
and
compassion
are
so
closely
related
they're
almost
hard
to
distinguish
from
one
another
aren't
they
it's
the
practical
outworking
of
love
but
right
at
the
heart
of
the
whole
thing
what
all
of
those
things
are
kind
of
circling
around
is
this
brotherly
love
that
keeps
coming
up
in
the
letter
love
is
at
the
heart
of
it
all
what
does
it
mean
for
us
to
bless
one
another
as
God's
people
it
just
means
to
love
one
another
well
it
means
to
love
one
another
well
we
need
to
learn
to
do
that
now
one
of
this
here
it
almost
feels
out
of
place
to
me
this
particular
verse
this
address
for
relationships
in the
church
you
know
what
I
really
think
it
is
I
think
essentially
it's
this
Peter
saying
life
in
exile
is
hard
enough
without
us
being
at
war
with
one
another
maybe
I'm
off
on
that
but
I
think
that's
what
he's
getting
at
here
how
are
we
supposed
to
thrive
in
exile
if
we
can't
even
figure
out
how
to
get
along
with
one
another
and
how
to
have
the
right
focus
together
if
we
don't
even
understand
what
it
looks
like
to
be
God's
people
together
how
in
the
world
are
we
going
to
show
the
world
God's
glory
how
in
the
world
would
they
be
attractive
to
a
gospel
that
doesn't
produce
brotherly
love
and
sympathy
and
compassion
and
unity
and
humility
right
now
everyone
is
preaching
empathy
and
compassion
and
sympathy
but
none
of
it
is
rooted
in
the
true
gospel
which
means
none
of
it
can
actually
be
achieved
and
here
we
are
church
we
have
the
one
thing
that
can
actually
produce
that
it's
the
gospel
of
Jesus
and
the
spirit
of
God
at
work
through
the
word
of
God
we
have
it
we
must
pursue
that
if
we
are
to
demonstrate
God's
glory
I
think
that's
why
he
says
it
and
we've
got
to
get
this
right
but
to
get
it
right
requires
constant
diligent
pursuits
of
love
and
unity
and
I
don't
sense
that
we
have
a
problem
with
this
right
now
it's
just
this
is
what
the
text
is
on
about
so
I
fear
it
must
be
what
the
sermon
must
be
on
about
can
I
just
say
that
we
might
uniquely
tested
we've
all
heard
the
horror
stories
of
churches
that
fall
apart
over
trivial
matters
petty
disagreements
we're
going to
have a
lot of
opportunity
in the
next few
months
to
divide
over
carpet
!
colors
if
we
get
distracted
by
those
things
buildings
budgets
and
programming
and
how
we
want
things
to
go
it's
got
a
real
chance
of
causing
us
to
falter
in
the
love
and
the
compassion
the
sympathy
and
the
unity
and
the
humility
that
Peter
is
telling
us
that
we
need
to
possess
here
for
the
glory
of
God
and
I
say
it
because
I
think
it's
a
problem
right
now
I
say
it
because
I
don't
want
it
to
be
a
problem
later
for
us
to
just
get
this
right
be
committed
now
to
pursuing
harmony
that's
rooted
in
the
gospel
to
prioritize
mutual
discipleship
and care
for each
other
to
pursue
love
and
compassion
and
demonstrate
humility
this
is
how
God
has
commanded
us
to
bless
one
another
but
it's
not
just
other
Christians
that
he
calls
us
to
bless
here
there's
a
in
verse
nine
but
we
don't
need
to
press
that
too
hard
one
reason
is
because
he
doesn't
say
that
explicitly
I
think
it's
implied
but
he
doesn't
say
it
explicitly
we
also
shouldn't
think
that
there's
never
going
to
come
a
time
in
your
life
when
another
Christian
or
somebody
you
go
to
church
with
doesn't
treat
you
with
some
kind
of
evil
or
reviling
you
ever
had
that
happen
you
ever
been
hurt
by
a
church
you
ever
been
hurt
in
a
church
of
course
you
have
why
because
we're
all
just
people
at
the
end
of
the
day
aren't
we
so
we
don't
need
to
press
that
too
hard
but
I
do
think
that
the
implication
here
the
idea
is
outsiders
but
the
truth
remains
no
matter
who
is
mistreating
us
because
the
command
is
to
refuse
the
temptation
is
always
going
to
be
to
treat
others
the
way
they
treat
us
we
learn
the
golden
rule
do
unto
others
as
you
would
have
them
do
unto
you
we
don't
typically
live
that
way
we
do
unto
others
as
they
have
already
done
to
you
right
that's
our
nature
that's
our
flesh
some
people
will
even
pride
themselves
on
being
the
ones
that
should
never
be
crossed
because
their
Peter
reminds
us
it's
never
right
to
commit
evil
it's
never
right
to
slander
someone
it's
never
right
to
revile
someone
even
those
who
deserve
it
the
most
but
the
shocking
aspect
of
this
command
is
not
that
we
are
to
refrain
from
repaying
evil
for
evil
if
you've
been
a
Christian
at
all
you
know
that
that's
common
in
the
scriptures
isn't
it
not
to
do
!
