Series: 1 Peter
Sermon: “The World Watches Us”
1 Peter 2:9-12
Pastor John Bright
1 Peter 3 “9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.”
“11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.”
There is an old story about the two wolves in each person that battle for control in each person. The one that is fed the most wins. For every Believer, the two wolves are the flesh and the Spirit. There is a battle every day that determines if you will walk in the Spirit or walk in the flesh. God is aware of the battle – He has to know – so you never fight alone!
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What is the usual description of church folks out in the world? (wait for answers) Most of the time, I hear us being called hypocrites. In other words, we act one way in church on Sunday and a different way on Monday. One of the hallmarks of holiness of heart and life is consistent behavior. If I wouldn’t tell an off-color joke in church, should I tell it at work? Should I even listen to it? What about gossip at work or in the neighborhood? Should our TV and movie watching be wholesome and clean? I once saw a video of a pastor who had figures, covered with sheets, up in the front of the church. As he started to preach, they were uncovered and you could see monsters and scary characters related to Halloween. The preacher kept asking, “Should these be in the House of God?” The congregation got louder and louder as they yelled “NO!” Then the pastor asked, “So why do you have them in your front yards?” and there was silence in the sanctuary. You can already figure out the rest of that pastor’s sermon.
Who We Really Are v. 9
“9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people,”
Peter continues looking at the Church – all the people who are Believers in that place – and now he uses more descriptions from the Old Testament. These have been applied to Isreal and now are applied to the Church. These are the words of God to Moses: Exodus 19:5-6 “5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. 6 And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”
And God spoke to the Prophet Isaiah:
Isa. 43:21 “This people I have formed for Myself;
They shall declare My praise.”
Since we are using these words that God first used for Israel, I want to correct a false teaching in the Church that you might hear. Here’s some information from GotQuestions.org: “Replacement theology teaches that the church is the replacement for Israel and that the many promises made to Israel in the Bible are fulfilled in the Christian church, not in Israel. The prophecies in Scripture concerning the blessing and restoration of Israel to the Promised Land are spiritualized or allegorized into promises of God’s blessing for the church. Major problems exist with this view, such as the continuing existence of the Jewish people throughout the centuries and especially with the revival of the modern state of Israel. If Israel has been condemned by God and there is no future for the Jewish nation, how do we explain the supernatural survival of the Jewish people over the past 2,000 years despite the many attempts to destroy them? How do we explain why and how Israel reappeared as a nation in the 20th century after not existing for 1,900 years?”
https://www.gotquestions.org/replacement-theology.html
So what is the Biblical truth? In Romans 11, Paul describes how God has grafted Believers into the tree where you find the people of Israel, the Jews. Rom. 11:16-21 “16 For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. 17 And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, 18 do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you. 19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.” 20 Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either.”
The best way I can explain it – there is a spiritual connection between the Believers and the Jews. They are the root and natural branches and we are the wild branches. We are all connected in what we call the Judeo-Christian Faith. We share beliefs and we also share a desire to see the will of God come to pass on the earth. We are connected in so many ways. These four names apply to them and to us:
We have been chosen by God (a chosen generation)
to serve God and others (a royal priesthood)
with holiness of heart and life (a holy nation)
assured of God’s love (His own special people)
Sharing the Mercy We Have Received v. 9-10
“…that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.”
It would be easy to look at these verses and put them into the context of worship here on a Sunday morning. We do come here to praise God and lift up what He has done for you and me. Remember – God brings you here for you to “PRAISE HIM” not for Him to “PLEASE YOU.” We are going to be working on forming a Worship Team in the new year. I am looking for some creative folks to help Linda Turner and me bring some more variety to our worship. Here’s the thing – the Worship Team must always remember that our task is not to make sure you get the most out of the service, nope! Our task is to assist you to enter into worshiping God with your whole being.
So what’s the context here? In every chapter, Peter specifically lifts up the need for the congregation to be involved in evangelism:
1 Peter 1:12 “…they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven…”
1 Peter 3:1 “…they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives…”
1 Peter 4:16 “Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.”
Our words and our conduct – even in the midst of suffering - need to point folks to Christ, who is the way and the truth and life (John 14:6). Can you explain the difference between your life now and the darkness out there that used to have you as a prisoner? Can you explain your decision to walk into the light? Can you explain the depth of God’s mercy that made you a part of His family – like the prodigal son?
If your answer is no – why not? Do you even want to know?
I truly believe the time is drawing near for the return of Christ. Do you agree? (Say amen) I also believe we are at a unique time in history where most folks today would identify with these three descriptions:
• “Living in darkness”
• “Not a people”
• “Without mercy”
Have you noticed this in folks? They are desperately trying to fit in and be a part of some group. These groups seem to lead to greater division. They tell of two feelings that overwhelm them – anxiety and hopelessness. Those are both part of the darkness. And where is mercy abounding today? Do we see it in the world of business or government or social media? NO!
Remember, if you have a compelling story that goes against the grain of division and darkness and cruelty that dominates our culture – you WILL get a hearing. Remember, you have to listen to that person. Hear their story. Listen in a way that helps you understand who that person is. If you listen to them, you have the right to expect that person to listen to you.
The Bridge of this Book v. 11-12
“11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.”
