Follow Jesus
1 Peter • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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TEXT: 1 Peter 2:13-25
There are churches that have already gathered for worship all over this country this today.
Fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who gathered to worship the LORD Jesus Christ.
In this country, it has been hard to escape the news of the upcoming election. It’s everywhere.
We’re told that the candidates are laying it on thick in order to court the “undecided” voters in this cycle. “Undecided?” Okay.
One of the many reasons I’m so grateful to work through the Bible text as it comes to us - preaching through books of the Bible - is the timeliness of His Word.
This week in our church’s reading plan, as we broke the cover on 1 Kings…
…people trying to exalt themselves in leadership and where that led.
Today, we come to this pretty straight-forward text in Scripture. SUBMIT TO THOSE WHO HAVE AUTHORITY OVER YOU.
Peter is NOT writing to folks that have a Judeo-Christian government system over them.
So we’re hitting on some REALLY POPULAR doctrinal truths today:
Submission…in a broken world with unjust leaders.
Serving…broken people with unjust motives.
Selling out completely to Jesus in the midst of it all!
REMEMBER, Peter is writing to “exiles”, those Christians who are experiencing hardship and persecution because they IDENTIFY as IN CHRIST…because they are!
They are CHRIST’S FIRST
They are EACH OTHERS’ SECOND
Their loyalty is first to God’s Family (they don’t separate “God & Church”
They are then loyal to their earthly families
Then they engage everyone else around them.
PICTURE: Imagine a gathering of believers who risked it all to unite in worship while the world outside urged them to abandon each other.
Their laughter in the face of danger showed true loyalty, an unbreakable bond in God’s family.
It’s a reminder that while society may tempt us to prioritize comfort AND compromise,
God’s family is worth standing with—even if it means saying NO to comfort and ease.
FOLLOW JESUS, AS YOU
1. SUBMIT to Authority / 1 Peter 2:13-17
1. SUBMIT to Authority / 1 Peter 2:13-17
(for His Name’s Sake)
13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile,
Let’s just dive right in. Submission - now there’s a word we all love.
Truth is - we love when we receive it. We don’t NATURALLY LOVE to do it.
We are NOT talking about Submission to the LORD or to God’s Family that He called us into here…
this is exactly what it looks like.
Christians should be MODEL CITIZENS - as they follow Jesus. (Notice there’s no “out” or exception clause in that statement - BECAUSE THERE IS NOT ONE IN THIS TEXT.)
Is this ALL the Bible has to say on submitting to Government authorities? NO.
Many of us, in 2024…in America…in Election season, will find Peter’s unqualified call to submission so unilateral, so unsettling, so startling and surprising!
In fact, the danger for us preachers is that we are tempted to LEAN upon this text BUT INSTEAD OF SAYING WHAT’S THERE…WE WANT TO SAY WHAT WE THINK HE SHOULD HAVE SAID.
(Take a deep breath: there’s no hint of liberalism here…I’m not about to talk about some conviction-compromising “third way”. You know that…so let’s see what’s here.)
1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.
So what do we do?
There is a premise that “Almost any government is better than no government.” (I know sometimes we wonder…but it holds up pretty well as they function within God’s creative order / even unChristian ones).
But the question for us is IF WE’RE CHRISTIANS - FIRST / IF OUR FIRST POINT OF IDENTIFICATION IS “IN CHRIST”…
then HOW do we relate to the government that we are under?
Are we supposed to be revolutionaries called to overthrow unjust governments and establish a theocracy?
Are we to be patriots, full of nationalistic fervor and promoting our government and political system as the answer to every society’s ills?
Are we to be conscientious objectors, separating ourselves from worldly government, refusing to take any part?
Or maybe we can simply bemoan government - constantly complaining to anyone who will listen about how much we hate everything and how incompetent our leaders seem to be !
There is a better question that is answered, that I think GUIDES all of this right there in the text.
WHY SHOULD WE LIVE “UNDER” THE INSTITUTION OF GOVERNMENT.
