WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.320 And I want you to turn with me in your Bible to 1 Peter 3. 00:00:04.480 --> 00:00:06.480 And this has been a good study. 00:00:11.599 --> 00:00:14.880 And I know in your Sunday school you've gotten 2 Peter. 00:00:15.599 --> 00:00:27.440 I'm probably not going to be preaching through 2 Peter because I'm with a topical series next. 00:00:28.960 --> 00:00:37.039 But today we're going to finish the first book of 1 Peter. 00:00:37.200 --> 00:00:47.119 It's just so practical, but yet so proving because he's talking about the context of persecution. 00:00:47.759 --> 00:00:53.200 And I am convinced that the church is going through in America persecution. 00:00:53.359 --> 00:00:58.000 It's been going through persecution all over the world for hundreds of years. 00:00:58.479 --> 00:01:01.200 We've been very fortunate, but it's coming. 00:01:02.000 --> 00:01:05.920 The division in America today has never been this bad. 00:01:06.480 --> 00:01:13.760 The hatred, the just the vehement hatred toward one another. 00:01:14.000 --> 00:01:19.760 And if you don't believe like somebody else believes, they're just subject to shoot you. 00:01:21.040 --> 00:01:22.480 It's unreal. 00:01:23.519 --> 00:01:48.079 And in that same context, and the reason I'm giving that introduction, it's in this same context, if you remember, I was uh Nero, you know, he was taking Christians and putting them up on uh sticks on crosses and setting them on fire to light up his big driveway to his castle. 00:01:48.640 --> 00:01:58.000 So I mean, it was severe persecution going on during the writing of 1 Peter, when Peter wrote it. 00:01:58.239 --> 00:02:02.400 And it's really pretty applicable or will be for today. 00:02:02.640 --> 00:02:07.760 And I got to thinking about that as I've been looking at this message. 00:02:08.080 --> 00:02:27.680 And it's in that context that basically Peter says, even in the midst of the most severe persecution, the most troublesome times, you can live the good life. 00:02:28.240 --> 00:02:28.879 Wow. 00:02:29.759 --> 00:02:32.560 Now I don't know about you, that's encouraging to me. 00:02:32.800 --> 00:02:37.199 Because when I watch just a little bit of the news, I get very discouraged. 00:02:38.319 --> 00:02:40.080 Very discouraged. 00:02:40.479 --> 00:02:46.479 But in that same mist, Jesus is telling us and going to show us we can live the good life. 00:02:46.639 --> 00:02:55.120 But here's the thing it's not just gonna come easily, it's not just gonna be given to us. 00:02:55.919 --> 00:02:58.639 We have to ensue it. 00:02:58.960 --> 00:03:01.039 We've got to go after it. 00:03:01.840 --> 00:03:07.680 We've got to progress toward it, pursue it with all our heart. 00:03:08.719 --> 00:03:12.800 So with that said, let's look at verses 8. 00:03:12.960 --> 00:03:15.199 We finished last time two weeks ago. 00:03:15.280 --> 00:03:18.479 And by the way, you don't want to, what's next Sunday? 00:03:19.680 --> 00:03:21.039 What's next Sunday? 00:03:22.479 --> 00:03:29.840 Moms, mothers, grandmothers, we are gonna honor you next week. 00:03:30.080 --> 00:03:33.439 It is always one of our sweetest days in this church. 00:03:33.599 --> 00:03:36.960 You know, there's some good day, key days that we have. 00:03:37.120 --> 00:03:38.719 Easter is always one. 00:03:39.039 --> 00:03:44.400 Um Christmas and Friend Day is always one. 00:03:45.520 --> 00:03:48.080 But Mother's Day is special here. 00:03:48.319 --> 00:03:53.199 Right now we have seven children to dedicate to the Lord. 00:03:53.280 --> 00:03:54.240 Let's give God a hand. 00:03:54.400 --> 00:03:55.039 Amen. 00:03:57.599 --> 00:04:02.240 And if you have a child that needs to be dedicated, call Miss Tabitha. 