March 2, 2025 • 33 mins
Basic Bible Study: Key Qualities of Church Conduct (Based on 1 Peter 3:8-9)
Basic Bible Study: Key Qualities of Church Conduct (Based on 1 Peter 3:8-9)
Key Qualities of Church Conduct (Based on 1 Peter 3:8-9)
This teaching explores the essential qualities of church conduct as outlined in 1 Peter 3:8-9, emphasizing key points such as:
• The importance of unity and being of one mind within the church.
• The significance of compassion, love, and tenderness among believers.
• The need to avoid returning evil for evil and slander.
• The call to bless others, even those who persecute or insult us.
Chapter Marker
00:00 Key qualities of church conduct
11:05 - Compassion: sharing others' feelings
15:16 - Brotherly love for fellow believers
21:07 - Humbleness is essential
25:22 - Do not repay evil for evil
34:16 - Reference: Colossians 3:12-15
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Today I want to share with you guys key qualities of
church conduct.
These essential qualities arebasically characteristics that
we, as Christians, as believers,we are required, commanded and
called to display in our conduct, in our day-to-day interaction
(00:25):
with people and how we treatpeople.
We're going to look at 1 Peter,chapter 3, verses 8 and 9.
It says, finally, all of you beof one mind, having compassion
for one another, havingcompassion for one another, love
(00:46):
as brothers, be tender-hearted,be cautious Verse 9, not
returning evil for evil orreviving for reviving, but, on
the contrary, blessing, knowingthat you were called to this,
(01:09):
that you may inherit a blessing.
We're going to look at what weare to be as a church.
Secondly, we're going to lookat what we are not to do as a
church.
And, lastly, what we are to doas a church.
Let's look at what we are to beas a church.
Look what it says in 1 Peter, 3, verse 8.
(01:34):
Finally, all of you be of onemind.
See, here is an instructiongiven to us as the church, what
we ought to be.
And the first instruction thatis given here, that you and I we
ought to be as a church, is allof you be of one mind, all of
(02:00):
you.
That is why I use the wordchurch.
It's not just for individualChristians.
This instruction is for theentire church, the entire body
of Christ, the church in Asia,the church in Africa.
No one is excluded fromobserving this instruction for
us to be of one mind.
(02:20):
Because it says all of you beof one mind.
What does that mean to be ofone mind?
Because it says all of you beof one mind.
What does that mean to be ofone mind?
To be of one mind is prettymuch, uh, in a sense of unity,
unity based on, on being of thesame mind or thoughts.
It means that you and I, we, weshould be, we as a church, we
(02:44):
should be in one accord.
Oneness in our thinking, youknow, oneness in our spirits.
Agreement among the church.
We think alike because we haveone scripture, which is the
Bible, and the Bible influencesour thoughts.
So that is why, as long as youare a child of God, you are part
(03:06):
of the body of Christ, you'repart of the church, and because
we are part of the church, weare being instructed to be of
one mind, all of us, includingthe pastors.
Look what it says in Ephesians,chapter 4, verse 4 to 6.
Powerful.
There is one body and onespirit, just as you were called
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in one hope of your calling.
One Lord, one faith, onebaptism, one God and the father
of all, who is above all andthrough all and in you all.
We have to be In one mind, allof us, and the reasons are
(03:50):
listed here In Ephesians,chapter 4.
Verse 4 to 6.
Because we are one body, there'sonly one Christ, one savior,
one Lord.
We are Pieces in the body ofChrist.
We are, are pieces in the bodyof Christ, we are parts of the
(04:12):
body of Christ, and Jesus isthat body that we are all
connected to.
So we are one body, oneorganization, one big divine
kingdom family.
We are one spirit.
The same Holy Spirit that worksin me is the same Holy Spirit
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that works in you as well.
So we have one spirit, we haveone spirit, and that is the Holy
Spirit, the same spirit thatresurrected Jesus from the grave
.
We have that same Spirit of Godindwelling us, indwelling you
as a child of God.
So we have one Spirit, not many, many Spirits in each of us.
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No one Spirit that is sopowerful to indwell all of us at
the same time, anywhere,everywhere, anyone, as long as
you believe in Jesus Christ.
So, just as we are called inone hope of our calling, our
calling is one One Lord, onemaster, one faith, one baptism,
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one God.
We don't have multiple gods.
We don't have multiple gods, wedon't serve multiple gods.
So that is why there has to beagreement, unity in the body of
christ, no matter your race,your gender, your economical
status.
We are being instructed, all ofus, to be of one mind.
(05:44):
Let let's continue.
Look what it says in Romans,chapter 12, verse 16.
Be of the same mind toward oneanother.
Do not set your mind on highthings, but associate with the
humble.
Do not be wise in your ownopinion.
So what we see here, the focusis really on being in one mind.
(06:04):
And I'm asking myself why is itthat we're finding it very hard,
as a church, to be in one mind?
Because our view of thescripture, which is the truth of
God, would shape and determineour mind, our mindset, our
thoughts.
That is why we have to startwith the scripture to be the
basis, to be the source of ourtruth.
(06:27):
So we don't have diverseopinions or diverse beliefs.
We only have one truth, onefaith, one scripture, one belief
, one doctrine.
And that is possible when allof us get back to the foundation
, get back to study the truth ofthe word of God and allow the
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Holy Spirit to reveal the truthof the word of God, so that way
our minds can be influenced andwe all can be of one mind.
