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Avoiding Church Splits
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. For
"He who would love life
And see good days,
Let him refrain his tongue from evil,
And his lips from speaking deceit.
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Avoiding Church Splits
Let him turn away from evil and do good;
Let him seek peace and pursue it.
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 3:8-12)
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Avoiding Church Splits
Having addressed the responsibilities of saints in their
relationship to civil government (2:13-17), to their masters (2:1825) and to their spouses (3:1-7), the apostle now addresses the
responsibilities of saints in their relationships to one another.
If we want to experience spiritual and numerical growth, we
must know how to get along with other saints, particularly those
with whom we regularly worship God.
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Things Necessary
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Proper Attitude
Proper Reaction
Proper Speech
Proper Pursuit
Proper Motive
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1. Proper Attitude
A. "Of one mind" - "Minding the same things" - We are all to
manifest this attitude.
B. "Compassion
onelive
another"
- "A fellow-feeling;"
to share
For thosefor
who
according
to the flesh
set
the
feelings
of others
whether
these
are joyful
painful;
to
their
minds
on the
things
of the
flesh,orbut
those
be sympathetic
who live according to the Spirit, the things of
the Spirit.
to who
be carnally
is death,
Rejoice
withFor
those
rejoice,minded
and weep
with
but towho
be spiritually
minded
is life and peace.
those
weep. (Rom.
12:15)
Because the carnal mind is enmity against
God; for it is not subject to the law of God,
nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in
the flesh cannot please God. (Rom. 8:5-8)
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1. Proper Attitude
A. "Of one mind" - "Minding the same things" - We are all to
manifest this attitude.
B. "Compassion for one another" - "A fellow-feeling;" to share
the feelings of others whether these are joyful or painful; to
be sympathetic
C. "Love as brothers" - "The special feeling which [those] of a
common parentage have for each other;" "human affection
and fondness;" "loving one another because we are now
related as fellow-members of God's family"
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1. Proper Attitude
A. "Of one mind" - "Minding the same things" - We are all to
manifest this attitude
B. "Compassion for one another" - "A fellow-feeling;" to share
the feelings of others whether these are joyful or painful; to
be sympathetic
C. "Love as brothers" - "The special feeling which [those] of a
common parentage have for each other;" "human affection
and fondness;" "loving one another because we are now
related as fellow-members of God’s family"
D. "Tenderhearted" - "Full of pity toward others"
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1. Proper Attitude
A. "Of one mind" - "Minding the same things" - We are all to
manifest this attitude
B. "Compassion for one another" - "A fellow-feeling;" to share
the feelings of others whether these are joyful or painful; to
be sympathetic
C. "Love as brothers" - "The special feeling which [those] of a
common parentage have for each other;" "human affection
and fondness;" "loving one another because we are now
related as fellow-members of God’s family"
D. "Tenderhearted" - "Full of pity toward others"
E. Courteous. “Humble-minded, having a modest opinion of
oneself;” “the opposite of arrogance and pride.”
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2. Proper Reaction
A. Not returning (“not giving back”)
1) Evil for evil. “A base or mean thing for a base or mean
thing.” Not necessarily moral evil; can refer to physical
evil.
2) Or reviling for reviling. “Verbal abuse for verbal abuse”
For to this you were called, because Christ
also suffered for us, leaving us an example,
that you should follow His steps:
"Who committed no sin,
Nor was deceit found in His mouth";
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2. Proper Reaction
A. Not returning (“not giving back”)
1) Evil for evil. “A base or mean thing for a base or mean
thing.” Not necessarily moral evil, but also physical evil.
2) Or reviling for reviling. “Verbal abuse for verbal abuse”
who, when He was reviled, did not revile in
return; when He suffered, He did not
threaten, but committed Himself to Him
who judges righteously; who Himself bore
our sins in His own body on the tree, that
we, having died to sins, might live for
righteousness--by whose stripes you were
healed. (1 Peter 2:21-23)
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2. Proper Reaction
A. Not returning (“not giving back”)
1) Evil for evil. “A base or mean thing for a base or mean
thing.” Not necessarily moral evil, but also physical evil.
