November 6, 2016
Morning Service

I Pet. 2:11-25

 

            We finished last week with this thought:

1Pe 2:9-10  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:  (10)  Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

·         Just think of this statement;   God considers us a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people;  And because of this we should show forth the praises of Him Who has called us out of darkness ( a sinful, careless life ), into His marvelous light ( living by His glorious teachings ).

·         Which at one time were not included in the family of God, but are now the people of God;  which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Just how wonderful is that, and how blessed we are to be part of the family of God.  And because of all this Peter continues with the following challenges, and instructions;

 

1Pe 2:11-25  Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;  (12)  Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. 

·        Abstain, which means we must exercise our power over sin.  He expects us to do it.

·        And that by doing this we will shut the mouths of those who would speak evil of us, because they can see we don’t do the things they accuse us of.

·        And they will glorify God, because of this, in the day of visitation.

(13)  Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;  (14)  Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.  (15)  For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: 

·        We are not to be a rebellious people.  We are to keep the laws of the land that we are in, as long as they don’t conflict with the laws of our God.

·        Whether it be to the king’s laws, or the governor’s, we should do our best to keep the laws.  This is God’s will, and it will silence the ignorance of foolish men.

(16)  As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. 

·        Although we are free from the bondage of sin, and the law, we are not to use our freedom to commit, and practice sin.

·        Listen to Paul, concerning liberty, and freedom;

1Co 8:9-13  But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.  (10)  For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;  (11)  And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?  (12)  But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.  (13)  Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

·         Your liberty, or freedom must not be used to cause a weaker brother to stumble and sin.

·         In this particular example Paul is referring to eating meat offered to idols.  Well we know that an idle is nothing, but our brother may not recognize that.  Paul uses this as an example of exercising liberty, or freedom, but it could be a number of things that a weaker brother might consider a sin, and you don’t.  But the teaching is that we not do this thing that is a stumbling block to a weaker brother.  Now the weaker brother can’t stay weak all his life, and must grow into the truth that we have great freedom, and liberty when we are in Christ, but we are not to offend a weaker brother.  THE BIBLE DEFINES WHAT SIN IS.

·         It’s the idea that we put others ahead of our own desires, and longings. 

(17)  Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. 

·         Honor, or show respect unto all men.  This is a tough one.  Some men don’t deserve our giving them honor.  And this is what we are looking for in this letter of Peter’s.  MORALITY.  In order to have our honor, and respect, they must lead a life worthy of our honor, and respect.  We cannot, and should not give honor to someone who does not deserve it. 

·         We should not be mean, or hateful to someone like this, but they should earn our respect, and honor.

·         Love the brotherhood, now this should not be difficult.  The brotherhood should have the same goals ( following the teachings of Christ )and be working to please God.

·         Fear God.  Certainly, One who is able to destroy both body, and soul in hell fire.

·         Honor the king.  Again, as long as he doesn’t go contrary to God’s laws.

(18)  Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. 

·         Do not be rebellious to your employer, and if you are you should fear.  You are to be under subjection to his will, even if he is not a good, and considerate employer.

·         Can you see how God wants more out of us, than the world.   Notice.

(19)  For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 

·         You are to be praised if you can do this.  It is difficult, but not impossible.  You see, what raises up against someone, doing us wrong, is our flesh, and God wants us to have victory over our flesh.  He wants His Spirit to prevail in these matters, and show forth love, gentleness, meekness, and servitude.   It’s different than what the world will show forth.

Then notice what Peter says;

(20)  For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 

·         Do you see what I mean?  God’s expectations for His children is much greater than He has for the worldly people.  They don’t possess His Spirit, and we do.

(21)  For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:  (22)  Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:  (23)  Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 

·         This type of submission is what we are called to live.  Why?  Because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, and we should follow in His steps.

·         He did not sin, neither did He backtalk, or complain.  When He was reviled, reviled not again, and when He suffered, He did not threaten His tormentors, but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously.

AND NOW THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE:

(24)  Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.  (25)  For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

 

LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, HELP YOUR PEOPLE TO SHOW FORTH YOUR PRAISES TO THE WORLD, AND GIVE US THE STRENGTH, AND ABILITY TO LIVE RIGHTEOUSLY IN THIS MOST UNGODLY WORLD.  AMEN.