Called to EXTRA

Slaves

18 You who are slaves must submit to your masters with all respect. Do what they tell you—not only if they are kind and reasonable, but even if they are cruel. 19 For God is pleased when, conscious of his will, you patiently endure unjust treatment. 20 Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you. 21 For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. 22 He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. 23 He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. 24 He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. 25 Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.

The first thing I want you to notice IN YOUR NOTES is…

Submittion and SLAVES. v.18-25

Well.. there are times when you just have to go there… and today we are going to go there.

The HOT topic of Slavery. People use this passage to:

Weaponize and justify slavery.

They use it to:

Try and prove that the bible is contradictory and not what Christians say it is.

How can the bible say, in Christ there is NO LONGER salve or Maters… how can it talk about freedom and equality between races, and gender and then turn around condone slavery?

The kind of slavery in the 1st century that Peter and the other apostles address is NOT they type of slavery that we are talking about when we discuss it here in America.

We see this beginning in v. 18

***Clay when you bring this passage up… include the previous point on the slide to keep it all in view please.

v. 18 Slaves (Oἰκέτης(oiketēs), Household/domestic Slaves)Submit to their masters…

The greek word here for slave is about domestic household servants

Why would someone be a household slave in the 1st century?

Masters: Were typically wealthy individuals with business and farms.

Slaves:

There we’re two types of slaves in the Roman Empire

First, those that we’re conquered from war (That is always unjust) this not the type of slavery the apostles we’re addressing.

Second, the Household Slaves, those that we’re amoung the workforce in the society.

Slavery in this sense of the working class was widespread in the Roman Empire. It’s said that one in every tow people was a slave. These slaves we’re amount the best treated.

Slaves we’re poor and blue collar class of people and even entrusted business managers of their Masters

Because food and shelter was a guarantee for the poor, they would often enslaved themselves and their families to survive. They would work within the Masters household and business if that applied and in return for their word they would receive food shelter and a small wage.

Slaves we’re also people in debt, people who we’re practicing doctors, loyers… they would remain a slave until they paid of their debt.

These salves would lived in the home, ate in the home.. in a sense’s they we’re a part of the household family.

This was not slavery in the way Africans we’re enslaved in the slave trade that began in the 1500’s and eventually brought into N. American in the early 1600’s.

You will notice throughout scripture that neither Jesus nor the apostles we’re anti slavery in this sense of working for food, shelter and paying off their debts. Because in this sense, it is honorable to work for your food.

Peter, Paul or Jesus never endorse slavery in the sense that it is expressed in the African or any other salve trade business.

What scripture does say these churches and to us, respect your boss, even if he is a jerk and unreasonable. Be respectful, as continue to serve will the best of your strength as if you we’re serving the Lord - dont work hard like this for the sake of your Masters, but do it for the sake of the Lord, for the reputation of the Kingdom.

There is no room for lazy, half hearted employee’s in the Kingdom.

There is never a time when we are given permission to flip out on authorities.

In the context of this passage there we’re unruly Masters that would publicly punish their employees through physcal brutality.

Peter gets really firm on what he has to say to those who have been physically abused by these Masters in v. 20… You get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong.

If you violated Gods word in your conduct towards authority, flip out on them, get lippy with them, get a puffy chest with them and end up beaten, disciplined, put in prison… or in today’s context… get fired from your job… there is no virtue in getting fired or beaten when your behavior was out of line.

He is saying… don’t call this suffering for the Gospel - this is suffering for your rebellion, and taking vindication into your own hands.

Suffering

New Living Translation Chapter 2

18 You who are slaves must submit to your masters with all respect. Do what they tell you—not only if they are kind and reasonable, but even if they are cruel. 19 For God is pleased when, conscious of his will, you patiently endure unjust treatment. 20 Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you.

21 For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.

Opening commentary:

I & II Peter, I, II & III John, Jude, Revelation Critical and Exegetical Notes

THE main contention of St. Peter is that the Christian life and obligations are not intended to be, and never should be, made a disturbing force in social and family relations. Our Lord warned His disciples that Christianity would become such a disturber, by reason of the opposition which it would excite; but the disturbing force must never be in the Christian. As much as “lieth in him” he must “follow peace with all men.” Relations to masters and rulers have already been dealt with: the apostle now applies the Christian principles to the more limited, but oftentimes more difficult, spheres and relations of the home.