2) Or reviling for reviling. “Verbal abuse for verbal abuse”
Now Jesus stood before the governor.
And the governor asked Him, saying, "Are
You the King of the Jews?" So Jesus said
to him, "It is as you say."
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2. Proper Reaction
A. Not returning (“not giving back”)
1) Evil for evil. “A base or mean thing for a base or mean
thing.” Not necessarily moral evil, but also physical evil.
2) Or reviling for reviling. “Verbal abuse for verbal abuse”
And while He was being accused by the
chief priests and elders, He answered
nothing. Then Pilate said to Him, "Do You
not hear how many things they testify
against You?" But He answered him not
one word, so that the governor marveled
greatly. (Matt. 27:11-14)
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2. Proper Reaction
A. Not returning (“not giving back”)
1) Evil for evil. “A base or mean thing for a base or mean
thing.” Not necessarily moral evil, but also physical evil.
2) Or reviling for reviling. “Verbal abuse for verbal abuse”
B. On the contrary blessing. “Speaking well of those who speak
ill of us, showing them active kindness ... and praying God’s
blessing upon them.”
"But I say to you, love your enemies, bless
those who curse you, do good to those who
hate you, and pray for those who spitefully
use you and persecute you" (Matt. 5:44).
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2. Proper Reaction
A. Not returning (“not giving back”)
1) Evil for evil. “A base or mean thing for a base or mean
thing.” Not necessarily moral evil, but also physical evil.
2) Or reviling for reviling. “Verbal abuse for verbal abuse”
B. On the contrary blessing. “Speaking well of those who speak
ill of us, showing them active kindness...and praying God’s
blessing upon them.”
And we labor, working with our own hands.
Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted,
we endure (1 Cor. 4:12)
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2. Proper Reaction
A. Not returning (“not giving back”)
1) Evil for evil. “A base or mean thing for a base or mean
thing.” Not necessarily moral evil, but also physical evil.
2) Or reviling for reviling. “Verbal abuse for verbal abuse”
B. On the contrary blessing. “Speaking well of those who speak
ill of us, showing them active kindness...and praying God’s
blessing upon them.”
C. Knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a
blessing.
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2. Proper Reaction
Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is
merciful.
"Judge not, and you shall not be judged.
Condemn not, and you shall not be
condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
Give, and it will be given to you: good measure,
pressed down, shaken together, and running
over will be put into your bosom. For with the
same measure that you use, it will be measured
back to you." (Luke 6:36-38)
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3. Proper Speech
A. Let him refrain, or “stop the tendency of” his tongue from
evil, i.e., “all perverse speaking.”
B. Let him refrain, or “stop the tendency of” his lips from
speaking deceit.
These six things the Lord hates,
Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
A proud look,
A lying tongue,
Hands that shed innocent blood,
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3. Proper Speech
A. Let him refrain, or “stop the tendency of” his tongue from
evil, i.e., “all perverse speaking.”
B. Let him refrain, or “stop the tendency of” his lips from
speaking deceit.
A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that are swift in running to evil,
A false witness who speaks lies,
And one who sows discord among brethren.
(Prov. 6:16-19)
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3. Proper Speech
A. Let him refrain, or “stop the tendency of” his tongue from
evil, i.e., “all perverse speaking.”
B. Let him refrain, or “stop the tendency of” his lips from
speaking deceit.
This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord,
that you should no longer walk as the rest of
the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind,
having their understanding darkened, being
alienated from the life of God, because of the
ignorance that is in them, because of the
blindness of their heart; who, being past
feeling, have given themselves over to
lewdness, to work all uncleanness with
greediness. (Eph. 4:17-19)
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3. Proper Speech
A. Let him refrain, or “stop the tendency of” his tongue from
evil, i.e., “all perverse speaking.”
B. Let him refrain, or “stop the tendency of” his lips from
speaking deceit.
But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed
you have heard Him and have been taught by
Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off,
concerning your former conduct, the old man
which grows corrupt according to the deceitful
lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
and that you put on the new man which was
created according to God, in true
righteousness and holiness. (Eph. 4:20-24)
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3. Proper Speech
A. Let him refrain, or “stop the tendency of” his tongue from
evil, i.e., “all perverse speaking.”
