“Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. 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.” 1 Peter 2:11-17
Our primary identity is as a citizen of the kingdom of God
EXILES
“Peter, an apostle on Jesus Christ, to those who are elect exiles…” 1 Peter 1:1a
As followers of Jesus, we are citizens of the kingdom of God called to be faithful exiles in a country.
“Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.” 1 Peter 2:11-12
Fight your flesh (v.11)
“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.” Romans 13:14 NASB
Fight your flesh (v.11)
Live different (v.12)
“‘You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden… In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.’” Matthew 5:14,16
“The world takes its notions of God, most of all, from the people who say they belong to God’s family. They read us a great deal more than they read the Bible.” Alexander MacLaren
We don’t get into the kingdom by our behavior, but by our behavior, we show people what the kingdom is like.
“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.” 1 Peter 2:13-17
1. We trust God who established governing authorities (v.13) 2. We are to submit to the governing authorities (v.13)
“We are his servants. He owns us. We do his bidding. And when the human state tells us to pay our taxes and keep the speed limit and shovel the snow off our sidewalks, we do it, not because the state is our authority, but because God is. We submit for his sake and in his limits.” John Piper
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgement.” Romans 13:1-2
3. We are to honor the governing authorities (v.17)
We can hate ideas and ideologies but love the people who hold them.
“‘But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…’” Matthew 5:44
1. We seek the welfare of the city
“‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. 6 Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. 7 But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.’” Jeremiah 29:4-7
How do we seek the welfare of the land we’re in?
1. We make our voices heard
2. We make our presence felt
2. We stay united as God’s people
“‘By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’” John 13:35
3. We stand on the sovereignty of God
“‘…Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding…’” Daniel 2:20-21
“You must remind yourself that you are the citizen of another kingdom. Your King rules over everything that would discourage and disappoint you, and he rules for your good and his glory. What is out of your control is under his rule. What you don’t understand is under his careful administration… Long after the kingdom of this world have been destroyed, you will reign with your King in his kingdom forever and ever and ever.” Paul David Tripp
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” Colossians 1:15-20
Before you call a church your home, there are some questions you deserve to have answered. Questions like: What do we believe? Where are we going? How are we going to get there? Discovering Hope is an important step in getting to know our church family.
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6
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