11. Living With a New Perspective
1 Peter: Living As Exiles • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Introduction/Summary
Introduction/Summary
Part 1 — Identity: What it means to be an exile for Christ (1 Pet 1:1-2; 2:9-10)
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood:
May grace and peace be multiplied to you.
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Part 2 — Action: How to live as an exile for Christ, especially in front of unbelievers (1 Pet 2:11-12)
11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
Part 3 — Perseverance: How to endure exile for Christ with your faith in tact
Have the right perspective (1 Pet 4:12-19)
Have the right community (1 Pet 5)
Scripture
Scripture
We need a new perspective (1 Pet 4:12).
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
Illustration: Jordan Peterson, “You’re Asking the Wrong Questions”
Why am I struggling with anxiety? // Why am I not constantly filled with terror?
Why do I procrastinate? // Why do I get up and do anything at all?
Is there any meaning in life? // In light of pain and suffering, is there any positive meaning in life?
Don’t be surprised when you’re treated like an exile because you’re a Christian. Instead, be surprised if you’re not treated like exile for being a Christian.
Jesus suffered (Isa 53:3).
3 He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;
and as one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Peter and the apostles suffered (Acts 5:41-42).
41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.
Stephen was murdered (Acts 7).
James was beheaded (Acts 12).
Paul was beaten, cursed, and imprisoned multiple times, and eventually beheaded in Rome.
Peter was crucified upside down.
Why would we think that somehow our lives should be different?
Following Jesus in a non-Christian society is difficult, and we will be treated like exiles. That’s hard. If we are going to endure exile with our faith in tact, we need a new perspective.
Here’s the new perspective (1 Pet 4:13-19).
13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And
“If the righteous is scarcely saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
Big Idea
Big Idea
If we share in Christ’s sufferings, we share in his glory. If we share in Christ’s sufferings, we share in his Spirit. Therefore, what the world regards as shameful, we wear as a badge of honor. And we never stop living for Christ—no matter the cost.
If we share in Christ’s sufferings, we share in his glory (1 Pet 4:13).
13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
If we share in Christ’s sufferings, we share in his Spirit (1 Pet 4:14).
Therefore…
What the world regards as shameful, we wear as a badge of honor (1 Pet 4:15-16).
And we never stop living for Christ—no matter the cost (1 Pet 4:17-19).
Polycarp
Polycarp
Polycarp was a pastor and Overseer of the church in Smyrna. He was a student of the Apostle John, who wrote Revelation. He lived during the height of the Roman persecution of Christians, but he fearlessly proclaimed the gospel of Jesus and pastored his church in Smyrna.
As an old man, he was arrested and sentenced to be burned at the stake for his devotion to Christ. The Roman proconsul saw that he was old, and urged him to recant his faith. All he had to do was say, “Caesar is Lord,” and offer a handful of incense to Caesar’s statue, and the charges would be dropped.
Here’s what Polycarp said, “Eighty and six years have I served Christ, and he never did me any wrong. How then can I blaspheme my King who saved me?”
They took him to the place of execution, but when they were going to tie him to the post, he told the guards he didn’t need to be tied up. He said the Holy Spirit would empower him to bear the flames. And that’s exactly what happened.
If we share in Christ’s sufferings, we share in his glory. If we share in Christ’s sufferings, we share in his Spirit. Therefore, what the world regards as shameful, we wear as a badge of honor. And we never stop living for Christ—no matter the cost.
Closing Reflections
Closing Reflections
1 Peter 4:17 — If God came with judgment today, where you stand?
17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
1 Peter 4:12 — Are you an exile or an insider?
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
1 Peter 4:19 — What is the hardest thing for you to entrust to God?
19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
Do you trust God with your very soul?
Do you trust God with your kids?
Do you trust God with your career?
Do you trust God with your sex life?
Do you trust God with your happiness?
Palms up, give it to God.