Paul is saying that be of thesame mind toward one another,
especially when it comes to ourfaith.
We have to be of one mind toone another, especially when it
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comes to our faith.
We have to be of one mind toone another, the things that we
have been taught in thescripture.
As a church, we have to thinkin that direction.
We all have to seek theinterest of God.
We all have to seek thethoughts of God, the will of God
.
This is all what it means to beof one mind when we are all in
agreement, when we are all inthat same direction of the truth
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, when we are all, when we allpossess the view of God on
matters of life, when we allpossess the value system of God
according to his word thatshapes our thoughts and our
beliefs.
Romans, chapter 15, verse 6,gives you and I the reason why
we are to be of one mind becauseit glorifies God, the father of
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our Lord Jesus Christ.
When we think alike, when wespeak alike as a church, it
brings glory to God.
Look what it says in firstCorinthians, 1, verse 10.
Now I plead with you, brethren,by the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ, that you all speak thesame thing and that there be no
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divisions among you, but thatyou be perfectly joined together
in the same mind and in thesame judgment.
Perfectly joined together inthe same mind and in the same
judgment.
Yes, again, this is a big theme,especially in the New Testament
calling the body of Christ tobe of one mind, calling upon the
body of Christ, especially atthis time, that we find
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ourselves to be of one mind andone mouth and not to cause
division.
Philippians, chapter three,verse 16.
Nevertheless, to the degreethat we have already attained,
let us walk by the same rule.
Let us be of the same mind.
(08:58):
Wow, again, this theme of beinglike-minded, having the same
mind, is all over the NewTestament and it's very, very
significant for you and I, as achurch, to be of one mind,
because the Bible says in theOld Testament can two work
together except they agree?
We have to be of one mind, wehave to be of one spirit, we
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have to be of one mouth, and theother point that we're going to
look at that you and I, weought to be of one spirit, we
have to be of one mouth and theother points that we're going to
look at that you and I we oughtto be as as a church is having
compassion for one another.
Having compassion for oneanother means sharing the
feelings of others.
It could be feelings of sorrowof what you're going through.
(09:45):
Having compassion for oneanother as a church can also
mean showing understanding.
You understand that we are weak.
We understand that we need tobe strengthened.
We understand that we stillhave our flaws.
We understand that we stillhave our flaws.
(10:06):
Showing understanding andsharing the feelings of people
this is what it means to havecompassion for one another.
Look what it says in Psalms 103,verse 13 to 14.
As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who
(10:29):
fear him, for he knows our frame.
He remembers that we are dust.
Yes, god shows greaterunderstanding of how weak, how
frail we are.
God knows our frame, that weare dust, that we are nothing we
are.
God knows our frame, that weare dust, that we are nothing.
That is why God showscompassion and pity on us,
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especially for those who fearhim.
Zechariah, chapter 7, verse 9,.
It says Thou says the Lord ofhosts, execute true justice,
show mercy and compassioneveryone to his brother.
So this idea of havingcompassion to one another is
what we have been instructed tobe as a church Sharing the
feelings of people when they arehurting, when they are grieving
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, when they are in pain, showingunderstanding that you
understand that they can fall attimes.
Because you also can fall,people can make mistakes.
You extend grace and mercy tothem.
Look what it says in Matthew,chapter 18, verses 33 to 34.
Should you not also have hadcompassion on your fellow
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servant, just as I had pity onyou, and his master was angry
and delivered him to thetorturers until he should pay
all that was due to him?
This is a perfect example thatwhen we are showing compassion
(12:04):
by others from God, we shouldalso display compassion to those
that we come across.
We should also do unto othersas they have done unto us.
Another example of the goodSamaritan in Luke, chapter 10,
verse 33.
Of the good Samaritan in Luke,chapter 10, verse 33,.
(12:24):
But a certain Samaritan, as hejourneyed, came where he was and
when he saw him he hadcompassion.
You are able to have concern anda sense of care to come to the
rescue of people who are hurting, people who are grieving,
people who are in pain, peoplewho are in bad situations in
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life.
You are able to show compassion.
Romans, chapter 12, verse 15,.
It says rejoice with those whorejoice and weep with those who
weep, showing understanding ofpeople's situation.
You're able to apply wisdom torejoice with those who are
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rejoicing.
When you are with those who areweeping, you weep with them.
That is not time to rejoicewith them.
That is time to do what?
To weep with them.
That is not time to bringnon-essential matters to them.
You focus on the currentsituation, essential matters to
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them.
You focus on the currentsituation.
This is what it means to showunderstanding that you know what
people are going through andyou're able to respond
accordingly.
Another point is love asbrothers, being loving, loving
the brethren, especially in thebody of Christ.
Brotherly love characterized bylove for fellow believers.
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As brothers and sisters inGod's family, we are actually
called to love each other asbelievers.
The church should be a place oflove, where we love each other,
where we love our sisters inChrist, our brothers in Christ.
We love them with thatbrotherly affectionate love.
(14:13):
Look what it says in 1 Peter 1,verse 22.
Since you have purified yoursouls in obeying the truth
through the spirit and sincerelove of the brethren, love one
another fervently, with a pureheart.
That love is not just with theprofession of your mouth.
(14:35):
There has to be action thatgoes along with the expression
of your love for your brother inChrist, for your sister in
Christ.
That love has to be sincere.
That love has to be based onthe truth.
That love has to be from a pureheart.
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That love has to be from a pureheart, not with wrong motives
or ill intentions.
