Christ The Strong
(I Peter 2:18-25)
A Father’s Day Top Ten
#10 Whenever possible, please say whatever you have to say during commercials.
#9 Shopping is NOT a sport, and no, we are never going to think of it that way.
#8 Sunday afternoon = sports. It’s like the full moon or the changing of the tides. Let it be.
#7 “Yes” and “No” are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question.
#6 Check your oil! Please, check your oil!
#5 Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument. In fact, all past comments become null and void after 7 days.
#4 If something we said could be interpreted two ways, and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one.
#3 If we ask what is wrong and you say "nothing," we will act like nothing’s wrong. We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle.
#2 ALL men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default settings. Peach, for example, is a fruit, not a color. Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have no idea what mauve is.
#1 Christopher Columbus did not need directions, and neither do we…
(source: sermoncentral)
The passage in I Peter deals with slavery, but it rabbit trails toward the sufferings of Christ.
Main idea: Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of what it means to be strong.
TS ------------- > The tough challenges we must meet to be a godly Christian are also challenges we must meet to be good fathers.
I. The Challenge to BEAR Up As Christ Did (18-23a)
A. Christ a HERO to be emulated
B. Context: SLAVERY
1. "The living conditions of many slaves were better than those of free men who often
slept in the streets of the city or lived in very cheap rooms. There is considerable
evidence to suggest that the slaves lived within the confines of their master’s house.
They usually lived on the top floor of their owner’s city house or country villa (Cil.
Phil. 2.67; Colum. Rust. 1.63). In Pliny’s Laurentian villa the quarters for the slaves
and freedmen were in [a] separate section of the house, but were considered attractive
enough to be used for the entertainment of overnight guests (Plin. Ep. 2.17.22).
The slave was not inferior to the free men of similar skills in regard to food and
clothing. That most slaves in Rome were as well dressed as free men is indicated in an
unusual way. Seneca stated that legislation was introduced in the Senate that slaves
should be required to wear a type of clothing that would distinguish them from free
men (Sen. de Clementia 1.24.1)." From Hendriksen, I Peter.
2. I Timothy 1 demonstrates that slavery was considered evil: "8We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. 9We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine 11that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me."
3. Although being an honest, hardworking, and respectful employee is a good way for us to implement some of these principles, it is really not the same.
C. Bearing Up Under INJUSTICE (19)
We are not talking about matters of self-defense, but rather when we abused by a corrupt but legal system.
Such suffering makes us conscious of God. How?
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil
against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in
heaven. [Matt. 5:11–12]
John 15:20, " Remember the words I spoke to you: ’No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.
D. The MIMETIC sufferings of Christ (21)
1. Part of our calling includes SUFFERING
The Greek word translated "example" (hypogrammon) refers to a writing
or drawing that someone placed under another sheet of paper so he or she
could trace on the upper sheet.100 (Dr. Thomas L. Constable)
Christ’s death was an example, but not only an example. Christ set the pattern, but he provides atonement for our sins and new life so that we can follow the pattern.
2. Suffering is part of FELLOWSHIPPING with Christ
"There is also a mimetic aspect to the sufferings of Christ. Peter tells us that Christ in His passion left us an example to follow in His steps (I Pet.2:21).
The Bible makes it clear, however, that pain and suffering are not to be sought after for their own sake. That would indicate a psychologically perverted, masochistic mind-set which is the very antithesis of the Christian mind. Thus, Jesus could ask God in the garden of Gethsemane to take away the cup of suffering, thus displaying not just His humanness but His psychological robustness. In the will of God, however, Christ and His followers can be expected to meet with suffering and even rejoice in it as they engage the dominion of Satan in spiritual warfare" Ravi Zacharias (www.rzimindia.org/html/TFT/0014.html).
3. Christ was SINLESS and yet suffered; suffering is not always caused by our sin
• More persecution in the world now than ever. China, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and North Korea are among the worst….
E. God uses ALL suffering to deepen us
Main idea: Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of what it means to be strong.
II. The Challenge to SUFFER for the Benefit of Others (23-25)
A. Christ became passive for a REASON (23)
1. Jesus typically FOUGHT back
• tables at temple (twice)
• argued with the Pharisees & Sadducees
• was not afraid of controversy or disturbing the peace
2. But sometimes PASSIVE acceptance is best for others
• We have a right to defend ourselves, but sometimes we surrender that right to benefit others
B. Christ STRONGLY chose to bear our sins (24a)
1. Some people cannot fathom the weak/strong paradox
• Islamic belief
• Gnostic belief
• Bible: you can be so strong you become weak…you can be so weak that you become strong…
2. The great exchange
C. His mission included making us HOLY (24b)
• The idea that Christianity does not need to have any effect on your behavior is ludicrous
• If we are saved, we are a work in progress; we are still sinful, but we are heading toward godliness
D. He directed us to PURPOSE in life (25)
• We were marking our days with no purpose, no direction
• But now we have found our destiny….
Main idea: Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of what it means to be strong.
III. Ideal Fathers Exemplify Christ-like STRENGTH
James Dobson, in his book, “Dare To Discipline,” says, “Good fathers are made, not born.”
To be strong dads, we need:
A. To be a HERO. Dad is naturally viewed as a hero; it is his status to uphold or mess
up. If he seeks the best interest of his family, he will be a hero; if he seeks only his
own best interest, he loses the respect of his family. Jesus is the ultimate hero.
B. To bear up under PRESSURE. Although the wise man reduces how much pressure
he has, we cannot eliminate it all. [Take Hans Wolff] Jesus bore the stress.
C. To be ACTIVE except when passivity is called for – and to know what is
appropriate.
D. To sacrifice INDEPENDENT living for the family. Men value their freedom and
independence; for some men, being tied down to a family is hard. Jesus made the
ultimate sacrifice.
E. To help children find DIRECTION.
F. To lead the family to FELLOWSHIP with God
G. But remember this: the ideal human father does not EXIST. The ideal Savior does.
CONCLUSION
1. There is some good news about Fatherhood. Note this survey:
A SURVEY OF FATHERS
The June 2003 issue of Family Circle Magazine contained results from a recent national survey of fathers. It had some interesting results: [source: sermoncentral]
* 94% feel building a family is the hardest and most important thing
a man can do.
* 71% say fatherhood is more demanding than they expected, while 88% say fatherhood is more rewarding
* 87% say the rewards of fatherhood trump those of career, and 89% approve of men leaving fast-track careers to spend more time with family.
• 90% say becoming a father made them want to be a better person and role model for their kids, while 75% feel a weight of responsibility now that they didn’t before.
2. Guys, join the fatherhood revolution. And for of us: Let’s join the "Jesus is Strong and Wants to Make Me Strong" movement!
