A Sinner’s Guide to Life

1 Peter 2:13-25

The “S” Word

May 12, 2024

Darin Elquist

Message Notes

We are residents of an eternal kingdom-

Hebrews 11:9-10

By faith he lived as a stranger in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

Philippians 3:20

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;

Ambassador-

An accredited diplomat sent by a country as its official representative to a foreign country.

Anyone who follows Jesus is His ambassador. That means me and you too!

Knee-Jerk Reactions to Unfair Treatment-

1. We May Blame Others-

We focus on the person who did us wrong and we think about revenge… sweet, sweet revenge.

2. We May Feel Sorry for Ourselves

We wallow in self-pity looking for sympathy and understanding from any and all people we know.

3. We May Bury our Feelings

When we do this, we put our emotions on the back burner. But underneath that calm outward appearance we are just burring with rage. While wallowing in a quite self-pity thinking about how to get vengeance for what has been done to me.

The Supernatural Alternative

1 Peter 2:13-17

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. For such is the will of God, that by doing right you silence the ignorance of foolish people. Act as free people, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil but use it as bond-servants of God. Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.

Submit-

Hypotasso (Greek) A term that describes respect, humility to another person’s authority.

1 Timothy 2:1-2

First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made in behalf of all people,  for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

The reason we are to submit to our earthly authority

1 Peter 2:15

For such is the will of God, that by doing right you silence the ignorance of foolish people.

It’s the same idea as living about reproach

1 Timothy 3:2-3

An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, skillful in teaching, not overindulging in wine, not a bully, but gentle, not contentious, free from the love of money.

Attitude of our Submission

1 Peter 2:16

Act as free people, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil but use it as bond-servants of God.

1 Peter 2:17

Honor ALL People

Love other Believers

Fear God

Honor the King, (president, governor, etc…)

1 Peter 2:21-25

For you have been called for this purpose, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you would follow in His steps, HE WHO COMMITTED NO sin, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT found IN HIS MOUTH; and while being abusively insulted, He did not insult in return; while suffering, He did not threaten, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; and He Himself brought our sins in His body up on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness; by His wounds you were healed. For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.

1. What is the context of Peter’s letter?

   1. What is the context of 1 Peter 2 Verse 13?

2. Read 1 Peter 2 verse 13-17

   1. What would life be like for Christians during the time this letter was written?

   2. What was the leadership of the Roman empire like during that time?

3. Look up the word submit using a Bible app concordance.

   1. What is the word in the Greek?

   2. What is the biblical definition of the word?

4. Read first Timothy 2:1-2.

   1. How often do we pray for our leaders?

   2. Do we tend to pray more for those leaders we have the same ideals as or those who we have less in common with?

5. In verse 15, what is the Greek word for “silence”?

   1. What does this word mean?

   2. Where else is this word used in scripture?

   3. How do we “silence the ignorance of foolish people”?

6. Read 1 Timothy 3:2-3

   1. Does this verse apply to everyone? Why or why not?

7. Should we submit to all authorities? Why or why not?

   1. Are there scriptures to support your answer?

8. In verse 17 it says to honor all people, is that always easy to do?

   1. What are some ways we can honor people who frankly from our viewpoint don’t deserve to be honored?

9. Does the bible support not doing what the government tells us to do? If so where and when should we not submit to the government?

10. For what purpose has God called us? How effective have we been in that purpose? Read 1 Peter 2:21-25, do these verses help us understand the previous verses better?

11. Please pray for our government. We are called to pray for our leadership regardless of how we may agree or disagree with how they govern.