That's the type of love thatGod wants you and I to love each
other as brothers and sistersin the body.
Look what it says in 1 Peter 2,verse 17.
Honor all people, love thebrotherhood.
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Fear God, honor the king.
Romans, chapter 12, verse 10,states Be kindly affectionate to
one another with brotherly loveand honor, giving preferences
to one another.
We love one another.
We won't treat each other withpartiality.
We will love each other equally, without any favoritism,
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without any reservation.
In Hebrews, chapter 13, verse1,.
The Bible says let brotherlylove continue.
And Jesus gave a perfectexample when he says that this
is the proof that we are hisdisciples.
When people see that we loveone another in the church, when
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unbelievers, when they come tochurch, they see, they observe
not just us saying it, but theysee, based on our actions, how
we treat one another, they seelove, then they will know that
indeed we are the disciples ofJesus Christ.
They will know that God is ourFather, because God is love,
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very significant theme in theentire Bible when it comes to
love.
Love God first, love our familymembers, but now the focus is
loving the children of God inthe faith.
2 Peter, 1, verse 7, it says Togodliness, brotherly kindness,
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to brotherly kindness, love.
So Peter is saying that I wantyou to add all these magnificent
attributes Kindness, godlinessand brotherly love.
Let's look at 1 John, chapter 3, verse 14 to 15.
I read we know that we havepassed from death to life
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because we love the brethren.
Wow, he who does not love hisbrother abides in death.
Whoever hates his brother is amotherer, and you know that no
motherer has eternal lifeabiding in him.
So what we see here is acontrast between love and hate.
(17:31):
Love produces life, hateproduces death.
When you hate somebody, youwill have the chance of killing
them.
When you love somebody, youwant to give life to them.
You want to give life to them.
When you love somebody, whenyou truly love somebody, your
(17:53):
goal is not to kill them.
Your goal is to bring life tothem.
But when you hate somebody,your goal is not to give them
life, your goal is to kill them.
When we love one another, it'sa sign that we are living, but
when we hate one another, it's asign of death, because hate
does not produce life.
When you have hatred in yourheart, your heart is dying, but
(18:18):
when your heart is full of love,you are living.
So there's a connection betweenlove and life and also contrast
that with the connectionbetween hate and death.
So, if you want to die, keephating on people.
If you want to leave, keeploving people.
(18:39):
Look what it says in our finalreference 1 John, chapter 3,
verse 18.
My little children, let us notlove in word or in tongue, but
in deed and in truth.
We shouldn't express our lovefor one another in the body,
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just based on our profession,our work.
The Bible is saying that weshould also express, exercise
our love in action, in deed, andalso in truth, not in falsehood
or in pretense, but sincerelove, honesty, in truth.
(19:22):
We should love one anotherAnother point of what we are
called to be as a church To betender hearted.
To be tender hearted also meansto be compassionate, to be
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pitiful, the good bowels, thatinner feature known as the
bowels of being good.
Your heart is tender, yourheart is soft.
You have a soft spot to do goodto people.
Your heart is soft to love.
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Your heart is soft forcompassion.
Your heart is soft for care forothers, that good nature in you
.
Look what it says in Psalm 103,verse 13 to 14.
As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who
fear him.
As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who
fear him.
You have a soft spot for peoplewho are vulnerable, people who
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are weak.
You don't take advantage ofthem.
You're very calm.
Proverbs, chapter 28, verse 8,it says One who increases his
possessions by treasury andextortion, gathers it for him,
who will pity the poor?
(20:46):
When you have a tender heart,you don't treat people anyhow.
You have a soft spot for thevulnerable, for the weak, for
the young, for the old, for theoppressed.
James, chapter 5, verse 11,says Indeed, we count them
blessed who endure.
You have heard of theperseverance of Job and seen the
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end intended by the Lord, thatthe Lord is very compassionate
and merciful.
When Job was going through ahard time, god was tenderhearted
to restore Job back to life.
Ephesians, chapter 4, verse 32,states and be kind to one
another, tender-hearted,forgiving one another even as
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God and Christ forgave you.
So these are all instructionsin the Bible Brotherly love one
another, to be compassionate, tobe of one mind, to be tender
hearted.
We are called, we areinstructed, we are commanded To
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possess this awesome qualities.
As a church, everyone,including the ministers and the
members, we are all called to beof one mind, all called to love
each other as brothers andsisters in Christ, to be
tender-hearted.
We are all called to becompassionate.
(22:16):
The last point, as a church,where we ought to be humble,
humble-minded, marked by meek ormodest thoughts about oneself.
Humility is a wonderful traitthat we see exemplified in the
life of Jesus Christ, and thatis what God wants us to exercise
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to be humble.
God wants us to displayhumility.
God wants us to humbleourselves, not to think too
highly of ourselves and thinklowly of the brethren of the
faith.
Romans, chapter 12, verse 16,says Be of the same mind toward
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one another.
Do not set your mind on highthings, but associate with the
humble.
Do not be wise in your ownopinion.
You're humble.
You value the believers in thebody, you cherish them, you
honor them.
This is all part of beinghumble.
(23:25):
You don't think too highly ofyourself.
You're not too arrogant andproud.
When you're in church, whenyou're interacting, you're
humble.
You're able to treat everyonewith equal respect and dignity
and value and worth.
Now let's look at, as a church,what we ought not to do.
Not returning evil for evil,not paying back, not to repay,
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not to recompense.
God doesn't want us to do that.