MOTIVATION:
MOTIVATION:
Obedience
(v13) “…for the Lord’s sake”
(v15) “For this is the will of God”
MEANS:
MEANS:
Doing good (14)
Living Free in Christ (16) / so that you might win some to Christ
Living as Servants (16) / humbly pointing to Jesus
Honoring everyone (17) / humans bear God’s image - treat them with dignity and respect
Loving God’s Family (17) / you’ve been adopted
Fearing God (17) / above all else…this solves your fear of man or earthly rulers
Honor the Emperor (17) / twice…because we struggle to subject ourselves to earthly rule that we don’t like.
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
RESULTS:
RESULTS:
(15) you stop the persecutors mouths…they will look ignorant and foolish for singling you out.
—
Christians are to observe man-made laws carefully as long as those laws do not conflict with the clear teaching of Scripture.
The Disciples found themselves in clear violation with the great commission and an earthly law in Acts 4. They responded well…
19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge,
So, we use our God-given freedom to live as model citizens AS WE FOLLOW JESUS FIRST!
In Peter’s day, “the emperor cult was popular in Asia Minor, and Christians doubtless felt social pressure to participate.”
Model-Citizens: taking advantage of the opportunities afforded us for the good of our society and STEWARDING THOSE WELL.
Following Jesus and submitting to authority means…
Some will serve in positions of earthly authority as godly examples of integrity with a clear witness and ethic.
Some will be able to engage publicly for the sake of Gospel-Revealing, Biblical worldview issues.
ALL OF US SHOULD STEWARD OUR EARTHLY CITIZENSHIP and the opportunities afforded us FOR THE SAKE OF THE NAME OF OUR GOD!
For example: as Americans, we have the incredible opportunity to participate in the Election process.
Christians should steward that vote toward LIFE and BEAUTY that reflects the Biblical worldview.
we know we’ve been “used and abused” by both political parties in this nation.
BUT one platform points toward protecting LIFE, recognizing God’s creation order that allows for human flourishing (among other things).
The other platform celebrates the things that God condemns.
Just as a reminder: this is NOT a prom King or Queen we’re voting for.
How do we SUBMIT to unrighteous rulers…WE STEWARD OUR EARTHLY CITIZENSHIP FOR THE SAKE OF HIS NAME - USING ANY OPPORTUNITY TO GOOD - as defined by God.
We can follow Jesus as we SUBMIT to earthly Authorities…EVEN IN THIS BROKEN WORLD / especially in this broken world.
SUBMISSION - not the most fun word…so then what about “SERVING”?
Look at verse 18 as move ahead:
18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. 19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.
FOLLOW JESUS, AS YOU
2. SERVE with Grace / 1 Peter 2:18-20
2. SERVE with Grace / 1 Peter 2:18-20
(in God’s sight)
If SUBMITTING has to do with where we LIVE, this picture the Bible paints for us in SERVING happens where we WORK.
We all want a great job with a great boss (even if you’re self-employed :) ).
God calls His children, repeatedly, to live our lives as model citizen, and DO OUR WORK AS UNTO HIM.
EVEN when we have bad bosses…ESPECIALLY when we have bad bosses/teachers, etc.
What we think of God is reflected in our hard work and diligent efforts.
It shows up in our being ON TIME and professional / appropriate appearance.
23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
Some of us don’t work well with certain personality types…or we just don’t respond well to certain types of management styles - THAT IS NOT THE UNJUST SUFFERING THAT IS MENTIONED HERE.
The picture here is of something else.
It’s the Christian who is killing it on all those things we mentioned before (excellent work, good attitude, timeliness, presenting well)…
but your supervisor continually belittles you and mocks you. They discriminate against you, or credit others with your work…
They intentionally pass over you for a promotion simply because of your faith—
THIS is unjust suffering.
Look at verse 20, God tells us something:
1 Peter 2:20 (ESV)
20 …But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.
SERVE because people are watching. When somebody sees you do well, they may ask you for the reason for the hope that you have in the midst of such trouble. You can point them to JESUS!
