1 Peter: Living in a sinful world

Living in a sinful world

Intro

1 Peter 2:11–25 ESV

Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. 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. 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. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 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. 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. 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. 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. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

We represent Christ

Sojourners and exiles

A sojourner is someone is temporary living somewhere that is not there own. Our place is in heaven. But for now, we are living here temporary. But we live here for a reason…

We are here to represent Christ to others here. How do we do it?

“Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable…”

We represent Christ by living holy lives. We are suppose to act differently.

We are also suppose to keep our conduct honorable, so that when they accuse us for being evil, people will look at our lives and say “Well, maybe not.”

Submission to Authority

We are suppose to submit to earthly authority. Unless they tell you to sin, we are suppose to submit.

A great example is Daniel. Daniel submitted to those over him, even though they had captured him and his people. It was only when they asked him to sin, did he respectively refused. But even the way he refused to sin, he did it in a kind a respectful way.

Honor and love everyone

This is one of the most practical, but hard things to do. But do you want to stand out? Do this.

We represent Christ when it’s hard

Obeying God when it’s easy and hard (v18)

People act good when the season is good, but Christians act differently when it gets hard.

We represent Christ when it’s hard, because Jesus is our example

(v21) “For to this you have been called…” It’s a calling

Christ has suffered… for you. (v21)

“leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” (v21)

“He committed no sin…” (v22) You may think that you didn’t deserve it, Jesus definitely didn’t deserve it.

“When he was reviled, he did not revile in return…” What is your response TO the people who wrong you?

Jesus did it for us (v24), because of that, we should forgive and love others, because Christ loved us.

Conclusion