Lectionary Calendar

Thursday, November 21st, 2024
the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33

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Verses 1-12

INTRO:
1. What is a Christian?
  
  In the LETTER TO DIOGNETUS, which dates back to the 2nd century A.D., an anonymous writer describes a strange people who are in the world but not of the world. “Christians are not differentiated from other people by country, language, or customs; you see, they do not live in cities of their own, or speak some strange dialect...They live in both Greek and foreign cities, wherever chance has put them. They follow local customs in clothing, food, and other aspects of life. But at the same time, they demonstrate to us the unusual form of their own citizenship. They live in their own native lands, but as aliens...Every foreign country is to them as their native country, and every native land as a foreign country. They marry and have children just like everyone else, but they do not kill unwanted babies. They offer a shared table, but not a shared bed. They are passing their days on earth, but are citizens of heaven. They obey the appointed laws and go beyond the laws in their own lives. They love everyone, but are persecuted by all. They are put to death and gain life. They are poor and yet make many rich. They are dishonored and yet gain glory through dishonor. Their names are blackened and yet they are cleared. They are mocked and bless in return. They are treated outrageously and behave respectfully to others. When they do good, they are punished as evildoers; when punished, they rejoice as if being given new life. They are attacked by Jews as aliens and are persecuted by Greeks; yet those who hate them cannot give any reason for their hostility.
  anonymous
GOOD ADVICE ON THE CHRISTIAN LIFE!
1. GROWING! (1-3)
2. Therefore, from subject of “born again”. Thus, good advice on living the Christian life!
3. Shun every form of hurtful behavior, & seek the spiritual nourishment that will help us mature into the people God has called us to be.
  1. When you’re going through basic training, lay off the donuts. When you’re in football stay away from drugs. When you’re in Christian training lay off the sins
  2. Living the Christian life involves making choices, discharging responsibilities, & doing the work of the gospel.
  3. Avoid those things that can undermine progress in your personal & spiritual growth. Rid from your own lives any stumbling blocks.
4. Just as a baby has an appetite for the mother’s milk, so the child of God has an appetite for the Father’s Word. [Example: baby goat in Haiti, ramming her hard, lifting her off ground]
  1. Is spiritual growth a top priority? If a video crew followed you round for a week, if an accountant were to flip through your checkbook, would they conclude that your growth as a Christian is the most important thing in your life?
  2. If you lose the appetite(for spiritual growth) & stop growing, check to see if any of the sins listed in verse 1 are infecting your life.
5. Have you tasted His graciousness?
  1. When a man is sick, he often loses his taste.
  2. I was in line at Kohl’s listening to a man behind me who was talking with a lady about not smoking anymore & him getting his taste buds back. He was so excited.
  3. Taste & see that the Lord is Good! Ps.34:8
6. BUILDING! (4-8)
7. Living stone(the Church) - We do not have to go to Jerusalem; not to a Temple; not to a place. We don’t go to church, are the church! (we go to a building; we are the church!)
8. Though God is building a temple (spiritual house) out of living stones & we are privileged to be a part of it.
  1. We are built on Jesus Christ, so there is no way the temple can be destroyed.
9. Being built up a spiritual house - opposite of a worldly one.
10. “Worldliness elevates culture over Scripture.” There are 2 ways:
  1. Progressive (acting like its 2010) - The thought that culture is over the bible; the bible is an old book & we are a new people. We have a new sexual ethic; a new spirituality
  2. Traditional (acting like its 1950) - Trying to impose the 1950’s on the present day, is just worldly from a long time ago!
    1. Problem: The 1950’s were not completely congruent with Scripture, as is the same with 2010.
    2. We are to be missionaries in this culture, to this culture, to bring people to Jesus!
      1. Jesus culture, w/all the values of Scripture, that’s what we’re after!
11. (6) Chief cornerstone - We are not used to old stone buildings that last.
  1. Of course that 1st stone that is laid is an important stone, in which the whole building rests upon it. It’s when you rest your marriage on Him, your work on Him, your ministry on Him, your finances on Him.
  2. So many people are uncomfortable with Jesus being there cornerstone but are perfectly comfortable with Him being just another brick in the wall.
    1. As Pink Floyd sang, All in all it's just another brick in the wall. All in all you're just another brick in the wall.
  3. Are you comfortable with Jesus being just another brick in your wall?
    1. He Can’t be!!! - He insists upon being your Cornerstone, your Foundation stone, a Living stone in your life!
12. (7) To you who believe He is precious - I wonder when someone is trying to figure out if they really have a relationship with Christ or not, if they simply answer this test...Is He precious to you? [precious, priceless, valuable]
  1. Story - After Spurgeon was converted at age 16, he was walking to a village in Teversham w/a friend. He told him he’d be praying for him, that God would bless his sermon. It was then that both boys discovered they each thought the other would be the preacher! Neither had delivered a sermon before or felt qualified to do so. But when the time came Spurgeon reluctantly stepped forward & choose this as his first text “To you who believe He is precious”. He later said about it, “Christ was precious to my soul, & I was in the flush of my youthful love, & I could not be silent when a precious Jesus was the subject.” (Spurgeon at His Best: #2243; pg.358.)