JOSEPH’S EXAMPLE:
Consider the biblical figure of Joseph, who had every reason to harbor resentment against his brothers who sold him into slavery. And the bad actors on his way to the palace.
Instead, years later, when he confronted them in Egypt during a famine, he chose to serve them with grace and forgiveness.
He not only provided for their needs but embraced them, illustrating the beauty of God's grace when faced with difficult people. His story reminds us that serving others, even those who have wronged us, can transform relationships and glorify God.
Think of Christ’s amazing EXAMPLE of serving with GRACE as He washes the disciples’ feet…
3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
He washed Judas’s feet too…knowing ALL He knew.
FOLLOW JESUS as you SUBMIT to earthly authorities…stewarding your citizenship well…in this broken world.
FOLLOW JESUS as you SERVE others with grace…knowing that God sees you…even as we serve broken people.
Popular topics right: Submission to governments / Serving unjust supervisors (we through politics in there) how about 1 final “S” that is super popular…SACRIFICE
FOLLOW JESUS, AS YOU
3. SACRIFICE for Others / 1 Peter 2:21-25
3. SACRIFICE for Others / 1 Peter 2:21-25
(for the sake of the Gospel)
Let’s look at the text…LET’S LOOK AT JESUS
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. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 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. 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. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
I want you to see this point as WRAPPING THIS ENTIRE TEXT TOGETHER.
JESUS is the gravitational center of this passage…NOT OUR SUBMISSION OR SERVICE.
(v21) Jesus Christ suffered, bled and died for us! Peter will quote Isaiah 53 all throughout this passage.
(v22) He was sinless. He quotes Isaiah 53 here.
21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
5 You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.
(v23) He was reviled and suffered / but still perfect.∫
3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
(v24) He bore OUR sins - IN HIS BODY - ON THE CROSS
28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
that we might die to sin and live to righteousness
11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
our sin-sick soul and the leprous disease of rebellion has been cured by the HEALER OF OUR HEARTS
(V25) AND HE DIDN’T JUST SAVE US…HE DIDN’T JUST RESCUE US, PUT US IN THE LIFEBOAT AND DROP US OFF ON THE SHORE…WE BELONG TO THE SHEPHERD AS A PART OF THE SHEEPFOLD
So after we sing the HALLELUJAH chorus for what our Great God has done. What do we DO with this? How do WE Sacrifice like the Savior…we can’t SAVE ANYBODY.
I want you to see this point as WRAPPING THIS ENTIRE TEXT TOGETHER.
JESUS is the gravitational center of this passage…NOT OUR SUBMISSION OR SERVICE.
Rather - AS WE FOLLOW JESUS CHRIST, we WILL submit in a way that is drenched with His NAME!
AS WE FOLLOW JESUS CHRIST, we WILL SERVE in a way that defies logic and points people to someONE greater.
WE MUST Sacrifice in order to do these things…But sacrifice takes on a whole new meaning when we FIX OUR EYES ON JESUS!
It means SAYING NO to something we WANT to say YES to something someone else needs.
It means SAYING NO to complaining and YES to encouraging.
It means SAYING NO to the desires of the flesh TO SAY TO THE LEADING OF THE SPIRIT!
FOLLOW JESUS as you engage broken people who are being inundated with political nonsense we cannot turn off.
19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.
CLOSING:
CLOSING:
FOLLOW JESUS as YOU SUBMIT TO AUTHORITY in a broken world.
Make the most of your earthly citizenship so that the NAME OF JESUS can be stamped on your actions without any conflict!
FOLLOW JESUS as you SERVE WITH GRACE…surrounded by broken people who aren’t yet Christians.
Serve in a way that stops false accusations in its tracks, and exposes foolishness for what it is…all while you loving serve like JESUS.
FOLLOW JESUS as you SACRIFICE FOR OTHERS…so that they can see and know Christ’s sacrifice for them!
Where are you telling yourself NO, so that that someone else might say YES to Jesus!
