“Testimony Matters”
1 Peter Sermon Series, Part 6
1 Peter 2:11-25
Introduction
- (v1-3) Commanded to rid ourselves of 5 specific behaviors of life today
-- When you see what these all mean, something interesting unfolds for us
1. Malice
2. Deceit
3. Hypocrisy
4. Envy
5. Slander
- Something interesting to note about all 5 of these attributes:
-- They all involved us judging others; not one of them exalts Christ
-- Every one of these attributes sets us in direct opposition to one another
-- Therefore, “Love God, Love People” isn’t even possible with these
- Then, we saw how we are to make Jesus the corner stone of our faith
-- What is most important is placing Him in the position of honor; Cornerstone
- Tonight, we are going to examine our testimony and the value it MUST have
-- This is not a typical Sunday morn message; it is for diving deeper in our study
-- Christ is calling us to a life different than the world, and tonight we’ll see that
- Read 1 Peter 2:11-25
∆ Point 1 – The life of a believer is a testimony (11-12)
- Peter is urging those who call themselves Christians (v11)
-- We are foreigners; exiles; strangers; aliens to this world … NOT CITIZENS
-- Our citizenship is not here – therefore these commands must encourage us!
- When Peter writes that we should abstain … it means to turn away from
-- It is a call to hold back; to avoid acting like; to not seek after those things
- God is very specific about sin and what He calls sin; it’s a measuring stick
-- Therefore, avoid those things which wage war in your soul
- Those things which cause us to stumble and to not live for God
-- APP: Sinful desires are best described as: “desires motivated by selfishness”
- So, if we are avoiding those things, what should we do? (v12)
-- Live lives that bring glory to God among those who do not believe in Him
-- EX: When around unbelieving friends they want to bring up Jesus/church
-- They know how I live my life, and they are (unbeknown) drawn to it
- So, even when we are discredited by those we live around; integrity is intact
-- The accusations may be flung, but we are called to live above those things
-- Why? So that God may be glorified (and not us) when He appears
-- IMP: Life is not about clearing our good name; but honoring the name we carry
- All too often we want to take on the fight and ensure we are proven right
-- King Jehoshaphat had a similar problem when faced with a huge battle
-- The armies were vast, the battle was surely to be lost, & as a leader he panicked
-- But the Holy Spirit answered him clearly (and us) as well!
-- 2 Chron 20:15, “He said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's.”
- TRANS: So where do we apply this living? Everywhere!
∆ Point 2 – The testimony of a believer with those in authority (13-17)
- We are called to submit ourselves to those over us (v13-14)
-- To submit even those we don’t like, but those who are in power over us
-- This even includes those in political circles that we do not agree with
- Romans 13:1, “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”
-- Peter commands that we submit willingly to those in authority over us
-- APP: This is a challenge for all of us … no matter where we are
- Peter wants believers to submit willingly; to stand for what is right; but submit
-- Means we don’t cower away from challenges; but we stand firm with respect
-- We are to submit because that is God’s desire for His people … period!
- Why? So that we can focus on the things of God which He has called us to
- We should live in a manner that silences the nonsense and foolish chatter (v15)
-- We live lives where our behavior speaks of who we serve; and who’s we are!
-- We live as FREE people; but don’t use that to sin and do what you want
- (v16-17) This principle is very clear and must be adhered too in all things
-- Look what Peter commands us to do in our daily lives:
• Live as free people
• Don’t use freedom to excuse sin
• Live as slaves of the Lord (seeking to please only Him)
• Sow proper respect
• Love the family of believers
• Fear God
• Honor the emperor (those in leadership over us – v13)
- TRANS: This also translates to our places of work/business/market place
∆ Point 3 – The testimony of a believer as an employee-servant (18)
- v18 is a very critical aspect for anyone that holds a job to see and learn
-- Nothing is more real than the relationship of a slave and a master
-- Additionally, nothing is clearer for us than those that we work for
- We are to … in all situations … submit to those in authority directly over us
-- We submit because (again) Who it is we actually serve; we honor God
-- Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters”
- It is easy to submit to a boss that treats you well (slaves had this also)
-- Many families in this time had servants who were considered part of the family
-- They were loved, and respected, and treated very well (paid, housed, etc.)
-- But Peter says not only to serve them … but those who are harsh as well
-- Our application is obvious (see Col 3:23) … we serve well b/c we honor God!
- TRANS: So what about serving well when we are treated poorly?
∆ Point 4 – The testimony of a believer when suffering unjustly (19-20)
- Have you ever suffered unjustly? Perhaps been robbed of a good standing?
-- What Peter says in v19 is especially for you: “it is commendable”
- If we suffer even when unjustly treated God honors that suffering (v20b)
-- Again, the fight is not ours nor is it ours to ensure we pay others back
- Nothing escapes the Lord’s eyes … the battle (again) is not ours
-- Peter reminds us of one of the things God honors: Our honoring of Him!
- This command to even bear up sufferings brings to mind several things:
• What Christ did willingly by leaving the splendor of Heaven
• What Christ did willingly by allowing God to be mocked
• What Christ did willingly by going to the cross for God’s purpose
- TRANS: So what testimony do we have to live up to?
∆ Point 5 – The supreme example of a testimony (21-25)
- IMP: Are you beginning to see how this ties so well to Easter?
-- v21, “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.”
-- We are called to remember what Christ went through, and willingly follow!
- Now, why is all of this important? Re-read v22-25
- Jesus is the ONLY one who is totally sinless
-- Isaiah 53:9, “He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.”
-- There was no deceit, no lie, no sin that was committed by the Messiah
-- He was literally the perfect sacrifice of God; suitable for our redemption
- When they hurled insults: didn’t retaliate; When he suffered: made no threats
-- What He did do: Was submit Himself to the One that He served; the Judge
-- The one who judges justly; who divides truth from a lie for His honor
-- He gave Himself on the cross so that we might die to our sin and live righteous
∆ Big Idea
- At one time we were sinners, needing a Savior
- The Savior has now come to give us everything we ever needed
- Even to show us how we should live and what our standard must be
- Will we submit or continue to live according to our desire(s)?
- Pray
