Authority
Notes
Transcript
Intro:
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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.
Government Authority:
Government Authority:
As servants of the Lord, submit to all levels of authority (1 Pet. 2:13-17).
Submission is easier if the leader is good.
But when Peter wrote this, the emperor was Nero-
a cruel and crazy ruler.
He murdered his own mother.
Some say he kicked his second wife to death.
He murdered other rivals to the throne.
He murdered Peter
and Paul.
He crucified many Christians on crosses,
poured pitch on them,
and then set them on fire to light his gardens at night.
This evil king practiced immorality in public.
Once he married a homosexual
and had a bridal parade in the streets of Rome.
Nero grew very fat,
yet he ran naked in races in the Colosseum.
Of course, other runners let him win,
because Nero hated to lose.
He was insane maniac.
In the end, he committed suicide.
Nero was a terrible ruler.
Peter exalted Christ high above Caesar.
Yet Peter wrote,
(1 Pet. 2:13-14
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.
The Bridge (Submission to Authority and Building Peace)
Prop: A small model bridge or a picture of a bridge.
Illustration: Hold up the bridge and explain that
a bridge connects two different sides,
much like how submission to authority
can help bridge the gap between people and foster peace.
Peter talks about submitting to authority as a way of honoring God,
which in turn can help us maintain peace and order in society.
This represents how submission leads to unity
and peace in the community,
much like a bridge connects two separate sides.
polite talk, and humble apoligies are free
being polarizing is not
the cost is amnity of others
One reason that Scripture guides us to submit to government
is that any government is better than no government.
For where there is no government,
thieves,
murderers,
and every type of evil floods society.
Even the worst government is better than no government.
So Scripture guides believers to submit to government. vs 14
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.
In Peter's day, the Church was under attack.
Unbelievers accused Christians of
incest, (talk about loving your brothers and sisters in Christ)
cannibalism (at the Lord's Supper),
and hatred of mankind. (not accepting other religions)
These accusations caused hatred toward the Church.
Further, some enemies misunderstood Christian sermons about the kingdom of God.
They said believers would lead a rebellion against the empire.
So the government began to persecute followers of Jesus.
In response to these accusations,
Peter and Paul tell believers to submit to government.
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.
As Peter wrote earlier, when Christians live as good citizens,
this helps silence the accusers of believers (1 Pet. 2:12
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.
Unbelievers judge the gospel by the way we live.
When we live as good citizens-models for society,
we give the gospel a good name and silence the Church's critics.
When tax season rolls around every year.
Tax companies hire people to carry ads outside thier business.
But Christians do more than carry a sign or message.
We are advertisements for the love and righteousness of God.
Our lives are on display before unbelievers.
In Africa, Some tribal leaders and members met with missionaries.
During the meeting they listened to a sermon.
Afterwards, one of the leaders said:
"Brother, we hear that you are also preaching to the white people of this place.
These people are our neighbors.
We will wait and see the effect of your preaching on them.
If your message makes them better so that they stop cheating us,
then we will consider what you have said."
the most powerful sermon in the world is a real Christian, of any color.
The only time believers should not submit to authority
is when submitting means disobeying God.
For example, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow to an idol (Dan. 3).
Likewise, Peter and John refused to remain silent and not preach in the name of Jesus (Acts 4:19-20).
But in most cases, submission to government is obeying God,
not disobeying Him.
Peter summarizes this paragraph with four helpful commands (1 Pet. 2:17
Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
"Show proper respect to everyone." Honor Everyone
Every person deserves respect and honor,
because all are created in the image of God.
So the Bible commands us to respect all in society-
those below us,
beside us,
and above us.
"Love the brotherhood of believers."
Love is a level above respect.
Our brothers and sisters in the family of God merit love.
Over and over the Bible commands us to love one another.
"Fear God."
Peter emphasized this earlier.
We must live as aliens,
in reverence and fear,
since God is the Judge of all (1 Pet. 1:17).
"Honor the king (emporer)."
Even a dishonorable person, such as Nero,
deserves honor for his office of king.
The better the king or government,
the better God's purposes are fulfilled.
But all government leaders deserve honor.
And Scripture guides us to give honor to whom honor is due (Rom. 13:7
Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.
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(1 Pet. 2:18
Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.
Direct Authority
Direct Authority
C. Relating to masters and employers:
If we suffer, let it be for doing good, but never for evil (1 Pet. 2:18-25).
In the Roman Empire, there were more than 60 million slaves.
And many of these slaves were believers.
Some masters were kind,
but others were harsh.
Christian slaves understood that they were the children of God
- heirs of salvation.
Recall the account of Philemon,
a rich man,
and the slave Onesimus who ran away.