13. (8) He is a stone of stumbling & a rock of offense –
  1. From man’s perspective He is very offensive. Anyone who says, “I’m right & your wrong” is offensive.
    1. But from God’s perspective...He is precious!
14. SACRIFICING! (9,10)
15. Each believer is a priest before God. We are pretty special!
  1. Peter was writing to nobodies, who were from nowhere!
    1. Not in Jerusalem hub, they were nobodies. Were in out-skirts of Roman Empire.
    2. We are nobodies here in Murrieta, yet we are the same as Billy Graham...We all come through the same way...through Jesus Christ!
16. Each believer is a priest before God. And your holy priesthood works itself out...maybe as a banker, or plumber, secretary, electrician, or a mom.
  1. It’s a ministry calling!
  2. Some think Jesus didn’t start His calling till age 30. No, He had the ministry of carpenter for all those years before age 30.
  3. He wasn’t less holy as a carpenter & more holy as a preacher!
  4. No, whatever you do you do as unto the Lord, ethically, honorably. Where it’s pleasing to God & profitable to people.
17. Each believer is a priest before God & can bring sacrifices to the Lord through Jesus Christ.
  1. How have we brought sacrifices tonight? (in our worship in song)
    1. As we worship the Lord we speak forth our honor & praise to Him; & we proclaim His virtues to a lost world.
    2. Thats what He called Israel to do but they failed. [Are we also failing?]
  2. Priest = ? (bridge)
    1. Who in your life are you acting as a bridge between them & Jesus?
18. ABSTAINING! (11,12)
19. Now then, we must live like the people we are.
  1. We must testify to the reality of God. How? through good works. Why? so that others will come to know & glorify Him.
20. We are not permanent residents, but pilgrims on a journey to a better land.
  1. Therefore, we need to travel light, not burdening ourselves with an undue attachment to the material things of life.
  2. Travel light - Burma backpack, every ounce was so important, thus thought through...do I need this?
21. When you are visiting another country as missionaries, we are always being watched, on both what we say & what we do. [We’d say, “don’t be an ugly American!”]
  1. As strangers & pilgrims, whose citizenship is in heaven, we also need to be careful of our walk & our works. We must live to glorify God.
  2. “Live good lives among the pagans!”
22. In the summer of 1805, a number of Indian chiefs and warriors met in council at Buffalo Creek, NY, to hear a presentation of the Christian message by Mr. Cram from the Boston Missionary Society. After the sermon, a response was given by Red Jacket, one of the leading chiefs. Among other things, the chief said, “Brother, we are told that you have been preaching to the white people in this place. These people are our neighbors. We are acquainted with them. We will wait a little while and see what effect your preaching has upon them. If we find it does them good, make them honest and less disposed to cheat Indians, we will then consider again of what you have said.”
  1. That’s fair!

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Verses 1-12

INTRO:
1. What is a Christian?
  
  In the LETTER TO DIOGNETUS, which dates back to the 2nd century A.D., an anonymous writer describes a strange people who are in the world but not of the world. “Christians are not differentiated from other people by country, language, or customs; you see, they do not live in cities of their own, or speak some strange dialect...They live in both Greek and foreign cities, wherever chance has put them. They follow local customs in clothing, food, and other aspects of life. But at the same time, they demonstrate to us the unusual form of their own citizenship. They live in their own native lands, but as aliens...Every foreign country is to them as their native country, and every native land as a foreign country. They marry and have children just like everyone else, but they do not kill unwanted babies. They offer a shared table, but not a shared bed. They are passing their days on earth, but are citizens of heaven. They obey the appointed laws and go beyond the laws in their own lives. They love everyone, but are persecuted by all. They are put to death and gain life. They are poor and yet make many rich. They are dishonored and yet gain glory through dishonor. Their names are blackened and yet they are cleared. They are mocked and bless in return. They are treated outrageously and behave respectfully to others. When they do good, they are punished as evildoers; when punished, they rejoice as if being given new life. They are attacked by Jews as aliens and are persecuted by Greeks; yet those who hate them cannot give any reason for their hostility.
  anonymous
GOOD ADVICE ON THE CHRISTIAN LIFE!
1. GROWING! (1-3)
2. Therefore, from subject of “born again”. Thus, good advice on living the Christian life!
3. Shun every form of hurtful behavior, & seek the spiritual nourishment that will help us mature into the people God has called us to be.
  1. When you’re going through basic training, lay off the donuts. When you’re in football stay away from drugs. When you’re in Christian training lay off the sins
  2. Living the Christian life involves making choices, discharging responsibilities, & doing the work of the gospel.
  3. Avoid those things that can undermine progress in your personal & spiritual growth. Rid from your own lives any stumbling blocks.
