In His Steps

Start off talking about health and wealth gospel

Fake gospels innoculate us to the real gospel so we reject it.

We love this idea of following in Jesus' steps. Walking with Jesus all the way right up to heaven. There is even a popular book called "In His Steps" by Sheldon where a preacher asks "How would Jesus act?" and tries to respond accordingly. In the book some things start to go sideways, he loses some people at his church, etc etc, but then he stays faithful and his church gets bigger, and things turn around for him and he is blessed. But when Jesus calls us to follow in his steps we have to ask the question, what does that really mean?

I think for us we have taken this idea and used it as a moral compass. We ask the question, “What would Jesus do?” in a certain situation. How would Jesus respond. Should I watch that TV show, listen to that music, tell that joke, associate with those people, help that person. These are the types of questions we ask. However, following in Jesus’ steps

We want God to be our divine butler to help us out and to make our life easier. We act so differently than these verses. We have rights, we live in the United States. We don't have to put up with that. But as Paul said, some things are permissible but not all things are beneficial.

We are called

The first part of v. 21 says it, "to this you were called" The word "church" is ekklesia which means called out ones. back a few verses in v. 9, he said we were a chosen generation, a royal priesthood. Over and over again in the book he wants us to know that we are to act differently than the world around us. A priest is one who is called out from among the people.

, “aliens and strangers”

We take our marching orders from our identity. ELABORATE/ story.

And Paul wants to ground what he has to say in this idea that we are called, a chosen generation, a royal priest, a people belonging to God, pilgrims and strangers. He is saying you are different, set a part, so stop trying to act like everyone else. This is the point. I think Paul would say, if you are acting like everyone else then you are probably doing it wrong!

I remember one of the students saying how incredible it was to him that Christianity could be viewed by many students as a belief-system that could be added onto their present lives with little change. Studies remained pretty much the same. Leisure remained pretty much the same. Use of money remained pretty much the same. Goals after graduation remained pretty much the same. Students simply said, “I can believe that,” and added it on to what they were already committed to.

Christ suffered leaving us an Example

Being a “called” people is a part of our identity but it is also a part of our destination. Several times in this book Peter says we are called to do certain things.

In he says, “but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,

English Standard Version Chapter 3

Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing

, “Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.”

The word Peter uses for example is a very vivid word. It was the same word used when kids were learning to write in the ancient world. The word was used as an outline sketch when children were learning to trace letters. The teacher would come and draw out the letters or draw the letters using dotted lines so the kids could come in and follow the letters in the same way their teacher did.

Peter tells us, the life Jesus lived and the way he suffered is our example our blueprint for us to follow. Jesus gave us an outline sketch of what it looked like to follow God. And for him that meant suffering and the cross.

"Suffering unjustly in this world is not a coincidence for Christians; it’s a calling." - John Piper

John Piper

But Peter tells us this call to suffering leads to something else

In the 2nd cent A. D., so about 150 years after Jesus died, an early church father named Diognetus wrote this,

“They love all men, and are persecuted by all. They are unknown and condemned; they are put to death, and restored to life. They are poor, yet make many rich; they are in lack of all things, and yet abound in all; they are dishonoured, and yet in their very dishonour are glorified. They are evil spoken of, and yet are justified; they are reviled, and bless; they are insulted, and repay the insult with honour; they do good, yet are punished as evil-doers. When punished, they rejoice as if quickened into life; they are assailed by the Jews as foreigners, and are persecuted by the Greeks; yet those who hate them are unable to assign any reason for their hatred.”

”

But Peter tells us this call to suffering leads to something else.

, “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”

Follow in His Steps

Benefits of Suffering

We can only give a start down the list.

• When we suffer unjustly and patiently with our trust in God, we are surrendering some very precious things (health, comfort, ease) and so we are show the excellency of God’s superior preciousness ().

• When we suffer with patient faith in God, we surrender much of our claim to be protected and cared for on earth and so we show the excellency of God’s superior shepherd care for us (; ).

• When we suffer with patient faith in God, we go without the glory of fighting back and winning; and so we show the excellency of God’s superior glory that he will share with us some day, and the justice of his throne that will one day settle all accounts (; ; , ).

- Suffering refines us, as fire refines gold.

Piper, J. (2007). Sermons from John Piper (1990–1999). Minneapolis, MN: Desiring God.