you
know
what's
shocking
about
this
command
is
not
what
we're
not
supposed
to
do
it's
what
he
says
that
we
are
supposed
to
do
it's
the
part
where
he
says
that
we're
actually
to
show
our
enemies
favor
and
grace
we're
to
ask
for
God
to
show
grace
to
those
who
have
done
evil
against
us
to
those
who
have
reviled
us
we
train
ourselves
typically
and probably
wisely
to
walk away
from
those
God
seems
to
be
saying
stay
and
bless
them
instead
that's
a hard
thing
to
do
but
isn't
it
what
Jesus
taught
isn't
Peter
just
saying
what
Jesus
said
Luke

Luke 6 chapter mention
chapter
6
27
to
29
Jesus
said
I
say
to
you
love
your
enemies
do
good
to
those
who
hate
you
bless
those
who
curse
you
pray
for
those
who
abuse
you
if
one
strikes
you
on the
cheek
offer
the
other
one
also
the
one
who
takes
your
cloak
don't
withhold
your
tunic
or your
shirt
either
that's
a
radical
way
of
thinking
that's
a
radical
life
that's
a
hard
life
but
that's
how
Jesus
lived
that's
how
Jesus
taught
us
to
live
he
didn't
only
teach
it
he
modeled
it
even
as
the
Romans
were
in
the
process
of
nailing
him
to
a
cross
he
prayed
for
their
forgiveness
father
forgive
them
they
don't
even
understand
what
they're
doing
forgive
them
that's
what it
looks like
to bless
our
enemies
it
means
to
pray
for
God
to
do
the
same
saving
work
in
their
lives
that
he's
done
in
our
lives
that's
what
it
means
to
bless
them
it
means
showing
kindness
and
compassion
when
given
an
opportunity
to
do
so
and
praying
that
God
would
use
that
act
of
love
and
compassion
to
draw
them
to
Jesus
not
necessarily
just
to
make
your
life
easier
but
so
that
they
might
see
Jesus
through
you
that's
what
it means
to bless
them
it's
choosing
to seek
their
salvation
over
their
destruction
to bless
them
in
this
way
Peter
says
is
not
only
what
you're
called
to
it
achieves
the
smile
of
God
and
it
will
lead
to
your
blessing
in
the
future
and
then
Peter
supports
all
of
this
in
verses
10
to
12
he
roots
the
argument
in
the
scriptures
let's
read
it
verse
10
for
whoever
desires
to
love
life
and
see
good
days
let
him
keep
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
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
so
Peter's
rooting
his
whole
argument
here
in
the
scriptures
which
we're
!
grateful
supported
by
the
quote
itself
what
is
being
said
but
I
think
we
can
find
support
also
in
the
person
who
wrote
the
psalm
so
let's
just
take
each
of
those
in
turn
the
entire
psalm
really
emphasizes
if you
were
to
go
back
and
read
it
this
afternoon
psalm
34
it's
emphasizing
how
the
Lord
rescues
his
people
when
they
suffer
and
judges
the
wicked
who
perpetrate
evil
against
them
so
it's
God
blessing
the
righteous
and
judging
the
wicked
and
meanwhile
in
the
psalm
the
righteous
ones
those
who
are
trusting
God
they
demonstrate
their
trust
and
hope
in
the
Lord
by
refusing
to
do
evil
against
the
evil
people
by
refusing
sin
renouncing
sin
and
doing
good
instead
now
Peter
means
to
comfort
us
here
you
need
not
take
matters
into
your
own
hands
when
you
suffer
he
means
to
say
why
because
the
eyes
of
the
Lord
are
on
the
righteous
in
other
words
he
sees
you
he
knows
the
ears
of
the
Lord
are
open
to
their
cries
he
hears
you
he
knows
and
what's
the
final
part
of
that
his
face
is
set
against
the
wicked
those
who
do
evil
what's
being
communicated
there
trust
the
Lord
trust
the
Lord
he
sees
your
suffering
don't
do
evil
leave
it
to
God
and
trust
that
he
will
rescue
his
people
and
he
will
judge
the
wicked
that's
the
point
God
gives
life
to
those
who
repent
and
trust
him
so
we
bless
others
and
refuse
to
do
evil
against
them
but
then
I
think
there's
something
for us
to
consider
about
the
man
who
wrote
Psalm
34
the
circumstances
that gave
rise
to this
writing
was David
if you were to go back
and read the Psalm
you'll see the
superscription at the
beginning of it
it gives us a
context clue
David wrote
this Psalm
during a period
of his life
when he was
constantly on the run
from King
Saul
I want you to think
about that
if you remember
the stories
God sends
his prophet
to the house
of Jesse
Jesse
eventually brings
David
the runt