00:04:02.400 --> 00:04:02.960 Yes. 00:04:03.919 --> 00:04:05.039 That's warm. 00:04:08.080 --> 00:04:09.199 Thank you, Darren. 00:04:09.439 --> 00:04:09.919 Thank you. 00:04:11.199 --> 00:04:14.479 So you don't want to miss that, and let me tell you why. 00:04:14.719 --> 00:04:16.720 We got a very special speaker coming. 00:04:19.199 --> 00:04:20.800 I meant very special. 00:04:23.519 --> 00:04:26.000 I meant tremendously special. 00:04:29.120 --> 00:04:33.920 Don't, don't, don't steal my thunder, Deedra. 00:04:35.439 --> 00:04:36.639 Put it this way. 00:04:36.879 --> 00:04:41.360 She has spoken the last two or three Mother's Day, and they still remember her message. 00:04:41.680 --> 00:04:44.480 You won't remember mine this afternoon. 00:04:45.120 --> 00:04:47.600 But uh I hope that's not true. 00:04:47.759 --> 00:04:50.639 But uh, so she'll be sharing her heart. 00:04:50.879 --> 00:04:55.040 I've I did God laid this on my heart a long time ago on Mother's Day. 00:04:55.199 --> 00:04:59.439 We need to have a mother share what Mother's Day is all about. 00:04:59.839 --> 00:05:01.439 And this girl can preach. 00:05:01.600 --> 00:05:03.839 I promise you, she can preach. 00:05:03.920 --> 00:05:04.879 Yes, she can. 00:05:05.120 --> 00:05:08.399 So all right, honey, the bar's been set. 00:05:08.480 --> 00:05:09.600 You gotta do it. 00:05:12.800 --> 00:05:14.000 Holy Spirit will do it. 00:05:14.079 --> 00:05:15.279 He always does. 00:05:15.519 --> 00:05:20.160 Y'all remember, I still remember the lineage of Mary and the lineage of Jesus. 00:05:20.319 --> 00:05:22.079 Y'all remember that with those ladies up? 00:05:22.399 --> 00:05:27.199 I still I ask her, I said, it's about time to do that again, but she won't ever do anything like me. 00:05:27.279 --> 00:05:30.160 I'll repeat it as long as it'll shoot, I'll shoot it. 00:05:36.160 --> 00:05:39.279 Man, if that's a good bullet, I'm gonna shoot it again. 00:05:39.600 --> 00:05:42.000 But uh let it go. 00:05:43.199 --> 00:05:48.160 But she always gets a fresh word from the Lord, and it's always a blessing. 00:05:48.399 --> 00:05:50.399 Always convicting to me. 00:05:51.519 --> 00:05:53.439 Living the good life, verse 8. 00:05:53.680 --> 00:05:57.199 Finally, be all of one mind. 00:05:58.720 --> 00:06:07.040 Now, he's not talking about being robots, he's not talking about us agreeing with every little thing. 00:06:07.439 --> 00:06:09.120 That's not what he's talking about. 00:06:09.279 --> 00:06:10.720 We'll see that in a minute. 00:06:10.959 --> 00:06:11.279 Okay? 00:06:12.399 --> 00:06:15.279 Then having compassion one of another. 00:06:15.600 --> 00:06:17.839 Love as brethren, be pitiful. 00:06:18.160 --> 00:06:21.360 Now, he's not talking about some pitiful people you've seen. 00:06:21.680 --> 00:06:27.600 That's not, I mean, I've seen some pitiful people, but that's not what he's talking about. 00:06:28.160 --> 00:06:30.639 He's talking about being courteous. 00:06:31.439 --> 00:06:44.639 Verse 9, not rendering evil for evil or railing for railing, but counterwise, blessing, knowing that you are thereunto called that you should inherit a blessing. 00:06:44.879 --> 00:06:48.160 In other words, you're called to inherit a blessing. 00:06:48.240 --> 00:06:50.319 How many of you like to be blessed this morning? 00:06:51.199 --> 00:06:51.680 Amen. 00:06:52.240 --> 00:06:58.879 He said, so in order to be blessed, and I want to bless you, I'm being, I'm mindful, he says in Psalms to bless you. 00:06:59.600 --> 00:07:01.920 He said, but there's some things you got to do. 00:07:02.800 --> 00:07:08.079 And you gotta be different than the world for me to bless you. 00:07:09.120 --> 00:07:09.920 A peculiar people. 00:07:10.319 --> 00:07:12.399 A chosen generation. 00:07:12.560 --> 00:07:13.920 You gotta live differently. 