Testimony Matters Series

“Testimony Matters”

1 Peter Sermon Series, Part 6

1 Peter 2:11-25

Introduction

- (v1-3) Commanded to rid ourselves of 5 specific behaviors of life today

-- When you see what these all mean, something interesting unfolds for us

1. Malice

2. Deceit

3. Hypocrisy

4. Envy

5. Slander

- Something interesting to note about all 5 of these attributes:

-- They all involved us judging others; not one of them exalts Christ

-- Every one of these attributes sets us in direct opposition to one another

-- Therefore, “Love God, Love People” isn’t even possible with these

- Then, we saw how we are to make Jesus the corner stone of our faith

-- What is most important is placing Him in the position of honor; Cornerstone

- Tonight, we are going to examine our testimony and the value it MUST have

-- This is not a typical Sunday morn message; it is for diving deeper in our study

-- Christ is calling us to a life different than the world, and tonight we’ll see that

- Read 1 Peter 2:11-25

∆ Point 1 – The life of a believer is a testimony (11-12)

- Peter is urging those who call themselves Christians (v11)

-- We are foreigners; exiles; strangers; aliens to this world … NOT CITIZENS

-- Our citizenship is not here – therefore these commands must encourage us!

- When Peter writes that we should abstain … it means to turn away from

-- It is a call to hold back; to avoid acting like; to not seek after those things

- God is very specific about sin and what He calls sin; it’s a measuring stick

-- Therefore, avoid those things which wage war in your soul

- Those things which cause us to stumble and to not live for God

-- APP: Sinful desires are best described as: “desires motivated by selfishness”

- So, if we are avoiding those things, what should we do? (v12)

-- Live lives that bring glory to God among those who do not believe in Him

-- EX: When around unbelieving friends they want to bring up Jesus/church

-- They know how I live my life, and they are (unbeknown) drawn to it

- So, even when we are discredited by those we live around; integrity is intact

-- The accusations may be flung, but we are called to live above those things

-- Why? So that God may be glorified (and not us) when He appears

-- IMP: Life is not about clearing our good name; but honoring the name we carry

- All too often we want to take on the fight and ensure we are proven right

-- King Jehoshaphat had a similar problem when faced with a huge battle

-- The armies were vast, the battle was surely to be lost, & as a leader he panicked

-- But the Holy Spirit answered him clearly (and us) as well!

-- 2 Chron 20:15, “He said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's.”

- TRANS: So where do we apply this living? Everywhere!

∆ Point 2 – The testimony of a believer with those in authority (13-17)

- We are called to submit ourselves to those over us (v13-14)

-- To submit even those we don’t like, but those who are in power over us

-- This even includes those in political circles that we do not agree with

- Romans 13:1, “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”

-- Peter commands that we submit willingly to those in authority over us

-- APP: This is a challenge for all of us … no matter where we are

- Peter wants believers to submit willingly; to stand for what is right; but submit

-- Means we don’t cower away from challenges; but we stand firm with respect

-- We are to submit because that is God’s desire for His people … period!

- Why? So that we can focus on the things of God which He has called us to

- We should live in a manner that silences the nonsense and foolish chatter (v15)

-- We live lives where our behavior speaks of who we serve; and who’s we are!

-- We live as FREE people; but don’t use that to sin and do what you want

- (v16-17) This principle is very clear and must be adhered too in all things

-- Look what Peter commands us to do in our daily lives:

• Live as free people