Suffering Servant
Notes
Transcript
Now Peter addresses the Christian slaves in the congregations, and he stresses the importance of submission.
Some newly converted slaves thought that their spiritual freedom also guaranteed personal and political freedom, and they created problems for themselves and the churches.
Paul dealt with this problem in 1 Corinthians 7:20–24, and also touched on it in his letter to his friend Philemon.
The Gospel did eventually overthrow the Roman Empire and the institution of slavery, even though the early church did not preach against it.
V.18:
This passage is not endorsing slavery, it is simply teaching Christians to be content in whatever situation they find themselves in.
This is an extreme example, but it serves as a strong reminder of a simple reality, which is this:
As Christians, our behavior should not be controlled by our circumstances.
We cannot control how other people act, but we can control our own behavior.
We should act in a godly manner, no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in.
No matter what life throws at us or how anyone treats us, our behavior should honor God.
Too often, we let our circumstances control us. It becomes a convenient excuse for sinful behavior, but it is a poor excuse.
We cannot always choose our circumstances, but we can always choose how we respond to them.
If a slave can willingly submit to his master
If the apostles can sing praises God in prison
If Shadrac, Meshac, and Abednego can praise God in the fiery furnace
If Daniel can find comfort in the Lord in the lion’s den
If Jesus can practice forgiveness while being nailed to a cross, certainly we can honor God during our trials.
V.19-20:
Godly submission is commendable IF it is done “because of a conscience toward God.”
Sometimes a Christian employee may be wronged by an unbelieving coworker or supervisor.
For conscience’ sake, he must endure it, even though he is not in the wrong.
This is not always easy to do, but it is important for or relationship with God, and our witness toward others.
A Christian’s relationship to God is far more important than his relationship to men.
A Christian’s relationship to God is far more important than his relationship to men.
Matthew 5:10–12
Matthew 5:10–12
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
There is nothing particularly special or commendable about enduring a hardship that you brought on yourself. But when your suffering is undeserved, that’s different.
At some point a Christian will suffer for his faith, this is an “undeserved” suffering.
When we endure that which we don’t deserve with grace and faith. When we face the unjust with praise to the Lord, that is commendable to God.
Anybody, including an unbeliever, can “take it patiently” when he is in the wrong.
It takes a dedicated Christian to “take it” when he is in the right.
God can give us the grace to submit and “endure”, and in doing so, we will glorify God.
So while the human tendency is to fight back and to demand our rights, Christians must do more.
Anyone can fight back; it takes a Spirit-filled Christian to submit and let God fight his battles.
Anyone can fight back; it takes a Spirit-filled Christian to submit and let God fight his battles.
Luke 6:32–34
Luke 6:32–34
“But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back.
Romans 12:16–21
Romans 12:16–21
Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
V.21:
Because Christ suffered for us, eventually we will suffer for Him. It is our calling.
There is no reason to believe that our lives will always be easy.
There is no biblical basis to believe that we can do what Christ couldn’t… live a peaceable, easy cushy life.
Submission doesn’t mean that you are weak or powerless, Christ wasn’t weak or powerless, yet He submitted.
Submission is meekness. To be meek is to have power and choose not to exercise it.
As Christians, we have the power of God, but we choose to exercise His grace.
As Christians, we have the power of God, but we choose to exercise His grace.
Matthew 5:5
Matthew 5:5
Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.
We follow the example of Christ!
V.22-25:
Jesus was treated unjustly, but He faced it with grace.
In the Bible, duty is always connected with doctrine (our actions are to be based on what the Bible says).
When Paul wrote to the slaves, his admonitions were based on the doctrine of God’s grace.
When Paul wrote to the slaves, his admonitions were based on the doctrine of God’s grace.
Titus 2:9–15
Titus 2:9–15
Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things. For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.
Peter connected his advice to the example of Jesus Christ, who is God’s “Suffering Servant”.
Peter had learned in his own experience that God’s people serve through suffering.
At first, Peter had opposed Christ’s suffering on the cross (Matt. 16:21ff); but then he learned the important lesson that we lead by serving and serve by suffering.
He also learned that this kind of suffering always leads to glory!
Peter encouraged these suffering slaves by presenting three “pictures” of Jesus Christ.
His life is our example (vs. 21-23):
He is a perfect example for us to follow.
In this case, He is our example in the way that He responded to suffering.
He was sinless, yet He submitted to the suffering.
He is our substitute in His death (v.24).
Jesus did not die as a martyr, He died as a Savior.
Jesus took the punishment that belonged to us, the payment that we, as sinners, deserve. “the wages of sin is death”; “all have sinned. . .”; “there is none righteous. . .”
He was wounded that we might be healed.
He died that we might live.
We died with Him; thus we are dead to sin, so that we might live unto righteousness.
He is our watchful Shepherd in Heaven (v. 25).
In the Old Testament, the sheep died for the shepherd; but at Calvary, the Shepherd died for the sheep.
Every lost sinner is like a sheep gone astray: ignorant, lost, wandering, in danger, away from the place of safety, and unable to help himself.
The Shepherd went out to search for the lost sheep (Luke 15:1–7). He died for the sheep!
Now that we have been returned to the fold and are safely in His care, He watches over us lest we stray and get into sin.
the Saviour in glory watches over His sheep to protect them and perfect them.
Jesus watches over us to protect and perfect us.
Jesus watches over us to protect and perfect us.
Hebrews 13:20–21
Hebrews 13:20–21
Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
As we live godly lives and submit in times of suffering, we are following Christ’s example and becoming more like Him.
We submit and obey, not only for the sake of lost souls and for the Lord’s sake, but also for our own sake, that we might grow spiritually and become more like Christ.
The unsaved world is watching us, but the Shepherd in heaven is watching over us; so we have nothing to fear.
We can submit to Him and know that He will work everything together for our good and His glory.
