Encouragement: Living Among People in the World

1 Pt. 2:11-17

Title: living among the world

ETS: Peter exhorted the exiles to practice good works among the unbelievers.

ESS: We ought to live in a manner that causes others to glorify God.

OSS: [ethical] I want the hearers to live in a manner that points others to Christ.

PQ: What instructions do Peter give to his audience?

UW: Instructions

TS and Intro: How do we, as believers, live in relationship with those in the world? Unbelievers? Maybe you have asked this question before. I am sure that Peter’s audience had asked this question. They were believers living in a difficult world, being marginalized and excluded from society because of their faith. How do we live among people who disagree with us? How do we interact with these people who hate us? Peter provides instructions for his readers that is relevant for us in answering this question. Let’s examine together the instructions Peter gives his audience:

1) abstain from sinful desires (11-12)

Having or maintaining good conduct among Gentiles.

So that they might glorify God because of your good works

In the occasion that they accuse or speak against you

2) submit to every human authority (13-17)

Because submission is God’s will to silence ignorance of foolish people

Resisting temptation to use freedom as cover up for evil (Gal 5:13)

3) honor everyone

4) love those in the fellowship

5) fear God

6) honor the emperor

Conclusion: Peter gave instructions for the readers to live in a manner that caused those around them to glorify God. We also have unbelievers living in our midst, so these instructions are also relevant for us. Let us abstain from fleshly temptations and submit to leaders in a manner that glorifies God.