1 Peter 2:13-3:7 Submission: The Weapon of The Christian
Notes
Transcript
Key theme of the Bible: Order from Chaos
Key theme of the Bible: Order from Chaos
Creation story was God making order from chaos
Sin was reestablished chaos
Until the return of Christ, order is maintained through:
government
family
religion
Submission to established order is key to Christian success
Submission to established order is key to Christian success
While no earthly system is perfect, it is useful
God restrains evil through these systems
Chaos is rebellion against God
Chaos is rebellion against God
Key themes of 1 Peter
Key themes of 1 Peter
Suffering (at least 7 times)
Christians can expect to suffer
Christians can expect to be a victim
Submission (6 times)
Peter’s response to suffering
Demonstrates a Christian lifestyle
We submit in 3 ways:
civic authority
social oppression
familial responsibilities
Peter speaks on all three
He speaks in the worst case scenario
Civil Obedience is the Will of God
Civil Obedience is the Will of God
Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.
This is not an absolute truth
Government is a tool of God
Remember Peter’s audience
actions speak louder than words
actions speak louder than words
For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.
ignorance = lacking spiritual discernment
Our best combat against immorality is living morally & respectfully
because no matter who is in charge, we are God’s slaves
because no matter who is in charge, we are God’s slaves
Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
As Christians we avoid scandal and gossip
We are marked by how we treat our enemies
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
We conduct ourselves publicly by:
honor everyone
love Christians
fear God
honor leaders
we are slaves to God
we are slaves to God
Social Order Requires Submission to Awful People
Social Order Requires Submission to Awful People
The Gospel is demonstrated by how we react to unjust superiors
The Gospel is demonstrated by how we react to unjust superiors
Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.
“when mindful of God”
respect is given in spite of what is deserved
Christ is our example in response to injustice
Christ is our example in response to injustice
For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
Christ suffered unjustly for you
You can suffer graciously for Him
“for this you have been called”
“for this you have been called”
Peter reminds us how Christ suffered
Peter reminds us how Christ suffered
1 peter 2:22-25
He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Christ lived righteously and died unjustly
So you can follow His example of righteousness
Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.
We cannot expect better than Him
And we should respond in a similar manner in all areas of life
A Healthy Marriage Requires Submission
A Healthy Marriage Requires Submission
In marriage, actions speak louder than words
In marriage, actions speak louder than words
Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct.
A wife can influence her husband through respect
Peter starts with the culturally worst case scenario
Without a word, win over the one disobedient to the word
Submission demonstrates the word of God
Holy character is the best breeding ground for mutual love
Holy character is the best breeding ground for mutual love
Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.
Gentle and quiet invites God
Appearances will not replace character
A place of submission is not a place of fear
A place of submission is not a place of fear
Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
Husbands should treat their wife in an honoring way
like a delicate instrument
She is a coheir (equal)
And the husbands action may hinder his prayers
Honor is a key to submission
Honor is a key to submission
Submission applies to all aspects of life
Submission applies to all aspects of life
Most of all, submission to God
Most of all, submission to God
This is fundamental to the Christian life
This is fundamental to the Christian life
This is the best way to show the Gospel
This is the best way to show the Gospel