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Call to worship: Matthew 5:3-12

Text: 1 Peter 3:8-17

Sermon Outline:

1. The content of the good life, 3:8-12.
   • Prioritizing gracious relations in the church, 3:8.
   • Pursuing gracious relations with opponents, 3:9.
   • Persevering by faith in the gracious relations of God, 3:10-12.
2. The contours of it's grand stage, 3:13-17.
   • The trial: suffering for righteousness, 3:13-14.
   • The topic: our enduring hope in Christ, 3:15.
   • The tone: a trusting, irreproachable gentleness, 3:16-17.

Prepare

Questions:

1. Read 1 Peter 3:8-17. It is a mighty text. May we be faithful to it. Come ready to be enriched by it.
2. In 1 Peter 3:8, what five things does Peter name for prioritizing gracious relations in the church? Why would our relations as a church be meaningful for our ministry to the world?
3. In 1 Peter 3:9, Peter moves to our relations with opponents. What two things ought to mark our relations with opponents? What ought we not to do? What are we called to do? What does it matter that this is our calling? What are we meant to obtain by our faithfulness to it? How does Psalm 34:12-16, which Peter quotes, ground 'the good life'? What does it clarify as part of that life (3:12)?
4. In 1 Peter 3:13-14, Peter lets us know that the good life may lead to a hard one in this world. How does he immediately seek to assuage our fears?
5. In 1 Peter 3:15-17, Peter assumes that trials give us opportunity to teach. What's the topic? What is the tone? Why does the tone matter as well as the topic? How does this bring Peter's main idea, in 2:9-12, full circle? Are you living 'the good life'? Are you able, are you prepared to take advantage of the opportunity that providence may give to you?