Living Humbly. Living in Harmony

REFLECTION QUOTES

“A Christian is a perfectly free lord of all, subject to none. A Christian is a perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject to all.”

~Martin Luther (1483-1546) in his treatise “On Christian Freedom”

“To live above with the saints we love
Oh, that will be glory;
but to live below with the saints we know
Well, that’s another story.”

~Source Unknown

“[The gospel] changes the way you see all of your life from Monday through Sunday, and it begins to help you understand how big the gospel is and the expanse of God’s heart.”

~David Kim, Executive Director of the Center for Faith & Work in Manhattan

“The gospel is not a doctrine of the tongue, but of life.”

~John Calvin (1509-1564), French theologian and pastor

“People who can’t control themselves control the people around them. When you rely on someone for a positive reflected sense of self, you invariably try to control him or her.”

~“Psychology Today” (May 2013)

“When I am in the cellar of affliction, I look for the Lord’s choicest wines.”

~Samuel Rutherford (c. 1600-1661), Scottish pastor and theologian

“Admit when you’re wrong. Shut up when you’re right.”

~Dr. John Gottman, professor of psychology and marriage expert

SERMON PASSAGE

1 Peter 2:13-17 & 3:1-12

Chapter 2

13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, 14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. 15 For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. 16 Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. 17 Honor all people…

Chapter 3

1 In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, 2 as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior. 3 Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; 4 but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. 5 For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands; 6 just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear.

7 You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.

8 To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; 9 not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. 10 For,

“The one who desires life, to love and see good days,
Must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.
11 “He must turn away from evil and do good;
He must seek peace and pursue it.

12 “For the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous,
And His ears attend to their prayer,
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”