Submission
Enduring Trials • Sermon • Submitted
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Introduction:
Introduction:
On December 15th, A.D. 37, a boy named Nero was born. The is boy, at the age of 17 became the emperor of Rome. While some history states that Nero was a kind and generous emperor in his first couple years, things quickly changed. According to historians, Nero committed many crimes such as murdering his mother, his two wives, and his unborn son. Nero apparently also started a fire in Rome so he could build a bigger palace for himself. When rumors spread of what he did, Nero blamed Christians for the fire. Many Christians were put to death under the reign of Nero, including the apostle Paul and the apostle Peter. Emperor Nero engaged in many sexual sins that are too graphic to share and brought economic hardship to Rome. Nero was and is still considered the most evil emperor for Rome.
Imagine being a Christian during this time. The emperor has gone mad, and if you lived in Rome, there is a good chance you lost everything due to the fire. The economy is taking a turn for the worse, and oh by the way, there is a target on your back to be executed either by crucifixion or beheading. The question going through your head might be “How do I respond to this trial?” When all seems to be going to hell, what should my response be? The apostle Peter is going to answer that question, and to some in the first century church and even us today, we might be surprised to what Peter has to say. If you have your bible or your bible app, turn with me to 1st Peter chapter 2 starting at verse 13 as we conclude this portion of Peter’s letter.
Submit to every human authority because of the Lord, whether to the emperor as the supreme authority or to governors as those sent out by him to punish those who do what is evil and to praise those who do what is good. For it is God’s will that you silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good. Submit as free people, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but as God’s slaves. Honor everyone. Love the brothers and sisters. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
Household slaves, submit to your masters with all reverence not only to the good and gentle ones but also to the cruel. For it brings favor if, because of a consciousness of God, someone endures grief from suffering unjustly. For what credit is there if when you do wrong and are beaten, you endure it? But when you do what is good and suffer, if you endure it, this brings favor with God.
For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. He did not commit sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth; when he was insulted, he did not insult in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten but entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree; so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but you have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
(Prayer)
We see Peter start off this portion of the letter with the word submit. Peter is calling the believers to be submissive.
Submissive: To become inclined or willing to submit to orders or wishes of others .
4 Areas To Be Submissive To:
4 Areas To Be Submissive To:
1.) Submit To The Government: (1st Peter 2:13-15)
The Apostle Paul echoes the same call in Romans 13;
Let everyone submit to the governing authorities, since there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God. So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Do what is good, and you will have its approval. For it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For it is God’s servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong. Therefore, you must submit, not only because of wrath but also because of your conscience. And for this reason you pay taxes, since the authorities are God’s servants, continually attending to these tasks. Pay your obligations to everyone: taxes to those you owe taxes, tolls to those you owe tolls, respect to those you owe respect, and honor to those you owe honor.
At this point you may be thinking like I was as I was preparing for this study and want to say “timeout”. Both Peter and Paul, who dealt with the craziness of Nero, are saying to submit to government authorities, and oh by the way Paul says that the authorities are instituted by God? Have they gone crazy like Nero? The simple answer to that is no, they haven’t.
To understand a little more of the context that both Peter and Paul are talking about here, we need to address some the role of government.
Governments Role: Exists to serve those governed.
They are to watch over, protect, and treat us fairly. We as citizens are called to obey the laws they establish. (Example: Driving Age and Speed Limits, and paying taxes)
In a perfect world where there is no sin involved this would work out fine and we would have no issues. However, we do live in a fallen, sinful world, and sometimes the authorities that are in charge don’t do what they are suppose to do. They cut corners, try to make laws that benefit them and their friends, steal the people’s tax money, create false narratives,and the list goes on and on. Maybe you’ve heard your parents talk about some these issues within our own government.
What if we don’t like the laws? What if we know we are being treated unjustly? Are we to rebel? Are we to start riots? Can we hashtags things that say; #NOTMYPRESIDENT?
Both Peter and Paul say no. They use this word called “honor” which means to respect the position of authority. We respect the position because God is the one who instituted them into power. We may not agree with what they are doing, but we are to honor and submit to their laws, unless they cause us to be disobedient to God. (Example: Daniel)
Why Do We Have Evil Governments?
1.) God’s Ways Are Higher.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
and your ways are not my ways.”
This is the Lord’s declaration.
“For as heaven is higher than earth,
so my ways are higher than your ways,
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
2.) Our Sinful Nature.(Example: Hitler)
3.) God’s Punishment For Disobedience. (Example: Daniel)
2.) Submit To Your Freedom As Citizens Of Heaven:
Submit as free people, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but as God’s slaves. Honor everyone. Love the brothers and sisters. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
We are not to abuse the freedom we have in Christ Jesus.
Just one thing: As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, in one accord, contending together for the faith of the gospel, not being frightened in any way by your opponents. This is a sign of destruction for them, but of your salvation—and this is from God.
3.) Submit To Your :Masters”:
Household slaves, submit to your masters with all reverence not only to the good and gentle ones but also to the cruel. For it brings favor if, because of a consciousness of God, someone endures grief from suffering unjustly. For what credit is there if when you do wrong and are beaten, you endure it? But when you do what is good and suffer, if you endure it, this brings favor with God.
“Slaves” does not mean the type of slavery we learn about history. The phrase household servant simply means that this were non-Roman citizens. They were considered lower-class workers who did pretty much everything while Roman Citizens lived a “pampered” life style.
These non-Roman citizens did everything from ditch digging, to field workers, to cooks, teachers, musicians, and artists. Some of these non-citizens could eventually earn enough to buy their citizenship. For us today, think of your teachers and bosses as your “masters” that you serve.
Peter is calling us to submit to their authority. Again, you may not like them, they may treat you unfairly, maybe they don’t give you any benefits or assign too much homework, but you are called to submit to them, unless you are being disobedient to God.
(You’re not being persecuted by getting to much homework. You’re not being persecuted because you are late for work.)
4.) Submit to The Shepard’s Example:
For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. He did not commit sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth; when he was insulted, he did not insult in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten but entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree; so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but you have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Jesus Christ laid down His rights, so we could be saved.