Living with Hope Under Leaders

This year our churches theme is Hope for Everyday Life

Today we are going to be looking at 1 Peter 2:11-17. That is page ________.

We have titled this study, Living with Hope Under Leaders.

1 Peter 2:11–17 (NASB95)

¹¹ Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. ¹² Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation. ¹³ Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, ¹⁴ or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. ¹⁵ For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. ¹⁶ Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. ¹⁷ Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.

Join me as we look for, Four ways to find hope in Christ in an unbelieving world with imperfect leaders.

I. Forsake carnal desires that threaten your ability to live out your new identity.(v.11)

Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.

• This section today starts off with 2 different descriptions of the audience that Peter is addressing. The first is a reminder of their status to God and the other is a reminder of their status in the world.

• Beloved = Loved of God

• Peter is using this one word to draw their attention back to all the things he has previously mentioned to them about the ways that God has viewed them.

• Here are some of those reminders that word contains.

• Chosen of God

• Called by God

• God’s people

• A Holy Priesthood

• Choice and Precious in the sight of God

• This means that due to that relationship we have a significant responsibility to handle the trials of this world in a certain way.

• Due to this relationship we have with God we realize that we are living in a temporary state here on earth.

• We build on this idea from our next descriptor of the believers.

• This refers back to the opening of this book.

• 1 Peter 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen

• Remember from out introductory work that due to some lies that had been told about them, the Christians were scattered and being treated poorly.

• They were living in a state of being persecuted and having no permanent connection to their community.

• This idea of being a alien and a stranger is reminder for each and every one of us that our very presence on earth is not our “home.”

• “This world is not my home

I'm just a-passing through

My treasures are laid up

Somewhere beyond the blue”

• Do not get so comfortable in this world that you forget where home really is.

• 1 John 2:15–17 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

• John 15:18–19 “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. 19 “If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.

• Have you ever had the experience of being a foreigner in a strange land?

• Albania

• Hard to get comfortable

• Feeling like you stick out

• Like you do not belong.

• Urge = Strongly Encourage

• This is like one of those conversations you may have had with a boss or a parent where they recommend you do something and as a result you better decide to obey what they say.

• So, sit up and pay attention because you are beloved aliens.

• What are these fleshly lusts?

• They are the selfish desires to seek your own happiness in this world.

• You have been called by God to be His beloved.

• You are currently living as an alien in a strange land

• So do not give in to your own selfish desires.

• Would it not be helpful if there was some sort of list that could help us better understand what these fleshly lusts are?

• I am so glad you asked.

• Galatians 5:19–21 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

• Friends it is easy to live as an alien in a world that has a different direction and motivation for life and be tempted to fit into that particular way of life.

• We must view though these ways of life as fighting a battle.

• Why should Christians abstain from such things? Because these actions mount a full military campaign against our spiritual vitality and growth. Consistently satisfying our desires in a manner contrary to the Word of God or consistently giving in to sinful desires will ultimately tear down the believer.^[1]

• Never allow yourself to be deceived into believing that you can live for the lusts of the flesh and not suffer the consequences spiritually.

• You cannot serve 2 masters for either you will love the one and hate the other or you will hate the one and love the other.

• It is important for us to never believe that we can be entangled in the things of this world and still be living as aliens in this world.
  
  

II. Keep your behavior excellent among non-Christians (v.12)

Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.

• We are to keep our behavior excellent.

• Let’s think about this idea a little bit.

• Behavior = your daily conduct.

• The way you react in day in and day out situations.

• Often we are tempted to compartmentalize our behavior

• One way at church

• One way at work or school

• One way around your family

• One way around your friends

• One way when you are all alone

• Your behavior is the revelation of your character.

• Rumors and false accusations abounded. Christians were accused of being disloyal to the state, or Caesar. They were accused of purposely hurting the business enterprises of the city and of being godless people because they did not own idols. Peter advised them not to try to defend themselves or to argue with words against their accusers. Instead, they should take a positive approach and demonstrate a different quality of life that non-believers will observe.^[2]

• Live in a way that consistently advertises your commitment to Christ.

• I had the opportunity this week to sit at lunch with a couple of our guest speakers who were here for our Biblical counseling conference. It was a delightful time of just listening to these 2 men that I love and respect talk about avoiding the traps of life in ministry.

• They were saying things like because of the many different hats that I wear I have to be super cautious not to allow there to be any question about my character.

• Because of my identity in Christ I must watch over my character that those who are watching may see the difference in my character and glorify my Father who is in heaven!

Even when they slander you as evildoers.

• As a result those living in the cities where they were believed that they were wicked because they would not partake in the activities of that civilization.

• In the first century, the label evildoers (kakopoiōn) brought to mind many of the specific accusations pagans made against Christians—that they rebelled against the Roman government, practiced cannibalism, engaged in incest, engaged in subversive activities that threatened the Empire’s economic and social progress, opposed slavery, and practiced atheism by not worshiping Caesar or the Roman gods.^[3]

Let them see you doing good.

• You must live in such a way that even when others are being critical of you they must be convinced by your actions that something is different from their opinion of you.

• Have you ever been convinced about someone’s character before ever meeting them and it caused you to avoid them?

• Then you finally have a conversation with them and find out they are completely different than you anticipated?

