Living as God's People Part 2
Notes
Transcript
Introduction:
Have you ever suffered unjustly for doing what is right?
Have you ever felt like giving up or retaliating when you are mistreated by others?
How do you respond to the pain and injustice of this world as a follower of Jesus?
In this passage, Peter addresses a group of people who knew what it meant to suffer unjustly: the household servants or slaves of his day.
He gives them some practical and spiritual advice on how to endure their suffering with grace and hope.
He also points them to the ultimate example of suffering for righteousness: Jesus Christ, who died for our sins on the cross.
Let’s look at what Peter has to say to these servants and to us today.
18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh.
Point 1: Submit to your masters with respect (v. 18)
Point 1: Submit to your masters with respect (v. 18)
Peter begins by telling the servants to be subject or submit to their masters with all respect or fear.
This means that they should obey their masters’ commands, honor their authority, and avoid any rebellion or disrespect.
Peter does not condone or endorse slavery, but he recognizes that it was a reality in his culture and that many of his readers were in that situation.
He also does not tell them to accept abuse or injustice, but he urges them to endure it patiently for the sake of God.
He says that they should submit not only to the good and gentle masters, but also to the froward or harsh ones.
The word froward means crooked, perverse, or unreasonable. It describes masters who are cruel, unfair, or abusive.
Peter knows that submitting to such masters is not easy or pleasant, but he says that it is a gracious thing or a commendable thing in God’s sight.
19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.
20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.
Point 2: Suffer for doing good with conscience (vv. 19-20)
Point 2: Suffer for doing good with conscience (vv. 19-20)
Peter explains why submitting to harsh masters is a gracious thing: because it shows a good conscience toward God.
A good conscience is a moral awareness that guides our actions and decisions according to God’s will.
It is also a witness to others that we belong to God and that we live by His standards.
When we suffer unjustly for doing what is right, we demonstrate that we are more concerned about pleasing God than pleasing people.
We also follow the example of Jesus, who suffered for us and left us an example to follow (v. 21).
Peter says that there is no credit or reward if we suffer for doing wrong, such as stealing, lying, or disobeying our masters.
But if we suffer for doing good, such as being honest, faithful, or respectful, we have God’s approval and blessing.
21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
22 “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”;
23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;
24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.
25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Point 3: Follow the example of Christ with faith (vv. 21-25)
Point 3: Follow the example of Christ with faith (vv. 21-25)
Peter then turns our attention to the supreme example of suffering for righteousness: Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
The word for “Example” in the Greek is only used here in the NT and it describes an outline drawing or copy-book letters to be followed by a pupil.
Illustrate: Tracing someone else drawing onto a different sheet of paper.
He says that Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should follow in His steps (v. 21).
He then describes how Christ suffered: In which Peter is quoting from Is. 53:9 and v7.
He did not sin or deceive anyone (v. 22).
He did not retaliate or threaten when He was insulted or abused (v. 23).
He entrusted Himself to God who judges justly (v. 23).
He bore our sins in His body on the cross so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness (v. 24).
He healed us by His wounds (v. 24).
He brought us back to God like sheep who had gone astray (v. 25).
Peter wants us to see that Christ’s suffering was not meaningless or wasted, but it was purposeful and redemptive.
He wants us to see that Christ’s suffering was not only an example, but also a substitution and a salvation for us.
He wants us to see that Christ’s suffering was not only a past event, but also a present reality and a future hope for us.
Conclusion:
As we conclude, let me ask you again: How do you respond to the pain and injustice of this world as a follower of Jesus?
Do you submit to your authorities with respect, even when they are harsh or unfair?
Do you suffer for doing good with conscience, even when you are mistreated or misunderstood?
Do you follow the example of Christ with faith, even when you are tempted to give up or fight back?
If you struggle with any of these questions, remember what Peter has told us today:
Remember that God sees your suffering and rewards your obedience.
Remember that Christ suffered for you and gave you an example to follow.
Remember that Christ died for you and gave you a new life in Him.