1 Peter 2:13-17

I don’t remember what year this happened, but I remember the transformation in my life. I was speaking at camp and I think all of the shirts in my suitcase were related to college football. Late in the week, I realized that campers want to talk about sports more than they wanted to talk about anything else. As I was struggling a bit with that, I was convicted that my clothing decisions were distracting 9th graders from what God had for them. I learned to be careful that my excitement for something has no room to dishonor another person or distract people from Jesus Christ.

Here is how I practice that teaching moment.

First, when I preach there is no writing on my shirts unless it is something that points to camp or our church. Because I don’t want a message on my clothing to be louder than a message from the Bible.

Second, I am very careful about social media posts. I don’t talk trash before a football game. I don’t stir the pot after a football game. I post a picture of who I am with and leave it alone.

Those are important practices because there is enough drama in the world without my contribution. And, 1 Timothy 3:7 says “an overseer must be well thought of by outsiders.” If I cause division, people often connect that with our church causing division. I never want people to feel like the body of Christ is divided because of something I did that wasn’t necessary.

I want that same thing for you. We’re going to look at five verses in 1 Peter that will help us honor all people. Would you agree that it is easier to honor people that we agree with? Would you agree it is more difficult to honor people with conflicting values? But honoring all people is one of the ways God asks us to demonstrate his love to the world.

MAIN IDEA: As Christ transforms my life, Christ-exalting conversations about all people should be highly visible to all people.

My actions and conversations about human authority should exalt Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:13–14 (ESV)

Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.

Peter wrote to a group of people that were suffering for their faith. Persecution was everywhere. Some were put to death. Scholars believe was martyred about 5 years after writing this letter. The Roman government was unmerciful and grace never entered their mind. Roman government officials gained status according to how well they were liked and how much they accomplished while in office. Expedient actions was necessary if a government official would remain in office. As people wrote this letter, rights and decision-making was taken away from Christians. Their cost of living increased to a level that homelessness was the alternative shelter. For Peter’s audience, food was unaffordable.

The Christians under Roman rule had plenty of reasons to disagree with government leaders. There were adequate reasons to for dishonor and disgrace. Slander and gossip would have been culturally understood. They might have been tempted to honor the political office but not honor the person in the office. Christians had a very tough life in Asia Minor.

Peter’s words to them were simple to hear; not necessarily easy to live out. Be subject to every human institution for the Lord’s sake. Jot down Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”

Be subject - Submission involving recognition of an ordered structure while showing appropriate respect to the person.

Institution - In Greek culture, it was understood that the function of government (law-giving legislators) was to maintain a well-ordered society. And it had a moral objective to do so.

Emperor - The one who holds the highest political office.

Governor - The one who is head administrator of a region.

Peter wanted them to understand that Christ-exalting actions are possible because the gospel has changed their life.

Christ-exalting actions and conversations always quiet foolish murmuring.

1 Peter 2:15–16 (ESV)

For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.

We can apply this verse two ways.

First, it is God’s will that our Christ-exalting actions would quiet others who are foolishly ignorant of the gospel truth. One commentator said, “God is pleased when unsaved people associate Christians with spiritual virtue, righteousness, love, graciousness, humility and the gospel of salvation rather than protests against human institutions.” This application would be helpful and life-giving for our community and our country.

Second, Christ-exalting actions would quiet the foolish ignorance of my heart. If my life is being transformed in such a way that I seek every conversation to exalt Christ, my foolish murmuring is quieted. When Christ transforms me and my own foolish murmuring is quieted, I can model the gospel and I can speak the gospel.

When we try to defend an opinion or feeling, many times our conversations become a servant to those opinions and feelings. It is possible to cover up the truth as we defend our opinions. If this were not possible, there would be no need for “thou shalt not bear false witness.”

Christ-exalting actions and conversations is a daily decision of the transformed life.

1 Peter 2:17 (ESV)

Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

This verse says we have a different type of relationship with our brothers and sisters in Christ than those who do not share a commonality in Jesus Christ.

Honor everyone - Every every image-bearer deserves dignity and respect.

Love the brotherhood - Every Christian should be given a loyal, demonstrated love.

Fear God - Worship that is filled with trust and reverence.

Imagine with me the impact in our community if every Christian lived this verse. If every one of us lived this verse the majority of our day. The caring opportunities are endless.

As we leave church today, I want us to be mindful that our excitement about something should not have room to dishonor another person or distract people from Jesus Christ. Our action and conversations ought to be Christ-exalting about all people and highly visible to all people.

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior, I would love the opportunity to share with you how you can know Jesus personally.

If you would like to be baptized, our next baptism is December 29.

If you would like to be become a member, it’s a simple process. Share your testimony with me, or another member of the leadership team, and agree with the mission of our church. We will introduce new members during the chili cook-off on November 24.