How can we excel in the Christian life?
1 - Remembering Where We Are
11 - "Beloved, I urge you as aliens/strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul."
"Beloved," "Friends," - it’s so important who you keep company with.
"I urge you" - like a Father in the faith Peter pulls up alongside his readers and begins to call them out. He is earnestly pleading with them to listen to the advice he passionately wants to share with them.
"aliens" and "strangers" - temporary residents here. This world is not our home.
Hebrews 11:13-16 - "All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them."
Josh Hunt: Has anyone ever been to a foreign country? Did you feel out of place? How is being a Christian like that?
When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, thousands of people were displaced. Thousands of people had to leave their homes and move to other places. Some moved to other cities in Louisiana, others moved to Houston, others moved to Dallas, not knowing when they would return home.
Months later, many people could still not return home and they were frustrated. Although they had places to sleep, food to eat, and clothes on their back, they were not happy. Although they had opportunities for new lives, new jobs, and a new start, they were not excited. Although the victims of Katrina had the ability to send their kids to new schools, to see new places, and to do new things, they were not thrilled. No matter how great the places were, many Americans displaced from New Orleans were frustrated. Why? Because they were not home. I didn’t matter how wonderful Dallas or Houston could be, these cities were not New Orleans.
As Christians, we should never be satisfied with the things this world holds. We should never be thrilled with the things this world has to offer. No matter how wonderful this world is, for the Christian, it will never be home. We are aliens in this world. - Tony Evans’ Book of Illustrations: Stories, Quotes, and Anedcotes from More than 30 Years of Preaching and Public Speaking
Our life is Christ-centered - foreign to this world - foreign to our culture.
How can we "abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul"?
First, by the power of the Holy Spirit. If you try to defeat sin in your own strength apart from the indwelling power of the Spirit, you will be defeated constantly.
Galatians 5:16 - "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh."
To “walk in the Spirit” is to follow the Spirit’s leading (Romans 8:14). It is essentially to “walk with” the Spirit, allowing Him to guide your steps and conform your mind.
Second, by developing our spiritual life. Bible reading, prayer, fellowship, Christian service, ministry, evangelism, etc.
Third, by doing without those places, people, and practices that encourage sinful thoughts, words, deeds, etc.
Fourth, by being victorious in spiritual warfare. We are on the enemy’s turf and this world is not our home. We are not in heaven yet (1 Peter 5:8).
"The sin we fail to conquer will eventually conquer us." Warren Wiersbe
Reminds me of a 42-year-old woman from South Bend, Indiana. She called the police after being sold what she thought was a flat-screen TV.
She was approached by a man who offered her a great deal on the TV, a new flat-screen TV for only $500 dollars. She admitted it was a great deal but did not have the money. So he lowered the price to $300 dollars. She gave him the money.
The set was bubble-wrapped, had Wal-Mart stickers on it, and came with a remote control--but when she unwrapped it, she discovered it was an oven door!
Satan has all kinds of good things like that for us; all we have to do is pay the price of disobeying God! J. Palmer, Sermon Central
12 - Keep your behavior excellent among Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may bc of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.
William Barclay, "...the Christian must make his whole way of life so lovely and so good to look upon that the slanders of his heathen enemies may be demonstrated to be false. Here is the timeless truth. Whether we like it or not, every Christian is an advertisement for Christianity; by his life he either commends it to others or makes them think less of it. The strongest missionary force in the world is a Christian life."
Not only are we to abstain from sin, but to excel in our Christian conduct!
Do you know people who talk a good Christian talk but don’t back it up with their Christian walk?
"Follow me as I follow Christ" 1 Cor. 11:1
"Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works" Matt. 5:16
People are watching to see if what we say is matched by how we live.
"Too many Christians think they are prosecuting attorneys or judges, when God has called all of us to be witnesses." Warren Wiersbe, Be What You Are
2 - Submitting to God’s Authority
Remember, when Peter is writing, the Roman Empire is as debase a society as there is.
This socieity was much like America today (violence, immorality, government corruption, homosexuality, disdain for truth, etc.)
Our God has ultimate authority in heaven and earth, but we submit to earthly authority (as in keeping with God’s will) to honor God’s sovereignty (Psalm 2:8).
What about paying our taxes? Staying in the speed limit?
Mark 12:17, "And Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were amazed at Him."
Proverbs 21:1, "The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord;
He turns it wherever He wishes."
Daniel 2:21, "It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men and knowledge to men of understanding."
When we obey our governing authorities - as they are in keeping with God’s will - we are obeying the will of God.
Romans 13:1-2, " 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. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves."
What about evil leaders? Christians are to resist government when its dictates go counter to God’s commands and guidelines (Acts 4:19; Acts 5:25).
Key Doctrine: Religious Liberty
The state owes to every church protection and full freedom in the pursuit of its spiritual ends. Civil government being ordained of God, it is the duty of Christians to render loyal obedience thereto in all things not contrary to the revealed will of God. (See also Matt. 22:21; Acts 4:19-20; Rom. 13:1-7.)
1 Peter 2:15-17 - "For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king."
Josh Hunt: Can you think of examples in the Bible where people obeyed ungodly authority?
Joseph submitted to the Babylonian authorities; Mordecai submitted to the Persian authorities; Jesus submitted to the Roman authorities. While none of these regimes were godly, God had authorized them all. - Stanley, C.F. (2005). The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible, Romans 13:1
What specific ways can believers live as submitted servants of the Lord?
