Living as God's People

Opening Prayer:

Almighty and holy God, we come before you today with humble and grateful hearts. We thank you for your word, that nourishes our souls and guides our steps. We thank you for your Spirit, that empowers us and comforts us. We thank you for your Son, that died for us and rose again. We ask you to open our eyes, ears, and hearts to receive your message today. Teach us from your word, how to live as your people in this world. Convict us of our sins, and help us to repent and grow in holiness. Encourage us with your promises, and help us to trust in your faithfulness. Equip us with your gifts, and help us to serve you and others. May your word dwell in us richly, and may we glorify you in all we do. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

If you would please take your copy of God’s word and turn with me to 1 Peter 2:11-17

We are on part 5 of our 1 Peter series, “Living Hope”

In this series, we have already seen the main themes and messages of this letter, written by the apostle Peter to Christians who were facing persecution and suffering for their faith.

So far, we have read that Peter reminded them of their living hope that is based on God’s mercy and grace in giving them new birth into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading.

He also challenged them to be holy as God is holy, and to love one another earnestly from a pure heart.

He also reminds us that the God’s Word is living and endures forever.

And that we are to lay aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy and all evil speaking, and to desire the pure word of God that we may grow in the Lord and in His graciousness.

With your Bibles in hand lets read today’s passage as we continue in our journey through a Living Hope spelled out to us through God by Peter.

1 Peter 2:11–17 NKJV

11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. 13 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, 14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— 16 as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. 17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

Introduction

This passage reminds us as Christians of our identity and status as God’s people, who have received his mercy and grace. It calls us to live holy and honorable lives in a world that is not our home, by abstaining from sin, doing good deeds, submitting to authorities, and using their freedom to serve God and others.

So lets together take a closer look. Lets start with vs. 11-12

We are God’s people by his grace (vv. 11-12)

As we go into v. 11 remember what Peter just said in v. 10 which read, 1 Peter 2:10 “10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” Peter reminds us in that our identity and status as God’s people, which is based on his mercy and grace, not on our works or merits.

“Once we were not a people, but now we are; once we had not received mercy, but now we have.

Ephesians 2:1–10 NKJV

1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

So know Peter says, in v. 11. 1 Peter 2:11 “11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,”

This new identity we have in Christ, should motivate us to live holy lives that reflect God’s character and glory, and to abstain from sinful desires that wage war against our souls. People are watching, are you really changed? Actions do indeed speak louder than words.

Godly good works are a product of a grace filled life.

We are God’s people under his authority (vv. 13-15)

Here we see Peter instructing us to submit to the human authorities that God has established, such as kings and governors, as a way of honoring God and doing his will. This is a reflection of what Paul says in Romans 13.

Romans 13:1–7 NKJV

1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. 5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

The point is this, we recognize that God is the ultimate authority over all rulers and nations. In being subject to the rulers of this world we are actually being subject to the LORD.

Peter says in 1 Peter 2:15 “15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men—”

Our obedience can silence the ignorance and slander of foolish people, who may accuse us of being rebels or troublemakers. Above all do the will of God, obey His Words. Look to Jesus who did just that. He didn't come to this world to over through the governments, He came to establish His kingdom, which is peace, love, kindness, goodness, self control, joy and all that is noble and good.

We are God’s people for his glory (vv. 16-17)

Here, Peter summarizes the main message of the passage by calling us to live as free people who use their freedom to serve God, not to sin.

You see, our freedom is not a license to do whatever we want, but a responsibility to do what is right and good in God’s sight.

Show how our service can honor God and others, by respecting everyone, loving the brotherhood, fearing God, and honoring the king.

A question we ask when we come to text in scripture about “honoring the king” that is those who are rulers over us is “How is this done, when those who are in those places of power are corrupt and not worthy of honor or respect?”

Well that is great and good question. Based on what the Bible reveals the how to do this is to know this... To honor the king means to show respect and obedience to the civil authority that God has established over us, as long as it does not contradict God’s will or commandments. It also means to pray for the king and his government, and to seek the peace and welfare of the society we live in. To honor the king is part of our duty as Christians, who are called to be good citizens and witnesses of God’s grace and truth in the world.

Remember this because of your new identity you have in Christ, this world and governments that make up this world is not our home. We are all sojourners and aliens in this world. We are a people for God’s glory not our own. We are here to honor God and all that He has sovereignly allowed from circumstances that come to our life all the way to governments and powers He has sovereignly willed to be.

In conclusion, We are called to live as God’s people in a world that is not our home, by his grace, under his authority, and for his glory.

Let me challenge each us in this congregation to apply these passages to their your lives. How do we do that? Ask yourself these questions.

How can I show gratitude for God’s mercy and grace in my life?

How can I abstain from sinful desires that wage war against my soul?

How can I do good deeds that glorify God and bless others?

How can I submit to the authorities that God has placed over me?

How can I use my freedom to serve God and others?

How can I honor God and others in all my relationships?

CLOSING PRAYER:

Gracious and merciful God, we thank you for calling us to be your people, by your grace and love. We praise you for your mercy and forgiveness, that you have made us your own. We ask you to help us live as your people in this world, that is not our home. Help us to abstain from sin, to do good deeds, to submit to authorities, and to use our freedom to serve you and others. Help us to honor you and everyone, to love the brotherhood, and to fear you above all. May our lives reflect your glory and grace, and may we always be ready to give an answer for the hope that is in us. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

A Prayer for a couple that is moving away: John/Amy and child Keyona

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of this couple, who have been part of our church family and our lives. We thank you for their love, their service, their friendship, and their example. We thank you for the way they have lived as your people in this place, by your grace and mercy. We ask you to bless them as they move to a new place, where you have called them to serve you. We ask you to protect them from harm and evil, and to provide for their needs. We ask you to help them adjust to their new environment, and to find a new church family and community. We ask you to help them continue to live as your people in the world, by abstaining from sin, doing good deeds, submitting to authorities, and using their freedom to serve you and others. We ask you to help them honor you and everyone, love the brotherhood, and fear you above all. May they always remember that they are your people, and that you are with them wherever they go. May they always be a blessing and a witness to those around them. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.