00:07:15.040 --> 00:07:17.759 So, that's what he's talking about here. 00:07:18.000 --> 00:07:25.839 Knowing that ye are there too called that you should inherit a blessing, for he, and I love this, that will love life and see good days. 00:07:26.000 --> 00:07:27.199 Now let me tell you what that means. 00:07:27.360 --> 00:07:29.519 He that's gonna live long and see good days. 00:07:29.680 --> 00:07:32.160 How many of you like to live long and see good days? 00:07:32.560 --> 00:07:34.000 Okay, that's right. 00:07:34.160 --> 00:07:38.639 And now remember, Peter's writing this during the most severe time of persecution. 00:07:38.879 --> 00:07:39.199 Okay? 00:07:40.079 --> 00:07:42.480 That's you gotta keep that in mind. 00:07:43.279 --> 00:07:56.480 And then he says, See, good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, his lips. 00:07:57.360 --> 00:07:58.800 They speak no guile. 00:07:59.439 --> 00:08:03.759 Let him eskew evil, let him turn away from evil and do good. 00:08:03.920 --> 00:08:05.759 Let him seek peace and then sue it. 00:08:05.920 --> 00:08:08.639 That means go after it with everything you got. 00:08:09.120 --> 00:08:15.279 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, his ears are open unto the prayers, but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. 00:08:15.439 --> 00:08:16.560 Alright, get your outline. 00:08:16.800 --> 00:08:17.120 Ready? 00:08:17.279 --> 00:08:19.199 Everybody, anybody need an outline? 00:08:19.360 --> 00:08:20.480 Boy, this is gonna be good. 00:08:20.639 --> 00:08:22.720 I want you to take this outline today. 00:08:22.879 --> 00:08:25.040 I want you to keep it in your Bible. 00:08:25.360 --> 00:08:30.319 And about every month or two, I want you to go back through this and see if you're doing it. 00:08:30.560 --> 00:08:33.759 This is gonna be your accountability piece. 00:08:34.320 --> 00:08:39.759 Mine's gonna be right there with my other little piece that I keep in my Bible. 00:08:43.279 --> 00:08:44.799 That's Sarah's. 00:08:45.279 --> 00:08:46.559 That's Sarah. 00:08:47.360 --> 00:08:49.600 Hey, that looks a lot like me, doesn't it? 00:08:49.759 --> 00:08:52.639 Me or Paul, I can't figure out which one it is. 00:08:54.399 --> 00:08:55.039 Amen. 00:08:55.360 --> 00:08:58.080 And you know what little Sarah says down at the bottom? 00:08:58.240 --> 00:09:02.639 She's got the people watching me preach, and then she says, the Lord gives him power. 00:09:03.039 --> 00:09:04.960 Oh, is that not precious? 00:09:05.279 --> 00:09:14.639 So, but I'm gonna add this outline to that picture that I keep in my Bible because it's so convicting, but yet so revealing. 00:09:14.960 --> 00:09:22.240 He said, look, verse 8, finally be of one mind, having compassion, one of another, love his brethren, be pitiful, be courteous. 00:09:22.320 --> 00:09:26.559 Here Peter calls for us, number one, three things we're gonna look at today. 00:09:26.720 --> 00:09:30.480 The first thing we're gonna look at is we must have the right attitude. 00:09:32.240 --> 00:09:35.120 We must have the right attitude. 00:09:35.440 --> 00:09:38.399 Here Peter calls for us to come to the right attitude. 00:09:38.559 --> 00:09:43.679 Now, watch this about ourselves and about others. 00:09:44.080 --> 00:09:50.639 Sometimes we have an attitude toward others, but we forget about ourselves. 00:09:52.000 --> 00:09:54.000 And that can be a major problem. 00:09:54.720 --> 00:09:58.960 So here we see Peter gives us four things. 00:09:59.440 --> 00:10:02.399 First of all, let's look at a consensus. 00:10:02.879 --> 00:10:04.399 A consensus. 00:10:04.720 --> 00:10:07.519 He says, Be ye all of one mind. 00:10:08.399 --> 00:10:17.759 Now this is called, this is calling for unity and harmony among the believers. 