4. Just as a baby has an appetite for the mother’s milk, so the child of God has an appetite for the Father’s Word. [Example: baby goat in Haiti, ramming her hard, lifting her off ground]
  1. Is spiritual growth a top priority? If a video crew followed you round for a week, if an accountant were to flip through your checkbook, would they conclude that your growth as a Christian is the most important thing in your life?
  2. If you lose the appetite(for spiritual growth) & stop growing, check to see if any of the sins listed in verse 1 are infecting your life.
5. Have you tasted His graciousness?
  1. When a man is sick, he often loses his taste.
  2. I was in line at Kohl’s listening to a man behind me who was talking with a lady about not smoking anymore & him getting his taste buds back. He was so excited.
  3. Taste & see that the Lord is Good! Ps.34:8
6. BUILDING! (4-8)
7. Living stone(the Church) - We do not have to go to Jerusalem; not to a Temple; not to a place. We don’t go to church, are the church! (we go to a building; we are the church!)
8. Though God is building a temple (spiritual house) out of living stones & we are privileged to be a part of it.
  1. We are built on Jesus Christ, so there is no way the temple can be destroyed.
9. Being built up a spiritual house - opposite of a worldly one.
10. “Worldliness elevates culture over Scripture.” There are 2 ways:
  1. Progressive (acting like its 2010) - The thought that culture is over the bible; the bible is an old book & we are a new people. We have a new sexual ethic; a new spirituality
  2. Traditional (acting like its 1950) - Trying to impose the 1950’s on the present day, is just worldly from a long time ago!
    1. Problem: The 1950’s were not completely congruent with Scripture, as is the same with 2010.
    2. We are to be missionaries in this culture, to this culture, to bring people to Jesus!
      1. Jesus culture, w/all the values of Scripture, that’s what we’re after!
11. (6) Chief cornerstone - We are not used to old stone buildings that last.
  1. Of course that 1st stone that is laid is an important stone, in which the whole building rests upon it. It’s when you rest your marriage on Him, your work on Him, your ministry on Him, your finances on Him.
  2. So many people are uncomfortable with Jesus being there cornerstone but are perfectly comfortable with Him being just another brick in the wall.
    1. As Pink Floyd sang, All in all it's just another brick in the wall. All in all you're just another brick in the wall.
  3. Are you comfortable with Jesus being just another brick in your wall?
    1. He Can’t be!!! - He insists upon being your Cornerstone, your Foundation stone, a Living stone in your life!
12. (7) To you who believe He is precious - I wonder when someone is trying to figure out if they really have a relationship with Christ or not, if they simply answer this test...Is He precious to you? [precious, priceless, valuable]
  1. Story - After Spurgeon was converted at age 16, he was walking to a village in Teversham w/a friend. He told him he’d be praying for him, that God would bless his sermon. It was then that both boys discovered they each thought the other would be the preacher! Neither had delivered a sermon before or felt qualified to do so. But when the time came Spurgeon reluctantly stepped forward & choose this as his first text “To you who believe He is precious”. He later said about it, “Christ was precious to my soul, & I was in the flush of my youthful love, & I could not be silent when a precious Jesus was the subject.” (Spurgeon at His Best: #2243; pg.358.)
13. (8) He is a stone of stumbling & a rock of offense –
  1. From man’s perspective He is very offensive. Anyone who says, “I’m right & your wrong” is offensive.
    1. But from God’s perspective...He is precious!
14. SACRIFICING! (9,10)
15. Each believer is a priest before God. We are pretty special!
  1. Peter was writing to nobodies, who were from nowhere!
    1. Not in Jerusalem hub, they were nobodies. Were in out-skirts of Roman Empire.
    2. We are nobodies here in Murrieta, yet we are the same as Billy Graham...We all come through the same way...through Jesus Christ!
16. Each believer is a priest before God. And your holy priesthood works itself out...maybe as a banker, or plumber, secretary, electrician, or a mom.
  1. It’s a ministry calling!
  2. Some think Jesus didn’t start His calling till age 30. No, He had the ministry of carpenter for all those years before age 30.
  3. He wasn’t less holy as a carpenter & more holy as a preacher!
  4. No, whatever you do you do as unto the Lord, ethically, honorably. Where it’s pleasing to God & profitable to people.
17. Each believer is a priest before God & can bring sacrifices to the Lord through Jesus Christ.
  1. How have we brought sacrifices tonight? (in our worship in song)
    1. As we worship the Lord we speak forth our honor & praise to Him; & we proclaim His virtues to a lost world.
    2. Thats what He called Israel to do but they failed. [Are we also failing?]
  2. Priest = ? (bridge)
    1. Who in your life are you acting as a bridge between them & Jesus?
18. ABSTAINING! (11,12)
19. Now then, we must live like the people we are.
  1. We must testify to the reality of God. How? through good works. Why? so that others will come to know & glorify Him.
20. We are not permanent residents, but pilgrims on a journey to a better land.
  1. Therefore, we need to travel light, not burdening ourselves with an undue attachment to the material things of life.
  2. Travel light - Burma backpack, every ounce was so important, thus thought through...do I need this?
21. When you are visiting another country as missionaries, we are always being watched, on both what we say & what we do. [We’d say, “don’t be an ugly American!”]
