1 Peter: God’s Pilgrim People in a Hostile World – Unity, Love, Humility, Blessing

Peter Barnes | 1 Peter 3:8-9

SERMON  NOTES
UNITY, LOVE, HUMILITY, BLESSING
1 Peter 3:8-9

Peter has been dealing with Christians living as subjects to the civil powers (2:13-17), as slaves (2:18-25), and as wives (3:1-6) and husbands (3:7). When he says ‘finally’ in verse 8, he means that this section is nearly finished.

1. We are to have unity of mind.

– 3:8. ‘Unity of mind’ is better than the NIV’s ‘live in harmony’. Phil.2:2; not necessarily identical beliefs in every respect – Rom.14:1-6.

May the mind of Christ my Saviour

Live in me from day to day,

By His love and power controlling

All I do and say (Katie Wilkinson).

2. We are to be loving.

(a) we are to enter into the feelings of another – Rom.12:15. Christ Himself does this – Heb.4:15.

(b) we are to show brotherly love. John 13:34-35. .

(c) we are to reveal a tender heart. Luke 10:33; Job 29:11-16; Eph.4:32.

3. We are to cultivate a humble mind.

– William Cowper: For Thou, within no walls confined,/ Inhabitest the humble mind. See Phil.2:5-7.

4. We are not to repay evil but to bless.

– 3:9. The emphasis on unity, love and humility in verse 8 is lived out in a hostile environment in verse 9.

– Luke 6:27-28. Paul echoes this in Rom.12:14; 1 Cor.4:12.