“Sin always begins with the character assassination of God. We believe that God has put us in a world of delights but has determined that he will not give them to us if we obey him. This is the lie of the serpent, the original temptation of Satan to Adam and Eve that brought about the Fall” – Tim Keller
Prayer
Christian Conduct
1 Peter 2:11-12
11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
Since we are royal and chosen and special to God and free from our past and able to live in the present and look to the future…..we can “do” the following. We can conduct ourselves in a way that honors God and draws people to Him. I guess the question isn’t so much why we should do it….but how do we do this?
1 Peter 2:11-25
[11] Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. [12] Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
[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. [15] For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. [16] Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. [17] Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
[18] Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. [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. [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; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. [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.
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As we walk through this chapter and the following let’s think in terms of conduct. Why conduct? So that our actions, witness, testimonies draw people to Jesus.
So the outline in this passage and flowing into chapter 3 is:
- Always Following – God’s principles and values
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- Conduct in Society
- Conduct in the workplace
- Conduct in the family
- Conduct in the church
However; I want us to approach this less mechanically today. Here’s what I mean. NOTE: I say this because I’m guilty of thinking this way myself…I think it’s a natural human thought. Again…here’s what I mean. Instead of looking solely for the guidelines e.g like asking the kids how they should act (which there are guidelines) let’s also look at “how” we accomplish what God is asking of us. Interestingly enough it’s right here in front of us.
- Strangers/Sojourners
- Citizens
- Servants
- Sojourners & Exiles
1 Peter 2:11-12
[11] Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. [12] Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
Philippians 3:20
[20] But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
(remember honorable conduct)
Galatians 5:16-24
[16] But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. [17] For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. [18] But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. [19] Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, [20] idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, [21] envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. [22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. [24] And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
“Liberty misused is like a mighty river flooding its banks and bringing terrible destruction upon all in its path. Liberty used as service is like a mighty river flowing within its banks bringing life and refreshment to all who drink of its waters.”
- Conduct as Citizens here
1 Peter 2:13-17
[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. [15] For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. [16] Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. [17] Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
This means be a good citizen. Respect authority. It is a good witness. It will silence the foolish. Honor people, fear God, love your fellow Christians. Honor the government/leaders
NOTE: Do we always listen to the government? Not if they disobey God and His word.
- Servants
1 Peter 2:18-20
[18] Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. [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.
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How? I noticed that in this book Peter often walks us through the passage of what to do, but ends with the LORD.
1 Peter 2:21-25
[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; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. [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.
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So preacher…I know Jesus is our example, but give me something to help with that…. “What does it look like?”
If you think a week ago I gave you Hosea and Gomer as an example Hosea was to obey God and love her despite her challenges and sins. God is like that with us…remember? I will call you Mercy, who I called No mercy.
This week let’s look at another OT story to help us know “how”
Remember let’s not lose the “plot” we come to church to worship the Lord and to grow in His grace so we can be witnesses. This chapter has been about what our conduct should look like so we can draw people via our testimony. So….how? Act like Jesus right? How does that look?
Story of Naiomi and Ruth…..
Naiomi
Ruth (Moabite)
Orpah
Elimelech
Mahlon
Chilion
Boaz
The power of staying and holding fast
Kinsmen Redeemer