  1. As strangers & pilgrims, whose citizenship is in heaven, we also need to be careful of our walk & our works. We must live to glorify God.
  2. “Live good lives among the pagans!”
22. In the summer of 1805, a number of Indian chiefs and warriors met in council at Buffalo Creek, NY, to hear a presentation of the Christian message by Mr. Cram from the Boston Missionary Society. After the sermon, a response was given by Red Jacket, one of the leading chiefs. Among other things, the chief said, “Brother, we are told that you have been preaching to the white people in this place. These people are our neighbors. We are acquainted with them. We will wait a little while and see what effect your preaching has upon them. If we find it does them good, make them honest and less disposed to cheat Indians, we will then consider again of what you have said.”
  1. That’s fair!

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Verses 13-17

INTRO:
1. Recap the general counsel given in vs.11,12.
2. It was said of the popular 19th cent. English author William Arnot, “His preaching is good. His writing is better. His living is best of all.”
3. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. Heb.11:9,10
  1. Abraham, like so many OT saints, lived in this world like a foreigner.
  2. Noah, didn’t fit into this world of wickedness.
  3. Moses too, lived the life of a sojourner & wanderer.
    1. Moses even named his 1st son Gershom, which means foreigner.
    2. A constant reminder that he was “a stranger in the land.”
4. You & I live as Christians away from home.
  1. We’re temporary residents here & actually eternal residents of another land.
  2. We live in the midst of a pagan culture, surrounded by pagan people, who embrace a pagan philosophy, a pagan way of life, & a pagan attitude toward believers. (Chuck Swindoll)
    1. But God has placed us here as ambassadors of a different kingdom & to lead others to that better city whose architect & builder is God!
5. Peter lays out some keys to living as Christians in a hostile world!
  1. But Peter didn’t know of the day we’re living in!!! - No, he just wrote during the time of Nero Caesar, who was growing literally insane & very anti-christian!
    1. Nero was known for his tyranny, brutality, & brief but horrific persecution of Christians in Rome.
  2. Peter’s counsel doesn’t sound strange it sounds radical! It doesn’t sound natural it sounds supernatural!
6. Outline: Respecting Civil Authorities & Respecting Everyone.
  1. How do you deal with authority? Some Fight; others use Flight (And there is a time for both); Peter lays out another road/a higher road Faith for the believer.
MODEL CITIZENS! (13-17)
1. For the Lord’s sake, we are to show respect & submission to the following parties:
2. CIVIL AUTHORITIES! (13-16)
3. We’re not to flaunt our God-given freedom & live by our own rules, but serve the good of others & thus serve God.
4. (13) Submit - This attitude is peculiarly & essentially Christian.
  1. It did not enter practically into the life of the non-christian world, at that time, or before, the time of our Lord.
  2. Humility & submission were thought low & unworthy of human nature.
  3. Hypotasso = Hypo(under) taxis(order) to place under, subject, submit, rank under. (Charles Swindoll: James, 1 & 2 Peter; pg.176.)
    1. A Gk military term describing voluntary deference to the commands of another
    2. It implies a conscious, willing subjection to another person’s authority.
      1. The theme runs through Peter’s letter: all must submit to human governments; servants to employers; wives to husbands; & younger men to their elders.
    3. In other words, every aspect of life is to be conducted w/order, not disarray.
5. (13b) Every ordinance of man - [police & fire, bldg code, federal/state/city, CC&R’s, parents, pastors]
  1. How far are we to submit? - Up to the point at which it becomes sin to obey.
    1. Render to Caesar our civil obedience.
    2. When then is civil-disobedience? When its a sin against God.
      1. OT ex: Hebrew mid-wives asked to do genocide against lil Heb boys; NT ex: Peter, in Acts 5 was asked not to speak about Jesus, he responded, “We ought to obey God rather than man.”
  2. Come on Lord, why???...for the Lord’s sake…
6. (13c) For the Lord sake - Our relation to Him affects everything!
  1. Col.3:17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
  2. For the Lord’s sake includes these 3:
    1. To obey Him - because God ordained these powers.
    2. To Imitate Him - because when He was on earth He submitted to them.
    3. To glorify Him - This spirit of submission cannot fail to bring glory to Him(repeat)
7. (15) Here is the will of God - i.e. The purpose.
