The Christian’s Example

19. The Christian’s Example

1 Peter 2:9–23 NKJV

9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. 11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. 13 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, 14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men—16 as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. 17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. 18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. 19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22 “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; 23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;

CALL OF REDEMPTION—v. 9–10

I. THE CALL OF REDEMPTION—vv. 9–10

Chosen—v. 9.

Chosen generation. Being “born again” places us in God’s family.

1.) Chosen generation. The new birth places us in God’s family.

Chosen in Him

Jesus said we have not chosen Him, but He has chosen us. (John 15)

2.) Royal Priesthood. God had made the church to be what He wanted Israel to be—; .

Royal Priesthood. God had made the church to be what He wanted Israel to be—; .

Exodus 19:6 NKJV

6 And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”

Revelation 20:6 NKJV

6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.

Holy Nation. A dedicated, consecrated people.

3.) Holy Nation. A dedicated, consecrated people.

Webster: “holy”= : exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness

4.) Peculiar people. The word peculiar does not mean that we are “odd” or “funny,” but that we are a “special people”—the children of God.

Peculiar people. The word peculiar does not mean that we are “odd” or “funny,” but that we are a “special people”—the children of God.

Peculiar does not mean weird, but it does mean different. Christians ought to be “different”

Jesus alluded to this when he asked “If you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others?”

He expected us to be different, to do more than others. To set a better example.

God comes from the same ground as dirt and rocks, but gold is different than dirt.

Changed—v. 10. In the past we were sinners, separated from God. Now we have been joined unto God, and we are members of the family of God.

B. Changed—v. 10. In the past we were sinners, separated from God. Now we have been joined unto God, and we are members of the family of God.

We were not part of His people, but now we are. Our example of life should declare it.

CALL OF RIGHTEOUSNESS—v. 11–20

The purity—v. 11. Stay away from sinful lusts. We are only passing through this world. We are only visitors in this world.

So we should set an example of Christ in the things that we do - in living Holy, different, better.

And we also set this example in the things we do not do - avoiding sinful lusts, evil, violence, sexual sin, greed, deceit, etc.

Not only are these things a bad example, they “war against our soul”

Avoiding “lusts” makes them weaker. Satisfying lusts, only make the lusts stronger and the pleasure less satisfying.

The perfection—v. 12. As Christians, we should live so that people can find no fault in us.

B. The perfection—v. 12. As Christians, we should live so that people can find no fault in us.

The perfection—v. 12. As Christians, we should live so that people can find no fault in us.

Our example should be such, that even those speaking evil of us, will have to acknowledge when they observe our example, they will have to glorify God

A great many sinners have been converted in this way - through observing a Christian that they didn’t even like

So, unbelievers should be observing “good works” in us.

C. The plea—vv. 13–14. Obey the powers and rulers over us. We as Christians should always obey those over us, except when they hinder us from serving God.

The plea—vv. 13–14. Obey the powers and rulers over us. We as Christians should always obey those over us

except when they hinder us from serving God.

We should “submit” ourselves to the laws of man - for the Lord’s sake. Our freedom in Christ is not an excuse to be rebels

However, this submission does not mean that we set aside our obedience to God and His commission. His laws are higher

Peter said “we ought to be obey God rather than man”

So, we obey the laws of man, unless it contradicts God’s command.

D. The purpose—vv. 15–16. Living right will silence those who speak against us. No double living. No double speaking.

The purpose—v. 15–16. Living right will silence those who speak against us. No double living. No double speaking.

E. The plan—vv. 17–18. Note these three words: honor, love, fear. These are important in the lives of the Christian.

The plan—v. 17–18. Note these three words: honor, love, fear. These are important in the lives of the Christian.

Honor “all people” - Everyone is deserving of respect and honor. Even if they do not believe what we believe, even if they disagree with us.

Love the Brotherhood. We must love one another. The Lord said this was the test by which people know we are disciples, by our love for each other.

Fear God. The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord.

One of the ways to recognize “selfianity” is that it has a complete lack of the fear of the Lord

Our western “me at the center” Christianity makes God more like a genie that serves us, than a supreme, awe filled, omnipotent, and Commanding LORD.

Yet Jesus said to His friends “I will forewarn you whom you shall fear...”

F. The praise—v. 19. It is good when you suffer wrong for the sake of the Lord.

The praise—v. 19. It is good when you suffer wrong for the sake of the Lord.

Not that its good to suffer - but if you suffer make sure it is for doing good

If you suffer for doing bad, there is no credit, even if you take it well - you had it coming

But those who don’t deserve it and take it well - this is praiseworthy.

G. The patience—v. 20. Accept suffering “as from the Lord.”

The patience—v. 20. Accept suffering “as for the Lord.” - this is commendable

CALL OF His Example—v. 21–23

Suffering—v. 21. Christ suffered for us, setting the example to suffer for Him.

Setting an example that we can follow in His Steps - We can be like HIm

Sinless—v. 22. Christ’s life and talk was sinless. They could find no fault in Him.

Sinless—v. 22. Christ’s life and talk was sinless. They could find no fault in Him.

There was no deceit in His mouth - He said what was right and true - no hidden motives

When He was reviled - He did not revile back - Neither should we -

When He suffered - He did not threaten - neither should we

Surrender—v. 23. Christ accepted all His sufferings as from God. He wants us to follow this example.

Trusting God - He committed Himself to Him who judges righteously

He wants us to follow this example.

Can we do this? Can we trust the Lord to settle the accounts, to avenge the wrongs, to pay back the evildoer?

He will repay - but vengeance belongs to Him