Developing Response-Able Attitudes in the Family of God

This morning, we celebrated the profound truth that our children are gifts from God, entrusted to us for a season, and ultimately belonging to Him. As parents and as a church, we have the privilege and responsibility to create an environment where every child can encounter the gospel and come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior. This is not a passive calling; it is an active partnership between families and the church, marked by dedication, sacrifice, and a relentless commitment to the next generation. God has honored our faithfulness, and we see His trust in us reflected in the faces of these children and families.

But this responsibility extends beyond parenting. Scripture calls us to a life of sincere love, devotion, and honor within the family of believers. Paul’s rapid-fire commands in Romans 12 and Peter’s exhortations remind us that being part of God’s family means more than just having responsibilities—it means developing the ability to respond well, to be “response-able.” We are called to be like-minded, sympathetic, loving, compassionate, and humble. These are not prerequisites for salvation, but expectations for those who have been set apart by God. Our distinctiveness as followers of Christ is not in being “good,” but in doing good, creating opportunities for the gospel to be heard and seen.

Peter challenges us to resist evil and replace it with active pursuit of peace. We are not called to be mere peacekeepers, avoiding conflict for the sake of comfort, but peacemakers—those who intervene, confront, and pursue reconciliation, even at great personal cost. This is the way of Christ, who made peace through His sacrifice. Our relationships, both within the church and in the world, are shaped by what we passionately pursue. If we desire to love life and see good days, we must guard our speech, turn from evil, and zealously seek peace.

Ultimately, our hope is not in our ability to answer every question or win every argument, but in the unshakable truth that Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead. This is the answer to every question, the foundation of our hope, and the reason for our distinctiveness. When we live as response-able people, set apart for Christ, the world will see our hope and ask why. And we will be ready—with gentleness and respect—to point them to the One who conquered death for us all.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Develop Response-Able Attitudes and Actions Having responsibilities is not enough; we must cultivate the ability to respond well to them. This means intentionally growing in like-mindedness, sympathy, love, compassion, and humility. These qualities are not natural, but are developed as we yield to the Spirit and pursue Christlikeness, making us distinct in a world that desperately needs to see the difference Christ makes. [53:16]
• 2. Resist Evil, Replace with Good It is not sufficient to simply avoid wrongdoing; we must actively replace evil with good. Like breaking an addiction, resisting sin creates a void that must be filled with godly action—doing good, seeking peace, and pursuing reconciliation. This ongoing process transforms us and our communities, making space for God’s peace to reign. [66:31]
• 3. Be Peacemakers, Not Peacekeepers True peace requires more than keeping the status quo; it demands initiative, confrontation, and sometimes personal sacrifice. Christ made peace by intervening and paying the ultimate price. We are called to follow His example, pursuing peace with zeal and courage, even when it is uncomfortable or costly. [69:05]
• 4. Anchor Your Hope in Christ’s Resurrection We do not need to have all the answers to life’s questions. Our hope is anchored in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and this is the answer we offer to every inquiry. When we live with this hope at the center, our lives become a testimony that draws others to ask about the source of our confidence and peace. [76:13]
• 5. Suffering for Good is Redemptive It is better to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. Christ’s suffering brought about our salvation, and when we endure hardship for righteousness’ sake, we participate in His redemptive work. This perspective transforms our trials into opportunities for God’s glory and the advancement of His kingdom. [81:43]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [10:42] - Child Dedication: Setting Apart for God
• [11:08] - Baptism: Confession and New Life
• [12:20] - Celebrating Lifelong Friendships in Faith
• [31:07] - Commitment to Children and Families
• [31:51] - The High Calling of Parenting
• [33:06] - Parental and Congregational Commitments
• [34:50] - Distinctive Community: Our Calling
• [35:30] - Romans 12: Sincere Love and Devotion
• [46:21] - Paul’s Commands for Christian Living
• [48:02] - Responsibilities vs. Being Response-Able
• [53:16] - Five Response-Able Attitudes
• [54:45] - Harmony and Unity in the Church
• [57:07] - Sympathy and Compassion in Action
• [58:51] - Brotherly Love: The Church’s Distinctiveness
• [61:40] - What Not to Do: Repaying Evil
• [66:31] - Resisting Evil, Replacing with Good
• [69:05] - Peacemakers vs. Peacekeepers
• [72:25] - Setting Apart Christ as Lord
• [76:13] - The One Answer: Christ’s Resurrection
• [81:43] - Suffering for Good: Christ’s Example
• [84:33] - Closing and Dismissal

Bible Reading

1 Peter 3:8-18 (ESV) — 8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 10 For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; 11 let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.

Romans 12:9-18 (ESV) — 9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Observation Questions

1. According to 1 Peter 3:8-9, what five attitudes or actions does Peter say should mark the family of believers?
2. In Romans 12:9-18, what are some of the specific instructions Paul gives for how Christians should treat one another and those outside the church?
3. The sermon described the difference between having responsibilities and being “response-able.” What does it mean to be “response-able” according to the pastor? [[51:07]]
4. What does Peter say is the reason we should always be ready to give an answer for our hope? [[01:12:45]]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Peter and Paul both emphasize attitudes like humility, sympathy, and brotherly love as essential for Christian community? How might these qualities make the church distinct from the world? [[53:16]]
2. The pastor said that being a peacemaker is different from being a peacekeeper. What is the difference, and why does it matter for how we handle conflict in our relationships? [[01:09:05]]
3. The sermon mentioned that resisting evil is not enough; we must also replace it with good. What are some practical ways this “replacement” can happen in our lives? [[01:06:31]]
4. Peter says to always be prepared to give an answer for the hope within us, but to do so with gentleness and respect. Why is the manner of our response just as important as the content? [[01:12:45]]

Application Questions

1. The pastor talked about developing “response-able” attitudes like like-mindedness, sympathy, love, compassion, and humility. Which of these do you find most challenging to practice, and why? What is one step you could take this week to grow in that area? [[53:16]]
2. Think about a recent situation where you were tempted to “repay evil for evil” or respond to insult with insult. How could you have responded differently, in a way that reflects Christ? [[01:01:40]]
3. The sermon challenged us to be peacemakers, not just peacekeepers. Is there a relationship or situation in your life right now where you are avoiding conflict for the sake of comfort? What would it look like to pursue true peace, even if it’s uncomfortable? [[01:09:05]]
4. The pastor said that our hope is anchored in the resurrection of Jesus, and that this is the answer to every question. When was the last time someone asked you about your faith or your hope? How did you respond, and how can you be more prepared next time? [[01:16:13]]
5. The sermon mentioned that suffering for doing good is redemptive and connects us to Christ’s own suffering. Can you think of a time when you experienced hardship because you did the right thing? How did God use that experience in your life or in the lives of others? [[01:21:43]]
6. The church was described as a place where children and families are prioritized and supported. What is one practical way you can help create an environment where the next generation can encounter the gospel? [[31:07]]
7. The pastor said that our distinctiveness as Christians is not in being “good,” but in doing good. What is one specific act of goodness or service you can do this week to make the gospel visible to someone around you? [[54:26]]