00:10:18.240 --> 00:10:28.639 It's calling for unity and harmony among husbands and wives, children and parents, harmony. 00:10:29.039 --> 00:10:35.600 Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, Paul said in Ephesians 4, 3. 00:10:35.759 --> 00:10:40.320 Endeavor means go to whatever length is necessary to keep the peace. 00:10:40.480 --> 00:10:41.600 Can I get an amen? 00:10:44.320 --> 00:10:47.679 In other words, don't try to get your way all the time. 00:10:48.320 --> 00:10:48.960 Hello. 00:10:50.559 --> 00:10:52.480 I'm talking to me, not you. 00:10:53.279 --> 00:10:54.559 I like my way. 00:10:57.039 --> 00:11:01.440 I got my routine, I've got my every I got everything the way I like it. 00:11:01.600 --> 00:11:03.200 Don't mess it up. 00:11:07.200 --> 00:11:08.480 We just talked about that. 00:11:08.559 --> 00:11:09.759 I'm in trouble already. 00:11:10.000 --> 00:11:11.919 Hadn't even got out of the gate. 00:11:13.440 --> 00:11:14.799 But now watch. 00:11:15.039 --> 00:11:16.480 What is he talking about? 00:11:16.639 --> 00:11:19.759 Here's what he's saying, don't be cantankerous. 00:11:20.000 --> 00:11:20.720 Oh me. 00:11:23.600 --> 00:11:25.679 Don't be disagreeable. 00:11:27.200 --> 00:11:27.840 Huh? 00:11:28.799 --> 00:11:29.440 Huh. 00:11:29.840 --> 00:11:30.720 In the spirit. 00:11:30.879 --> 00:11:34.879 It means to have a cooperative spirit. 00:11:36.159 --> 00:11:42.320 I have a very good cooperative spirit if you do it my way. 00:11:48.080 --> 00:11:49.600 You can't hold Laney. 00:11:50.879 --> 00:11:52.480 Is that not true? 00:11:52.879 --> 00:11:55.120 When do you get disagreeable? 00:11:56.399 --> 00:11:59.120 When I don't get my way, you got an A on that question. 00:11:59.279 --> 00:11:59.600 Amen. 00:11:59.840 --> 00:12:02.159 I can't believe you answered it correctly. 00:12:03.279 --> 00:12:05.039 You get very disagreeable. 00:12:05.200 --> 00:12:06.639 Sometimes you can get what? 00:12:06.879 --> 00:12:08.159 Contankerous. 00:12:10.000 --> 00:12:12.799 Especially if they mess with your stuff. 00:12:18.159 --> 00:12:23.440 Boy, what Darren, you but Darren, you're in my house. 00:12:28.720 --> 00:12:32.879 So to be in one mind is to be like-minded. 00:12:33.120 --> 00:12:35.600 Now, we're to think alike. 00:12:36.000 --> 00:12:37.840 We're not talking about on every little thing. 00:12:37.919 --> 00:12:38.960 That's not what he's talking about. 00:12:39.039 --> 00:12:40.080 Here's what he means. 00:12:40.240 --> 00:12:41.120 Let me give it to you. 00:12:41.279 --> 00:12:42.480 We're co-laborers. 00:12:42.639 --> 00:12:44.399 1 Corinthians 3 9 says. 00:12:44.720 --> 00:12:48.480 Thinking determines our direction. 00:12:49.120 --> 00:12:50.879 Now, this is good, folks. 00:12:51.200 --> 00:12:54.480 Thinking determines our direction. 00:12:54.960 --> 00:13:03.600 The Bible says in Proverbs 23:7, there in your outline, as a man thinks in his heart, so is he. 00:13:04.000 --> 00:13:08.240 So thinking determines our direction. 00:13:08.559 --> 00:13:10.799 It's very important that we understand that. 00:13:11.120 --> 00:13:13.919 In fact, our actions, are you ready? 00:13:14.000 --> 00:13:15.279 I want you to say this with me. 00:13:15.440 --> 00:13:16.960 I want you to write this down. 00:13:17.200 --> 00:13:23.840 Our actions are the fruit of our thinking. 00:13:24.639 --> 00:13:25.840 Say that with me. 00:13:26.080 --> 00:13:29.919 Our actions are the fruit of our thinking. 00:13:30.799 --> 00:13:32.480 I learned this a long time ago. 00:13:32.799 --> 00:13:36.960 Sow a thought, reap an action. 00:13:39.360 --> 00:13:43.440 Sow an action, reap a habit. 00:13:44.799 --> 00:13:48.799 Sow a habit, reap a character. 00:13:49.519 --> 00:13:52.879 Sow a character, reap a destiny. 00:13:54.960 --> 00:13:56.639 That's good, folks. 