Somebody’s Watching How We Respond To Authority Series

Somebody’s Watching How We Respond To Authority

Living-Hope

1 Peter 2:12-23

We are in this section of our study of 1 Peter called, ‘Somebody’s Watching Us.’ The theme verse in 1 peter 2:12.

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. – 1 Peter 2:12

MGCC – the unbelieving world is, has been and always will be, watching us. There is nothing we can do about it – it’s how things are.

AND SO – Peter says we must (seize it – use it – see it) as an opportunity to ‘live such good lives’ that they will SEE our good deeds and glorify God, giving their lives to Him.

UNDERSTAND – Peter is only restating what Jesus said in His inaugural address by the Sea of Galilee… we are the salt of the earth (the world needs the healing that we bring)… we are the light of the world (let our lights shine so that people will SEE our good deeds and praise our Father in heaven.

BOTTOM LINE – the lives that you and I choose to live as Jesus followers is our greatest asset in evangelism.

As Francis of Assisi said,

“Preach the gospel and if necessary use words.”

LAST WEEK – we talked about how to world is watching us to see how we handle sin and temptation.

THIS MORNING – (as we continue in this study, ‘Somebody’s Watching Us)…

WE ARE - going to talk about a topic that is probably one of your all time favorites… Submission and respect for those who have authority over you…

Come on, don’t you just love those 2 words?

I MEAN – think about all of the movies, books and songs that have made these 2 words their theme. YEAH – I couldn’t think of any either…

BUT – on the other hand… when I turn my thoughts to rebellion and defiance (the antithesis of submission)… the list of songs, movies and books - fills up rather quickly.

2000 years ago Peter… grabbed a pen and paper and wrote both a God-breathed and a VERY practical letter… THAT - dealt with real issues…

ISSUES – that exiles on a mission for Christ in a world that is not their home are sure to face…

AND – do you know what? Respect and submission to those in authority is about as practical as you can get…

AND – make no mistake about it, the world is watching us and they see how we respond to authority.

QUESTION – why is submission to authority such an issue for us? Why is it so hard, so rare?

Let me suggest a few reasons why…

1. We are sons of Adam...

Understand the first couple were law breakers and ever since the fall (in Genesis 3) – the image of God in us has been tainted. WE - now have a natural tendency to rebel. Question – which is easier and more natural for you to: rebel or submit? (now for me rebellion is like floating downstream and submission is swimming upstream).

2. Pride – you see, everyone of us thinks that those who are in authority are dumb. AND - that if we were in charge… things would be so much better. Bottom line we don’t like people telling us what to do.

We rebel against authority because…

3. The American DNA – I mean, think about it we are a country that was born out of a rebellion… AND - if you don’t believe me, go ask the British. Yeah rebellion is part of the American DNA.

4. We are on the backside of the 60’s and 70’s – where the thing to do was to question all authority and to rebel against ‘the man’ whoever that was… THAT IS – until you grow and you become the man. Now, I grew up in the 60’s and 70’s and it really was a time when people who broke the rules were the ones looked up to and admired.

To be honest, I really had a hard time with any authority back then…

5. We live in a culture where civil disobedience in praised and civil obedience is ignored. I mean when is the last time you saw a news story that said, “hey, here is Fred – he’s a great guy, he pays he taxes, works hard and loves his family…”

6. It is just assumed when you hit your teenage years that you will rebel against everything especially your parents. Just ask any teen who actually chooses to obey how much abuse and mockery they get. “you’re such a boy scout, a square…”

7. We are a selfish people… understand most of our rebellion is not about some great cause like MLK took up… INSTEAD - the majority most of our rebellion is all about us – and not having to do anything we don’t want to do.