Honest Living—in spite of criticism

I Peter 2:9-12

I.                    Commit yourself to God I Peter 2:23, 4:19

a.       You know that God has a plan for your life

b.      You know that all things work together for your best

c.       You know that nothing can happen to you without God’s permission

d.      You know that God will take care of those who do you wrong

                                                               i.      Job—God giveth and God taketh away Job 2:10:

                                                             ii.      Joseph—you meant it for evil but God meant it for good Genesis 50:20

II.                 Make sure why you are being mistreated I Peter 4:15

a.       Are you an evil doer? Do you have a bad attitude?

b.      What character flaws in your life are causing you to be treated this way?

c.       Is it because of you or something that you are doing?

III.               Make sure that you have a clear conscience before God I Peter 3:16

a.       Is there unconfessed sin in your life?

b.      Are you living as you should?

c.       Is your life consistent?

IV.              Make sure your good will glorify God I Peter 2:12

a.       Turn the other cheek Matthew 5:39

b.      Heap coals of fire on their head Romans 12:19-21

c.       Invest in their lives -- Go the second mile Matthew 5:41

d.      Keep doing right and prove that your accusers are wrong and false

V.                 If your right be happy even though you are suffering I Peter 3:14

a.       Know that you are right with God

b.      Know that He is teaching you and molding you

c.       Know that He is trusting you with such a large problem I Corinthians 10:13

d.      Thank Him for the problem I Thessalonians 5:18

VI.              Have the same mind as Christ I Peter 2:21-24

a.       Think more of others than you do of yourself

b.      Give of yourself no matter how much it hurts

c.       Love in face of hatred