I & II Peter, I, II & III John, Jude, Revelation Suggestive Notes and Sermon Sketches

The Jews of the Dispersion found it very difficult to live Christian lives in the midst of heathen associations. Silvanus had come to St. Peter bringing tidings of exposure to a fiery trial of persecution. They were accused of being evil-doers, preaching revolutionary doctrines. The very name of, “Christian” exposed them to odium and outrage. St. Peter felt that he could not withhold his words of comfort and counsel from those who were thus suffering

Commentators through:

Who is a follower of GOOD

One who discerns good

One who chooses good

If we know the good we aught to do, we must do it where ever it leads

One who recognizes the activity of good (Same as discern?)

How might harm come to the good

To follow good will ensure/ensite opposition

if God si for us who can be agaisnt us.

To follow good is to cultivate noblest virtues

To follow good ensures divine approval

You will NOT ALWAYS PROSPER becuase you do the right thing, becuase you do good, becuase you...

You will NOT always have health, wealth and prosperity, favor, fourtuine. (This is NOT the god news)

Where does the Prosperity Gospel come from?

What are its earliest forms, when was it declared a harrasy

Forms of the prosperity Gospel (NAR, Word of Faith,

Initial thoughts

v.13 Some will reward you for good.

Good is defined in v.10-11

v.14a Some will not reward you for good.

They will NOT becuase they will NOT don’t see what you are doing as “good”

They have a different idea of good. They have a different worldview of who establishes “what is good”

What is good?

The following is in connection with v. 9

Hebrews to Revelation: Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary, Volume 4 How to Relate to Society so as to Minimize Persecution (2:11–4:11)

This teaching of nonretaliation because one is aware of God’s coming reward recalls Jesus’ teaching: “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (

v.14b Do NOT be afraid, FEAR

In context of previous verses v.8-12 speaking to CHRISTIAN / the family of God

v.1ab Do NOT fear their retaliation. - They will threaten you to get in line with their version of “good”

The Holy Bible with a Commentary and Critical Notes, Vols. I–VI Chapter 3

Be not afraid of their terror] Τον δε φοβον αυτων μη φοβηθητε· Fear not their fear; see

v.15a Worshiping Christ is about obedience to Christ - standing up for what you believe through ACTION.

Words are just words, If you protest with your words be careful that you also protest with your time, with your money, etc… make sure we are not hypocritical

v.15b Give a good answer for your beliefs, your actions, your hope, the Good News

v.9 Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing

v.16a Your worship/obedience should be GENTEL/RESPECTFUL

I have been convicted lately becuase as I discuss matters of disagreement with the world around me I can say that I am not gentle and respectful with my tone. My Conscience is NOT clear.

Disagreement does not mean disrespect, distain,

v. 16b If people speak against you… they will be ashamed (He repeats this sentiment several times through his writings

2:12 Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.

2:15 let your lives silence your enemies

Hebrews to Revelation: Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary, Volume 4 How to Relate to Society so as to Minimize Persecution (2:11–4:11)

The

***To do “Good” will excite opposition

It always has and it always will.

v.17All suffering is NOT equal (All suffering does not produce the same results)

Suffer for doing wrong

Some of you are bringing suffering upon yourself - there is not glory for this)

-Goodness will outlast critics

-Goodness will triumph over harm

-Goodness is a shield

-Good is in opposition to sin.

We are rewarded for unjust suffering (Christ and eternity)

We will be vindicated (in judgement)

Knowing all this..

We will be PREPARED (to continue in doing good)

What suffering is

What suffering is not

A license for authorities to treat people how ever they want because after all they should be willing to suffer.

We can’t forget all that Jesus say’s to Authorities, Masters, Husbands (Be the kind of man that is easy to submit to… don’t make her inter into a life of suffering… a life of misery…

Bless her, honor her, keep her…

New Living Translation (Chapter 4)

We should Expect it

Living for God So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin. 2 You won’t spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God. 3 You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy—their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols. 4 Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do. So they slander you. 5 But remember that they will have to face God, who stands ready to judge everyone, both the living and the dead. 6 That is why the Good News was preached to those who are now dead—so although they were destined to die like all people, they now live forever with God in the Spirit. 7 The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. 8 Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. 10 God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 11 Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen. Suffering for Being a Christian 12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 13 Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. 14 If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. 15 If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. 16 But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name! 17 For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News? 18 And also, “If the righteous are barely saved, what will happen to godless sinners?” 19 So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.

Transition: As I close today….