of the family
perhaps
and Samuel
says
this is God's
chosen
but it's not
time for David
to inherit
the kingdom
yet
is it
he's God's
chosen
he's God's
elect
the promise
is sure
God will be
faithful to it
but it's not
time yet
and David
has to go
through his
days
trusting that
God will be
faithful to
the promise
that he made
as he looks
forward
to the promise
being fulfilled
in the kingdom
now that sounds
an awful lot
like 1 Peter
to me
we are
God's chosen
he has called
us
he's promised
us a future
inheritance
that's unfading
and undefiled
and imperishable
he says
that he is
keeping us
and guarding
us through
faith
for the return
of Jesus
Christ
for our
salvation
to be
revealed
but it's
not time
yet
in the
meantime
we're here
and like
David
we often
suffer
the fullness
of the kingdom
has not yet
come
the full
experience
of the
inheritance
is still
ahead of us
and what
are we
left to
do
trust
the Lord
trust
that he
will be
faithful
and do
good
and obey
him
and refuse
sin
now what
did that
look like
in David's
life
King Saul
is threatened
by him
doesn't
appreciate
that David
is God's
chosen
and he
seeks to
kill him
over
and over
and over
and over
it's not
just that he's
saying bad
things about
David
1 Peter
we're just
talking about
reviling
Saul's
trying to
kill him
on two
different
occasions
David has
a wide
open
opportunity
to take
matters
into his
own
hands
he can
kill
Saul
which all
of us
would look
and say
that's
justifiable
it's
defense
self-defense
he could
have done
that
taken the
kingdom
on both
occasions
David
refuses
to do
that
on both
occasions
he lets
Saul know
that he
refused
to do
that
my favorite
one
is
David's
hiding
out
in a
cave
Saul
doesn't
know
it
Saul
shows
up
to go
use
the
bathroom
and
in the
middle
of that
David
sneaks
up
cuts
a part
of his
garment
and then
sneaks
back
in the
cave
Saul
has
no
idea
Saul
eventually
leaves
the cave
David
stands
out
and he
calls
out
to him
and he
says
look
I
could
have
taken
your
life
today
but
you're
God's
anointed
and I'm
not
going to
do
that
I'm
not
going to
sin
against
God
in
this
and you
know
what
Saul
does
is
1st
Samuel
24
Saul
turns
to
David
and he
says
God
bless
you
you
have
done
me
good
rather
than
repaying
me
evil
sounds
a lot
like
1st
Peter
3
when
Peter
uses
this
passage
not
only
is
Peter
thinking
about
the
things
that
David
wrote
that
God
inspired
him
to
write
in
Psalm
!
I'm
convinced
that
Peter
is
probably
thinking
about
David's
life
at
the
time
that
he
wrote
it
so
that
David
Helm
says
in
David's
obedience
Peter
has
found
the
one
who
prefigured
Christ
and his
sufferings
he's
found
the
one
who
emulates
the
point
he's
been
making
and
the
church
now
has
proof
that
God
does
reward
the
righteous
so
we
press
on
and
doing
good
because
we've
seen
again
and
you
need
to
be
like
David
really
need
to
be
like
Jesus
I've
called
the
series
as we've
been
studying
through
1 Peter
thriving
in
exile
and
I know
we say
it
every
week
but
has
it
hit
you
yet
what
it
means
to
thrive
it's
not
probably
what
we
initially
assumed
!
Is
it?
It
doesn't
mean
ease
it
doesn't
mean
comfort
it
doesn't
mean
success
as far
as we
can
measure
it
from
worldly
standards
thriving
just
means
faithful
it
means
enduring
it
means
holiness
it
means
gospel
hope
it
means
living
as
God's
representatives
in the
world
even
when it
comes
to
suffering
and
when
that
suffering
does
inevitably
come
it
means
renouncing
sin
trusting
God's
promise
and
seeking
his
favor
on
the
very
ones
who
hurt
us
that's
what
it
means
to
the
right
and
you
know
we
can
do
this
with
joy
and
with
hope
as
we
look
to
Jesus
he
models
this
righteousness
and
faith
that
we
are
to
have
but
he
also
prayed
for
us
to
receive
the
father's
grace
and
favor
even
though
we
were
the
evil
ones
deserving
of
his
judgment
and
are
you
not
grateful
that
that
is
the
heart
of
Christ
so
when
Peter
says
that
God
has
called
us
to
bless
and
even
to
bless
our
enemies
he's
really
just
telling
us
to
have
the
heart
of
Jesus
Jesus
has
for
us
and
in
doing
that
we'll
glorify
God
and
we'll
show
the
world
the
glory
and
goodness
of the
gospel
let's
pray