B. Let him refrain, or “stop the tendency of” his lips from
speaking deceit.
Therefore, putting away lying, "Let each one
of you speak truth with his neighbor," for we
are members of one another. "Be angry, and
do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your
wrath, nor give place to the devil. (Eph. 4:2527)
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3. Proper Speech
A. Let him refrain, or “stop the tendency of” his tongue from
evil, i.e., “all perverse speaking.”
B. Let him refrain, or “stop the tendency of” his lips from
speaking deceit.
Let no corrupt word proceed out of your
mouth, but what is good for necessary
edification, that it may impart grace to the
hearers.... Let all bitterness, wrath, anger,
clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you,
with all malice. (Eph. 4:29, 31)
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3. Proper Speech
A. Let him refrain, or “stop the tendency of” his tongue from
evil, i.e., “all perverse speaking.”
B. Let him refrain, or “stop the tendency of” his lips from
speaking deceit.
But now you yourselves are to put off all
these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy
language out of your mouth. (Col. 3:8)
Let your speech always be with grace,
seasoned with salt, that you may know how you
ought to answer each one. (Col. 4:6)
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3. Proper Speech
A. Let him refrain, or “stop the tendency of” his tongue from
evil, i.e., “all perverse speaking.”
B. Let him refrain, or “stop the tendency of” his lips from
speaking deceit.
So then, my beloved brethren, let every man
be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;
for the wrath of man does not produce the
righteousness of God.... If anyone among you
thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his
tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's
religion is useless. (James 1:19-20, 26)
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3. Proper Speech
A. Let him refrain, or “stop the tendency of” his tongue from
evil, i.e., “all perverse speaking.”
B. Let him refrain, or “stop the tendency of” his lips from
speaking deceit.
My brethren, let not many of you become
teachers, knowing that we shall receive a
stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many
things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he
is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole
body. Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths
that they may obey us, and we turn their whole
body. (James 3:1-3)
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3. Proper Speech
A. Let him refrain, or “stop the tendency of” his tongue from
evil, i.e., “all perverse speaking.”
B. Let him refrain, or “stop the tendency of” his lips from
speaking deceit.
Look also at ships: although they are so large
and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned
by a very small rudder wherever the pilot
desires. Even so the tongue is a little member
and boasts great things. See how great a
forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a
fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set
among our members that it defiles the whole
body, and sets on fire the course of nature;
and it is set on fire by hell. (James 3:4-6)
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3. Proper Speech
A. Let him refrain, or “stop the tendency of” his tongue from
evil, i.e., “all perverse speaking.”
B. Let him refrain, or “stop the tendency of” his lips from
speaking deceit.
For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and
creature of the sea, is tamed and has been
tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the
tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly
poison. With it we bless our God and Father,
and with it we curse men, who have been made
in the similitude of God. (James 3:7-9)
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3. Proper Speech
A. Let him refrain, or “stop the tendency of” his tongue from
evil, i.e., “all perverse speaking.”
B. Let him refrain, or “stop the tendency of” his lips from
speaking deceit.
Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and
cursing. My brethren, these things ought not
to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water
and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig
tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine
bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt
water and fresh. (James 3:10-12)
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3. Proper Speech
A. Let him refrain, or “stop the tendency of” his tongue from
evil, i.e., “all perverse speaking.”
B. Let him refrain, or “stop the tendency of” his lips from
speaking deceit.
"But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable,
murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers,
idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the
lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which
is the second death." (Rev. 21:8)
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4. Proper Pursuit
A. Let him:
1. turn away from evil.
2. do good.
Depart from evil, and do good;
And dwell forevermore. (Psalm 37:27)
Nevertheless the solid foundation of God
stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows
those who are His," and, "Let everyone
who names the name of Christ depart from
iniquity." (2 Tim. 2:19)
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4. Proper Pursuit
A. Let him:
1. turn away from evil.
2. do good.