  1. By doing good - it s the proof of our Christian profession & the best testimony of our Master.
8. (16) Not using liberty as a cloak for vice - Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. (ESV)
  1. Freedom is what Christ was/is all about :
    1. Gal.5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
    2. Jn.8:32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
    3. Jn.8:36 If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
  2. Gal.5:13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
    1. Stott, “Christian freedom is freedom from sin, not freedom to sin!”
    2. Christian freedom is not the freedom to disregard the needs of others.
    3. Leon Morris, Any man wrapped up in himself makes a very small parcel!
    4. It’s a freedom to love & serve. A freedom to walk & live in the Spirit.
  3. Q: How do you define freedom? How does God?
    1. We often see freedom as a casting off of all restriction. (i.e. American citizen’s burning their flag? Or, taking advantage of their “freedom of speech” & yet forgetting what won them the right to have it in the 1st place?)
    2. In contrast, God’s Freedom is purposeful, wise, & truly liberating.
      1. The Christian can live in open handed generosity, rather than in grasping selfishness!
      2. The Christian can live directed by God’s will, instead of drifting in the whims of our desires!
      3. The Christian can live reconciled to God & agents of His reconciliation, rather than living divided & divisive lives!
      4. The Christian can live to care for others, instead of self-centered lives!
      5. The Christian can live in community, & no longer in isolation!
      6. The Christian can live with transformed lives, & not in rigid conformity to the world around us!
      7. The Christian can live in holiness & love, instead of unbridled individualism.
9. EVERYONE! (17)
10. Msg - Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government.
11. Q: What can I do to affect my community? (you asked for it...here you go!)
  1. These 4 together create a tough balancing act.
12. (17a) Humanitarian! – Honor all people!
  1. Honor, value, esteem, respect. That’s regardless of their faith, their godless lifestyles, or their attitudes toward Christians.
    1. Why everyone? Each human has been created in Gods image!
13. (17b) Christian! – Love the brotherhood/sisterhood unconditionally!
  1. e.g. “a band of brothers/sisters”
  2. God’s family members should have Christ-like love towards each other!
14. (17c) Divine! – Fear God!
  1. You’ll never respect people, till you reverence God!
  2. Treat His will as Supreme.
15. (17d) National! – Honor the king!
  1. Same “honor” as above. The honor due to all is especially to be given to those who God has placed in authority.
  2. Honor the king, who may in fact hate us, hate his own people, & hate God!
    1. Os Guinness said, “The problem with Christians in America is not that Christians aren't where they should be; the problem is that they're not what they should be right where they are.”
  3. Our civil submission is not conditioned by our government’s modeling Christian virtue or reflecting Christians morality.
    1. Even a percentage of the taxes that Christians paid supported the construction of pagan temples & funded unjust wars.
    2. Peter, shouldn’t we refuse to pay taxes? Take up arms & resist our government?
16. Turn to Jer.29:4-14. 4 steps on how to live as foreigners:
  1. Accept It v4-7; Avoid False Hopes v8,9; Be Patient v10; Trust God v11-14.
17. The Function of Human Government has a 3-fold principle:
  1. Protect - to protect citizens & protect them from themselves.
  2. Punish - to punish bad guys, “they don’t bear the sword in vain.”
  3. Promote - to promote the welfare of their citizens they oversee.
18. Our responsibility to Human Government:
  1. Recognize the power is ordained by God. Pay taxes. Pray for our leaders.
19. We at CM love our country!
  1. We have a ministry, Operation Military Assistance, that ministers to those who are serving and have served our country.
  2. We responded after 9-11 & sent around 10 teams of 100 people to ground zero to work the Red Cross Respite Center & provide other care.
  3. We responded after Katrina with a number of teams to Mississippi, Alabama, & Louisiana.
20. We at CM love our city!
  1. We were here to welcome our city as a church in 1985 (Murrieta city in1991)
  2. Our first mayor(Jerry Allen) was a member of our church.
  3. We’ve had, & do have, city council members & other mayors that attend here.
  4. We purchased American Flags & poles for both city hall buildings.
  5. We have helped on a number of city sponsored events including: Veterans Day Parade; Push Cart Parade; Halloween 1 yr; Murr Fire Dept’s annual BBQ.
  6. Met w/former mayor Kelly Bennet regarding what needs to be done & community garden(future/behind Alta Murr Sports Park).
  7. We’ve hosted for our whole City our Harvest Festival for 25 years.
  8. We feed 80-90 families weekly for the last 3 years. And Oroweat & Albertson’s partner with us.
  9. We help with benevolence as we are able, & as appropriate, to our community, not just members.
  10. We’ve provided much counseling referred to us by other churches even our city/county.
  11. We’ve hosted community events here(use our venue).
  12. We’ve welcomed 3 other church bodies onto our property when they needed a home (Chinese; Filipino; Arabic). We consider them family. But we didn’t birth em.
  13. For at least a dozen years we called/set up local pastors to do the invocation for our city council meetings. That continues to this day.