God doesn't want us to pay backpeople for the hurt that they
have done to us.
God doesn't want us to pay backpeople for the hurt that they
have done to us.
Instead, god wants us torespond in the opposite way.
Proverbs 17, verse 13, saysWhoever rewards evil for good,
(24:17):
evil will not depart from hishouse.
So if you reward evil for good,evil will not depart from your
house If people are doing yougood when you treated them evil
and they're still doing you goodand you still respond by
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treating them evil, evil willnot depart from your house.
So we, as children of God, as achurch, we are not supposed to
do this.
We are not, definitely we arenot to return evil for good.
We also are not to return evilfor evil.
I know it's hard, you want topay back, you want to strike,
(25:02):
but because we are children ofGod, god wants us to be examples
.
God does not want us to returnevil for evil, but the opposite.
Matthew, chapter 18, verse 33 to34.
Should you not also have hadcompassion on your fellow
(25:29):
servant, just as I had pity onyou?
The master forgave this servantwho couldn't repay him, but
this servant could not havecompassion over his fellow
servant.
That's evil.
See 1 Thessalonians 5, verse 15.
(25:55):
See that no one renders evil forevil to anyone, but always
pursue what is good, both foryourselves and for all.
Wow, let me read that again.
See that no one renders evilfor evil to anyone, but always
pursue what is good both foryourself and for all.
(26:17):
Wow, even when people are evilto you.
We are instructed as a church,as individual Christians.
Not to repay people back, notto recompense, not to return,
not to render evil for evil,instead render good for evil.
(26:42):
And to ensure that when we arepursuing, instead render good
for evil.
And to ensure that when we arepursuing what is good not just
for ourselves but for all thosewho are in the body of faith,
and also unbelievers too,because we are called to extend
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grace and mercy romans, chapter12, verse 17 to 18 repair no one
evil for evil.
Have regard for good things inthe sight of all men.
If it's possible, as much asdepends on you, live peaceably
with all men, wow.
Again.
(27:27):
This is another theme in theBible that you and I.
We should not retaliate, weshould not take vengeance, we
should not revenge on people,even when they do us wrong.
We should not render, repay orrecompense evil for evil, but
instead we should do good to allmen, wow.
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And if possible, to livepeaceably with all men, wow.
Proverbs, chapter 20, verse 22.
Do not say I will recompenseevil.
Wait for the Lord and he willsave you.
Don't fight for yourself.
Be still and know that God is aGod of justice and is also a
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God of mercy.
He knows how to deal withpeople.
He knows how to deal withsituations.
But don't take it upon yourselfto recompense evil.
Allow God to do it, because youyourself, you will sin against
God in the process of doing itand you will also become wicked
(28:42):
and evil when you recompense,when you repay, when you render
evil for evil.
What we ought not to do as achurch, we are not to revile one
another.
That means to slander, toinsult, verbal abuse, abusive
words, words spoken falsely todamage someone's reputation,
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evil speech to bring reproach.
We are not supposed to do that.
Look what it says in 1Corinthians 4, verse 12-13.
And we label walking with ourown hands being reviled.
We bless being persecuted, weendure being defamed, we entreat
(29:33):
.
There are times when people aregoing to slander you, people are
going to gossip about you,people are going to verbally
abuse you.
They're going to say gonnagossip about you.
People are gonna verbally abuseyou.
They're gonna say false thingsabout you.
They're gonna try to ruin yourreputation, ruin your name.
We shouldn't repay back, weshouldn't speak insult to them,
(29:55):
we should let it go and allowgod to take control and we
should definitely not slandereach other as brothers and
sisters.
And finally, what we are to do?
On the contrary, how do werespond to what we're not
supposed to do?
(30:16):
We're not supposed to repayevil for evil, render evil for
evil, recompense evil for evilor insult those who insult us or
slander those who slander us.
We are not supposed to do thatas a church.
On the contrary, this is hard.
We are to do what we are calledand instructed to bless.
(30:39):
To bless in a sense of to speakwell of those who are speaking
negatively to you or about you,to praise, to be kind, to mean
well, to wish good to good.
(31:02):
This is all part of blessingthose who hurt you, those who
persecute you, those who slanderyou, those who abuse you.
It's hard.
Look what it says in Romans,chapter 12, verse 14.
Bless those who persecute you,bless and do not curse.
(31:22):
The king will say to those onhis right hand Come, you are
blessed of my father and narrowthe kingdom prepared for you
from the foundation of the world.
Look at Ephesians, chapter 4,verse 31.
Let all bitterness, wrath,anger, clamor and evil speaking
(31:43):
be put away from you with allmalice.
We should not be speaking evilabout one another.
To conclude, with everythingthat I've said, what you and I
we ought to be as a church, whatyou and I we ought to be as a
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church, what you and I we oughtnot to do as a church, and what
you and I we ought to do as achurch.
Let's look at Colossians 3,verse 12 to 15.
Therefore, as the elect of God,holy and beloved, put on tender
(32:28):
mercies, kindness, humility,meekness, long suffering.
These are all the instructionsthat we have read that we, as a
church, we need to becompassionate, humble, tender
hearted.
That we, as a church, we needto be compassionate, humble,
tender-hearted verse 13,.
(32:48):
Bearing one another andforgiving one another If anyone
has a complaint against another,even as Christ forgave you.
So you must also do Wow.
So you must also do Wow, butabove all these things, put on
love, which is the bond ofperfection, and let the peace of
(33:12):
God rule your hearts, to whichalso you were called in one body
, and be thankful.
