Central Theme<\/strong><\/p>\nAs believers in Christ, we are called to humble ourselves, examine ourselves, and behave ourselves so that our conduct glorifies God and does not become a stumbling block to others.<\/p>\n
Introduction<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- The world watches how Christians live.<\/li>\n
- Our conduct either draws people toward Christ or pushes them away from Him.<\/li>\n
- Peter reminds believers to live honorably among unbelievers, even in difficult circumstances.<\/li>\n
- Christianity is not merely what we profess with our mouths, but what we display through our behavior.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nKey Thought:<\/strong>
\nBefore God can use us publicly, we must submit ourselves privately.\n\n- Humble Yourself<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Key Scriptures<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Matthew 18:1-4 – “Who is the greatest?”<\/li>\n
- Matthew 18:5-6 – Protecting the “little ones.”<\/li>\n
- Luke 17:1 – Temptations will come<\/li>\n
- Luke 17:1 – “Woe to the one through whom they come.”<\/li>\n
- Luke 22:22 – Judas’ betrayal<\/li>\n
- I Corinthians 8:9-12 – “But take care…”<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Main Points<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Greatness in God’s Kingdom Requires Humility<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
\n- Matthew 18:1-4 The disciples sought status; Jesus pointed to childlike humility.<\/li>\n
- Spiritual maturity is not measured by prominence but by surrender.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n- Our Behavior Affects Others<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
\n- Matthew 18:5-6 Jesus warned against causing “little ones” to stumble.<\/li>\n
- Luke 17:1 Temptation exists in the world, but we are accountable for how we influence others.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n- Judas Is a Warning Example<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
\n- Luke 22:22 God’s sovereign plan did not excuse Judas’s sinful choices.<\/li>\n
- Judas’ downfall was fueled by:\n
\n- Greed<\/li>\n
- Selfish ambition<\/li>\n
- Hypocrisy<\/li>\n
- Emotional isolation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Sin tolerated internally eventually manifests externally.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n- Christian Liberty Must Be Governed by Love<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
\n- I Corinthians 8:9-12 “Take care” how you use your freedom.<\/li>\n
- Wounding another believer’s conscience is ultimately a sin against Christ Himself.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Application Questions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Is my behavior helping others toward Christ or away from Him?<\/li>\n
- Have pride or selfish ambition quietly entered my heart?<\/li>\n
- Am I careless with the spiritual influence God has given me?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Transition Question: <\/strong>If humility guards our outward behavior, then what guards our inward condition?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Examine Yourself<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Key Scriptures<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- II Corinthians 13:5 – “Examine yourselves.”<\/li>\n
- Lamentations 3:40-42 – “Test and examine our ways.”<\/li>\n
- Galatians 6:3-4 – Testing one’s own actions<\/li>\n
- Galatians 6:7-8 – Reaping and sowing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Main Points<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Self-Examination Is a Spiritual Discipline<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
\n- 2 Corinthians 13:5 The Christian life requires honest reflection.<\/li>\n
- Lamentations 3:40-42 God calls us to evaluate our faith, motives, and actions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n- Pride Distorts Self-Perception<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
\n- Galatians 6:3-4: We often compare ourselves to others rather than to God’s standard.<\/li>\n
- Galatians 6:7-8 Spiritual arrogance blinds us to personal weakness.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n- What We Sow Determines What We Reap<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
\n- Sin has consequences.<\/li>\n
- Spiritual investment produces spiritual fruit.<\/li>\n
- Fleshly living eventually produces corruption.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n- Examination Leads to Restoration – <\/strong>Lamentations 3:40-42<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
\n- Lamentations calls people to examine themselves so they can return to God.<\/li>\n
- Conviction is not condemnation; it is an invitation back to fellowship.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Application Questions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- What spiritual habits am I sowing into daily?<\/li>\n
- Am I more focused on others’ faults than my own growth?<\/li>\n
- Is there anything in my life that needs repentance and restoration?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Transition Question: <\/strong>After humbling ourselves and examining ourselves, what should transformed living actually look like?<\/strong><\/p>\nIII. Behave Yourself<\/strong><\/p>\nKey Scriptures<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- I Timothy 4:12 – “Set the believers an example.”<\/li>\n
- Titus 2:7-8 – “Model of good works.”<\/li>\n
- I Peter 2:6-9 – Believers vs. unbelievers<\/li>\n
- Romans 10:8-11 – “Be not ashamed.”<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Main Points<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Believers Are Called to Be Examples<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
\n- I Timothy 4:12 Christianity is visible.<\/li>\n
- Our speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity should reflect Christ.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n- Godly Conduct Silences Opposition<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
\n- Titus 2:7-8 Titus teaches that sound behavior puts opponents to shame.<\/li>\n
- Integrity is one of the strongest testimonies a believer possesses.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n- Christians Are Distinct People<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
\n- I Peter 2:6-9 Peter describes believers as:\n
\n- A chosen generation<\/li>\n
- A royal priesthood<\/li>\n
- A holy nation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- We are called out of darkness to display God’s marvelous light.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n- Never Be Ashamed of the Gospel – <\/strong>Romans 10:8-11<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
\n- The Word must be in both our hearts and mouths.<\/li>\n
- Bold faith requires consistent behavior.<\/li>\n
- A compromised lifestyle weakens gospel witness.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Application Questions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Would others see Christ through my daily conduct?<\/li>\n
