Christian Governance-&-Work-2 Series

‘For The LORD’S SAKE’—1Peter 2:13—3:12

A. CHRISTIAN GOVERNANCE-&-Government—1Peter 2:13-17

B. CHRISTIAN GOVERNANCE-&-Work-II—1Peter 2:18-25

C. CHRISTIAN GOVERNANCE-&-Marriage—1Peter 3:1-7

D. CHRISTIAN GOVERNANCE-&-Church—1Peter 3:8-12

In 1Peter we will continue to examine the overall scheme of Submission—the give-&-take of relationships within CHRISTIAN GOVERNANCE.

Today we will continue looking at CHRISTIAN GOVERNANCE & our WORK Obligations in:

B. CHRISTIAN GOVERNANCE-&-Work-II—1Peter 2:18-25

Attention:

I got saved in the midst of my working at the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography just ourside of Savannah, GA. It was a great job with fair pay & excellent benefits. But not too long after my coming to Jesus Christ, saving faith in Christ, I became a disgruntled employee. Myself & another employee started complaining about the ‘paltry’ lack of increase in our pay. Skidaway was part of the University System of Georgia & we were paid accordingly—State supported & raises were understandably limited. The problem was not the state’s nor Skidaway’s but ours. It was personal. Both of us ‘fussers’ had recently over-obligated ourselves to houses rather than renting. My wife & I had just begun our family with the birth of our first daughter. I was blessed to have a job where, as I sat to examine items under a stereoscope, I had the privilege of being able to listen to the radio. I was discipled by the likes of J. Vernon McGee, Chuck Swindoll, John MacArthur, etc. via that radio. But in the midst of that discipling, I was disappointed...not because God was calling me into His service, which He was doing, but rather for entirely selfish reasons!...

Picture this scenario: Most of the scientists I worked around were without Christ. They had the opportunity to observe Christ in action thru me & my colleague...I had become recently saved—& they knew it—& I was complaining! Opportunity was there to save souls & to salvage the reputation of the church, but we were too busy as pride-filled complainers to be godly witnesses! What a dishonor to Christ Jesus my Lord!

We did not allow CHRISTIAN GOVERNANCE to rule/control our WORK Obligations. The way in which you handle your Work Obligations, speaks, either positively or negatively, to others about the power of God in Christ Jesus.

B. CHRISTIAN GOVERNANCE-&-Work-II—1Peter 2:18-25

Peter confirmed the role of Christian submission in relation to the obligations of servants.

Christian submission is crucial in or pertinent to our work obligations.

‘Pertinent’—“Having a clear decisive relevance to the matter at hand.”

How is Christian governance addressed thru our work obligations?

4 aspects of Christian governance that are addressed thru our Work obligations. (or at work or in the workplace)

We have previously found that Christian governance is at WORK thru submission to...

1. SUPERIORS(:18)

2—Christian governance is at WORK thru submission to...

SUFFERANCE/ing(:19-20)

Explanation:(:19-20)

:19—“For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.”

“For this is commendable...”

This is an act of graciousness-(cariv)-...An act of grace on the part of the servant, the Christian, the servant of God.

When servants are unconditionally submissive, it is a “commendable”(grace-driven & grace-giving) action on their part. And it’s basis is key!...

*“Commendable/Thankworthy/Finds favor”-(See :20)-—cariv—Noun Fem.—1) Grace—1a) That which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech; 2) Good will, loving-kindness, favor—2a) Of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, & kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues; 3) What is due to grace—3a) The spiritual condition of one governed by the power of divine grace, 3b) The token or proof of grace, benefit—3b1) A gift of grace, 3b2) Benefit, bounty; 4) Thanks, (for benefits, services, favors), recompense, reward. Strong—Graciousness(as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, & its reflection in the life; including gratitude).

“... If because of conscience toward God...”

Any actions are “commendable” acts of graciousness(to God & man) if they are the result of your personal “conscience toward God.” The saved are new & regenerated people due to their faith-filled ‘awareness’ of God thru Christ.

Mat. 23:6-11—“They-(Pharisees)- love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, “greetings in the marketplaces, & to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ “But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, & you are all brethren. “Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. “And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. “But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.”

“Conscience”—suneidhsiv—Noun Fem.—1)The consciousness[awareness] of anything; 2) The soul as distinguishing between what is morally good & bad, prompting to do the former & shun the latter, commending one, condemning the other—2a) The conscience. Strong—Co-perception, i.e. Moral consciousness.