• Best piece of advice I was ever given was to learn how to smile because without a smile I look intimidating and unapproachable. (People were judging me solely on my face)

• Matthew 5:16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

So that they glorify God when his day of judgment comes.

• The entire purpose for our existence is ultimately to bring glory to God. This becomes important as we consider how that plays out practically in our conduct.

• “If we live our lives in such a way that they don't point people to the glory of God, then our lives are without positive significance from a Christian standpoint. What we become is just an echo of a God-neglecting culture. We fit into the world so well that our lives don't point beyond the world. We are no longer aliens and strangers, but simply conforming citizens of the God-ignoring world.´- John Piper

• How does just fitting in with a culture that is condemned from the very beginning result in leading others to glorify God?

• Parents are you leading your family against the culture that is anti-God?

• Are you in personal life embracing the things of the world and wondering why you are struggling to point others to God?

• There is a temptation to be just like the very system of thought that you have been saved from.

• *Please put a picture of a daily planner here.

• Expand further

II. Submit even to non-Christian human authorities (v.13)

. ¹³ Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, ¹⁴ or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. ¹⁵ For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.

• Submit yourselves = arrange in formation under your commander

• We are certainly familiar with the idea of what it looks like for a soldier to follow the formation that the commander dictates

• Romans 13:1–4 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. 3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; 4 for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.

• This next part is important in this passage.

• In other words your submission to the rulers that are over you points to your submission to the Sovereignty of God.

• “God alone has sovereign rights.… Democratic theory is no less unscriptural than divine right monarchy. By whatever means men come to positions of rulership—by dynastic descent, aristocratic family connection, plutocratic material resources, or by democratic election, “there is no power but of God” (Rom. 13:1). Furthermore, civil government is an instrument, not an end. Men are proximate ends, but only God is ultimate end. The state owns neither its citizens nor their properties, minds, bodies, or children. All of these belong to their Creator-God, who has never given to the state rights of eminent domain.” (Robert Culver, A Biblical View of Civil Government [Chicago: Moody, 1974], 47)^[4]

A. Because they are sent by God (v.14)

• You might say well it is becoming more and more difficult to submit to my government.

• This may all be valid.

• Certainly, the Roman Empire in which Peter and Paul lived was far from righteous.

• I will not go into all the details of this civilization, but it was wicked to its very core.

• However, in the midst of that context they insisted on submitting to the leaders.

• May I encourage you to consider it this way.

• “ You look a king or a governor in the eye and say, "I submit to you, I honor you—but not for your sake. I honor you for God's sake. I honor you because God owns you and rules over you and has sovereignly raised you up for a limited season and given you the leadership that you have. For his sake and for his glory and because of his rightful authority over you, I honor you." – John Piper

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B. By being a doer of good and not evil (v.14, 15)

• This doing of good is pointing back to the conduct we are instructed to follow in verse 12.

• There is a purpose for this excellent behavior even in the midst of a government led by unbelievers…

So that you are praised and not punished (v. 14)

Because God wants you to silence the slander against Christians (v. 15)

• The behavior we demonstrate will tell a story to those in our community. Our behavior will silence those who seek to slander Christians.

• Titus 3:1–3 Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, 2 to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men. 3 For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.

• What this does not mean when it comes to politics!

• I should just be removed from civic duty such as voting

• I should endorse sinful behavior because it is promoted by the government.

• I should not stand by and allow those who want to silence the truth of God’s Word to make policy and put into place laws that will prevent the spread of the Gospel.

• I should not be involved in the unnecessary mocking of the leaders I do not agree with.

• I tire of hearing people mock the appearance of those they disagree with.

• This is juvenile at best (Well your fat, ugly, whatever)

• It is anti-biblical.

• James 3:9–10 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; 10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.

• I should be sure that in my response to imperfect government that my behavior is such that would point others to glorify God.

III. Live like a free person (v.16)

16 Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. 17 Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.

• What does it mean that we are free men?

• We are freed from sin’s condemnation

• Romans 8:1–2 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

• Galatians 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE”—

• 1 John 2:13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father.

• 1 Corinthians 15:54–56 But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. 55 “O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law;

A. Don’t use your rights to justify doing evil.

• You have not been saved in order to mistreat others.

• Galatians 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

• Expand on this.

B. Live like a bondslave to God.

• We have become a slave of God.

• This means we are to live in our freedom for the purposes God has called us to.

• “Christian freedom is always conditioned by Christian responsibility. Christian freedom does not mean being free to do only as we like; it means being free to do as we ought.”^[5]

1. Honoring all people

• Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

• This should impact our treatment of all people.

1. Loving the brotherhood

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1. Fearing God

• Proverbs 29:25 The fear of man brings a snare, But he who trusts in the LORD will be exalted.

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1. Honoring the king

Does the way you live ultimately point others to Christ?

^[1] David Walls and Max Anders, I & II Peter, I, II & III John, Jude, vol. 11, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 32.

^[2] David Walls and Max Anders, I & II Peter, I, II & III John, Jude, vol. 11, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 32–33.

^[3] John F. MacArthur Jr., 1 Peter, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2004), 140.

^[4] John F. MacArthur Jr., 1 Peter, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2004), 147.

^[5] David Walls and Max Anders, I & II Peter, I, II & III John, Jude, vol. 11, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 34.