  14. I’ve been a chaplain w/MPD for 15 years. Also Chaplain Steve Wimberly.
  15. e’ve put on a yearly Tri-Tip BBQ for both MPD & TemPD/Sheriff for a number of years.
  16. We have provided both spiritual & practical ministry to the elderly in our community(Jr.High AWOL).
  17. I am in discussions with some local pastors; city of Murr; city of Tem; Riv county; regarding long term strategic plan for the homeless.

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Verses 13-17

INTRO:
1. Recap the general counsel given in vs.11,12.
2. It was said of the popular 19th cent. English author William Arnot, “His preaching is good. His writing is better. His living is best of all.”
3. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. Heb.11:9,10
  1. Abraham, like so many OT saints, lived in this world like a foreigner.
  2. Noah, didn’t fit into this world of wickedness.
  3. Moses too, lived the life of a sojourner & wanderer.
    1. Moses even named his 1st son Gershom, which means foreigner.
    2. A constant reminder that he was “a stranger in the land.”
4. You & I live as Christians away from home.
  1. We’re temporary residents here & actually eternal residents of another land.
  2. We live in the midst of a pagan culture, surrounded by pagan people, who embrace a pagan philosophy, a pagan way of life, & a pagan attitude toward believers. (Chuck Swindoll)
    1. But God has placed us here as ambassadors of a different kingdom & to lead others to that better city whose architect & builder is God!
5. Peter lays out some keys to living as Christians in a hostile world!
  1. But Peter didn’t know of the day we’re living in!!! - No, he just wrote during the time of Nero Caesar, who was growing literally insane & very anti-christian!
    1. Nero was known for his tyranny, brutality, & brief but horrific persecution of Christians in Rome.
  2. Peter’s counsel doesn’t sound strange it sounds radical! It doesn’t sound natural it sounds supernatural!
6. Outline: Respecting Civil Authorities & Respecting Everyone.
  1. How do you deal with authority? Some Fight; others use Flight (And there is a time for both); Peter lays out another road/a higher road Faith for the believer.
MODEL CITIZENS! (13-17)
1. For the Lord’s sake, we are to show respect & submission to the following parties:
2. CIVIL AUTHORITIES! (13-16)
3. We’re not to flaunt our God-given freedom & live by our own rules, but serve the good of others & thus serve God.
4. (13) Submit - This attitude is peculiarly & essentially Christian.
  1. It did not enter practically into the life of the non-christian world, at that time, or before, the time of our Lord.
  2. Humility & submission were thought low & unworthy of human nature.
  3. Hypotasso = Hypo(under) taxis(order) to place under, subject, submit, rank under. (Charles Swindoll: James, 1 & 2 Peter; pg.176.)
    1. A Gk military term describing voluntary deference to the commands of another
    2. It implies a conscious, willing subjection to another person’s authority.
      1. The theme runs through Peter’s letter: all must submit to human governments; servants to employers; wives to husbands; & younger men to their elders.
    3. In other words, every aspect of life is to be conducted w/order, not disarray.
5. (13b) Every ordinance of man - [police & fire, bldg code, federal/state/city, CC&R’s, parents, pastors]
  1. How far are we to submit? - Up to the point at which it becomes sin to obey.
    1. Render to Caesar our civil obedience.
    2. When then is civil-disobedience? When its a sin against God.
      1. OT ex: Hebrew mid-wives asked to do genocide against lil Heb boys; NT ex: Peter, in Acts 5 was asked not to speak about Jesus, he responded, “We ought to obey God rather than man.”
  2. Come on Lord, why???...for the Lord’s sake…
6. (13c) For the Lord sake - Our relation to Him affects everything!
  1. Col.3:17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
  2. For the Lord’s sake includes these 3:
    1. To obey Him - because God ordained these powers.
    2. To Imitate Him - because when He was on earth He submitted to them.
    3. To glorify Him - This spirit of submission cannot fail to bring glory to Him(repeat)
7. (15) Here is the will of God - i.e. The purpose.
  1. By doing good - it s the proof of our Christian profession & the best testimony of our Master.
8. (16) Not using liberty as a cloak for vice - Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. (ESV)
  1. Freedom is what Christ was/is all about :
    1. Gal.5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
    2. Jn.8:32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
    3. Jn.8:36 If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
  2. Gal.5:13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
    1. Stott, “Christian freedom is freedom from sin, not freedom to sin!”
    2. Christian freedom is not the freedom to disregard the needs of others.
    3. Leon Morris, Any man wrapped up in himself makes a very small parcel!
    4. It’s a freedom to love & serve. A freedom to walk & live in the Spirit.
  3. Q: How do you define freedom? How does God?
    1. We often see freedom as a casting off of all restriction. (i.e. American citizen’s burning their flag? Or, taking advantage of their “freedom of speech” & yet forgetting what won them the right to have it in the 1st place?)