This is my concluding wordbased on this verse.
This sums up everything that wehave read today, that we have
learned today.
God bless you, thank you.
Today I want to share with you guys key qualities of
church conduct.
These essential qualities arebasically characteristics that
we, as Christians, as believers,we are required, commanded and
called to display in our conduct, in our day-to-day interaction
(00:25):
with people and how we treatpeople.
We're going to look at 1 Peter,chapter 3, verses 8 and 9.
It says, finally, all of you beof one mind, having compassion
for one another, havingcompassion for one another, love
(00:46):
as brothers, be tender-hearted,be cautious Verse 9, not
returning evil for evil orreviving for reviving, but, on
the contrary, blessing, knowingthat you were called to this,
(01:09):
that you may inherit a blessing.
We're going to look at what weare to be as a church.
Secondly, we're going to lookat what we are not to do as a
church.
And, lastly, what we are to doas a church.
Let's look at what we are to beas a church.
Look what it says in 1 Peter, 3, verse 8.
(01:34):
Finally, all of you be of onemind.
See, here is an instructiongiven to us as the church, what
we ought to be.
And the first instruction thatis given here, that you and I we
ought to be as a church, is allof you be of one mind, all of
(02:00):
you.
That is why I use the wordchurch.
It's not just for individualChristians.
This instruction is for theentire church, the entire body
of Christ, the church in Asia,the church in Africa.
No one is excluded fromobserving this instruction for
us to be of one mind.
(02:20):
Because it says all of you beof one mind.
What does that mean to be ofone mind?
Because it says all of you beof one mind.
What does that mean to be ofone mind?
To be of one mind is prettymuch, uh, in a sense of unity,
unity based on, on being of thesame mind or thoughts.
It means that you and I, we, weshould be, we as a church, we
(02:44):
should be in one accord.
Oneness in our thinking, youknow, oneness in our spirits.
Agreement among the church.
We think alike because we haveone scripture, which is the
Bible, and the Bible influencesour thoughts.
So that is why, as long as youare a child of God, you are part
(03:06):
of the body of Christ, you'repart of the church, and because
we are part of the church, weare being instructed to be of
one mind, all of us, includingthe pastors.
Look what it says in Ephesians,chapter 4, verse 4 to 6.
Powerful.
There is one body and onespirit, just as you were called
(03:29):
in one hope of your calling.
One Lord, one faith, onebaptism, one God and the father
of all, who is above all andthrough all and in you all.
We have to be In one mind, allof us, and the reasons are
(03:50):
listed here In Ephesians,chapter 4.
Verse 4 to 6.
Because we are one body, there'sonly one Christ, one savior,
one Lord.
We are Pieces in the body ofChrist.
We are, are pieces in the bodyof Christ, we are parts of the
(04:12):
body of Christ, and Jesus isthat body that we are all
connected to.
So we are one body, oneorganization, one big divine
kingdom family.
We are one spirit.
The same Holy Spirit that worksin me is the same Holy Spirit
(04:32):
that works in you as well.
So we have one spirit, we haveone spirit, and that is the Holy
Spirit, the same spirit thatresurrected Jesus from the grave
.
We have that same Spirit of Godindwelling us, indwelling you
as a child of God.
So we have one Spirit, not many, many Spirits in each of us.
(04:54):
No one Spirit that is sopowerful to indwell all of us at
the same time, anywhere,everywhere, anyone, as long as
you believe in Jesus Christ.
So, just as we are called inone hope of our calling, our
calling is one One Lord, onemaster, one faith, one baptism,
(05:21):
one God.
We don't have multiple gods.
We don't have multiple gods, wedon't serve multiple gods.
So that is why there has to beagreement, unity in the body of
christ, no matter your race,your gender, your economical
status.
We are being instructed, all ofus, to be of one mind.
(05:44):
Let let's continue.
Look what it says in Romans,chapter 12, verse 16.
Be of the same mind toward oneanother.
Do not set your mind on highthings, but associate with the
humble.
Do not be wise in your ownopinion.
So what we see here, the focusis really on being in one mind.
(06:04):
And I'm asking myself why is itthat we're finding it very hard,
as a church, to be in one mind?
Because our view of thescripture, which is the truth of
God, would shape and determineour mind, our mindset, our
thoughts.
That is why we have to startwith the scripture to be the
basis, to be the source of ourtruth.
(06:27):
So we don't have diverseopinions or diverse beliefs.
We only have one truth, onefaith, one scripture, one belief
, one doctrine.
And that is possible when allof us get back to the foundation
, get back to study the truth ofthe word of God and allow the
(06:48):
Holy Spirit to reveal the truthof the word of God, so that way
our minds can be influenced andwe all can be of one mind.
Paul is saying that be of thesame mind toward one another,
especially when it comes to ourfaith.
We have to be of one mind toone another, especially when it
(07:09):
comes to our faith.
We have to be of one mind toone another, the things that we
have been taught in thescripture.
As a church, we have to thinkin that direction.
We all have to seek theinterest of God.
We all have to seek thethoughts of God, the will of God
.
This is all what it means to beof one mind when we are all in
agreement, when we are all inthat same direction of the truth
(07:30):
, when we are all, when we allpossess the view of God on
matters of life, when we allpossess the value system of God
according to his word thatshapes our thoughts and our
beliefs.
