1 Behavior Fitting A Christian

2 1 Peter 2:11-12 “ Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. 12 Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation. ” 1 Timothy 4:12 “ Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe. ” 2 Peter 3:11 “ Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, ”

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4 Maintain Good Behavior God has done much for man. –1–1 Peter 1:18-19, Should serve God because we want to! –G–God elevates Christians into the light – Ephesians 5:5-10 –H–Has shown mercy to us – 1 Peter 2:9-10 “ knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, 19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. ” “ Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, 23 for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God. ” “ But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. ”

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6 Required Behavior for Children of God Are we bringing honor or dishonor to God & ourselves? How can we bring dishonor? –B–By fulfilling fleshly lusts v. 11 – 1 John 2: We must determine good behavior using the standard of the Bible! –N–Not our right to rewrite what is right & wrong! – Jeremiah 10:23-24 How can we bring honor? –B–By doing good works! – Matthew 19:16-22 “ Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever. ” “ I know, O Lord, that a man's way is not in himself, Nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps. 24 Correct me, O Lord, but with justice; Not with Your anger, or You will bring me to nothing. ” 1 Thessalonians 5:22 “ abstain from every form of evil. ” Romans 12:9 “ Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. ” Romans 12:21 “ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. ”

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8 Noticed by Those Around Us! 1st Century Christian's conduct was noticed by those who were around them! –1–1 Thessalonians 1:8 Do you realize that what you do/say is noticed by those around you? “ For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything. ” Matthew 5:14-16 “ You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. ” Acts 4:13 “ Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus. ” Colossians 4:5-6 “ Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. ” 1 Thessalonians 4:12 “ so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need. ”

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10 Cause Others to React Negatively Toward us! When people react negatively toward us because of our good behavior, glorify God! –J–Jesus instructs us to not be discouraged – Matthew 5: st Century Christians falsely accused of much – Acts 17:6 –T–Their behavior influenced many for good – Acts 17:34; 19:20 “ Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. ” Revelation 2:10 “ Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. ” “ When they did not find them, they began dragging Jason and some brethren before the city authorities, shouting, "These men who have upset the world have come here also; ” “ But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them. ” “ So the word of the Lord was growing mightily and prevailing. ”

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