    2. In contrast, God’s Freedom is purposeful, wise, & truly liberating.
      1. The Christian can live in open handed generosity, rather than in grasping selfishness!
      2. The Christian can live directed by God’s will, instead of drifting in the whims of our desires!
      3. The Christian can live reconciled to God & agents of His reconciliation, rather than living divided & divisive lives!
      4. The Christian can live to care for others, instead of self-centered lives!
      5. The Christian can live in community, & no longer in isolation!
      6. The Christian can live with transformed lives, & not in rigid conformity to the world around us!
      7. The Christian can live in holiness & love, instead of unbridled individualism.
9. EVERYONE! (17)
10. Msg - Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government.
11. Q: What can I do to affect my community? (you asked for it...here you go!)
  1. These 4 together create a tough balancing act.
12. (17a) Humanitarian! – Honor all people!
  1. Honor, value, esteem, respect. That’s regardless of their faith, their godless lifestyles, or their attitudes toward Christians.
    1. Why everyone? Each human has been created in Gods image!
13. (17b) Christian! – Love the brotherhood/sisterhood unconditionally!
  1. e.g. “a band of brothers/sisters”
  2. God’s family members should have Christ-like love towards each other!
14. (17c) Divine! – Fear God!
  1. You’ll never respect people, till you reverence God!
  2. Treat His will as Supreme.
15. (17d) National! – Honor the king!
  1. Same “honor” as above. The honor due to all is especially to be given to those who God has placed in authority.
  2. Honor the king, who may in fact hate us, hate his own people, & hate God!
    1. Os Guinness said, “The problem with Christians in America is not that Christians aren't where they should be; the problem is that they're not what they should be right where they are.”
  3. Our civil submission is not conditioned by our government’s modeling Christian virtue or reflecting Christians morality.
    1. Even a percentage of the taxes that Christians paid supported the construction of pagan temples & funded unjust wars.
    2. Peter, shouldn’t we refuse to pay taxes? Take up arms & resist our government?
16. Turn to Jer.29:4-14. 4 steps on how to live as foreigners:
  1. Accept It v4-7; Avoid False Hopes v8,9; Be Patient v10; Trust God v11-14.
17. The Function of Human Government has a 3-fold principle:
  1. Protect - to protect citizens & protect them from themselves.
  2. Punish - to punish bad guys, “they don’t bear the sword in vain.”
  3. Promote - to promote the welfare of their citizens they oversee.
18. Our responsibility to Human Government:
  1. Recognize the power is ordained by God. Pay taxes. Pray for our leaders.
19. We at CM love our country!
  1. We have a ministry, Operation Military Assistance, that ministers to those who are serving and have served our country.
  2. We responded after 9-11 & sent around 10 teams of 100 people to ground zero to work the Red Cross Respite Center & provide other care.
  3. We responded after Katrina with a number of teams to Mississippi, Alabama, & Louisiana.
20. We at CM love our city!
  1. We were here to welcome our city as a church in 1985 (Murrieta city in1991)
  2. Our first mayor(Jerry Allen) was a member of our church.
  3. We’ve had, & do have, city council members & other mayors that attend here.
  4. We purchased American Flags & poles for both city hall buildings.
  5. We have helped on a number of city sponsored events including: Veterans Day Parade; Push Cart Parade; Halloween 1 yr; Murr Fire Dept’s annual BBQ.
  6. Met w/former mayor Kelly Bennet regarding what needs to be done & community garden(future/behind Alta Murr Sports Park).
  7. We’ve hosted for our whole City our Harvest Festival for 25 years.
  8. We feed 80-90 families weekly for the last 3 years. And Oroweat & Albertson’s partner with us.
  9. We help with benevolence as we are able, & as appropriate, to our community, not just members.
  10. We’ve provided much counseling referred to us by other churches even our city/county.
  11. We’ve hosted community events here(use our venue).
  12. We’ve welcomed 3 other church bodies onto our property when they needed a home (Chinese; Filipino; Arabic). We consider them family. But we didn’t birth em.
  13. For at least a dozen years we called/set up local pastors to do the invocation for our city council meetings. That continues to this day.
  14. I’ve been a chaplain w/MPD for 15 years. Also Chaplain Steve Wimberly.
  15. e’ve put on a yearly Tri-Tip BBQ for both MPD & TemPD/Sheriff for a number of years.
  16. We have provided both spiritual & practical ministry to the elderly in our community(Jr.High AWOL).
  17. I am in discussions with some local pastors; city of Murr; city of Tem; Riv county; regarding long term strategic plan for the homeless.

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Verses 18-25

INTRO:
1. Prayer: Belize Team; Zach/EEO/Ukraine team; Peru Team in the chute.
  1. “As we study your Word, may it study us!”