Onesimus was saved under Paul's ministry and became very dear to him.
Paul urged Philemon to receive Onesimus,
"no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother" (Phm. 16
no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
Slaves and masters are equal in Christ.
Yet changes in society come slowly,
over time
not suddenly, like an earthquake.
So God guides Christians to be wise in society.
In the Roman world, neither slaves nor women had the rights they deserved.
But the gospel does not come to society like a hurricane or an earthquake.
Christianity does not cause revolutions in society.
People change slowly.
Over time, the gospel improves the relationships between
slaves and masters,
husbands and wives,
parents and children.
The wisdom from above does not come like an explosion.
It is peaceful and patient.
Sabio says: "The gospel is not a bullet we shoot, but a seed we plant."
The truth from heaven is like yeast that affects the whole,
slowly but surely.
Despising their masters would have been easy for slaves.
So Peter closes his message on submission with a specific command to slaves.
He says,
(1 Pet. 2:18).
Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.
His emphasis is on respect and obedience.
They are to respect and obey,
even when their masters are unkind.
They do so because they are under the rule of God.
Today it is less common to find masters and slaves,
but we do have employers and employees.
And the same principle that applies to slaves applies to employees.
We should respect and obey our bosses,
even when they are
rude,
harsh,
unfair,
and unkind.
Still, we should obey God and avoid doing wrong.
There is no glory if we suffer for doing wrong
-such as stealing, lying, or cheating.
But when we endure suffering for doing good,
it "is commendable before God" (1 Pet. 2:20
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.
Peter does not mean God is happy when we suffer.
Rather, God is pleased when we are willing to suffer for well doing
“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven,
-such as standing firm for our values and beliefs.
God expects His people to be unusual in the world.
we are meant to stand out as different
Citizens of the world respond to unfair treatment from employers
with revenge, disrespect, and even hatred.
In contrast, an alien on earth and citizen of heaven
"takes it patiently" (1 Pet 2:20 KJV).
We can do so because We are a citizen of heaven,
with faith in God.
At such times believing that a good God is in control is not easy.
Yet, those are the times we show our faith to be truly "commendable" to God (1 Pet. 2:19).
There is an unbiblical teaching that says believers should never suffer.
In contrast, the lives of Jesus, the apostles, and millions of believers
prove that it is common to be in the will of God
and to suffer unjustly.
Peter writes, (1 Pet. 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.
The Footprint (Following Christ's Steps)
Prop: A large footprint cut-out or a shoe (symbolizing Christ’s steps).
Illustration: Place the footprint on the floor and walk around it.
Jesus left His footsteps for us to follow,
especially in the areas of suffering and obedience.
Just as we follow physical paths,
we are called to follow His example
in enduring hardships with grace and without retaliation.
in loving others
in taking care of the needy
of spreading the good news
Tied to: 1 Peter 2:21 ("...leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.")
This directly ties to how we are to follow Christ's example in our conduct, especially when suffering.
God did not call us to lives of comfort or prestige.
He called us to follow Jesus.
Unfair suffering was part of our Lord's life.
And a servant is not above his master
So we should expect to suffer as Jesus did
(Matt. 10:24
“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.
(Phil. 1:29
For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,
As I close , note three beautiful truths about Jesus
in whose footsteps we walk
(from Isaiah 53):
1. Jesus is our example in suffering
1. Jesus is our example in suffering
(1 Pet. 2:21-23
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.
The Leather Gloves (Endurance and Bearing Suffering)
Prop: A pair of work gloves.
Illustration: Put on the gloves and show how they protect the hands when doing hard work or facing rough conditions. Explain that
just as gloves help us endure difficult work,
Christ’s example helps us endure suffering with grace
and without retaliation.
The gloves protect us,
just as Christ’s suffering covers us
and empowers us to endure hardships.
This connects Christ’s example of suffering with our ability to endure challenges in life.
"Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example" (1 Pet. 2:21).
Jesus is our example in the way He responded to suffering.
22" He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth. '
23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate;
when he suffered, he made no threats.
Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly" (1 Pet. 2:22-23).
Jesus "did not retaliate. " And "he made no threats. "
He told Peter that He could call the armies of heaven (Matt. 26:52-53
Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword.
Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?
"Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly" (1 Pet. 2:23.
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.
Entrust means
"to hand over a matter or commit it to another."
He entrusted both Himself and the situation to God.
He knew that God was the just Judge.
He was confident that God rewards righteousness
and punishes evil.
This world's response to such treatment is retaliation.
In the flesh, we want to get even.
We want to hurt those who hurt us.
Our flesh wants to grab a hammer and smack someone at times
If hurting is not possible, we will threaten revenge.
