Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

1 Peter 2:13-25 ESV

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. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 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. 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. 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. 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.

I. GOD’S GOOD GFT OF AUTHORITY (13-15)
A. Authority is from God & exists in every dimension of life.
B. Peter commands we submit to all authority in our life, whether good or evil, because that is will of God.
C. Let the charges brought against the people of Jesus be for good things and not refusal to submit.

II. LIVING UNDER AUTHORITY AS A FREE MAN (16-17)
A. Because we are already free in Christ, we don’t need to prove we are free from the authority of others.
B. You have surrendered your rights up to Jesus and Jesus asks you to submit because that is best for Him.
C. By submitting to others because Jesus asks us to, we are submitting to Jesus when we submit to others.

III. MORE THAN SUBMIT, HONOR YOUR BOSS (18)
A. Not only do we submit to government but all authority in our lives, including our bosses.
B. Jesus demands we more than submit to others but that we honor them as well.

IV. OUR WORK AS WORSHIP
A. American workplace is underutilized mission field because we have made it about work instead of worship.
B. Work is not the result of sin. We were created to work, which makes our work, worship.
C. Our work, when done to honor God and not just to make money is worship.
D. By honoring our fellow employees and working hard we create opportunities to witness to the Gospel.

V. THE GLORY OF GOD IN OUR SUFFERING (19-25)
A. When we suffer unjustly and take it for the sake of glorifying God, it is pleases God.
B. Jesus suffered unjustly for our sake and never sought revenge because He trusted God to take care of Him.
C. Jesus suffered unjustly for our sake and because of that I may now have the honor of suffering unjustly for His sake.

APPLICATION
1. There is a time to protest and a time to submit. Use wisdom to know when it is time for each.