IGC Sermon: 1 Peter 2:13-25 (Jay)

1 Peter 1:1 “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,”

He it likely talking to Gentiles who were persecuted who are BELIEVERS.

1 Peter 1 talks about what a Christian goes through.

Now we are going to talk about application and how we are to conduct ourselves in this world.

1 Peter 2:13 “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme,”

We are to submit to the human institutions and the current rulers.

God has set up human governments to govern us in the nation for the purpose of maintaining order: punish evil doers and reward good citizens.

Man has twisted this though now into something perverse.

However, this is not the point of this passage. We are to obey nonetheless.

1 Peter 2:15 “For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.”

This is the reason we are to still submit to governing authority.

John 15 we are indeed to submit to a system that hates Christ!

The world will look for any way to make you fall or look bad for the sake of Christ.

Our response needs to be love and to be the best citizen as possible.

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 “and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.”

Hard working citizens living peacefully and privately with our own hands.

1 Peter 2:16 “Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.”

Live the life desiring what’s right.

We are free from sin! We are not free to do anything we want. We have an ability to do what’s right now.

Don’t use the trust of others because you have done so well, that you start to slip and sin. It isn’t a disguise. It should be actually who you are.

1 Peter 2:17 “Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.”

Esteem those who are around you. Agape love the church.

Nero was the emperor. He blamed Christians for burning down Rome (even though he did it for his projects). But Peter is still saying to honor the emperor.

We need to pray for our leaders even though we don’t respect, like, or believe in them.

1 Peter 2:18 “Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.”

Now he jumps from government agencies to our very work places.

Our definition of slavery today from the United States is not how it was back then. There was an actually relationship with the master and slave in the days of the Israelites.

The Bible is not condoning slavery. The Bible is instructed how Christians are to live within the social constructs and institutions and social order at that time.

We are to be submissive to our bosses, good or bad bosses. Respect the position. Respect the rank. This finds favor with God. There is no wiggle room here; obey.

Unreasonable: “scoliosis” perverse, crooked, harsh.

The Point is not who the boss is, but our conduct in a situation. Do we live for who the boss is? Or do will live to please Christ who is over all?

Colossians 3:23-25 “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.”

You never know what’s going to come around the corner. What situation is going to occur with someone. No matter what it is, go ahead and suffer unjustly. Go ahead and be taught.

God is teaching you. Trust Him. It takes hard situations. He will protect you overall. Even removing the boss or you from the situation. You become more mature. You show grace.

God teaches you to love any person!!!

And isn’t that what Christ did for us? So he’s making us more like him.

You then become the light of the gospel.

1 Peter 2:21 “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.”

Christ did it! We are not alone!

We have been called to be in the world and work and follow in his footsteps.

1 Peter 2:22-23 “He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.”

Jesus stuck with the plan. Your will be done.

Isaiah 53:4-7 “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.”

1 Peter 2:24 “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.”

He bore our sin so that we die to sin so that we can live in righteousness.

His purpose was to heal us. That is why he endured the cross.

1 Peter 2:25 “For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”

Now we have unity and reconciliation with God himself.

Application: By submitting to the law, we need to know first what the law of the country is. And our government we have the right to respond.

We work for Christ.