SW_1 Peter 2:13-17 “Unstuck: Discipleship When You’re Not the One in Charge”

SW_1 Peter 2:13-17 “Unstuck: Discipleship When You’re Not the One in Charge”

When you really think about it, how much control do you have in life? The hard reality is that we don’t have as much control as we would like. The letter of 1 Peter was written to people with very little control in their situation. They had no voice in government (2:13-17), many were slaves (2:18-20), and some were in difficult marriages (3:1-7). BUT, they did have control over one thing – their response – and so do we. By understanding the message of 1 Peter, we find a model for purpose and possibility even when our voice seems insignificant. The model for Jesus’ disciples starts with the command of “submission” (2:13, 2:18, 3:1), a word we may not like, but need to understand. Peter starts with civil government – a place where Christians typically have no voice. In this passage, he gives us a model for living in submission to the government.

1. A pattern to follow ()

Proper authority and submission are God’s design for a nation ()

Submission is a recognition of God’s sovereignty over human affairs ()

2. A perspective to keep ()

True freedom is found through faith in Jesus ()

True freedom is being a subject to king Jesus (; )

True freedom helps us to both honor and resist ()

3. A purpose to fulfill ()

The people of God do good, no matter the political environment ()

As free citizens of the Kingdom of God, we are called to do good as citizens of this world’s kingdom. Does this describe the way you are obeying the law? The way you speak and think about political leaders? The way you are working for good in the community? We are never really stuck. No, we are placed by God for a purpose.