Alien Submission

Alien Submission

OPENING ILLUSTRATION

Curious how Hollywood plays with history but not surprising ... James Cameron’s 1997 box-office hit TITANIC is a case in point .. well you have to do something different when everyone knows the ending!

What’s portrayed in the movie .. as TITANIC comes to it’s final end .. is we see a lot of wealthy 1st class male passengers behaving like 3rd class humans .. the rule when there’s a shortage of lifeboats to people? .. Yep .. WOMEN AND CHILDREN FIRST!

James Cameron gives us vision of hardened sailors needing guns to warn off blokes who are trying to push their way forward .. some who are bribing sailors to put them on boats .. some who are dressing as women to get a seat .. and of course the snivelling cowardly villain Cal who sweeps up a crying child to rush onto a lifeboat pretending to be her father

Truth is ... especially among the wealthy gentry .. that eye-witness accounts state there was little of that SELFISHNESS ... it was an established principle and strictly adhered to .. WOMEN AND CHILDREN FIRST! Some men .. Mr Astor .. did push forward to get his wife a seat on a lifeboat .. but stepped back and perished with the other 1600 people

So why does Cameron not stick to the facts entirely here? Well ... no one would believe it in our day and age .. this is the day of SELF .. me-first-ism .. it is so normal we find it difficult to think any other way ... SELF DENIAL seems abnormal .. almost immoral for some

Of course SELF-CENTREDNESS is the very core of our rebellious hearts .. sin is defined as that disobedience where we don’t want to submit to anyone else ... authority is a dirty word

This morning Peter is going to FLESH OUT what it means to be STRANGERS and ALIENS in this world

Peter last time reminded us of our responsibilities and privileges as the chosen people of God and how we are to function as a royal priesthood .. offering spiritual sacrifices .. declaring His praise ..We are to proclaim Christ and practice that proclamation.. but HOW?

As we push along in the letter .. this next section .. which really goes through to 3:12 .. outlines a principle .. and outlines some applications ... and gives us the undergirding example

The Principle

Living the Christian life in a cynical world .. pagan world .. hostile world .. is very relevant now that the “Christian” world of the past is getting more agitated against Christian principles .. values etc ..

The issues for so many people today is not even the question .. “Is Christianity TRUE?” but “Does Christianity WORK” .. the meme is .. THEY DON’T CARE WHAT YOU BELIEVE, UNTIL THEY BELIEVE THAT YOU CARE

Mission takes up both the words and the works – it’s LIFESTYLE .. and vv.11-12 are a bit of an INTRO .. and reminds us of the MAJOR THEME …I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world,

.. and reminds us of the MAJOR THEME …I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world,

Let’s press PAUSE for a minute and dig a bit deeper .. what does it mean to be an ALIEN .. STRANGER?

Well .. This is not our true country .. this world is not the place of our CITIZENSHIP .. we are citizens of HEAVEN! … ie WE LIVE ON THIS EARTH WITH THE POLITICS OF HEAVEN …

City state = city/nation .. like Paul who was a Roman citizen eg can’t be imprisoned without trial .. Paul used this get out of gaol free card because he’s a roman citizen

So .. at conversion your citizenship is transferred .. to heaven .. the rights and privileges .. rights of ACCESS .. PROTECTION etc .. there is NOW a change in status .. there is no MIDDLE GROUND

Y’see .. you are a Christian or not a Christian .. yes you can be seeking but as a seeker you are still not in the Kingdom .. there comes some point where you say .. Yes .. I repent and believe ..

MARRIAGE is the same .. you’re unmarried .. and then “I pronounce you man and wife” .. married

Y’see .. this is what happens .. when we stop thinking that my morality .. my good works .. my “righteousness” makes me a Christian and pleasing to God .. no no no .. I’m a Christian because of the righteousness that is Christ’s .. given to me .. then my citizenship is TRANSFERRED from this world to HEAVEN .. and I’m an ALIEN here on earth .. living the politics of heaven

Genuine believers are never vague about this .. they don’t say “I’m doing my best .. I’m pretty sure I’m a Christian .. who knows? … maybe not a good one but I’m plodding on…. I’m hoping I am”

That’s trying to take the non existent middle ground. I hope it works out in the end

Your confidence is not arrogance .. the Father wants you to know and feel His assurance .. You are HIS .. and in the Kingdom .. for me that was 2am 3 Dec 1972 .. once I was dead but now alive

I’m not saying that you will be able to pinpoint an exact time .. I’m saying you’ll know you have one, even if it took a while ..

