The Christian Way

The Christian Way 1 Peter 2:18-25 Context • Peter is writing to Christians spread across a specific region of the Roman empire – Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). • Peter is teaching us how to navigate relationships: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. • How to tell/show unbelievers the excellences of God (2:9) How to conduct business in a fallen world (2:12) How to live under human government (2:13ff) How to submit to all employers (2:18ff) How to be a God-honoring spouse (3:1-7) How to act inside a fellowship of believers (3:8ff) Today’s Points: Peter’s 1st Century Problem; Peter’s Timeless Solutions Peter’s 1st Century Problem (2:18-20) • Slavery in the Roman world was confusing and comprehensive. • For the word “servant,” Peter uses a more general word that can refer to a wide range of employee/slave relationships. • Since the practice was universal, situations varied from person to person. Some masters were good and gentle [fair] (v.8); others were unjust bullies (v. 18; 20). • The Command – voluntary subjection with respect (lit. fear). • The Method – God-focused, constant, and blameless • The Result – Grace from God Peter’s Timeless Solutions 1. Peter applies the Bible’s most profound predictions about Christ. • • • • • • • Peter quotes extensively and exclusively from Isaiah 53 (pg. 613) Written in 700 BC, Isaiah predicts the “Servant’s” suffering (see 52:13) 2:22 – Isaiah 53:9 (No deceit found in his mouth) 2:23 – Isaiah 53:7 (He opened not his mouth) 2:24 – Isaiah 53:4 (bourn our griefs and carried our sorrows) 2:24 – Isaiah 53:5 (with His wounds we are healed) 2:25 – Isaiah 53:6 (all we like sheep have gone astray) Peter’s Timeless Solutions 2. Peter dispels any self-righteousness: • • • • 4x we’re assured of the absence of sin in Christ – no sin, no deceit, no reviling, no threatening 4x we’re shown the positive actions of Christ – He suffered, He gave an example, He kept on entrusting Himself; He Himself bore our sins Peter emphasizes our sins, not the sins of others: he acknowledges the potential injustice of masters, but highlights our sins, our need to die to sin, and our straying. Peter’s command is to follow an example already given, not to create a new way – you have been called; you have been given an example, you have returned. Peter’s Timeless Solutions 3. Peter removes all sense of entitlement: • • • The way of Christ is the way of suffering – “a servant is not greater than His master. If they persecuted me they will also persecute you”(John 15:18-20). The cross is the entry point of the Kingdom of God, but it’s also a way of thinking that informs every aspect of life. Peter is specific – “to this you have been called” and “leaving you an example [pattern; working model].” The Christian life, therefore, is a constant reflection upon and application of the cross. Applications 1. The Christian life begins by a personally entrusting yourself to the grace of God provided through the substitutionary death of Christ. 2. The Christian life is lived by a personally entrusting yourself to the grace of God modeled by the substitutionary death of Christ.