The beginning of 1 Peter contains many exhortations/encouragements. Here, Peter reminds them that they are only passing through this world on the way to their true home – the New Jerusalem after a stop in Heaven. Our time here is a daily struggle – like I mentioned earlier. That old story: “There’s a story about an old Cherokee chief sitting before a flickering fire with his grandson. The boy had broken a tribal taboo, and his grandpa wanted to help him understand what made him do it.
"It’s like we have two wolves inside us," said the chief. "One is good, the other is bad. Both demand our obedience."
"Which one wins?" asked the boy.
"The one we feed the most!" said the wise old chief.”
In the world of computer programing, they put it another way – “Garbage in, garbage out, or GIGO, refers to the idea that in any system, the quality of output is determined by the quality of the input. For example, if a mathematical equation is improperly stated, the answer is unlikely to be correct. Similarly, if incorrect data is used as input into a computer program, the output is unlikely to be correct or informative.”
https://www.techtarget.com/searchsoftwarequality/definition/garbage-in-garbage-out
Peter makes it plain as it can be – “abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul.” The rest of 1 Peter, we will be considering the ethical behavior of Believers in that day and in our day. Each one, like submission, will present us with a way to walk in the Spirit. Each one also comes with a way to continue walking in the flesh – rather than submitting to authority we can be in rebellion.
You see, how we behave… day after day… out there in the world… at work or at the club meeting… on the phone or on social media… how we behave matters because the world is watching. Our families and friends are watching. About 15 years ago, a young lady at the church I was serving got upset and proceeded to bash the church on social media. When she calmed down and realized she had made assumptions based on gossip (never a good thing!), we talked about how her friends on Facebook may never want to attend an event at our church because of the seeds planted by her emotional dump. It was very sad.
The world will always be watching and always want to accuse us of not doing it right because we are so different - polar opposites. This was true in Peter’s day. It is true around the globe today, where Believers are persecuted. In the recent past, our response has been to become more like the world – adopt their beliefs and their ways – even if it violates the Word of God. That did not turn out good for the Church. I believe we need new ears and new eyes to hear and see what these messages in the Bible can teach us who are living in a world that is antagonistic to God’s Will and God’s Way. We MUST embrace what God has given to us! Amen.
Homework:
• Look up all the Bible verses on your teaching sheet. Would you like to be able to share your story of God’s merciful love? Contact PJ if you need some help.
• Consider making a list of your hypocrisy. Where do folks see you behaving in a way that is far different than the way you act at church? Would you want to invite those folks to worship?
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TEACHING SHEET
Sermon Series: 1 Peter
2 Peter 2:9-12
“The World Watches Us”
What is the usual description of church folks out in the world?
Who We Really Are v. 9
Peter continues looking at the Church – all the people who are Believers in that place – and now he uses more descriptions from the Old Testament. Exodus 19:5-6 & Isa. 43:21
https://www.gotquestions.org/replacement-theology.html
Rom. 11:16-21 There is a spiritual connection between the Believers and the Jews. We are all connected in what we call the Judeo-Christian Faith. We are connected in so many ways:
• We have been chosen by God (a chosen generation)
• to serve God and others (a royal priesthood)
• with holiness of heart and life (a holy nation)
• assured of God’s love (His own special people)
Sharing the Mercy We Have Received v. 9-10
Remember – God brings you here for you to “PRAISE HIM” not for Him to “PLEASE YOU.”
So what’s the context here? In every chapter, Peter specifically lifts up the need for the congregation to be involved in evangelism:
1 Peter 1:12 “…they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven…”
1 Peter 3:1 “…they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives…”
1 Peter 4:16 “Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.”
Our words and our conduct – even in the midst of suffering - need to point folks to Christ, who is the way and the truth and life (John 14:6).
I also believe we are at a unique time in history where most folks today would identify with these three descriptions:
• “Living in darkness”
• “Not a people”
• “Without mercy”
Remember, if you have a compelling story that goes against the grain of division and darkness and cruelty that dominates our culture – you WILL get a hearing. Remember, you have to listen to that person.
The Bridge of this Book v. 11-12
“Garbage in, garbage out, or GIGO, refers to the idea that in any system, the quality of output is determined by the quality of the input. For example, if a mathematical equation is improperly stated, the answer is unlikely to be correct. Similarly, if incorrect data is used as input into a computer program, the output is unlikely to be correct or informative.”
https://www.techtarget.com/searchsoftwarequality/definition/garbage-in-garbage-out
Peter makes it plain as it can be – “abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul.”
You see, how we behave… day after day… out there in the world… at work or at the club meeting… on the phone or on social media… how we behave matters because the world is watching. Our families and friends are watching.
In the recent past, our response has been to become more like the world – adopt their beliefs and their ways – even if it violates the Word of God. That did not turn out good for the Church. I believe we need new ears and new eyes to hear and see what these messages in the Bible can teach us who are living in a world that is antagonistic to God’s Will and God’s Way. We MUST embrace what God has given to us! Amen.
Homework:
• Look up all the Bible verses on your teaching sheet. Would you like to be able to share your story of God’s merciful love? Contact PJ if you need some help.
• Consider making a list of your hypocrisy. Where do folks see you behaving in a way that is far different than the way you act at church? Would you want to invite those folks to worship?
