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1 PeterAgents of Hope & Life in a Challenging World

Agents of Hope & LifeGod’s Government – God’s

Kingdom1 Peter 2:13-17

Power of Submission

Love One AnotherFear God

Be Holy

Set Your

HopeSalvation

God’s Life &Governmen

t

Who we are to Be in Christ

A Warrior Where-House

Witness

PreviewSignificant for Peter’s audience . . .They lived under a government that was adverse & hostile

to followers of Jesus.Some if not many lived as slaves.Many became Christians and lived with unbelieving

spouses.The Early Church clearly understood that salvation though

by grace through faith was fundamentally an issue of government. Jesus became their Lord; they lived in obedience to Him. This did not absolve them from responsibilities to human governments and authorities.

Context1 Peter 2:11–12 (NIV) Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

1 Peter 2:13 (NIV) Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority,

ContextNero

Domitian

Tertullian

1 Pet 2:13–17 (ESV) Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

1 Peter 2:13–17 (NLT) — 13 For the Lord’s sake, respect all human authority—whether the king as head of state, 14 or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right. 15 It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. 16 For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. 17 Respect everyone, and love your Christian brothers and sisters. Fear God, and respect the king.

Submit yourselves . . .The Command & ScopeSubmit (hypotasso): to place under in position, rank.

To every human institution . . .Government authorities in 2:13-17Servants to masters in 2:18-20Wives to husbands in 3:1-6Husbands to wives in 3:7

Submit yourselves . . .The Reasonfor the Lord’s sake (vs. 13) Authority is fundamental to God and His

kingdom

1 Corinthians 11:3 But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ.

Submit yourselves . . .The Reasonto put to silence accusation(vs. 15)

The Mindset . . .Live as people that are free . . . (vs. 16)

The 4 commands . . . (vs. 17)Honor everyone (timao . . . to esteem, honor, respect)Love the brothers and sisters (agape)Fear God (phobeo . . . terror, fright, reverence)Honor the emperor (timao . . . to esteem, honor,

respect)

Understanding Authority/SubmissionDefinitionsAuthority: 1. The power or right to give commands, enforce obedience, take action, make final decisions, jurisdiction; 2. This power as delegated by another.

Sovereign: 1. Above or superior to all others, chief, greatest, supreme. 2. Supreme in power, rank, or authority. 3. Holding the position of ruler or reigning. 4. Independent of others.

Understanding Authority/SubmissionThe Source of Authority – GodDaniel 4:34-35 At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?”

Understanding Authority/SubmissionGod’s Kingdom based on authority.Isaiah 14:12–14 (NLT) “How you are fallen from heaven, O shining star, son of the morning! You have been thrown down to the earth, you who destroyed the nations of the world. 13 For you said to yourself, ‘I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars. I will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north. 14 I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High.’

Understanding Authority/SubmissionRelationship with God based on authority.Romans 1:5 Through him and for his name’s sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. 1 John 2:3-4 We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. Luke 6:46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?

Understanding Authority/SubmissionGod’s extended authority – human institutionsRomans 13:1-7 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

Action PointsSubmissive Spirit?!Honor everyone (timao . . . to esteem, honor,

respect)Love brothers and sisters in Christ (Agape)Fear God (phobeo . . . in terror, fright, reverence)Honor the emperor (timao . . . to esteem, honor,

respect)

HARBORVIEW FELLOWSHIPEmpowering Passionate Disciples

Equipping people to passionatelyLive like Jesus lived,

Do what Jesus did, andAdvance His kingdom together.