Can I stress .. you need to be sure here .. do you know your STATUS? Made that decision? .. Can I help you? .. coz it’s not good works and morality that gets you the status of being a citizen of heaven

We live in a world that doesn’t like making commitments .. we want pre nuptials with the wedding agreement

As Jesus said .. we are In the world but not of the world ()

Trouble is we find that a hard area to define and I think what we see is a lot of Christians retreating to one of two extremes

Christians who are trying so hard to assimilate and blend in to the world .. you know “all things to all men” that you can’t really tell them apart from the world they live in .. seems like they are driven by the same values and goals as the world around us

AND

Other Christians build this safe holy huddle .. retreat into the fortress/castle .. and then lob a grenade over the wall every now and then and call it WITNESS

Now Peter won’t let us fall to one side or the other ... we need to engage the world and live CHRISTIANLY amongst others .. to be the SALT of the world and be the influence and witness we should be .. the salt has to touch the food

Flick back to verse 12 .. Peter introduced the PRINCIPLE Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

There is a VISIBLE BEAUTY to relationships that have been RE-ORIENTATED and IMPACTED by the CROSS ... and it will affect those around us

We are a COUNTERCULTURAL example to the pagans (Gentiles) around us i.e. those that are not Christians (including the Jews)

There will be opposition … there will be those that slander us.

Y’see we won’t harmonise with the world around us .. not necessarily fitting in .. different values .. motivation etc A lot of non-Christians watch us – they really want to see if the life matches the confession .. but they don’t necessarily understand what drives us

Added to that .. when Christians .. esp Christian leaders fall .. behave badly .. the outsider wants to say “See .. these Christians .. they are up to no good .. bunch of whackos ... wowsers and do-gooders who are just like everyone else!”

So how do you silence false accusations? What’s the PRINCIPLE ? Peter says .. GOOD WORKS! (v.15) ... what is the OBJECTIVE GOOD .. these GOOD DEEDS that will draw our neighbours friends workmates relatives to see the glory of God? What is it that GOD SAYS IS GOOD?

Kindness? Compassion? Friendliness? Forgiveness? Well .. we see a far bit of that around us in people that are not Christian .. just good humanitarians ..

Peter focuses on something very profound

Peter weaves together 3 ideas ... that relate to our relationships in life .. that display the VISIBLE BEAUTY of being God’s person .. a witness to the work of Jesus in our lives .. they are: SUBMISSION ..... AUTHORITY .... HONOUR

Now .. we need to be clear .. is Peter saying that the sum and substance of Christian faith .. esp before a watching world .. is a blind adherence to this principle of SUBMISSION? no no no

SUBMISSION defines the Christian way because we are being like our Saviour .. Christlike .. Jesus is known for his MEEKNESS and His SUBMISSION … flick down to vv.21-24

21-24 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

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. 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.”

and no deceit was found in his mouth.” r

That’s our calling … How then do we act so that people will see the glory of God?

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. 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.”

Unique assertive submission

How then do we act so that people will see the glory of God?

What follows are examples in relation to our response to government .. workplace .. and then family (ch.3)

The New International Version. (2011). (). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

Alien Citizens vv.13-17

God is a God of order .. we see that everywhere in the Bible .. there are structures / institutions that God has established .. He is opposed to anarchy He is a God of order .. there’s heaps of examples .. govt. ; family ; work ; marriage

The problem is not the idea of having AUTHORITY structures .. it’s the ABUSE of the power .. lack of servant leadership

For these 1st cent. Christians they knew they were outlawed .. they were the illegals .. their religion was strange .. they were a danger and the governing authorities didn’t quite know what to do with them

The Emperor in Peter’s day is Nero ... and there’s governors like Pontius Pilate and Felix .. we know they weren’t entirely sympathetic to the gospel! Feathering their own nest might be the best description!

The question is: How do these resident aliens live under a government that is often hostile?

vv.13-14

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.

