Living With Authority

Today we are going to talk about authority and how we as Christ followers are called, taught, and instructed to live within and around the authorities in our lives. We pick up in this series on Encouragement with Peter giving some encouragement and teaching on how to deal with Authority in our lives.

Let me first say that NOBODY LIKES AUTHORITY BUT WE ALL NEED IT. Imagine that. Whether we like it or not authority is important for all of us. Authority sets boundaries and makes us feel safe. All of you with kids why do think your little ones like to say that magic word NO so much. WE DON’T LIKE AUTHORITY.

Peter has a lot to say about authority and that is where we are going to pick up today. Right before he gets into that he issues a reminder to all of us who are Christ followers.

That’s where we start today with that reminder. In 1 Peter 2:11-12 this is what peter tells us:

11 Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. 12 Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.

Let me give you a hint here....WE ARE TEMPORARY RESIDENTS!! This world is not our home. We have a different standard to uphold. Peter didn’t write this so our “Christian” neighbors could see how holy we are.

He wrote that so even those who were hostile to believers would come to glorify God. Keep that in mind. If you say you are a Christ follower PEOPLE ARE WATCHING YOU.

With that stern reminder Peter then dives into the topic of human authority. Notice I said human authority because the understanding from Peter is that those he is writing to understand that there is an ultimate authority. And we will get there but let’s travel through this passage and see what Peter has to say to us.

13 For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority—whether the king as head of state, 14 or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right.

15 It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you.

Right here is where I should have titled this message Don’t Shoot the Messenger. So notice right of the bat Peter identifies some of those authority positions. King, Head of State, (Could be called President) or appointed officials. Here are some others for us to consider....bosses, parents, basically anyone who is in a position of authority over you. I would consider my Pastor as one of those positions of authority.

You see it gets tricky especially now because we are pushed to pick sides. And as long as the person in authority is on our side its all good. But when their not on our side do we really follow.

Most of us in here can remember the election in 2000. It was pretty ugly and all the drama after election night was crazy. The thing that I remember most about that was it was the first time that people quit referring to the president by President so and so and just started using their last name.

Some people were so up in arms over other people referring to President Bush as just Bush. But then what happened? President Obama comes into office and it flip flopped. Those same ones who were made that people said bush instead of president bush started saying Obama instead of president Obama?

Both of those men are in that realm of human authority that Peter is talking about. I would say that if we are called to submit to human authority that it shouldn’t matter if they are on our side or not.

I know I know....some of you are looking at me crazy but let this sink in for a minute. Peter is writing this when Christians and Jews are persecuted and killed. If he can say this with that going on how can we expect our circumstances and our call to be different.

He goes on to say that our honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. Ever had anybody make an untrue accusation against you. Ever had to defend yourself against a false accusation? Peter gives us a little help with our defense. Our honorable lives....including submitting to human authority should silence those who hurl false allegations against us.

Peter then goes on to talk about freedom and how we are called to express that freedom.

In verses 16 and 17 he writes,

New Living Translation Chapter 2

16 For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. 17 Respect everyone, and love the family of believers. Fear God, and respect the king.

He let’s us know without any doubt who we belong to. If you are a Christ follower you are God’s slave. Paul uses similar terminology in describing believers as slaves to God. He calls himself a servant but in reality what he is saying is that he is a slave. I will be honest with you I would count it as the highest honor to be considered a slave to Christ.

So as slaves to Christ, Peter is calling us to respect everyone, Fear God and respect the king.

We live in a culture today that is all about me. It’s all about what I think, how I feel, what makes me angry, what bothers me. It’s not about anybody else. You better respect me....even when I don’t respect you or anybody else. Our tendency is to react the same way. Peter is telling us that is not the way to do it. Peter is saying NO!! Don’t do that. RESPECT EVERYONE. Love the family of believers. Fear God and Respect the King.

In verse 18-20 Peter talks to slaves and about submitting to their masters. I think we can look at this and apply it to our jobs. You ever had a job you hated. You ever had a boss you hated. OR ever had a boss that you just knew hated you. Well let’s check out what Peter’s instruction is.

New Living Translation Chapter 2

18 You who are slaves must submit to your masters with all respect. Do what they tell you—not only if they are kind and reasonable, but even if they are cruel. 19 For God is pleased when, conscious of his will, you patiently endure unjust treatment. 20 Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you.

Here are 5 words that can sum this part up....DO WHAT THEY TELL YOU. Work as if you are working for the Lord himself. It’s not easy sometimes. Even with a great boss you get tired, you have a bad day, things go wrong. But instead of joining in on the rumor mill or the circus of running down the boss. How about showing them respect even when they don’t return it. Peter is telling us that it is pleasing to God and honestly that is what we should be worried about. If I’m focused on pleasing God then it really doesn’t matter how my boss treats me. I’m focused on something greater and doing what I’m called to do. Respect Everyone even when they don’t or won’t return the favor.

Now I know this series is called encouragement and so far honestly I haven’t given you much to be encouraged about. Honestly so far I’ve beat you up a little, scolded you for things that need to be fixed, and probably stepped on some toes.

But and I say this with love and sincerity I’m not sorry that I said it. Nope not at all. If God gave it to Peter to write then surely I can preach it. And you know we all need to have our toes stepped on from time to time. We all need to hear hard things and wrestle with God’s word. All of us. I’m up front on this. I did not like this passage when I read it. I kept thinking to myself and asking God where is the encouragement in this? WHERE IS THE ENCOURAGEMENT GOD? Because what I’m reading Lord I’m guilty. I don’t practice any of this like I should.

