a Happy Life Includes Doing Good (1 Peter 3:10-11)
Introduction:
1. In these verses Peter quoted a statement that David wrote many years earlier in Psalm 34:12-14. 2. The instructions in these passages applied to the people from the past who lived under the old covenant as well as those who now live under the new. 3. When Peter and David mentioned loving life and seeing good days, they were describing a happy life. 4. A happy life is no accident -- there are responsibilities. 5. Four responsibilities are mentioned. a. We must control our tongues. b. We must turn away from evil. c. We must do good. d. We must seek and pursue peace. 6. In our lesson we are concentrating on one of these responsibilities -- "a happy life includes doing good." 7. Let us begin by pointing out how . . .
Discussion:
I. THE SCRIPTURES PLAINLY TEACH US TO DO GOOD
A. Psalm 37:3 B. Hebrews 13:16 C. In addition to teaching us to do good, . . .
II. THE SCRIPTURES TEACH US WHEN WE ARE TO DO GOOD
A. In John 9:4 Jesus showed by His example when we are to do good. B. We learn from Galatians 6:10 that the Lord wants us to take advantage of opportunities that are presented to us. C. Now that we know that the Lord wants us to do good and we know when He wants us to do good, let us turn our attention to . . .
III. 6 PRINCIPLES THAT WILL MOTIVATE US TO DO GOOD
A. Principle #1: In 1 Thessalonians 1:3, a "labor of love" is mentioned. 1. God's love should motivate us to do good. 2. Love for God and love for our fellow man should be the driving force behind the good we do. 3. There is no profit in doing good without love (1 Corinthians 13:3). B. Principle #2: The good we do will influence others (Matthew 5:16). C. Principle #3: Doing good is one means by which we bear fruit. 1. Jesus showed in John 15:8 how important bearing fruit is. 2. According to Titus 3:14, there is a close relationship between doing good and being fruitful. 3. To be the Lord's disciples we must bear fruit, and doing good is one way we bear fruit. D. Principle #4: We will reap if we do not become weary (Galatians 6:9). E. Principle #5: Our labor is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58). F. Principle #6: God will not forget the good we do (Hebrews 6:10).
Conclusion:
1. The passages we have studied emphasize the importance of "doing good." 2. Let us always remember that "doing good" is one of the keys to living "a happy life."
