The Good Life: Loving God’s People

1 Peter 1:22-2:3

Ingredients of the Good Life

• Hope (1:13)• Holiness (1:14-21)• Love (1:22-2:3)• Worship (2:4-10)• Witness (2:9-12)• Submission (2:11-3:12)

Love God’s People

• philadelphia – brotherly/familial love

Love God’s People

• philadelphia – brotherly/familial love

• agape – God’s love within the Trinity & for us– devoted, unconditional love expressed in

self-sacrificeJohn 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.”

Love God’s People

• philadelphia – brotherly/familial love

• agape– God’s love within the Trinity & for us– devoted, unconditional love expressed in

self-sacrifice– based on a choice, not a feeling– “enduring”1 Corinthians 13:7–8a

[Love] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails…

Love God’s People

• philadelphia – brotherly/familial love

• agape – God’s love within the Trinity & for us– devoted, unconditional love expressed in

self-sacrifice– based on a choice, not a feeling– “enduring”– “sincere… from the heart”

Love God’s People

• Prerequisite (v22a): belief in the gospel• Motivation (v23-25): these

relationships are forever!–1st birth: • of mortal flesh & blood• therefore, creates a temporary family

–2nd birth:• of the eternal Word• therefore, creates an eternal family

Love God’s People

• Prerequisite (v22a): belief in the gospel

• Motivation (v23-25): these relationships are forever!

• How to grow in love (2:1-3)–Lay aside what spoils love• malice• deceit• hypocrisy

Romans 12:9–10 Let love (agape) be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love (philadelphia); outdo one another in showing honor…

Love God’s People

• Prerequisite (v22a): belief in the gospel

• Motivation (v23-25): these relationships are forever!

• How to grow in love (2:1-3)–Lay aside what spoils love• malice• deceit• hypocrisy• envy• slander/gossip

Love God’s People

• Prerequisite (v22a): belief in the gospel

• Motivation (v23-25): these relationships are forever!

• How to grow in love (2:1-3)–Lay aside what spoils love–Long for what grows love: God’s

Word

Love God’s People

• What do you need to lay aside?• malice• deceit• hypocrisy• envy• slander/gossip

• Are you drinking regularly from God’s Word?– Join a small group! – Adult Bible Fellowships; Homechurch