I don’t submit. I haven’t always given the proper respect to those who are leaders of our nation. I haven’t even given the proper respect to my bosses. As i was wrestling with this the Holy Spirit gave me two things that provided me with so much comfort and so much encouragement and I’m going to share those with you. The first encouragement is God disciplines those He loves.

In Hebrews 12 it says:

5 And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said,

“My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline,

and don’t give up when he corrects you.

6 For the Lord disciplines those he loves,

and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”

So I’m thinking ok Lord I get it. I get it. I get it. And that is encouraging. I know that there are times that God needs to get my attention. Sometimes gently and sometimes not. It’s kind of like that gentle talking to you give your kids when they are misbehaving just a little and then the way you’ll jerk them up by the back of their shirt to keep them from running into the street. Sometimes God is gentle with me and sometimes He jerks me up by the back of my shirt. This one…He really opened up my eyes.

Then I realized the focus of Peter here is encouragement. And there is really only one place to look for encouragement. and it starts in verse 21.

New Living Translation Chapter 2

21 For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.

22 He never sinned,

nor ever deceived anyone.

23 He did not retaliate when he was insulted,

nor threaten revenge when he suffered.

He left his case in the hands of God,

who always judges fairly.

24 He personally carried our sins

in his body on the cross

so that we can be dead to sin

and live for what is right.

By his wounds

you are healed.

25 Once you were like sheep

who wandered away.

But now you have turned to your Shepherd,

the Guardian of your souls.

The encouragement is Jesus. It’s always Jesus. You need some encouragement today. You have people throwing false accusations at you....Verse 23 says He did not retaliate when He was insulted. Nor threaten revenge when he suffered. Rest in Jesus. Live your life through His power. He’s your encouragement.

You need encouragement this morning because you haven’t given respect to those who you are called to give respect to. Maybe you haven’t always lived up to the calling of living an honorable life. Jesus is your encouragement this morning. Verse 24 says He personally carried our sins in His body on the Cross so we can be dead to sin and live for what is right.

You may say Brad that’s all well and good but what about when those in authority are ungodly. Well you pray for them and you follow what Peter is teaching. Submit to all human authority. Sorry. I know that isn’t the easy answer but there it is.

Then you so ok Brad what if those in authority try to force you to go against God? You respectfully decline. Here is what Peter told the Jewish authorities in the Book of Acts chapter 5 verses 28-29

28 “We gave you strict orders never again to teach in this man’s name!” he said. “Instead, you have filled all Jerusalem with your teaching about him, and you want to make us responsible for his death!”

29 But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority.

And if that fails....Follow the example of 3 hebrew men.

In Daniel Chapter 3 here is what is recorded....

New Living Translation Chapter 3

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. 18 But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”

Notice they weren’t disrespectful. They didn’t curse the King. They didn’t tell him how terrible he was. They called him by his proper title and simply stated we can’t worship your statue. And if you throw us in the furnace God will save us. But even if He doesn’t we won’t worship anything else but God.

And here is what happened bear with me its a little long....

New Living Translation Chapter 3

19 Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face became distorted with rage. He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual. 20 Then he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So they tied them up and threw them into the furnace, fully dressed in their pants, turbans, robes, and other garments. 22 And because the king, in his anger, had demanded such a hot fire in the furnace, the flames killed the soldiers as they threw the three men in. 23 So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, securely tied, fell into the roaring flames.

24 But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?”

“Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did,” they replied.

25 “Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!”

26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the door of the flaming furnace and shouted: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!”

So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire. 27 Then the high officers, officials, governors, and advisers crowded around them and saw that the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn’t even smell of smoke!

28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. 29 Therefore, I make this decree: If any people, whatever their race or nation or language, speak a word against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, they will be torn limb from limb, and their houses will be turned into heaps of rubble. There is no other god who can rescue like this!”

When you take a stand for God and you do it in a way that is pleasing to Him, He shows up. IN the midst of the chaos, in the midst of the storms, in the midst of accusations and mistreatment, and what seems like an endless stream of godlessness respectfully stand firm. Love your neighbor, submit to the authorities in your life and treat them with respect. And when you think all of that is falling short or isn’t enough keep on.

Because, and i really want you to hear this.....When your thrown in the fire, when the furnace is cranked up 7 times hotter than it’s ever been Jesus will walk that fire with you. You won’t be alone in the fire. AMEN. Somebody say I’m not alone in the fire.

That is the encouragement. There it is summed up in one sentence. Jesus is your encouragement.

As the band comes up I want to ask everyone to stand with me....Today you may be sitting there like me feeling a little discouraged. Knowing there are things in this passage that are hard to swallow and things you know you aren’t living up to. The altars are open to you this morning. Ask God for forgiveness and encouragement to live according to His teaching. There are some of you that are stuck in the fire right now. You’ve been thrown in the fire and you need some encouragement that your not alone. These altars are open for you…seek God this morning. Ask Him to show you that you aren’t alone in that fire. He’s walking right beside you.

There are some of you that see what is going on in this world. The disrespect, the hatred, and you have just about given up. You can’t find any hope. I’m here to tell you this morning that Jesus is your Hope. Jesus is your encouragement. HE gave His life for you. All you have to do is accept Him and His sacrifice that He made for you. He carried all of our sins to the cross. The altars are open for you. I am up here to help you. If you don’t have a relationship with Jesus don’t hesitate. Don’t wait another day. Make today the day you find your Hope and Encouragement in Him.