LEFT OUT BUT LOCKED IN
Living Courageously In A World that Doesn’t Want You,
Knowing Confidently that God Does
INTRODUCTION
1. When I last checked, none of us are living as Christians under any direct pressure to reject Christ. In fact, in our society, having a little Christianity is still okay and somewhat popular. Being a Christian does not keep out of of the banking system. We can still interview and secure good paying jobs. No one is pouring out death threats against us for attending church. We are not locked out of our society, especially in Central Pennsylvania.
2. In fact, it is probably okay to be a “little bit Christian.” However, when our faith begins to concretely change what we truly believe or how we think and behave, we can become problems for those around us. As such, we may in fact experience more subtle forms of mistreatment (ridicule, slander, exclusion, etc) for truly living out our faith. We may not be “locked out” of our communities, neighborhood, families or marriages, but certainly, we have felt the pain of being “left out.”
a. If, as a Christian, you have been dismissed as stupid by your science teacher and/or your peers for holding to a Creationist view of the world, then you know what it feels like to be left out.
b. If, as a Christian, your former friends change the vocabulary and tone of their discussion when you walk into the room, then you know what it feels like to be left out.
c. If, as a Christian, you are misunderstood and emotionally, mentally or physically mistreated by your unbelieving husband or wife, then you know what it feels like to be left out.
d. If, as a Christian, you are irritated or agonizing over the little derisive comments your parents make about your conversion to Christianity, then you know what it feels like to be left out.
e. If, as a Christian, you are misunderstood by your heathen employer and/or colleagues for your honesty and integrity, then you know what it feels like to be left out.
f. If, as a Christian, you struggle to maintain your virginal purity while your boyfriend or girlfriend is pressuring you to give it up or get lost, then you know what it feels like to be left out.
g. If, as a Christian, you are channel-surfing the television and feel guilty about choosing any one of the programs on your 70-plus channel cable system, then you know what it feels like to be left out.
h. If, as a Christian, you have doubts about your salvation because of unwelcome mistreatment that has come because of your faith, then you know what it feels like to be left out.
Transition: If you are living through, or have lived through any one of these circumstances, you know the pain and anxiety that comes with them. However, there is hope and encouragement for you. A positive present and an unimaginable, sensational future awaits you. This morning, the Big Idea of this sermon is that when, as a Christian you feel left out of this world, the good news is that you are still locked into God.
3. A Matter of Perspective: Sometimes we are like the little boy who was overheard talking to himself as he strutted through the backyard, wearing his baseball cap and toting a ball & bat. "I’m the greatest hitter in the world," he announced. Then he tossed the ball into the air, swung at it, and missed. "Strike One!" he yelled. Undaunted, he picked up the ball and said again, "I’m the greatest hitter in the world!" He tossed the ball into the ir. When it came down, he swung again and missed. "Strike two!" He cried. The boy then paused a moment to examine his bat & ball carefully. He spit on his hands and rubbed them together. He straightened his cap and said once more, "I’m the greatest hitter in the world!" Again he tossed the ball up in the air and swung at it. He missed. "Strike Three!" "Wow" the boy exclaimed, "I’m the greatest pitcher in the world."
4. Text/Transition: In working out this Big Idea, we will be looking the first epistle written by the Apostle Peter. In this message this morning, it is my work to introduce you to the Apostle and specifically to his message to the first century Christians in Asia Minor. After this, I will bring to you two points of encouragement on how Peter’s message applies to us living in the Colonial Park/Greater Harrisburg Area. Would you turn in your Bible to 1 Peter 1:1-2?
I. THE FAQS ON PETER: SOME THINGS WE KNOW ABOUT THIS MAN WHO FOLLOWED JESUS
A. AN APOSTLE OF JESUS CHRIST: By his own admission, Peter is the author of this little, but profound letter—“Peter, an Apostle of Jesus Christ…” (1:1). Prior to meeting Jesus, his name was Simon. Simon was a fisherman who had grown up, lived and worked along the northwest corner of the Sea of Galilee (John 1:44). Early in Jesus’ public ministry, He called Simon to be one of His disciples (Mark 1:16-18). It was Jesus who gave this fisherman his new name, Peter, which in Aramaic means, “rock.” It became his given name.