Peter’s encouragement .. Christ like response? SUBMIT .. which is response of respect and obedience to all institutions that have been ordained by God .. NB the important words here are for the Lord's sake in being Christian and wanting to be godly we want to submit to the Lord .. we seek to be pleasing to someone .. not something

AND ... to stress it again .. SUBMISSION defines a Christian’s ways as being like the SAVIOUR

Notice that the govt. at the time was pretty corrupt some Emperors were tyrants greedy with exorbitant taxation set themselves up as gods BUT… Submission is not conditional .. Submit even to this government whether you agree with the policies or not

REMEMBER Jesus saying "Render to Caesar the things of Caesar"

Of course there is no authority to obey laws that are blatantly unbiblical Peter and John , "We must obey God rather than men." ( they were told to stop preaching the gospel)

ILLUSTRATION

During the Vietnam war the govt. organised conscription and some Christians said that they couldn't obey that Govt. legislation to go into the war to shoot people … well and good … but that means they had to take the consequences, in that case it was a prison sentence

It is God that raises up rulers and also brings them to their knees and gets rid of them – they are answerable to Him for how they rule and govern ..They are to punish and praise (v.14) If there is this attitude of submission and desire to do good it goes a long way to silence the critics .. the stress is on behaviour .. quality of CONDUCT

Be law abiding citizens and you will therefore show others that slander you, who you really serve

APPLICATION

The message is as real and true for us today as it was for these first readers

The call is that we pray for our govt. and that we respect and obey them (; Ps.82:14; 125:3) ... We are to pay our taxes not be whingers and be submissive – might not like Scott Morrison, or the management of Centerlink, the TAX system or any number of policies that are handed down

We are to obey the authorities where they do not call us to sin .. it’s a matter of respect and obedience to God

However .. it’s not a call to inaction .. we thankfully live in a political system where we can voice our opposition

If you think a matter is unbiblical or harsh or unjust, we have the freedom to write a letter/petition - pray .. go about that with the right attitude .. and with grace .. knowing our society is NOT Christian

We’re thankful that some of our forebears spoke against and finally succeeded in getting rid of things like the SLAVE TRADE .. CHILD LABOUR in the 19th cent .. but it does make us think about the godly approach to issues before us and the right response .. e.g. abortion is very live issue at the moment .. and there’s stem cell research, euthanasia rulings, asylum seekers etc etc

Notice the bit of a summary statement in v.16-17 .. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. ..Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honour the king.

The FREEDOM we have in Jesus is so important to understand .. it is a release .. burden lifted to know we are right with God .. freedom is for service ... and we CHOOSE to submit .. it’s not a burden in one sense but be careful you don’t get the perspective right .. because the Lord is our King doesn’t mean I don’t have to do what the authorities tell me ... SUBMISSION is only SUBMISSION when it is freely and generously given .. no one can really FORCE SUBMISSION .. though we often try

We don’t fear the govt .. nor others .. FEAR GOD .. love and respect honour others FOR CHRIST’S SAKE

Alien Workers vv.18-20

Notice where this leads next …. slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.

Same idea .. different social dynamic

In Roman society .. the lowest layer in the household was the servant which is different to 19th cent. Negro slaves

By the 1st Cent. these servants were generally well treated there was of course some cruelly dealt with their servants

They were not just unskilled labourers but often they were managers, overseers, and members of various professions (doctors, nurses, teachers, tradesmen, musicians)

There were extensive regulations towards the treatment of slaves and normally they were paid for their services - in fact it was possible that they could eventually buy their freedom

Even so their legal status, social standing were clearly lower than other Roman citizens

There is no real parallel in our age .. but there is a principle that addresses the employer/employee relationship "not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to the harsh.. (lit. "crooked")"

" Selected obedience is not obedience at all - it is convenience"

APPLICATION

Again it’s our obedience in these sort of situations that points out who we serve .. we work hard for the Lord’s sake .. even in the unreasonable attitude of a boss to a worker .. the attitude that silences others is SUBMISSION .. there’s nothing wrong with the set up WORKER / BOSS or EMPLOYER/ EMPLOYEE .. it’s sinful human being that abuse their position