- Does my speech strengthen or weaken my testimony?<\/li>\n
- Am I boldly living for Christ without shame?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\nThree Calls for Every Believer<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Humble Yourself<\/strong> – Guard against pride and becoming a stumbling block.<\/li>\n
- Examine Yourself<\/strong> – Honestly, evaluate your spiritual condition.<\/li>\n
- Behave Yourself<\/strong> – Live as a visible example of Christ.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Closing Challenge<\/strong><\/p>\nThe Christian life is not perfected overnight, but believers must continually take care in their behavior. The world may never read the Bible, but they will read the lives of those who claim to follow Christ.<\/p>\n
Closing Scripture<\/strong><\/p>\nI Peter 2:12
\n“Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable…”\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Download Audio by Garry Floyd Scripture Reading: I Peter 2:12-25 \u00a0 Central Theme As believers in Christ, we are called to humble ourselves, examine ourselves, and behave ourselves so that our conduct glorifies God and does not become a stumbling block to others. Introduction The world watches how Christians live. Our conduct either draws people…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[119,32],"tags":[1427],"class_list":["post-95795","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-audio","category-sermon","tag-behavior"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":92574,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/conduct-that-is-worthy-of-the-gospel\/","url_meta":{"origin":95795,"position":0},"title":"Conduct That Is Worthy of the Gospel","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"December 14, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Download Audio Text: Philippians 1:25-30 \u00a0 I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The church at Philippi had long had a close relationship with Paul. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0This is where Lydia and the Philippian jailor had been converted (Acts 16) \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Philippi had frequently supported Paul, even when others did not - Philippians 4:15-17 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Paul wrote\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":57989,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/maintain-good-conduct\/","url_meta":{"origin":95795,"position":1},"title":"Maintain Good Conduct","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"January 14, 2005","format":false,"excerpt":"by Kent Heaton It would be hard to imagine how difficult it was for the early Christians to live under the rule of Nero, emperor of Rome. Peter's first epistle is considered to be written during the reign of one of the world's most corrupt and vicious rulers. It would\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2005\/01\/MaintainRight.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":36843,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/on-being-holy\/","url_meta":{"origin":95795,"position":2},"title":"On Being Holy","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"August 27, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Peter 1:13-16 \u00a0 I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0When you are in a competition, you are told \u201cDo your best.\u201d \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0It means we strive hard to achieve. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Yet, at the same time I know there are going to be times when I don\u2019t do my best. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I might be\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Audio"","block_context":{"text":"Audio","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/audio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":62969,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/a-lesson-from-history\/","url_meta":{"origin":95795,"position":3},"title":"A Lesson from History","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"August 12, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Peter 1:1-9 \u00a0 I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The year \u2014 A.D. 64 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A major fire breaks out in the city of Rome. Coincidently, the fire centered in the poorer sections of the city. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Many suspected Nero of ordering the burning to clear space for improvements and to remove\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Audio"","block_context":{"text":"Audio","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/audio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":51564,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/every-good-work\/","url_meta":{"origin":95795,"position":4},"title":"Every Good Work","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"August 14, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 111 \u00a0 I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0From the beginning, God has given men work to do \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Adam was to care for the garden - Genesis 2:15; 3:17-18 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0As Christians, we are commanded to work - I Thessalonians 4:11 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0We are being disobedient if we do not work -\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Audio"","block_context":{"text":"Audio","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/audio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":41622,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/saint-or-sinner\/","url_meta":{"origin":95795,"position":5},"title":"Saint or Sinner?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"January 19, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 1 \u00a0 I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Would you describe yourself as a saint or a sinner? Or perhaps you see yourself as both. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0John Calvin, and his followers, believe that God selects those who are saved. Once selected, that person cannot be removed from God\u2019s saving hand. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0We\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Audio"","block_context":{"text":"Audio","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/audio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/95795","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=95795"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/95795\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=95795"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=95795"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=95795"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}