Exiles IRL

1 Peter 2:13 CSB

Submit to every human authority because of the Lord, whether to the emperor as the supreme authority

[PRAYER TIME = Matthew 9:35–38 “Jesus continued going around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.””]

INTRO—

IRL… [reality v. theoretical, digital (social media, gaming, etc.)]

OK, Peter, I’ll grant that all of this sounds great…

1 Peter 2:12 “Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that when they slander you as evildoers, they will observe your good works and will glorify God on the day he visits.”

…even like what Jesus said…

Matthew 5:16 “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” [Jesus]

…BUT—how does this work in real life?? [especially areas of great (highly visible) challenges!!]

Peter encourages his audience to showcase Christ’s character always—specifically highlighting three areas and one word!!

[REMEMBER: In all three of the following contexts, “…as _________ & CHRISTIANS (the ‘exiles’ to whom Peter writes)”—most often dealing with non-Christians in the leadership role in each situation]

AREAS LIKE…

…AS CITIZENS [1 Peter 2.13-17]

SUBMIT (2.13)

To place under; middle/passive voice = for you, to place yourself under; This (these) is (are) a choice(s).

EVERY HUMAN AUTHORITY

“Human authority” — these are mere people [a rejection of the emperor cult of the day; a prohibition of political idolatry today]

“Emperor (king; aka president) as supreme” [highest recognizable example of human leadership]

Which Jesus exemplified (Matthew 22:21 “Caesar’s,” they said to him. Then he said to them, “Give, then, to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”)

[[**A word about ‘absolutizing’ this passage…and the entirety of the biblical text on which we are focused today…]]

Peter disobeyed the governing (religious & secular) authorities (many believe this also cost him his life).

HONOR…LOVE…FEAR…HONOR (2.17)

Honor Everyone.

[Genesis 1:26–27 “Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, the whole earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth.” So God created man in his own image; he created him in the image of God; he created them male and female.” (U = v. 27)]

Love the Brothers and Sisters.

[Hebrews 13:1 “Let brotherly love continue.”]

Fear God.

[Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and discipline.”]

Honor the Emperor.

[1 Timothy 2:1–2 “First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.”]

[[KEEPING IN MIND]]

Hebrews 13:12–14 “Therefore, Jesus also suffered outside the gate, so that he might sanctify the people by his own blood. Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing his disgrace. For we do not have an enduring city here; instead, we seek the one to come.” [Can you imagine saying this to a bunch of Jewish Christians?? **we don’t have an enduring city (Jerusalem) here**]

—NEXT…CONDUCT YOURSELVES HONORABLY…

…AS WORKERS (EMPLOYEES) [1 Peter 2.18-20]

SUBMIT (2.18)

[[Choosing to…]]

TO GOOD & TO ‘CRUEL’

“Good” — pretty easy (no problem)

“Cruel” — definite challenge; def: immoral, crooked, harsh

Not a call to ‘suck it up’ and just take abuse; sometimes suffering will look like losing your job (alongside enduring crooked behavior).

WITH ALL REVERENCE (‘fear’)

Fear of whom??

1 Peter 2:17 “Honor everyone. Love the brothers and sisters. Fear God. Honor the emperor.”

1 Peter 2:19 “For it brings favor if, because of a consciousness of God, someone endures grief from suffering unjustly.”

…GOD—only God! (Peter only uses fear regarding our relationship with God)

[[KEEPING IN MIND]]

1 Corinthians 7:17–24 “Let each one live his life in the situation the Lord assigned when God called him. This is what I command in all the churches. Was anyone already circumcised when he was called? He should not undo his circumcision. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? He should not get circumcised. Circumcision does not matter and uncircumcision does not matter. Keeping God’s commands is what matters. Let each of you remain in the situation in which he was called. Were you called while a slave? Don’t let it concern you. But if you can become free, by all means take the opportunity. For he who is called by the Lord as a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called as a free man is Christ’s slave. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of people. Brothers and sisters, each person is to remain with God in the situation in which he was called.” [U = vv. 19b-22]

The NT never commends the institution of slavery. Paul here in 1 Corinthians 7 sets forth instruction/encouragement for a new Christian to live a God-honoring life where he or she finds himself or herself.

[[Not a call to accept abuse. Put up with injustice, work though your boss is immoral, unethical, jerk-face…If you can become free, by all means, do it (avail yourself of the opportunity).]]

…AS MARRIED PEOPLE [1 Peter 3.1-7]

SUBMIT (3.1)

[[Choosing to…]]

WIVES

TO YOUR OWN HUSBANDS

No extension of this to all men in any and all situations! Simply, within the home—husband and wife, the husband is called upon to take on the leadership role.

GENTLE & QUIET SPIRIT

Much like…

Jesus: Matthew 11:29 “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” [‘gentle;’ & triumphal entry Matthew 21.5]

Christians (rel. gov’t): 1 Timothy 2:2 “for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” [’quiet;’ & exemplifying wisdom James 3.13]

[[This is not a call to accept, tolerate abuse!! Sometimes the suffering related to marriage is it’s loss due to an abusive or unfaithful spouse.]]

OBEY…‘LORD’

“Obey”—to follow; line up with (Sarah with Abe’s lying plans [Genesis 12 & Genesis 20])

“Lord”— [this is a bit funny…]

Genesis 18:12 “So she laughed to herself: “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I have delight?””

A title of respect, honor (my lord, my lady)

HUSBANDS

[[IN THE SAME WAY]]

I believe a bit of mutuality here…

Ephesians 5:21 “submitting to one another in the fear of Christ.”

WITH A WEAKER PARTNER

Weaker…leaves the door open for the other partner to also be weak—not necessarily the strong one v. the weak one!

Priceless treasure!!!

HONOR AS COHEIR OF GRACE OF LIFE

Coheirs — Ephesians 3:6 “The Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and partners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.”

Honor — 1 Peter 2:17 “Honor everyone. Love the brothers and sisters. Fear God. Honor the emperor.”

[[KEEPING IN MIND]]

Ephesians 5:21 “submitting to one another in the fear of Christ.”

Ephesians 5:22–33; Ephesians 5:33 “To sum up, each one of you is to love his wife as himself, and the wife is to respect her husband.”

CONCL—

KEY—

1 Peter 2:21–25 “For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. He did not commit sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth; when he was insulted, he did not insult in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten but entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree; so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but you have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”

SUBMISSION TAKES TRUST (2.23)!!

Primarily, ENTRUSTING ourselves to God in these, and all, situations in life! [being able to trust a king, a master, a husband would be nice…but the primary reminder = we can always entrust ourselves to God in each of these situations, even when they become challenging.

INVITATION

Salvation

Citizenship

Job

Marriage

1 Peter 3:7 CSB

Husbands, in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with a weaker partner, showing them honor as coheirs of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.