1 Peter 2:12-3:8 Dealing with Difficult People / Responding in humility/honor
Notes
Transcript
Monk theme song: It’s a jungle out there.
Better – It’s a war out there.
Receive or even perceive an injury – strike back / in kind / escalate
“You are going to get the better of me”
Peter provides a different view. Respond in humility and honoring the difficult ones.
Wasn’t popular in the NT word – humility was not something that was admired.
Isn’t popular today either.
Except in the eyes of God.
And He is the one in control / He is the One making the rules / He is the one who changes hearts / He is the one who delights to the unlikely when those who by faith obey Him respond to Him.
How does one expect to impact his world / an evil world / with evil people who bring difficulty into our lives?
With humility / honor to those people.
In a proper response, God speaks to hearts.
Now I am not saying someone is expected to remain in a situation of physical abuse. Be safe. Remove oneself from harm. Report people to the police. Leave the person / leave the situation.
But I am saying that Peter directs us to maintain the right attitude always.
And most of our problems aren’t at that level. It comes from people who are jerks. Who don’t give us respect. Who don’t do the right thing. Who cause us emotional turmoil.
And Peter under the inspiration of the Spirit, reveals God’s direction on these matters. It is not necessarily what we want to hear. But it is truth. It is a response that only comes from Spirit empowered transformation in our lives. But it is what God expects.
1 Peter 2:13 – 3:7 Dealing with difficult people
The short answer – deal with humility / honor / respect --- even though they have done nothing to deserve it.
Before we come up with a thousand excuses to behave some other way, let’s just listen to what God said.
1 Peter 2:12-3:8 Dealing with Difficult People
Responding in humility/honor
I. Responding in humility/honor: The example of Christ
I. Responding in humility/honor: The example of Christ
A. Yielded to the accusers
A. Yielded to the accusers
(ESV) 1 Peter 2 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; …
1. He yielded to them – no radical verbal reaction against them
1. He yielded to them – no radical verbal reaction against them
B. Did not strike back
B. Did not strike back
(ESV) 1 Peter 2 23 … when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to Him who judges justly.
1. He did not strike back / verbally or physically
1. He did not strike back / verbally or physically
2. He did not threaten them although He could have and done something about it
2. He did not threaten them although He could have and done something about it
C. Gave the greatest good in return
C. Gave the greatest good in return
(ESV) 1 Peter 2 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, …
1. Instead of striking back, he did good on their behalf – He died for their sin
1. Instead of striking back, he did good on their behalf – He died for their sin
D. Impacted the redemption of all
D. Impacted the redemption of all
(ESV) 1 Peter 2 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
1. The impact of His response was redemption for whoever will repent and trust in Him
1. The impact of His response was redemption for whoever will repent and trust in Him
2. His response caused many who hated Him to be transformed from within
2. His response caused many who hated Him to be transformed from within
3. His response was enabled me to find forgiveness and created righteousness within me
3. His response was enabled me to find forgiveness and created righteousness within me
This is our model – Is He serious that we should react with humility / grace / and appropriate honor ---- Yes, He Himself set the example.
E.
E.
II. Responding in humility/honor: To difficult institutions
II. Responding in humility/honor: To difficult institutions
A. Yield to officials
A. Yield to officials
(ESV) 1 Peter 2 13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.
1. The desire – to obey officials / government whenever we can
1. The desire – to obey officials / government whenever we can
2. Don’t be too quick to say we must obey God rather than man --- the underlying desire of God is for us to submit to government – a heart thing
2. Don’t be too quick to say we must obey God rather than man --- the underlying desire of God is for us to submit to government – a heart thing
B. Don’t flaunt your freedom
B. Don’t flaunt your freedom
(ESV) 1 Peter 2 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.
1. We are servants of God --- don’t use that as an excuse to have a contrary spirit
1. We are servants of God --- don’t use that as an excuse to have a contrary spirit
C. Do good / honor everyone
C. Do good / honor everyone
(ESV) 1 Peter 2 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
1. Inner desire is to submit --- seek to do that --- only time not to is when it causes us to sin / disobey God’s commands
1. Inner desire is to submit --- seek to do that --- only time not to is when it causes us to sin / disobey God’s commands
2. That’s why we have tried to conform during the COVID stuff – seek to conform whenever we can
2. That’s why we have tried to conform during the COVID stuff – seek to conform whenever we can
D. Impacts your influence
D. Impacts your influence
(ESV) 1 Peter 2 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.