00:13:58.480 --> 00:13:59.120 That is. 00:13:59.840 --> 00:14:03.679 So our thinking or our actions are the fruit of our thinking. 00:14:03.840 --> 00:14:08.399 In fact, Paul gives us the key to being like-minded in Philippians 2.5. 00:14:08.720 --> 00:14:09.840 Here's what he says. 00:14:10.000 --> 00:14:12.480 And that's in your outline up there too. 00:14:12.720 --> 00:14:17.440 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. 00:14:17.679 --> 00:14:26.559 If God's people would stay in the scriptures and develop the mind of Christ, there would be harmony and unity in the body. 00:14:26.799 --> 00:14:29.279 The early church operated in harmony. 00:14:29.440 --> 00:14:38.399 When you go through the book of Acts, time and time and time, about 18 different times, it shows the unity that the church had. 00:14:42.960 --> 00:14:43.759 Can't do it. 00:14:44.000 --> 00:14:48.000 God will have nothing to do in a great way with division. 00:14:50.080 --> 00:14:51.039 Cannot stand. 00:14:51.279 --> 00:14:52.240 It cannot. 00:14:52.480 --> 00:15:00.000 So we see, and especially in churches where their general attitude is this in a lot of churches. 00:15:00.240 --> 00:15:03.039 Why get along when we can fight? 00:15:08.159 --> 00:15:08.799 Amen? 00:15:09.840 --> 00:15:10.879 Is that not true? 00:15:11.120 --> 00:15:13.519 Many of you have come out of some of those churches. 00:15:13.759 --> 00:15:16.320 I've been a part of some of those churches. 00:15:16.960 --> 00:15:22.960 I've been involved in trying to mediate some of those churches when I was at liberty. 00:15:23.200 --> 00:15:24.639 It's unreal. 00:15:25.600 --> 00:15:27.919 Here we see God's plan. 00:15:28.159 --> 00:15:30.879 His desire is that we get along and get the job done. 00:15:31.039 --> 00:15:32.240 Can I get an amen? 00:15:32.639 --> 00:15:33.679 That's what he wants. 00:15:33.840 --> 00:15:43.039 He says in Psalms 133, verse 1 Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brethren live together in unity. 00:15:43.200 --> 00:15:44.320 Did you hear what it said? 00:15:44.480 --> 00:15:50.159 How good and pleasant it is when you live together in unity. 00:15:50.240 --> 00:15:51.360 Isn't that awesome? 00:15:51.600 --> 00:15:53.919 That's what I love about our church. 00:15:54.240 --> 00:15:56.320 I mean, we're in one accord here. 00:15:56.559 --> 00:16:06.159 And it's part of our job as shepherds and the leadership, the board of leadership here, is to keep that unity intact. 00:16:06.480 --> 00:16:08.320 And we will, and we do. 00:16:08.559 --> 00:16:11.120 But it's not hard when people love Jesus. 00:16:12.240 --> 00:16:18.639 Hey, it's not hard when people love the word and are willing to be obedient to the word. 00:16:19.120 --> 00:16:21.600 It's not what I want, it's what God says. 00:16:21.840 --> 00:16:22.480 Amen? 00:16:23.279 --> 00:16:27.440 And that's what we've done from the moment we started this church. 00:16:27.759 --> 00:16:30.320 It's kind of like an orchestra. 00:16:31.679 --> 00:16:35.519 An orchestra, everybody plays different instruments. 00:16:36.639 --> 00:16:43.279 But if they play well and the sound's beautiful, they are all in harmony. 00:16:45.840 --> 00:16:54.639 When we hear these drummers and the keyboard and Frenchie, the guitar and the bongos, they're all playing in one accord. 00:16:56.320 --> 00:16:59.120 And the same song, singing the same song. 00:16:59.440 --> 00:17:00.080 Amen? 00:17:00.559 --> 00:17:02.159 That's what we're talking about. 00:17:02.320 --> 00:17:03.679 This is exactly what he means. 00:17:03.840 --> 00:17:05.759 Now notice the second thing Peter said. 00:17:06.000 --> 00:17:10.720 Not only did he give us a consensus, but he says, now compassion. 00:17:11.119 --> 00:17:12.400 Look at verse 8 again. 