B. A TRANSFORMED INDIVIDUAL: Transforming Simon into “Peter” was a God-sized operation. Simon Peter was a brash, impulsive man who often acted without thinking. One time, when Peter was with the other disciples in a boat on a stormy sea, they saw Jesus walking towards them on the water. Instinctively, Peter stepped out of the boat and began walking to meet Jesus. But as the waves splashed up on his shins he looked down and began to sink. Peter cried out for the Lord to save him. Peter’s impulsiveness was revealed as he often spoke with out thinking. Once, when Jesus predicted His own arrest, death and the scattering of His followers, Peter dramatically and boastfully pledged his steadfast support against all odds—“Even if everyone else deserts you, I never will” (Mark 14:26-31). Later that evening, Jesus was betrayed and arrested. A rooster crowed and this disciple adamantly denied three times any association with Jesus, three times! You see, Simon Peter feared being “LEFT OUT!”
C. A LEADING DISCIPLE: But, with these weaknesses and faults, Peter had his shining moments. He made the confession about Jesus that we must all make still today—“You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God” (Matthew 16:16-19). After his denial and following Jesus’ resurrection, Peter was reconciled with Jesus. He was “LOCKED IN.” He was the leader among the disciples and therefore, the recognized leader of the church. (However, he was not the first Pope!). In Acts 2, we read the sermon that Peter preached at the advent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
D. AN AUTHORITATIVE MESSENGER: Therefore, when this foundational disciple identifies himself as an “apostle of Jesus Christ,” his letter is not to be seen as the pious opinions of a well-wishing friend, but as the authoritative word of one who speaks for the Lord of the church himself.
II. WHAT IS PETER’S MESSAGE: THE THINGS HE SAID TO THE FIRST CENTURY CHRISTIANS LIVING THROUGHOUT ASIA MINOR
The church that Peter wrote to was part of the First Century Roman Empire. Nero was the Emperor and he was wicked. Later in his reign, he would order a bloodbath of persecution upon the Christian community. However, at this time in Peter’s writing, the early pangs of Neroian persecution were being experienced through slander, malicious gossip, misrepresentation, unemployment and evicted from the banking system. They were suffering in every way as a result of the social exclusion that was being exacted against them.
A. SUFFERING FROM AN IDENTITY CRISIS: Here’s the “kicker.” They once belonged and actively participated in their respective communities. However, the day these new converts confessed “Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God,” their lives were transformed in every way. Their friends didn’t know what to do with them. Pagan husbands felt betrayed by their converted wives. Governing officials became insecure as converts to Christ changed their loyalties and allegiances. So, these new Christians were left out—“strangers,” if you will, struggling with their suffering and seemingly lack of an identity. So, Peter’s challenge was great—to encourage these ‘scattered strangers’ with the truth that they belonged somewhere. This Apostle, who struggled with his own acceptance in the courtyard the night he denied Jesus, assured these new converts that while they may feel left out of this world indefinitely, they are definitely locked into God. In other words, while everyone else around you may be rejecting them, God—the Creator of the universe—has specifically and collectively chosen them to be His own people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation and God’s own possession (1 Peter 2:9).
B. SHARING IN A NEW COMMUNITY: But, until they realize their eternal hope and home, what is the purpose of their suffering? The answer to this question is initially understood in verse 2—“chosen As a new community, these early Christians were to specifically “declare the praises of God” to other persons, communities and nations. This has always been Yahweh’s expectation of His people. Sure, they may be scattered about like seed, but God will use them to sow and reap a harvest for Him—to His glory and to their benefit. Peter does not want them to act disrespectfully nor angrily towards those outside their new community. Instead, the “strangers” are to pray for and submit to those in authority over them. If they suffer as a result of doing good, they should interpret such mistreatment as a badge of honor. After all they are chosen by God in order to obey Jesus who went all the way to the cross for them. Consequently, these new converts walk individually and collectively in the steps of Jesus Christ—always a dangerous path, but delightful results.
Transition: So, we know a little about Peter and his message to the churches in Asia Minor. What relevance is there for us today?
III. WHY DO WE NEED TO HEAR PETER’S MESSAGE: THE VALUE OF THIS SCRIPTURE TO US LIVING IN THE COLONIAL PARK AREA.
What should we hear from this 2000-year-old letter that has any relevance for us today. After all, what does Peter know about life in 20th Century America with its fast-paced, high-tech lifestyle, complete with gizmos and gadgets and gas guzzling SUV’s?
Well, I think Peter would tell us that “life is life and people are people no matter when you happen to sojourn on the earth.” Every Christian in every generation in every society in every part of history has had to contend with the disturbing reality of resisting and falling prey to the distractions of people and the deceptions of Satan during their pilgrimage on this earth. There is no escaping this world. You have to pass through it to get home. Peter knew this and he would wish the abundance of two things for us during our journeys.