Romans, chapter 15, verse 6,gives you and I the reason why
we are to be of one mind becauseit glorifies God, the father of
(07:54):
our Lord Jesus Christ.
When we think alike, when wespeak alike as a church, it
brings glory to God.
Look what it says in firstCorinthians, 1, verse 10.
Now I plead with you, brethren,by the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ, that you all speak thesame thing and that there be no
(08:16):
divisions among you, but thatyou be perfectly joined together
in the same mind and in thesame judgment.
Perfectly joined together inthe same mind and in the same
judgment.
Yes, again, this is a big theme,especially in the New Testament
calling the body of Christ tobe of one mind, calling upon the
body of Christ, especially atthis time, that we find
(08:38):
ourselves to be of one mind andone mouth and not to cause
division.
Philippians, chapter three,verse 16.
Nevertheless, to the degreethat we have already attained,
let us walk by the same rule.
Let us be of the same mind.
(08:58):
Wow, again, this theme of beinglike-minded, having the same
mind, is all over the NewTestament and it's very, very
significant for you and I, as achurch, to be of one mind,
because the Bible says in theOld Testament can two work
together except they agree?
We have to be of one mind, wehave to be of one spirit, we
(09:22):
have to be of one mouth, and theother point that we're going to
look at that you and I, weought to be of one spirit, we
have to be of one mouth and theother points that we're going to
look at that you and I we oughtto be as as a church is having
compassion for one another.
Having compassion for oneanother means sharing the
feelings of others.
It could be feelings of sorrowof what you're going through.
(09:45):
Having compassion for oneanother as a church can also
mean showing understanding.
You understand that we are weak.
We understand that we need tobe strengthened.
We understand that we stillhave our flaws.
We understand that we stillhave our flaws.
(10:06):
Showing understanding andsharing the feelings of people
this is what it means to havecompassion for one another.
Look what it says in Psalms 103,verse 13 to 14.
As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who
(10:29):
fear him, for he knows our frame.
He remembers that we are dust.
Yes, god shows greaterunderstanding of how weak, how
frail we are.
God knows our frame, that weare dust, that we are nothing we
are.
God knows our frame, that weare dust, that we are nothing.
That is why God showscompassion and pity on us,
(10:57):
especially for those who fearhim.
Zechariah, chapter 7, verse 9,.
It says Thou says the Lord ofhosts, execute true justice,
show mercy and compassioneveryone to his brother.
So this idea of havingcompassion to one another is
what we have been instructed tobe as a church Sharing the
feelings of people when they arehurting, when they are grieving
(11:20):
, when they are in pain, showingunderstanding that you
understand that they can fall attimes.
Because you also can fall,people can make mistakes.
You extend grace and mercy tothem.
Look what it says in Matthew,chapter 18, verses 33 to 34.
Should you not also have hadcompassion on your fellow
(11:43):
servant, just as I had pity onyou, and his master was angry
and delivered him to thetorturers until he should pay
all that was due to him?
This is a perfect example thatwhen we are showing compassion
(12:04):
by others from God, we shouldalso display compassion to those
that we come across.
We should also do unto othersas they have done unto us.
Another example of the goodSamaritan in Luke, chapter 10,
verse 33.
Of the good Samaritan in Luke,chapter 10, verse 33,.
(12:24):
But a certain Samaritan, as hejourneyed, came where he was and
when he saw him he hadcompassion.
You are able to have concern anda sense of care to come to the
rescue of people who are hurting, people who are grieving,
people who are in pain, peoplewho are in bad situations in
(12:46):
life.
You are able to show compassion.
Romans, chapter 12, verse 15,.
It says rejoice with those whorejoice and weep with those who
weep, showing understanding ofpeople's situation.
You're able to apply wisdom torejoice with those who are
(13:06):
rejoicing.
When you are with those who areweeping, you weep with them.
That is not time to rejoicewith them.
That is time to do what?
To weep with them.
That is not time to bringnon-essential matters to them.
You focus on the currentsituation, essential matters to
(13:27):
them.
You focus on the currentsituation.
This is what it means to showunderstanding that you know what
people are going through andyou're able to respond
accordingly.
Another point is love asbrothers, being loving, loving
the brethren, especially in thebody of Christ.
Brotherly love characterized bylove for fellow believers.
(13:49):
As brothers and sisters inGod's family, we are actually
called to love each other asbelievers.
The church should be a place oflove, where we love each other,
where we love our sisters inChrist, our brothers in Christ.
We love them with thatbrotherly affectionate love.
(14:13):
Look what it says in 1 Peter 1,verse 22.
Since you have purified yoursouls in obeying the truth
through the spirit and sincerelove of the brethren, love one
another fervently, with a pureheart.
That love is not just with theprofession of your mouth.
(14:35):
There has to be action thatgoes along with the expression
of your love for your brother inChrist, for your sister in
Christ.
That love has to be sincere.
That love has to be based onthe truth.
That love has to be from a pureheart.
(14:56):
That love has to be from a pureheart, not with wrong motives
or ill intentions.
That's the type of love thatGod wants you and I to love each
other as brothers and sistersin the body.
Look what it says in 1 Peter 2,verse 17.
Honor all people, love thebrotherhood.
(15:17):
Fear God, honor the king.
Romans, chapter 12, verse 10,states Be kindly affectionate to
one another with brotherly loveand honor, giving preferences
to one another.
We love one another.
We won't treat each other withpartiality.
We will love each other equally, without any favoritism,
(15:41):
without any reservation.