00:17:12.559 --> 00:17:14.799 Having compassion one of another. 00:17:15.119 --> 00:17:19.680 Compassion comes from the Greek word soon pathes. 00:17:19.920 --> 00:17:21.200 Sum pathis. 00:17:21.680 --> 00:17:27.599 And it carries the idea of feeling with or having the same feelings. 00:17:27.920 --> 00:17:31.200 In other words, I feel with you when you're hurting. 00:17:32.480 --> 00:17:34.640 I have those same feelings. 00:17:35.119 --> 00:17:42.000 For you ladies, when you've gone through some, for example, some of you that are going through the cancer situation right now. 00:17:42.799 --> 00:17:50.559 All of you together that have the cancer or gone through the breast cancer or different types of cancer, you have the same, you have feelings one for another. 00:17:50.720 --> 00:17:52.720 You know what they're going through. 00:17:52.880 --> 00:17:54.240 So that's what he's saying. 00:17:54.400 --> 00:17:57.200 We are to have feelings with people that are hurting. 00:17:57.279 --> 00:17:58.400 Can I get an amen? 00:18:02.240 --> 00:18:09.599 We ought to look for the opportunity to help and to have those feelings with people that are hurting. 00:18:09.759 --> 00:18:11.039 That's what he's talking about. 00:18:11.200 --> 00:18:17.119 We get our word sympathy from this word sum pathes. 00:18:17.920 --> 00:18:20.079 We get our word sympathy. 00:18:20.319 --> 00:18:29.200 It is not simply feeling pity, but identifying with the hurts and heartaches of others. 00:18:29.680 --> 00:18:32.319 Now, a lot of us don't like to do that. 00:18:32.960 --> 00:18:36.240 And I have somebody tell me the other day, he said, why should I worry? 00:18:36.640 --> 00:18:38.640 I have my own problems. 00:18:39.200 --> 00:18:41.920 Well, that's why he's having his own problems. 00:18:42.240 --> 00:18:43.519 He is the problem. 00:18:45.440 --> 00:18:46.079 Hello? 00:18:50.640 --> 00:18:52.880 All he cares about is himself. 00:18:55.039 --> 00:18:58.319 You know one of the best ways to get out of having a pity party? 00:18:58.480 --> 00:19:01.279 Find somebody that's worse off than you and be a blessing to them. 00:19:01.359 --> 00:19:02.400 Can I get an amen? 00:19:03.680 --> 00:19:04.960 That's the best way. 00:19:05.039 --> 00:19:05.519 That's right. 00:19:05.680 --> 00:19:06.319 Serve them. 00:19:06.480 --> 00:19:07.119 I mean it. 00:19:07.200 --> 00:19:08.160 It really is. 00:19:09.119 --> 00:19:13.279 So he says in Romans 12, 15, rejoice, you know it. 00:19:13.440 --> 00:19:15.200 Rejoice with them that what? 00:19:16.240 --> 00:19:19.359 Rejoice and weep with those that weep. 00:19:19.519 --> 00:19:23.759 Now notice Paul explains this telling us right there in that same verse, love is brethren. 00:19:24.000 --> 00:19:24.720 What does that mean? 00:19:24.960 --> 00:19:31.759 We hear a lot about love and talk about love, but what we see is not the love of the Bible. 00:19:32.079 --> 00:19:34.240 See, love is an action word. 00:19:34.960 --> 00:19:39.759 Jesus Christ put principle into practice. 00:19:40.559 --> 00:19:45.279 A lot of people talk about loving each other, but it's not real agape love. 00:19:45.359 --> 00:19:48.319 It's a selfish love, it's an erotic love. 00:19:48.559 --> 00:19:50.000 It's a feeling love. 00:19:50.160 --> 00:19:51.039 Can I tell you something? 00:19:51.200 --> 00:19:53.200 Love's not a feeling, it's a fact. 00:19:54.960 --> 00:19:56.880 And fact means act. 00:19:58.160 --> 00:20:05.119 He says in 1 John 3 18, my little children, let us not love in word, but in deed and in truth. 00:20:05.279 --> 00:20:06.559 Can I get an amen? 00:20:06.799 --> 00:20:08.480 That's exactly what he says. 00:20:08.799 --> 00:20:16.000 God commended his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 00:20:16.160 --> 00:20:17.039 Romans 5.8. 