A. AS CHRISTIANS, WHEN WE HAVE TO LIVE IN A WORLD THAT HAS LEFT US OUT, WE NEED AN ABUNDANCE OF GOD’S GRACE.
1. Peter Speaks about Grace from Personal Experience: When you look further into the life of Simon Peter, you find that he was truly a flawed character. Yet, isn’t that the wonderful hope that we have in Jesus even this morning? When Jesus picked His original disciples, He picked the likes of Peter. God continues to touch the hearts of people today, and when He does, He touches the hearts of people like you and me.
2. We too have our flaws. We have our moments of living in the glorious light of eternity. We also have our unfortunate moments of behaving badly in the dark cesspools of this world. Through both seasons of success and failure, the touch of God’s undeserving grace keeps us focussed on who we are and what we are on earth to do—namely, “aliens and strangers scattered about declaring the praises of God as we obey Jesus.”
3. In order to fulfill this purpose, we must grasp daily for the life-giving and life-sustaining grace that only God can give. Without it, we can wallow in the self-pity of personal failure or retreat to the familiarity of our former relationships and the host of worldly temptations that serve to sway us from God’s own hand. Grace is God’s way of keeping you where you want to be!
4. When you face these moments of failure and personal disappointment, Peter would say to you, “Trust the wonderful grace of Jesus. He is the Lord of second chances. If you fall, let Jesus pick you up with His life-giving grace and mercy. If you deny him with your life or words, let repent and let him fill your heart with Himself. Don’t give up! You see, t is better to be a Christ-follower who fails, than to be one who fails to follow!”
B. AS CHRISTIANS, WHEN WE HAVE TO LIVE IN A WORLD THAT HAS LEFT US OUT, WE NEED AN ABUNDANCE OF GOD’S PEACE.
1. There is no peace with suffering. If I feel the initial pains of a bellyache, I start to panic as I think about the possibilities of being sick. But, to be mistreated by those who used to be your friends and loved ones can dispel any peace one might have. But, Peter’s prayer for us today is that we have peace, and lots of it.
2. We have to live in this world. There may be some times when we can’t watch stuff that is on the television. But we can have peace knowing that we have other alternatives. We may have to deny ourselves certain movies or books, but we can have peace knowing that God is pleased and glorified in our choices. We may be resisting the temptation to plot a revenge strategy on someone who hurt us, but we can leave it with God and experience His abundant peace. Whether is it peace of mind that you seek or peace of heart, you simply want to know that all is okay and that everything will be okay.
3. You can stand your ground in the science class knowing that God will sustain you with his peace. You can say no to your boyfriends pressure, knowing that your heavenly father loves you and will give you peace. You can take a stand for honesty and integrity in the workplace, knowing that God’s peace will sustain you. You may feel left out of this world, but you are locked into God.
“I, Peter, am an apostle on assignment by Jesus, the Messiah, writing to exiles scattered to the four winds. Not one is missing, not one forgotten. God the Father has his eye on each of you, and has determined by the work of the Holy Spirit to keep you obedient through the sacrifice of Jesus. May everything good from God be yours” (1 Peter 1:1-2)…to exiles scattered to the four winds. Not one missing, not one forgotten. God the Father has his eye on each of you…” (1 Peter 1:2, THE MESSAGE).
CONCLUSION: IT WAS GOOD FOR THEM, IT IS GOOD FOR US
A. The message Peter wrote to his five churches nearly two thousand years ago is as relevant today as it was then. Throughout Christian history, believers everywhere have endured mistreatment on account of Christ. Sometimes this mistreatment was expended at the cost of their lives. Other suffering came in the form of ridicule, slander, social exclusion and unemployment. Pastor Peter understood the conflict that his churches were facing in the world. He wrote to encourage them. He pointed to the sustaining grace of God in their lives—
… a grace that is sustaining them until God’s salvation is complete. … a grace that will sustain them in their submission to earthly authorities … a grace that will sustain them through their personal and corporate suffering.
B. The same is true for you and me. Honestly, we may be left out of our families, relationships, neighborhoods, peer groups, work places for clinging to the sustaining grace of God. However, when we are left out of this world, we must remember that we are locked into an eternal relationship with God—the very one who chose us, redeemed us and is perfecting us into the very image of His Son, Jesus through the Spirit of Christ that indwells us.
YOU MAY FEEL LEFT OUT OF THIS WORLD,BUT YOU ARE LOCKED INTO GOD!