1. This is God’s will --- period
1. This is God’s will --- period
2. By seeking to conform and be good citizens --- the rubbish that the spread about us is disarmed – people see the truth
That is how Christianity survived persecution (Roman govt and others). They did not harm / were good citizens / were not seeking to revolt or disrupt the government --- only disobeyed when they had to / were willing to pay the price for that disobedience. – even death
2. By seeking to conform and be good citizens --- the rubbish that the spread about us is disarmed – people see the truth
That is how Christianity survived persecution (Roman govt and others). They did not harm / were good citizens / were not seeking to revolt or disrupt the government --- only disobeyed when they had to / were willing to pay the price for that disobedience. – even death
3. Ultimately the Christian life lived out for Christ is obvious to all (don’t eat their children/don’t drink blood in ceremonies) They are good/loyal citizens that serve their God.
3. Ultimately the Christian life lived out for Christ is obvious to all (don’t eat their children/don’t drink blood in ceremonies) They are good/loyal citizens that serve their God.
III. Responding in humility/honor: To difficult bosses
III. Responding in humility/honor: To difficult bosses
A. Yield to your boss
A. Yield to your boss
(ESV) 1 Peter 2: 18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.
1. An attitude of serving / do what you say / work ethic / and more
1. An attitude of serving / do what you say / work ethic / and more
B. Don’t just give what is deserved
B. Don’t just give what is deserved
(ESV) 1 Peter 2:18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.
1. Not dependent on worth of the boss – seek to do the job as it should be done
1. Not dependent on worth of the boss – seek to do the job as it should be done
C. Give grace to the powerful
C. Give grace to the powerful
(ESV) 1 Peter 2 19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.
1. An issue of grace – work unconditionally – give grace to the boss – really working for God as the boss
1. An issue of grace – work unconditionally – give grace to the boss – really working for God as the boss
D. Impacts your testimony for Christ
D. Impacts your testimony for Christ
(ESV) 1 Peter 2 19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.
1. Shows you serve someone greater
1. Shows you serve someone greater
2. Reflect that someone’s character
2. Reflect that someone’s character
3. He takes note and is pleased
3. He takes note and is pleased
IV. A response of humility/honor: To difficult husbands
IV. A response of humility/honor: To difficult husbands
A. Yield to your husband
A. Yield to your husband
(ESV) 1 Peter 3:1 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, …
1. There is a role hierarchy in marriage
1. There is a role hierarchy in marriage
2. Yield to it rather than fight it
2. Yield to it rather than fight it
B. Don’t manipulate with the physical
B. Don’t manipulate with the physical
(ESV) 1 Peter 3:3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—
1. Don’t try to manipulate husband through the physical
1. Don’t try to manipulate husband through the physical
2. More going on here than the physical or control in the relationship
2. More going on here than the physical or control in the relationship
C. Influence with a godly spirit
C. Influence with a godly spirit
(ESV) 1 Peter 3:4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.
1. It is about inner transformation
1. It is about inner transformation
2. Gentleness / quiet spirit is what is precious
2. Gentleness / quiet spirit is what is precious
3. It always has been
3. It always has been
5 For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.
D. Impacts whether your husband changes
D. Impacts whether your husband changes
(ESV) 1 Peter 3:1 … so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct.
1. Nagging or browbeating won’t
1. Nagging or browbeating won’t
2. The right inner character can produce change in the husband
2. The right inner character can produce change in the husband
V. A response of humility/honor: To difficult wives
V. A response of humility/honor: To difficult wives
A. Yield to your wives
A. Yield to your wives
(ESV) 1 Peter 3:7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives… showing honor …
1. An unexpected flip
1. An unexpected flip
2. Though in the lead position, you are responsible to yield
2. Though in the lead position, you are responsible to yield
3. Servant leadership
3. Servant leadership
B. Don’t flaunt your strength
B. Don’t flaunt your strength
7 … showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
1. Physically stronger – don’t use that to your advantage
1. Physically stronger – don’t use that to your advantage
2. Role Position is stronger – don’t use that to your advantage
2. Role Position is stronger – don’t use that to your advantage
C. Responsible to seek understanding
C. Responsible to seek understanding
(ESV) 1 Peter 3:7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, …
1. Honor her even though she may be difficult
1. Honor her even though she may be difficult
2. Seek to understand her even when you don’t
2. Seek to understand her even when you don’t
3. Take the initiative
3. Take the initiative
4. Your responsibility as the ‘stronger’ one in the relationship
4. Your responsibility as the ‘stronger’ one in the relationship
D. Impacts your spiritual life
D. Impacts your spiritual life
7 … showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
1. Your response impacts you relationship to God
1. Your response impacts you relationship to God