In Hebrews, chapter 13, verse1,.
The Bible says let brotherlylove continue.
And Jesus gave a perfectexample when he says that this
is the proof that we are hisdisciples.
When people see that we loveone another in the church, when
(16:02):
unbelievers, when they come tochurch, they see, they observe
not just us saying it, but theysee, based on our actions, how
we treat one another, they seelove, then they will know that
indeed we are the disciples ofJesus Christ.
They will know that God is ourFather, because God is love,
(16:23):
very significant theme in theentire Bible when it comes to
love.
Love God first, love our familymembers, but now the focus is
loving the children of God inthe faith.
2 Peter, 1, verse 7, it says Togodliness, brotherly kindness,
(16:47):
to brotherly kindness, love.
So Peter is saying that I wantyou to add all these magnificent
attributes Kindness, godlinessand brotherly love.
Let's look at 1 John, chapter 3, verse 14 to 15.
I read we know that we havepassed from death to life
(17:11):
because we love the brethren.
Wow, he who does not love hisbrother abides in death.
Whoever hates his brother is amotherer, and you know that no
motherer has eternal lifeabiding in him.
So what we see here is acontrast between love and hate.
(17:31):
Love produces life, hateproduces death.
When you hate somebody, youwill have the chance of killing
them.
When you love somebody, youwant to give life to them.
You want to give life to them.
When you love somebody, whenyou truly love somebody, your
(17:53):
goal is not to kill them.
Your goal is to bring life tothem.
But when you hate somebody,your goal is not to give them
life, your goal is to kill them.
When we love one another, it'sa sign that we are living, but
when we hate one another, it's asign of death, because hate
does not produce life.
When you have hatred in yourheart, your heart is dying, but
(18:18):
when your heart is full of love,you are living.
So there's a connection betweenlove and life and also contrast
that with the connectionbetween hate and death.
So, if you want to die, keephating on people.
If you want to leave, keeploving people.
(18:39):
Look what it says in our finalreference 1 John, chapter 3,
verse 18.
My little children, let us notlove in word or in tongue, but
in deed and in truth.
We shouldn't express our lovefor one another in the body,
(19:00):
just based on our profession,our work.
The Bible is saying that weshould also express, exercise
our love in action, in deed, andalso in truth, not in falsehood
or in pretense, but sincerelove, honesty, in truth.
(19:22):
We should love one anotherAnother point of what we are
called to be as a church To betender hearted.
To be tender hearted also meansto be compassionate, to be
(19:42):
pitiful, the good bowels, thatinner feature known as the
bowels of being good.
Your heart is tender, yourheart is soft.
You have a soft spot to do goodto people.
Your heart is soft to love.
(20:04):
Your heart is soft forcompassion.
Your heart is soft for care forothers, that good nature in you
.
Look what it says in Psalm 103,verse 13 to 14.
As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who
fear him.
As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who
fear him.
You have a soft spot for peoplewho are vulnerable, people who
(20:25):
are weak.
You don't take advantage ofthem.
You're very calm.
Proverbs, chapter 28, verse 8,it says One who increases his
possessions by treasury andextortion, gathers it for him,
who will pity the poor?
(20:46):
When you have a tender heart,you don't treat people anyhow.
You have a soft spot for thevulnerable, for the weak, for
the young, for the old, for theoppressed.
James, chapter 5, verse 11,says Indeed, we count them
blessed who endure.
You have heard of theperseverance of Job and seen the
(21:09):
end intended by the Lord, thatthe Lord is very compassionate
and merciful.
When Job was going through ahard time, god was tenderhearted
to restore Job back to life.
Ephesians, chapter 4, verse 32,states and be kind to one
another, tender-hearted,forgiving one another even as
(21:33):
God and Christ forgave you.
So these are all instructionsin the Bible Brotherly love one
another, to be compassionate, tobe of one mind, to be tender
hearted.
We are called, we areinstructed, we are commanded To
(21:55):
possess this awesome qualities.
As a church, everyone,including the ministers and the
members, we are all called to beof one mind, all called to love
each other as brothers andsisters in Christ, to be
tender-hearted.
We are all called to becompassionate.
(22:16):
The last point, as a church,where we ought to be humble,
humble-minded, marked by meek ormodest thoughts about oneself.
Humility is a wonderful traitthat we see exemplified in the
life of Jesus Christ, and thatis what God wants us to exercise
(22:38):
to be humble.
God wants us to displayhumility.
God wants us to humbleourselves, not to think too
highly of ourselves and thinklowly of the brethren of the
faith.
Romans, chapter 12, verse 16,says Be of the same mind toward
(23:03):
one another.
Do not set your mind on highthings, but associate with the
humble.
Do not be wise in your ownopinion.
You're humble.
You value the believers in thebody, you cherish them, you
honor them.
This is all part of beinghumble.
(23:25):
You don't think too highly ofyourself.
You're not too arrogant andproud.
When you're in church, whenyou're interacting, you're
humble.
You're able to treat everyonewith equal respect and dignity
and value and worth.
Now let's look at, as a church,what we ought not to do.
Not returning evil for evil,not paying back, not to repay,
(23:54):
not to recompense.
God doesn't want us to do that.
God doesn't want us to pay backpeople for the hurt that they
have done to us.
God doesn't want us to pay backpeople for the hurt that they
have done to us.
Instead, god wants us torespond in the opposite way.
Proverbs 17, verse 13, saysWhoever rewards evil for good,
(24:17):
evil will not depart from hishouse.
