1 Peter 2:13-17

Introduction

How does the Christian relate to the government?

Have you ever had a moment in your life where two different people who were in authority over you had conflicting views about what you needed to do?

Staff Meeting = Polycarp’s kindness (Bishop of Smyrna)

Roman soldiers were pursuing him.

He was an old pastor, and he tried to escape. He actually was going to stay in the city and wait for his arrest. Instead a church member told him to escape to a vila outside of the city.

When the soldiers made it to his villa, he could have escaped out a window. Instead, he sat down and waited on them.

The account of his Martyrdom reads like this: “As soon as he heard them arrive, he went down and chatted with them; and everyone there was struck by his age and his calmness, and surprised that the arrest of such an old man could be so urgent. In spite of the lateness of hour he at once ordered them to be given all the food and drink they wanted; and then asked if he might be allowed an hour to pray undisturbed.”

Explanation

1 Peter 2:13-14 “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.”

Be subject for the Lord’s sake,

We obey the governing authorities over us, because we have a relationship with Jesus.

We are not rebels. We are to be good citizens, salt, and light.

When should this “submission” end for us.

to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and reward those who do right.

When we studied Romans 13, we learned that we submit, because these leaders have been appointed by God for order in our world.

When we dismay over our leader, we ponder the alternative.

Not the alternate candidate, but a world where there are no leaders and no laws.

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.”

Our witness is tied to how we live.

I believe that there are a lot of people, on social media and in everyday conversation, who ruin their witness because of how they talk about government.

People can easily tell who you worship.

I know that generally speaking, Christians are not happy about the current president. That does not mean that we disparage him.

What should our disposition be around a president who does not align with our beliefs?

What should we do for a president who does not align with Christian beliefs?

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.”

Freedom of speech. You have freedom of speech. What you do not always have is consequences for your freedom of speech?

Polycarp had freedom of speech. He did not have freedom from those consequences of speech.

Deitrich Boenoffer had freedom of speech, but he did not have freedom from the consequences.

Christ frees us to declare his glory, because, no authority can override christ.

1 Peter 2:17 “Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.”

Application

Invitation