00:20:17.359 --> 00:20:19.200 He put his love in action. 00:20:20.799 --> 00:20:23.680 And that's exactly what we're to do. 00:20:24.000 --> 00:20:30.000 Jesus said, This is my commandment, that ye love one another as I have loved you. 00:20:30.160 --> 00:20:31.920 John 15, 12. 00:20:32.960 --> 00:20:36.400 See, Jesus gave love a new standard in the New Testament. 00:20:36.480 --> 00:20:41.200 That's why He came, to give a new definition of love. 00:20:41.759 --> 00:20:46.079 In fact, the law in the Old Testament said, here's the law. 00:20:46.240 --> 00:20:52.640 This is my commandment that you love one another as yourself. 00:20:53.519 --> 00:20:59.359 The command to love one another, when Jesus came, was a new concept. 00:20:59.599 --> 00:21:04.640 No longer do we love each other as we love ourselves, which that was the Old Testament. 00:21:04.799 --> 00:21:05.599 That was the law. 00:21:05.839 --> 00:21:07.440 Love others as yourself. 00:21:07.599 --> 00:21:10.160 But now Jesus said, uh-uh, uh-uh. 00:21:10.319 --> 00:21:15.279 Now that we're going into the grace age, we're going to take the standard higher. 00:21:16.000 --> 00:21:23.279 You're not to love one another as yourselves, you're to love one another as I loved you. 00:21:27.119 --> 00:21:28.720 Big difference. 00:21:30.480 --> 00:21:31.759 Big difference. 00:21:32.400 --> 00:21:37.680 Because now that means you put everyone else before you. 00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:42.640 Before you put everybody as you. 00:21:45.920 --> 00:21:46.559 Thank you, Lord. 00:21:46.640 --> 00:21:46.960 That's good. 00:21:47.039 --> 00:21:48.480 That wasn't in my notes. 00:21:49.839 --> 00:21:50.480 Amen? 00:21:51.839 --> 00:21:55.279 But that's what he means, and that's what he meant right here. 00:21:55.599 --> 00:21:59.359 In fact, he goes on and he says in John 15 13, what's this? 00:21:59.519 --> 00:22:01.680 Here's That love exhibited. 00:22:01.839 --> 00:22:03.920 Greater love hath no man than this. 00:22:04.079 --> 00:22:05.119 Now watch. 00:22:06.160 --> 00:22:10.400 And a man lay down his life for his brother. 00:22:12.079 --> 00:22:15.039 That's a bigger step than the Old Testament. 00:22:17.599 --> 00:22:18.240 Wow. 00:22:19.119 --> 00:22:20.240 That's tough, folks. 00:22:20.319 --> 00:22:21.920 I don't know if I could do that. 00:22:22.240 --> 00:22:26.079 I could lay down my life for Susan, my kids, my grandkids. 00:22:26.400 --> 00:22:28.960 But could I really lay down my life for you? 00:22:29.359 --> 00:22:31.920 Could you really lay down your life for me? 00:22:33.119 --> 00:22:35.119 If we love Christ, we could. 00:22:35.359 --> 00:22:37.200 Like Christ loves us. 00:22:39.119 --> 00:22:42.960 Whew! See how the bar all of a sudden went from here to here? 00:22:43.680 --> 00:22:45.200 Real quickly. 00:22:45.759 --> 00:22:48.240 And that's exactly what Jesus is saying. 00:22:48.480 --> 00:22:51.359 And then listen to what he said in the next chapter. 00:22:51.440 --> 00:23:00.880 And he said, if you have this kind of love, the grace love, all men will know that you're my disciples then by your love. 00:23:01.680 --> 00:23:09.279 Do you understand when we start loving like Christ loves us, then we bring Christ to others. 00:23:10.480 --> 00:23:21.200 Because they see the Christ-like love in us, and that means we exalt Christ in us, which means if I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto myself. 00:23:21.519 --> 00:23:22.799 And how does he do that? 00:23:22.960 --> 00:23:26.960 By us loving others as Christ loved us. 00:23:27.920 --> 00:23:29.279 And that's good. 00:23:30.240 --> 00:23:31.519 It's hard. 00:23:31.920 --> 00:23:34.400 Which brings me to the next thing. 00:23:36.880 --> 00:23:37.200 C. 00:23:37.759 --> 00:23:38.480 Caring. 