I Peter 3:13 - We may be persecuted, but no one can truly harm us when we follow God’s commands.

I Peter 3:16-17. A similar sentiment is repeated here regarding not giving others the opportunity to speak evil of us.

I Peter 3:21. Baptism is connected to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

We went and made proclamation…

I Peter 3:19

How can all of these qualities combined in one person be used to help someone caught in sin? (continued from last class)

Kindness

John 4:7-26 - Jesus speaks with the woman of Samaria

There is a kind way to help those who are struggling with sin.

Goodness

Hebrews 12:12-13 - Strengthening those who are weak is certainly a good act.

Faithfulness

II Peter 3:10 - Our faithfulness can make an impression on people as we remind them of the judgment to come.

Gentleness

Galatians 6:1 - We are specifically told to restore the lost in a spirit of gentleness.

Self-control

Titus 1:7-8 - Elders must specifically have self-control, but we should all work to have this quality.

Jude 1:1-11

Numbers 22-24 - Balaam and Balak

Not enough love for the truth.

II Thessalonians 2:10-12

Hypocrisy

Balaam loudly proclaimed his love for the truth, but then proceeded to work against what God instructed him to do.

Cast a stumbling block before God’s people by means of false doctrine, and that for personal gain.

Greed

In the beginning, Balaam started as a true prophet of God, but he ended up caught up in greed and hypocrisy.

Acts 26:9-11 - Paul speaks about his former days of persecuting Christians.

We don’t want to be in the category of people who are sincerely wrong!

People become sincerely wrong by following false standards of authority:

Conscience

Proverbs 14:12 - Paul lived with a good conscience even when persecuting Christians. God was the source of authority, not his conscience.

Wisdom of people

I Corinthians 2:4-5 - Our faith must rest on the power of God.

I Corinthians 1:18-20 - God will destroy the wisdom of this world.

Jeremiah 10:23

The majority

Matthew 7:13-14 - Many enter through the gate that leads to destruction.

Family tradition

Matthew 10:37

Galatians 1:13-14 - Paul was zealous for his ancestral traditions even though they were wrong.

People become sincerely right by following the Bible.

Galatians 1:1 - Paul was clear about where his teaching came from.

I Timothy 4:1-7 - Instructions for Timothy for sticking to sound doctrine.

I Timothy 6:1-5 - More warnings about sticking to sound doctrine.

II Timothy 2:15