So if you reward evil for good,evil will not depart from your
house If people are doing yougood when you treated them evil
and they're still doing you goodand you still respond by
(24:37):
treating them evil, evil willnot depart from your house.
So we, as children of God, as achurch, we are not supposed to
do this.
We are not, definitely we arenot to return evil for good.
We also are not to return evilfor evil.
I know it's hard, you want topay back, you want to strike,
(25:02):
but because we are children ofGod, god wants us to be examples
.
God does not want us to returnevil for evil, but the opposite.
Matthew, chapter 18, verse 33 to34.
Should you not also have hadcompassion on your fellow
(25:29):
servant, just as I had pity onyou?
The master forgave this servantwho couldn't repay him, but
this servant could not havecompassion over his fellow
servant.
That's evil.
See 1 Thessalonians 5, verse 15.
(25:55):
See that no one renders evil forevil to anyone, but always
pursue what is good, both foryourselves and for all.
Wow, let me read that again.
See that no one renders evilfor evil to anyone, but always
pursue what is good both foryourself and for all.
(26:17):
Wow, even when people are evilto you.
We are instructed as a church,as individual Christians.
Not to repay people back, notto recompense, not to return,
not to render evil for evil,instead render good for evil.
(26:42):
And to ensure that when we arepursuing, instead render good
for evil.
And to ensure that when we arepursuing what is good not just
for ourselves but for all thosewho are in the body of faith,
and also unbelievers too,because we are called to extend
(27:06):
grace and mercy romans, chapter12, verse 17 to 18 repair no one
evil for evil.
Have regard for good things inthe sight of all men.
If it's possible, as much asdepends on you, live peaceably
with all men, wow.
Again.
(27:27):
This is another theme in theBible that you and I.
We should not retaliate, weshould not take vengeance, we
should not revenge on people,even when they do us wrong.
We should not render, repay orrecompense evil for evil, but
instead we should do good to allmen, wow.
(27:55):
And if possible, to livepeaceably with all men, wow.
Proverbs, chapter 20, verse 22.
Do not say I will recompenseevil.
Wait for the Lord and he willsave you.
Don't fight for yourself.
Be still and know that God is aGod of justice and is also a
(28:21):
God of mercy.
He knows how to deal withpeople.
He knows how to deal withsituations.
But don't take it upon yourselfto recompense evil.
Allow God to do it, because youyourself, you will sin against
God in the process of doing itand you will also become wicked
(28:42):
and evil when you recompense,when you repay, when you render
evil for evil.
What we ought not to do as achurch, we are not to revile one
another.
That means to slander, toinsult, verbal abuse, abusive
words, words spoken falsely todamage someone's reputation,
(29:08):
evil speech to bring reproach.
We are not supposed to do that.
Look what it says in 1Corinthians 4, verse 12-13.
And we label walking with ourown hands being reviled.
We bless being persecuted, weendure being defamed, we entreat
(29:33):
.
There are times when people aregoing to slander you, people are
going to gossip about you,people are going to verbally
abuse you.
They're going to say gonnagossip about you.
People are gonna verbally abuseyou.
They're gonna say false thingsabout you.
They're gonna try to ruin yourreputation, ruin your name.
We shouldn't repay back, weshouldn't speak insult to them,
(29:55):
we should let it go and allowgod to take control and we
should definitely not slandereach other as brothers and
sisters.
And finally, what we are to do?
On the contrary, how do werespond to what we're not
supposed to do?
(30:16):
We're not supposed to repayevil for evil, render evil for
evil, recompense evil for evilor insult those who insult us or
slander those who slander us.
We are not supposed to do thatas a church.
On the contrary, this is hard.
We are to do what we are calledand instructed to bless.
(30:39):
To bless in a sense of to speakwell of those who are speaking
negatively to you or about you,to praise, to be kind, to mean
well, to wish good to good.
(31:02):
This is all part of blessingthose who hurt you, those who
persecute you, those who slanderyou, those who abuse you.
It's hard.
Look what it says in Romans,chapter 12, verse 14.
Bless those who persecute you,bless and do not curse.
(31:22):
The king will say to those onhis right hand Come, you are
blessed of my father and narrowthe kingdom prepared for you
from the foundation of the world.
Look at Ephesians, chapter 4,verse 31.
Let all bitterness, wrath,anger, clamor and evil speaking
(31:43):
be put away from you with allmalice.
We should not be speaking evilabout one another.
To conclude, with everythingthat I've said, what you and I
we ought to be as a church, whatyou and I we ought to be as a
(32:04):
church, what you and I we oughtnot to do as a church, and what
you and I we ought to do as achurch.
Let's look at Colossians 3,verse 12 to 15.
Therefore, as the elect of God,holy and beloved, put on tender
(32:28):
mercies, kindness, humility,meekness, long suffering.
These are all the instructionsthat we have read that we, as a
church, we need to becompassionate, humble, tender
hearted.
That we, as a church, we needto be compassionate, humble,
tender-hearted verse 13,.
(32:48):
Bearing one another andforgiving one another If anyone
has a complaint against another,even as Christ forgave you.
So you must also do Wow.
So you must also do Wow, butabove all these things, put on
love, which is the bond ofperfection, and let the peace of
(33:12):
God rule your hearts, to whichalso you were called in one body
, and be thankful.
This is my concluding wordbased on this verse.
This sums up everything that wehave read today, that we have
learned today.
God bless you, thank you.
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