Living Differently Part 5 - 1 Peter 2:11-25
Living Differently in a World That is Not Our Home • Sermon • Submitted
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Introduction
Introduction
A Different Attitude Towards Authority
A Different Attitude Towards Authority
13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. 17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. 18 Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 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.” 25 For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
1 Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 5 For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, 6 like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear. 7 Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.
Peter states: Submit … for the Lord’s sake … (15) God’s will
(1) Government (2) Employment (3) Home
Big idea: Submission to God’s ordained order brings glory and honor to Him and blessing to those who truly submit.
Accompanying Text: I’d like to add another layer of understanding … Paul wrote the same thing to a different group of individuals. After I read Paul’s text I will explain the circumstances surrounding both.
1 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. 6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
The Emperor Nero
The Meaning of Submission
The Meaning of Submission
In 1 Peter 2:13 and Romans 13:1 the Greek word is Hypotasso (Hu-pa-tasso)
It was a military term used to instruct soldiers to fall in line under the officer in charge.
To be or become inclined or willing to submit to orders or wishes; to be obedient; bring under control
(It was the act of the person falling under authority rather than just the command of the one in authority)
Much different from “Diatasso” or “Epitasso” - to order, command, to give orders
Acts 18:2 When Paul first meets Aquila and Priscilla … Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome
13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority,
1 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
Notice the text makes no distinction between good or bad, Godly or Evil … “every human authority” or “subject to THE governing authorities.
1 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good,
John Lindell puts it this way … “submit … whether they are a Democrat or a Dictator, Communist or a King, Republican or a Revolutionary.”
As a follower of Christ, our general attitude and pattern of behavior toward the government should be submission. This includes law enforcement, revenue agencies, local, state and federal governing bodies and officials.
A lot of people will submit to authority when they agree with that authority but the moment they don’t agree with that authority they stop submitting … which begs the question; Did they even submit to the authority in the first place?!
Remember … Hypotasso - To be or become inclined or willing to submit to orders or wishes; to be obedient; bring under control
The Reason for Submission
The Reason for Submission
Four Reasons to Submit:
(1) To Please God
(2) To Maintain Order in Society
(3) To Maintain our Testimony
(4) To Experience true Christian Freedom
The great paradox of the Christian life is that freedom from sin is actually freedom to choose to do what is right. In this case, we actually experience true freedom when we submit to the God ordained, God controlled authority in our life … Because it is God who is now responsible for the outcome.
1 Peter 2:13 says “for the Lord’s sake.”
15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.
There is a Biblical way to silence … not by slander, nor saying hurtful things, posting hateful things on Facebook.
1 Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives,
Remember our text in Romans … “there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” (Romans 13:1b)
All authority is placed there by God! (All authority? - Yes!)
Even Dictators and oppressive Governments? YES! (Don’t argue with me … The Bible says)
HONOR AUTHORITY = HONOR GOD
DISHONOR AUTHORITY = DISHONOR GOD
Honoring Authority and honoring God is forever linked together.
"Independence must blasted clean out, there must be no such thing left, only freedom, which is very different. Freedom is the ability not to insist on my rights, but to see that God get His.” Oswald Chambers
Main goal: To please God … When we honor the authority He places in our lives, we please Him. (Government, Employer, Spouse)
2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
If you resist authority … resist what God has established … Very difficult walk with God!
STOP IT!!!!
23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.”
“Insubordination to authority is mutiny towards God. If we are insubordinate, we will be a help to the spirit of anti-christ.”
When Submission is Hard
When Submission is Hard
(1) Rebel and refuse to submit
(2) Retaliate and say and post hurtful things
(3) Ask God to give us a new perspective and learn to submit
As Christians we must trust in a sovereign God that reigns supreme even over ungodly men. Ungodly men were used of God all through the OT to accomplish His purposes. So the quality of the governing officials does not determine whether or not we submit.
Examples:
Exodus 1:15-20 The Hebrew midwives who “feared God” and disobeyed the King’s order
Esther 3 & 4 Esther took her life in her own hands to save the Jewish people
Daniel 3:9-18 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who refused to bow
Daniel 6:6-10 Daniel instructed not to pray but prayed anyway
6 Now I will give all your countries into the hands of my servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; I will make even the wild animals subject to him. 7 All nations will serve him and his son and his grandson until the time for his land comes; then many nations and great kings will subjugate him.
Daniel worked under Nebby … the outcome:
17 For this has been decreed by the messengers; it is commanded by the holy ones, so that everyone may know that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world. He gives them to anyone he chooses— even to the lowliest of people.”
Submission never implies apathy. We have been afforded great opportunities in this country to vote, to communicate openly about our opinions, to run for office. We have an obligation, as a part of being a good citizen and stewards of our opportunities, to vote and participate in the political process. We also as believers have the right and privilege (command of God) to support our leadership in prayer, whether we agree with them politically or not.
In the US and other civilized countries, certain forms of civil disobedience are societally acceptable forms of protest. But even in this, we must make sure that we are above reproach and well within the legal boundaries of protest and assembly. This means non-violent, obtaining all proper permission, proper attitude and action, and choosing the proper issues to protest. Our protest must come under the mission of the church.
Good reasons to ask God to help you develop a submissive heart …
14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky
7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.
1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
**Invite worship team to return
Remember the Big Idea:
Big idea: Submission to God’s ordained order brings glory and honor to Him and blessing to those who truly submit.
Closing Illustration: Jenga & Olive Oil
A song of ascents. Of David. 1 How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! 2 It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. 3 It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.