"Honor all people" - every person was created in God’s image (Gen. 1:26)
"Love the brotherhood" - this is exactly what Jesus commanded us (John 13:34-35)
"Fear God" - I do not believe we as believers are to be terrified of God or live in dread of Him - to cringe before Him anxiously or apprehensively (see Heb. 4:16). I do believe, however, we are to approach Him with reverent caution that recognizes His majestic sovereignty and prevents overfamiliarity. He is not our "heavenly buddy" or "the main upstairs." He is our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer who is a compassionate Father to people who have entered His family by faith in Jesus Christ. He deserves our deepest reverence and our unhesitating obedience." Lifeway, Fall 2012, Living as Strangers, pg. 51
"Honor the king" - As God’s person in charge of carrying out the purposes of government this person is worthy of the respect God calls for. (1 Timothy 2:1-8)
2:18 - "Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable."
"Slaves refers to those who worked in family setting. Many of them were well educated and held responsible positions in their households. These "slaves" were of the first century included doctors, teachers, musicians, and secretaries. These "slaves" or "domestic servants" were to submit, or "place themselves voluntarily under the authority" of their employer with all respect." - Holman NT Commentary 1&2 Peter, 1,2,3 John, Jude
1/3 of the Roman Empire was made up of slaves who were considered human tools. Even though many were doctors, teachers, stewards, secretaries, musicians, and artists, they had absolutely no rights whatsoever. Yet Peter taught that they could always choose how they responded to their masters. The same is true for us. Although our employer may not give us many choices and may even be unreasonable, we have the ability to choose how we will respond. When you treat your boss with respect, God is glorified. - The Charles F. Stanley Life Principle Bible
Colossians 3:22-24 - "Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve."
It’s difficult, but sometimes we have to learn to be a good follower before becoming a good leader.
1 Peter 2:19-20 - For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.
God is honored when we choose to honor Him even in a bad situation.
Many Christians were houshehold slaves. It would be easy for them to submit to masters who were gentle and kind. But Peter encouraged loyalty and perseverance even in the face of unjust treatment.
In the same way, we should submit to our employers, whether they are considerate or harsh. By so doing, we may win them to Christ by our good example. Paul gave similar advice in his letters (see Ephesians 6:5-9;Colossians 3:22-4:15), as did Jesus (Matthew 5:46; Lk. 6:32-36)." Life Application Study Bible, 1 Peter 2:18-21
Have you ever thought about your Christian testimony @ work?
One person might be a real slacker but he uses his off time to tell everyone how good God is. He shows up late, doesn’t contribute, doesn’t grow as an employee, but He wants to talk about God all the time.
Another worker is sharp, on time, contributes, is positive, finds solutions, doesn’t complain about tough times...that’s the kind of Christian that people on the job are going to take notice of.
3 - Entrusting Our Lives to God
21 - For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps.
Dr. Stanley points out that when Jesus was falsely accused, He kept silent (Matt. 26:59-63; Mk. 14:55-61.
When Jesus was sentenced to death, He did not fight back (John 19:10,11). Instead, He exhibited perfect love and forgiveness (Luke 23:34).
When we submit to God’s will, it may mean suffering, but we can demonstrate our love for God. Many will be drawn to Christ (John 12:32).
The Christian life is not all "health and wealth" but suffering and growth.
22 - Who committed no sin, no was any deceit found in his mouth;
Isaiah 53:9 - His grave was assigned with wicked men, Yet He was with a rich man in His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was there any deceit in His mouth.
23 - and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;
Jesus didn’t retaliate.
Jesus didn’t threaten.
Jesus did trust His Father.
Ralph F. Wilson states, "Jesus was at peace under pressure, persecution, and suffering bc he trusted his Father to right all wrongs, to take care of his spirit, and to bring about the Father’s perfect will for all mankind. We must claim that peace that comes only through trust."
How does Christ’s example speak to your situation? How is your behavior going to be different bc of what you see in Jesus’ character in this passage?
Ralph F. Wilson adds, "There is only one way to face the pressure of life, of ungodly friends, and unfair bosses. It’s to trust God to work in the situation. Pure. Simple. Trust."
24 - and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.
This is the gospel.
Because of Jesus we are free from...
The Penalty of Sin (Justification)
The Power of Sin (Sanctfication)
The Presence of Sin (Glorification)
We approach God not because of our righteousness because we have none of our own. We approach God and have a relationship with Him because Jesus shed His blood on the cross.
His punishment...our peace.
His suffering...our salvation.
His cross...our crown.
Key Doctrine: God the Son
As the incarnate Son of God, Jesus perfectly revealed and did the will of God. He identified completely with mankind yet without sin. In His substitutionary death on the cross, Jesus made provision for the redemption of people from sin. (See also Isa. 53; John 6:35-40; 2 Cor. 5:14-15.)
Christ died for believers to separate them from sins penalty, so it can never condemn them.
The record of their sins, the indictment of guild that had them headed to hell, was "nailed to the cross" (Col. 2:12-14). Jesus paid their debt to God in full. In that sense, all Christians are freed from sins penalty. They are also delievered from its dominating power and made able to live to righteousness (Romans 6:3-22).
25 - For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.
"Christians no longer wander aimlessly like lost sheep. They are now guided and cared for by the Chief Shepherd, Who constantly keeps watch for their safety and leads them into the richness of eternal glory.
By His sacrifice, Christ has led His chosen ones into this amazing relationship, changing the way they live, coloring their perspectives of this lost world, and bringing them safely into the fold of His eternal care." PCF, The General Epistles, A Practical Faith
Excelling in the Christian life is not automatic but it’s what we are called to as obedient disciples of Christ.
1 - Remember Where You Are.
2 - Submit to God’s Authority.
3 - Entrust Your Life to God.
