Peter - Bless Those Who Curse

Don’t live by REFLEX

—1 Peter 3:8–9

Live by RESURRECTION

Unity of mind - Same direction (Matthew 28-19-20)
Sympathy - When others hurt (Understanding, common feeling)
Brotherly Love - Go out of your way. Love with complete compassion.
Humble Mind - Consider others greater (Philippians 2)


Tender Heart
εὔσπλαγχνοι (eusplagchnoi) = tenderhearted, compassionate

Breakdown:
• εὖ (eu) = well / good
• σπλάγχνα (splanchna) = inward parts, guts, deep feelings

So literally:
“good-gutted” - deeply compassionate from within

Same prefix in:
1) εὐαγγέλιον (euangelion) = good news (gospel)
2) εὐλογέω (eulogeō) = speak well, bless
3) εὐχαριστία (eucharistia) = thanksgiving


—Matthew 9:36–38

σπλαγχνίζομαι (splagchnizomai) = to feel deep compassion, to be stirred inwardly


Faith is not just RIGHT THOUGHTS, it’s MERCY that lives in your GUT


—1 Peter 3:10–12

At sermon club we talked about the kinds of evil people endure:
    • physical abuse
    • verbal abuse
    • legal abuse
    • public shame
    • financial harm
    • shunning
    • even death

—1 Peter 3:9
    

εὐλογέω (eulogeō) = speak well, bless

It means…

Don’t send that email or text right away
Have compassion
Consider others greater than yourself
Remember Jesus on the cross

Unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, tender heart, humble mind


We model CHRIST with our INTENTIONS and WORDS


—1 Peter 3:13–17

The REASON for HOPE in ADVERSITY is the CROSS


—1 Peter 3:18–21

    
POSSIBILITIES

1) Jesus preached through Noah
2) Jesus descended to the dead between death and resurrection
3) Jesus proclaimed victory to fallen angels/demonic beings
4) Jesus preached the Gospel to Old Testament saints
5) It’s about baptism and salvation, not the afterlife


Jesus suffered unjustly and still triumphed, so don’t lose heart when you suffer.


—1 Peter 3:22

—1 Peter 4:1–5

—1 Peter 4:6

    POSSIBILITIES

1) The Gospel Was Preached To People Who Are Now Dead
2) Reassuring Believers About Christians Who Have Already Died
3) The Gospel Was Proclaimed To The Dead After Death
4) The Dead Are Spiritually Dead
5) Still Connected To Baptism


Takeaway: Preach Boldly And Love Fiercely Always