Living as Servants of God (1 Pet. 2:11-17)

Introduction

· Please open your Bible this morning to 1 Peter 2.

· The title of our message this morning is, “Living as Servants of God”

· Thank volunteers

· A boy once asked, “Dad, what’s the difference between socialism and communism?” His dad was a farmer, and a practical man, and so he explained it this way. “Well son, there are many different types of governments. Let me explain it to you like this. If you have two cows, and you decide to give one away -- or maybe to sell one and buy a bull, now that’s capitalism. That’s what we have here in America. But if you have two cows, and the government forces you to give one away to your neighbor, that’s called socialism. If you have two cows, and you have to give both to the government, then the government turns around and sells you some milk, that’s communism. If you have two cows, and you have to give both to the government, and then the government shoots you, that’s Nazism. (adapted from The Speaker’s Quote Book)

· That is probably not far from the truth. Around the world, there are people living in many different forms of government. Not all people enjoy equal freedoms or have the same opportunities. But Christianity has been able to transcend culture and politics, and has thrived in types of governments throughout history. We are even seeing changes even here in America.

· Read 1 Peter 2:13-17

· In this passage, the Apostle Peter gives two marks of a Christian citizen: they submit to authority, and they stay focused on Christ. These marks define how we should live not only in a society that is friendly to the gospel, but even one that is increasingly hostile to Christ, his commands, and his church.

Submit to Authority

· Authority and submission are a major focus here in the middle of Peter’s letter. 1 Peter 2:13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 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 Peter 3:1 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 1 Peter 5:5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

· Submit is the Gk word hupotasso. It means to “place oneself under.” To recognize the proper chain of command. It is often a military term, but can speak of other relationships as well, as a slave to his master, and a wife to her husband. It is even used of Jesus toward his parents Mary and Joseph in Lk. 2:51 “And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them.

· In order to submit, you must first recognize that authority actually exists, and secondly that authority is not always bad. In many cases, it is a good thing established by God. You rank below someone else, and to put yourself under their leadership.

· Submission does not mean you are inferior, as though you are less important, a second-class citizen. It is just a recognition of the creative order, and that God has places certain levels of authority.

· The primary role of government and authority is seen in v. 14, “to punish evil and praise good.”

· You say, yes, but what if I disagree with the government? An elderly gentleman took his Social Security check to the bank. Although it was clearly marked, “Do not fold, staple or mutilate,” the old gentleman had folded it and creased it pretty severely. The teller at the bank cautioned him, “You should be more careful with your check. The government doesn’t like it when you mutilate your check like that.” The old fellow shook his head and said, “Well, there are some things that the government does that I don’t like either.”

· We know Peter was writing to people who were asking similar questions.

· This week I received a letter from Pacific Justice Institute. They’re a legal organization that help Christians and churches exercise their First Amendment rights. They issued a letter in light of the last election and changes in Washington that could impact Christians … (read a portion). But Peter wrote to believers who lived in a world much like ours today. A world where good was called evil, and evil was called good. Where religious freedom was under attack, when it existed at all. His words are a timely encouragement for us of how we are to live as Christian citizens in a world that all too often does not feel like our home.

· The scope - it is every human authority. The historical context - probably Nero at this time. The parallel statement in v. 2:18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. Gk. skolios. Bent, crooked, dishonest, perverse.

· Here’s the key: “for the Lord’s sake.” All authority is established by God. Romans 13:1–2 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. The only exception in scripture, where a Christian may disobey government, in fact when we must disobey government, is when we are commanded to do what God forbids, or forbidden to do what God commands, as the apostles, who were told to stop preaching in Acts. 5. In this case, they reply “We must obey God rather than men.” In all other cases, we submit, whether we like it or not.

· Result (v. 15) you put to silence the ignorance of foolish people

Stay Focused on Christ

· Play on words here – live as free…live as slaves.

· Everyone – as image bearers. Social media. Even the “foolish” of v. 15.

· Brotherhood- what love requires. Not just those who are easy to love.

· Fear God – Moses, our worship. End of Ecclesiastes

· Honor the king – esp. true of authority. How to pray. Don’t mock, complain.