For the grace of God that brings salvation
has appeared to all men, teaching us that,
denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we
should live soberly, righteously, and godly
in the present age, looking for the blessed
hope and glorious appearing of our great
God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave
Himself for us, that He might redeem us
from every lawless deed and purify for
Himself His own special people, zealous
for good works. (Titus 2:11-14)
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4. Proper Pursuit
A. Let him:
1. turn away from evil.
2. do good.
For we must all appear before the
judgment seat of Christ, that each one
may receive the things done in the body,
according to what he has done, whether
good or bad. (2 Cor. 5:10)
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4. Proper Pursuit
A. Let him:
1. turn away from evil.
2. do good.
"When the Son of Man comes in His
glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then
He will sit on the throne of His glory. All
the nations will be gathered before Him,
and He will separate them one from
another, as a shepherd divides his sheep
from the goats. And He will set the sheep
on His right hand, but the goats on the
left.
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4. Proper Pursuit
A. Let him:
1. turn away from evil.
2. do good.
"Then the King will say to those on His
right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My
Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for
you from the foundation of the world: for I
was hungry and you gave Me food; I was
thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a
stranger and you took Me in; I was naked
and you clothed Me; I was sick and you
visited Me; I was in prison and you came to
Me.'
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4. Proper Pursuit
A. Let him:
1. turn away from evil.
2. do good.
"Then the righteous will answer Him,
saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry
and feed You, or thirsty and give You
drink? When did we see You a stranger
and take You in, or naked and clothe You?
Or when did we see You sick, or in prison,
and come to You?' And the King will
answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say
to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the
least of these My brethren, you did it to
Me.'
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4. Proper Pursuit
A. Let him:
1. turn away from evil.
2. do good.
"Then He will also say to those on the left
hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into
the everlasting fire prepared for the devil
and his angels: for I was hungry and you
gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you
gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you
did not take Me in, naked and you did not
clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did
not visit Me.'
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4. Proper Pursuit
A. Let him:
1. turn away from evil.
2. do good.
"Then they also will answer Him, saying,
'Lord, when did we see You hungry or
thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in
prison, and did not minister to You?' Then
He will answer them, saying, 'Assuredly, I
say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to
one of the least of these, you did not do it
to Me.' And these will go away into
everlasting punishment, but the righteous
into eternal life." (Matt. 25:31-46 )
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4. Proper Pursuit
A. Let him:
1. turn away from evil.
2. do good.
B. Seek peace and pursue it.
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4. Proper Pursuit
A. Let him:
1. turn away from evil.
2. do good.
B. Seek peace and pursue it. He is to “seek peace” because it is
not always apparent.
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4. Proper Pursuit
A. Let him:
1. turn away from evil.
2. do good.
B. Seek peace and pursue it. He is to “seek peace” because it is
not always apparent. Once seen, it is only possessed by
diligent pursuit.
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what
is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly
affectionate to one another with brotherly
love, in honor giving preference to one
another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in
spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope,
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4. Proper Pursuit
A. Let him:
1. turn away from evil.
2. do good.
B. Seek peace and pursue it. He is to “seek peace” because it is
not always apparent. Once seen, it is only possessed by
diligent pursuit.
patient in tribulation, continuing
steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the
needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and
do not curse. Rejoice with those who
rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
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4. Proper Pursuit
A. Let him:
1. turn away from evil.
2. do good.
B. Seek peace and pursue it. He is to “seek peace” because it is
not always apparent. Once seen, it is only possessed by
diligent pursuit.
Be of the same mind toward one another.
Do not set your mind on high things, but
associate with the humble. Do not be wise
in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for
evil. Have regard for good things in the
sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as
depends on you, live peaceably with all
men. (Rom. 12:9-18)
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5. Proper Motive
A. The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are
open to their prayers.
1. The eyes of the Lord are directed in a favorable sense for
the good of those that are righteous.
2. God’s ears are open to their prayers. He hangs on every
word when a righteous person prays.
B. The face of the Lord is against those who do evil.
One who turns away his ear from hearing
the law, Even his prayer is an abomination.
(Prov. 28:9)
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Personal Evaluation
Are the eyes of the Lord on you?
Are His ears open to your prayers?
Or is His face against you?
Are you fulfilling your duties to your brethren?
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