Sunday, Sept. 28/14

Living for God – Living with People - 1 Peter 2:1-3; 2:9-13

Summary of message from Sept. 28/14 BFMC – Pastor Keith Lohnes

A good reputation cannot be purchased. Our behavior and character are shaped by our attitudes, the state of our heart and relationship to God.

A. ATTITUDE is what we think feel and believe

In the scripture reference, Peter reminds us to get rid of envy, malice and deceit. In the positive area he exhorts us to be hungry for God. As new born babies are very hungry for milk, as Christians we should have an eager appetite for the word of God. Peter says that the people have tasted that the Lord is good (verse 3). Many people talk about Jesus and learn facts about him, but to “taste of the Lord” means having a personal relationship, intimacy with the Lord.

B. BEHAVIOR is what we say and do – or what we do not say or do

Peter exhorts us to be rid of hypocrisy and slander. We should embrace spiritual growth, seek spiritual food (God’s word), grow to maturity. If we have a strong appetite for God’s word we will want our speech and action to be what pleases the Lord. Jesus said in Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled. In Psalm 1:2 we read of the godly person “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night”. We are to be the light of the world, so that our actions glorify our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:14)

C. CHARACTER is who we are, how people see us – how God sees us.

Peter writes (v. 10) that as we belong to God we receive mercy. We should show mercy in our lives and thereby give evidence that we are truly the people of God, a chosen people, reflecting the spirit of Christ in how we live. If we have committed our lives to Jesus, we are a chosen people, called out of spiritual darkness into “his wonderful light (v. 9). Rick Warren writes “Developing the character of Christ is life’s most important task because it is the only thing we’ll take with us into eternity.”