Our desire is at least to return fear for pain.
eye for eye
tooth for tooth
Jesus showed us a different way.
Like our Leader, we can entrust
"to hand over a matter or commit it to another."
our suffering to God, the just Judge.
We can endure patiently because we know God will right all wrongs in the end.
Truths about Jesus
Jesus is our example in suffering
2. Jesus is our Savior and Healer
2. Jesus is our Savior and Healer
(1 Pet. 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.
The Bandage or Healing Kit (Healing in Christ’s Suffering)
Prop: A bandage or a small first aid kit.
Illustration: Show how healing comes after wounds are inflicted, and explain how
Christ’s suffering brings healing to our wounds
(both physical and emotional).
Just as we use a bandage to cover and heal wounds,
Jesus' sacrifice and suffering
bring ultimate healing to those who follow Him.
Tied to: 1 Peter 2:24 ("...by his wounds you have been healed.")
This verse emphasizes the healing we receive through Christ’s suffering.
Jesus was our substitute.
We should have been crucified for our sins.
But Jesus took our place.
On the cross, God's altar,
Jesus was the Lamb of God who took away the sins of the world
We are willing to follow Jesus because of the love He has shown us.
He has won our hearts,
our obedience,
and our allegiance.
His kindness has earned our loyalty.
"No one ever cared for me like Jesus.
There's no other friend so kind as He.
No one else could take the sin and darkness from me.
O how much He cared for me.""
Beautiful Truths about Jesus
Jesus is our example in suffering
2. Jesus is our Savior and Healer
3. Jesus saves us from the penalty of sin.
3. Jesus saves us from the penalty of sin.
(Isa. 53:6
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 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.
The truth of the Christian faith rests on this claim:
"Jesus became our Savior by paying the full penalty for our sin."
He "bore our sins.
Bore means "to carry as a sacrifice."
Jesus bore our sins in two ways:
As our priest,
He brought our sins to the altar of the cross.
As the Lamb of God
He "carried" the penalty of our sin on the cross.
Jesus saves us from the power of sin.
He bore our sins "so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness" (1 Pet. 2:24).
Jesus' death does more than free us from sin's penalty.
It frees us from the power of sin's control.
Those who practice sin are the slaves of sin (John 8:34
Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.
But sin is no longer our master (Rom. 6:14
For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
He has saved us from darkness
and brought us into the kingdom of light (1 Pet. 2:9
... that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance,
Now we are holy in all we do, just as our Father is holy (1 Pet. 1:15-16
but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
AMEN!?
Jesus is our Healer.
Sin is like a disease with many evil effects.
We go to a doctor to cure us from the effects of disease.
We go to Jesus when we need healing from the effects of sin.
He is our Healer.
Peter, like Matthew (Matt. 8:17 quotes from Isaiah 53.
This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.”
(1 Pet. 2:24.
...By his wounds you have been healed.
Through His suffering,
Jesus freed us from all the effects of sin.
All healing,
for body, soul, spirit, and mind,
flow through the sacrifice Jesus provided for us.
Beautiful truths about Jesus
Jesus is our example in suffering
Jesus is our saviour and healer
Beautiful truths about Jesus
Jesus is our example in suffering
2. Jesus is our Savior and Healer
3. Jesus saves us from the penalty of sin.
4. Jesus is the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls
4. Jesus is the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls
(1 Pet 2:25).
For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Isaiah compared God's people to sheep that wandered away from the shepherd (Isa. 52:13-53:12).
Peter adds that we "have returned to the Shepherd" (1 Pet. 2:25).
In biblical times the shepherd led, cared for, and guarded the flock.
An overseer or bishop
(greek word episkopos
Filled some of the same roles with people
Overseers were guardians who watched over and protected people.
Jesus is our shepherd and guardian
The promises of Psalm 23 belong to God’s people,
in sunshine and in rain
in laughing and in pain
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
A visitor to the middle-east was surprised when he observed a shepherd
he was from England
and in england most shepherds use dogs to drive and herd their sheep
However, in the middle east the shepherd leads the sheep
He is always there to help sheep who are injured
He saves them from every danger
He goes in front, no matter where they go
This means the sheep never travel on a path where the shepherd did not go first
As believers, we have such a shepherd.
He saves, heals and leads
When we go through suffering, or even death, we need not fear
We know Jesus has gone ahead,
leaving footprints for us to follow.
The Broken Vase (Christ’s Healing and Redemption)
Sin breaks us all
break table
Christ’s sacrifice heals our brokenness,
just as the vase can be repaired.
Even when we suffer,
Christ’s wounds can heal and restore us to wholeness.
Tied to: 1 Peter 2:24 ("He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.")
This visual highlights the theme of healing through Christ’s suffering.
