Sunday Words of Encouragement July 15, 2018

We had an excellent Sunday School lesson today and enjoyed a pretty full house for church. Church. The praise and worship team introduced a new song that fit with the message of our Sunday School. I love when God orchestrates that sort of confirmation!

Pastor continued his sermon series titled The Strong, based on 1st Peter. This a book where Peter is giving instructions to the new church on right living. The strong (the Christians) are to live different than the world. Last week Pastor spoke on exhibiting Godly Honor rather than honor of the world

This week Pastor spoke on Chapter 3. How do we deal when we have been treated unfairly? Sometimes we experience loss of a job; unkept promises; outright lies. The mistreatment may cost relationships, job, finances, reputation. Most of us have experienced a time when we felt mistreated, sometimes because we, as Christians, are different and see things from a different world view. We live in a broken world that has been damaged by sin. As parents we tell our children the important life lesson: “Life isn’t fair.”

What do we do when we are mistreated? When this letter was written, Christ followers were treated differently than others. Peter said to search for peace, and work to maintain it. 1 Peter 3:8-12. Give blessing instead of world response. Then God will give you a blessing. 1 Peter 3:9. In the days of Peter, blessings and curses meant something.

Point: The cost we pay to bless those who mistreat us is repaired with the promise of God's blessing to us.

Our response should be to pray for them. Jesus was attacked. Christianity gets attacked. We need to show them God and His love. 1 Peter 3:13-17.

Blessing others changes my heart and attitude toward them.
Paul and Silas were beaten and falsely imprisoned. Yet they were singing praises and praying in jail. A supernatural earthquake caused the doors open, and the shackles to fall off all the prisoners but they did not escape. Instead, Paul and Silas used the opportunity to witness. Acts 16:25-30.

The mistreatment of Jesus resulted in salvation and power. 1 Peter 3:18-22.
The question to ask yourself today: Who do you need to bless?

I remembered this song which fits today’s message: Forgiveness.

Verses for Today:
1 Peter 3:8-9 (NIV)
8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 

Lord, I pray that, with the help of the Holy Spirit who dwells in me, You help me to face mistreatment with a loving, blessing response.