1. 1 P ETER 3:12

2. T HE E YES OF THE L ORD … Introduction 1. Duties of Christians in context of suffering for righteousness Satan afflicts, discourages from duty Duty not changed in time of trial

3. Introduction 2. “The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous” Great encouragement if right with God! Great fear if not right with God!

4. Introduction 3. Study 1 Peter 3:8-22 to encourage saints to fulfill our duties Vv. 8-12 Duties to each other Vv. 13-17 Duties in time of persecution Vv. 18-22 Duty to follow example of Christ

5. I. 3:8-12 - Duties to Each Other

6. “ Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.” 1 Peter 3:8,9

7. “ For he who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.” 1 Peter 3:10,11

8. “ For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil.” 1 Peter 3:12

9. I. Vv. 8-12 Duties to Each Other A. Vs. 8 Be United in Genuine Love “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:”

10. B E U NITED IN G ENUINE L OVE “ Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:” United as one body: protect, nourish! Sympathetic: share joys and tears Unselfish, brotherly love Merciful, tenderhearted Courteous: humble, considerate

11. I. Vv. 8-12 Duties to Each Other A. Vs. 9 Help Those Who Hurt Us “Not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.”

12. H ELP T HOSE W HO H URT U S “ Not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing :” The carnal mind—retaliate Spiritual mind—return blessings Not overcome by evil, inherit blessing

13. I. Vv. 8-12 Duties to Each Other A. Vs. 10 Control the Tongue “For He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit.”

14. C ONTROL THE T ONGUE “For he who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit.” Blessings of spiritual life, fruitful days Avoid corrupt, bitter, deceitful speech How many ears? Tongues? Many ways to use tongue for evil Many ways to use tongue for good Bible filled with many lessons

15. I. Vv. 8-12 Duties to Each Other A. Vs. 11 Pursue the path of Peace “Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.”

16. P URSUE T HE P ATH OF P EACE “Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.” Conviction and Courage: Speak Out for truth— Against Evil Moral and doctrinal issues Satan at war against God: compromise aids Satan True path of peace with God: no compromise, retreat or surrender Sacrifice self—not the truth

17. I. Vv. 8-12 Duties to Each Other A. Vs. 12 God Hears Our Prayers “For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the LORD is against those who do evil.”

18. G OD H EARS O UR P RAYERS ! “ For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the LORD is against those who do evil.” Pray at any and all times God rejects prayer if we serve two masters—(elder, preacher, world, Satan), etc.) God’s eyes a comfort or fear

19. I. 3:13-17 … Duties in Time of Persecution

20. “ And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” 1 Peter 3:13,14

21. “ But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.” 1 Peter 3:15

22. “ Having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” 1 Peter 3:16,17

23. I. Vv. 13-17-- Duties in Time of Persecution A. Vs. 13,14 Not Afraid: They Cannot Destroy Our Salvation

24. N OT A FRAID : T HEY C ANNOT D ESTROY O UR S ALVATION “ And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” Minor, temporary wounds: falsely accuse, throw rocks, sue, burn, kill No ultimate harm—happy in the end! Zealous to do right, not intimidated

25. I. Vv. 13-17-- Duties in Time of Persecution A. Vs. 15-17 Answer Unbelievers by Word and Life

26. A NSWER U NBELIEVERS B Y W ORD AND L IFE “ But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.” Reaction reflects fearless faith exalting Christ as Deity Prepare to answer questions, challenges Firm yet, gentle, humble, reverent

27. A NSWER U NBELIEVERS B Y W ORD AND L IFE “ Having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” Reinforce the truth by good conduct Evil conduct undermines the truth

28. I.Vv. 18-22-- Duty to Follow Example of Christ

29. “ For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison.” 1 Peter 3:18,19

30. “ Who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.” 1 Peter 3:20

31. “ There is also an antitype which now saves us--baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 3:21

32. “ Who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.” 1 Peter 3:22

33. I.Vv. 18-22-- Duty to Follow Example of Christ A. Vs. 18, 22 Faithful in Service and in Persecution—Raised and Rewarded!

34. F AITHFUL IN S ERVICE AND IN P ERSECUTION —R AISED AND R EWARDED “ For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit... who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.” Suffered and died to save us Raise and rewarded

35. I.Vv. 18-22-- Duty to Follow Example of Christ A. Vs. 18-20 God’s Patience and Judgment

36. G OD ’ S P ATIENCE AND J UDGMENT “ For Christ…but made alive by the Spirit... by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison; who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.” In unison with the Spirit, Christ “preached” through Noah Judgment came: a few saved by water

37. I.Vv. 18-22-- Duty to Follow Example of Ch rist A. Vs. 21 Baptism Does Now Also Save Us

38. B APTISM N OW S AVES U S “ There is also an antitype which now saves us-- baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” In this time of God’s patience: preach, suffer—a few will be saved Baptism saves: appeal for cleansing of the conscience Power in resurrected Savior not water

39. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY? Baptism doth also NOW save us Baptism doth also NOT save us

40. I.Vv. 18-22-- Duty to Follow Example of Christ A. Vs. 22 Exalt Christ as Our Example, Savior and King

41. E XALT C HRIST AS O UR E XAMPLE, S AVIOR AND K ING “ Who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.” On His throne at God’s right hand: the church is His kingdom on earth His glory and power above all others

42. T HE E YES OF THE L ORD … Invitation 1. “The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous” Satan afflicts, discourages from duty Duty not changed in time of trial

43. T HE E YES OF THE L ORD … Invitation 1. “The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous” Great encouragement if right with God Great Fear if not right with God!

44. Invitation 2. God watches over us, teaching us to fulfill our duties Vv. 8-12 Duties to each other Vv. 13-17 Duties in time of persecution Vv. 18-22 Duty to follow example of Christ

45. Invitation 3. Judgment Follows God’s Patience Christ frees sinners from bondage to Satan: Believe, Repent, Confess Christ, Submit to Baptism Christ frees saints taken captive again: Repentance, Confess sin and Prayer