00:23:38.720 --> 00:23:39.839 Notice what Peter says. 00:23:40.000 --> 00:23:41.039 Be pitiful. 00:23:41.759 --> 00:23:48.000 Now, this is the opposite of cruel and hard-heartedness. 00:23:49.920 --> 00:23:56.960 The word pitiful cares the idea of being good-heartedness, full of pity, tender-hearted. 00:23:57.279 --> 00:24:06.160 The idea is that our heart is to be soft, sensitive, and sympathetic toward the needs of others. 00:24:07.039 --> 00:24:08.319 Let me repeat that. 00:24:08.480 --> 00:24:14.480 The idea is that our heart is to be soft and sensitive and sympathetic toward the needs of others. 00:24:14.640 --> 00:24:17.039 The same word is used twelve times. 00:24:17.200 --> 00:24:18.240 Listen to this. 00:24:18.559 --> 00:24:30.160 Twelve times in the gospel to describe the response of Christ to the suffering and heartache caused by sin. 00:24:32.480 --> 00:24:38.400 Psalms 142, verse 4, the psalmist cries out, has anybody cared for my soul? 00:24:39.599 --> 00:24:42.559 Do we really care for the souls of other people? 00:24:43.599 --> 00:24:46.400 I got to thinking about that, and God took me to another verse. 00:24:46.640 --> 00:24:49.839 He took me to Psalms 126, verse 5 and 6. 00:24:50.000 --> 00:25:01.839 And it says that they that sow in tears, now that's compassion, they that sow in tears shall reap with joy. 00:25:02.480 --> 00:25:03.119 Why? 00:25:03.680 --> 00:25:08.480 Going out and bringing those sheaves back with them. 00:25:08.799 --> 00:25:11.039 He that sows in tears shall reap with joy. 00:25:11.200 --> 00:25:12.799 And I got to thinking about it. 00:25:12.880 --> 00:25:18.799 He that goeth forth weeping, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing the sheaves with him. 00:25:18.960 --> 00:25:21.200 That's caring and hey, for people. 00:25:22.160 --> 00:25:23.759 It's really caring for people. 00:25:23.920 --> 00:25:25.359 That's what we do here. 00:25:25.759 --> 00:25:26.480 Try to do. 00:25:26.559 --> 00:25:27.680 That's our goal here. 00:25:27.920 --> 00:25:29.839 Which brings me to D, the fourth thing. 00:25:29.920 --> 00:25:31.039 Look at verse 8 again. 00:25:31.279 --> 00:25:36.160 He says, not only are we to care, but we're to be courteous. 00:25:36.960 --> 00:25:40.240 The word here carries the idea of being humble-minded. 00:25:40.640 --> 00:25:49.200 Being humble means having an honest estimation of oneself before God. 00:25:49.920 --> 00:25:51.839 I got thinking about that. 00:25:52.960 --> 00:25:55.279 It is the opposite of pride. 00:25:55.680 --> 00:26:00.480 When we're humble, we realize that we came out of the same pit. 00:26:03.200 --> 00:26:05.440 We came out of that same muck. 00:26:06.640 --> 00:26:15.119 Psalms 40, you remember he took us, hey, he took us out of the muck out of the out of the lime and the slime, and he set our feet on a rock. 00:26:15.359 --> 00:26:15.920 Remember that? 00:26:16.160 --> 00:26:20.559 And gave us a new song so that many could sit and worship him. 00:26:21.839 --> 00:26:24.960 See, when you're really humble, you know why you're really humble? 00:26:25.119 --> 00:26:27.599 Because you know how just bad you really are. 00:26:29.440 --> 00:26:30.079 Amen. 00:26:30.720 --> 00:26:34.240 You remember how bad you really were before you got saved. 00:26:34.400 --> 00:26:36.960 Hey, you remember where you came from. 00:26:41.359 --> 00:26:43.680 For a man of unclean lips. 00:26:46.160 --> 00:26:48.240 So see, folks, listen. 00:26:48.799 --> 00:26:52.160 Courteous means not trying to be first in line. 00:26:53.119 --> 00:26:53.759 Hello? 00:26:54.079 --> 00:26:55.359 You okay out there? 00:26:56.319 --> 00:26:58.720 Oh, I'm terrible about that on an airplane. 00:27:04.960 --> 00:27:06.559 I want to be the first one there. 00:27:06.640 --> 00:27:09.920