These are tricky areas I know .. Where do you draw the line ? Where do you go in to bat for those who are oppressed ... sweatshops that treat people inhumanely .. big companies that get rich feeding off those who are defenseless .. these poor people need something to feed their families? These are not easy issues to deal with ... and as churches we need to grapple with these things BUT keep Peter’s word here as a foundation

It might well be that your employer is unreasonable and makes it hard for you – how do you react? What do you spread around? What do you say behind his/her back? .. Y’see .. people notice

It's when you don't deserve it yet you patiently bear it that brings praise from God

ILLUSTRATION

I heard of a Christian who went to work in a tyre factory as a teenager

He was asked to falsify some production figure to make his supervisor look good .. He refused

He was asked a second time and refused again.. he would dishonour Christ if he did that

The supervisor retaliated and said he was going to make sure this Christian young man ended up being fired .. A difficult month passed the young fellow worked hard did his best honestly working with integrity despite the lies and the hard time this supervisor gave him ... The manager of the tyre company eventually sacked the supervisor and promoted the Christian guy to his job .. here’s a bloke with integrity … the youngest supervisor ever appointed to the firm

Silence the critics with your faithful walk be known as an authentic person … pray that God will use you in those situations

Jesus taught Peter and the rest of disciples this while on earth, (NIV) In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Peter now can’t help himself ... he wants us to take up this principle by pointing us to the example of the Lord Jesus

Alien Example vv.21-25

Let’s UNDERSCORE the principle of this passage as we look to Jesus .. THE alien example

Christians can be expected to be treated unjustly (; Jn.15:1820; 16:33; ; ; ; c.f.,

There will be crooked, over bearing, dishonest and morally evil people that will seek to take advantage of you ...There will be those that will maliciously misrepresent you and tell lies

But notice that it is to this that you have been called v.21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

NB lit. has the idea of a pattern to copy … model of handwriting that the pupil would copy trace over

The attitude of Christ was one to follow .. we are CITIZENS of HEAVEN remember! It is not an option

What did He do?

# committed no sin

# no deceit in His mouth

# didn't retaliate

# entrusted Himself to God (lit. "handed over")

You may say "Well that is a very tall order goes against all my natural inclinations"

That's right! Alien to this world!

Impossible for those who do not have the spirit of God

Is the desire there ??

Is your will in tune with the will of God?

God's desire is that you follow the example of Jesus

We must strive not to sin, pray that you might not enter into temptation

Do we lie and deceive people say one thing to a person's face and then stab the knife in when the back is turned

What about retaliation we all find it extremely hard to keep our mouths shut or our hands still when we have been wronged or misunderstood

Yet the instruction is not to retaliate - entrust yourself to the one who judges justly

No one gets away with anything he knows all things and is the perfect judge .. If you do then your life will be marked by a peaceable spirit content that God will vindicate His name and your name

The evil forces thought that they had beaten the Lord of Glory bur God the Father raised the Son and exalted him to a position of glory and honour

The submission of Jesus before those who cruelly mocked Him and abused and humiliated Him then finally crucified Him this is the example to follow

But more must be said for we also see in the example before us ultimate submission

Jesus our Lord took upon Himself our sin humbled Himself and became man

We see that Peter reminds His readers that has been fulfilled in the death of the Lord Jesus

# bore our sins in His own body (53:12; )

# by His wounds you have been healed (53:3,5)

# straying sheep (53:6)

There is an example of submission that we can follow and one that only Christ can accomplish

We can be like Christ before His persecutors follow His example because he gives us the power to over come our sin

v.24 "... bore our sins......so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness"

The constant walk with the Lord meditating on Scripture speaking with the Lord looking for His enabling and strength to live righteously to respond obediently to God's truth Jesus is the "Shepherd and overseer of your souls"

People are not saved by our kindness .. or our gentleness .. or our forgiving nature .. they are saved as we point them to the cross

CONCLUSION

The command is to return to the Shepherd and Overseer of your soul

Follow in His path… be His servant, enslaved to freedom .. the life of Jesus was ALIEN to this world and we are called to be the same .. a “slave” of Christ who now has perfect freedom

Jesus’ example was submission to his Father and also to those who misunderstood Him and mistreated Him

Father forgive them for they do not know what they do

Peter is saying that we ought to submit to ungodly authorities out of a desire to please God and copy the pattern of the life of Jesus … for the GLORY of God.