2. Aesops Fable: THE WIND and the Sun were disputing which was the stronger. Suddenly they saw a traveller coming down the road, and the Sun said: “I see a way to decide our dispute. Whichever of us can cause that traveller to take off his cloak shall be regarded as the stronger You begin.” So the Sun retired behind a cloud, and the Wind began to blow as hard as it could upon the traveller. But the harder he blew the more closely did the traveller wrap his cloak round him, till at last the Wind had to give up in despair. Then the Sun came out and shone in all his glory upon the traveller, who soon found it too hot to walk with his cloak on. “Kindness Effects More than Severity.”
  1. Usually your boss, or coach, or teacher’s leadership style will fit into one of these 2 categories: Motivation by kindness or by severity.
  2. How do we as Christians respond to severity? How should we?
3. Peter was talking about “beautiful conduct” (Gk.) in vs.12.
  1. Then Peter zooms in on a particular example of beautiful conduct, which is submission in vs.13.
OUR BOSS & OUR CROSS!
1. SUBMITTING TO HARSH MASTERS! (18-20)
2. (18) Submit to your masters, even the unreasonable ones(harsh)!
3. Master/slave different then we picture it today. It wasn’t disgusting racism of modern history; nor the deplorable underworld of slave-trafficking in our own days.
  1. Nevertheless, slavery in the ancient world could still be miserable, even deadly, especially if a master didn’t appreciate his slave’s faith in Christ.
  2. Slaves were considered a social class. Somewhere between 25-40% of the population of the day.
  3. Many ways to become a slave: as a spoil of war; children of slaves automatically became property of their masters; you could sell yourself into slavery to fulfill debt or other obligations.
  4. Slavery in the ancient world was based more on social, economic, & political issues, than on race or ethnicity.
  5. Their work could be as menial as cleaning or as brutal as mining.
    1. Other slaves were well educated & held responsible positions in their households.
    2. There were prized cooks; teachers; even physicians(Luke).
  6. The treatment of slaves depended on the temperament of their masters or mistresses.
4. Harsh = σκολιοῖς (where we get scoliosis, curvature of the spine) bent, crooked, severe, hard to deal w/. [LKGNT; pg.754]
  1. Can anyone relate to this task master? (I better not see my staff raising their hands!)
  2. Not for the sake of just getting stepped on, walked on, walked over.
    1. What’s your attitude at work? Talk about your boss to the other employees? What does your boss think of you?
5. The bible is clearly against slavery, & yet the apostle did not proceed to overturn a recognized social institution.
  1. He taught principles which would gradually & effectually undermine it.
    1. Principles of love, submission, conscience.
    2. It’s maintaining integrity, so that God’s new way of living shines forth clearly.
6. With all fear - not the fear of masters to whom they were subject, but fear of God.
  1. You can “fear your boss” & yet not be pleasing to God. But if your fear God you will respect & show faithfulness to duty to your boss.
  2. Rather than retaliating, do what is right!
7. Key: Our submission then is not contingent on the attitude or behavior of our superiors.
  1. Great example is Daniel who is shipped off to Babylon & has submit to a pagan king, Nebuchadnezzar…as far as he could, w/o sinning against God.
8. Daniel ch.1 - New Home (1,2)
  1. The book of Daniel is more than stories about fiery furnaces, lion’s dens, & fantastic dreams. It’s about seeing God for who He is, the Sovereign ruler of ALL nations, & living for Him w/Integrity, & Faith! (Swindoll)
  2. Daniel shows Gods Guidance, Intervention, & Power in the affairs of man.
  3. Daniel(God is my Judge) is a man of Integrity! A model of godliness for his people.
    1. Was deported to Babylon from Judah as a teenager; handpicked for governmental service; his ministry spanned the whole 70 years of the Babylonian captivity; was 1 of the 2 O.T. writers who wrote during the exile. [Ezekiel the other]
  4. Q: Were the Jews to believe that while they were in Neb’s brutal hands that they were still in Gods?...The book of Daniel affirms w/a resounding…YES!
    1. He would walk w/them through “the valley of the shadow of Discipline!”
  5. God moves people & events according to His divine purposes! (like your boss!)
    1. Yet Daniel will prove that even as a small minority in a foreign land, they could still Trust & Serve the Lord w/Integrity & Faith, in a world of compromise & fear…& so can we!
      1. Some youth think, “Oh, to get away from home”. But often that “unfettered freedom” turns into a “baggage of bondage”!
      2. Daniel proved his Faith wasn’t just cuz he lived at home w/mom & dad.
    2. Wherever we are deported to; or, wherever we are move to; or, wherever we are relocated to because of our job...Nothing should shake our faith!
9. New Knowledge (3,4)
10. They would be trained in Chaldean Philosophy & language.
  1. Chaldeans were the learned class of their day. They were educated in Science; Mathematical Astronomy; Astrology, Divination, & Rituals.
  2. Q: How do you protect your mind from Babylonian Brainwashing?
    1. Keeping your heart washed, prevents brain-wash!
    2. Prov.4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.
    3. “If your heart is right with Him, His Hand will work for you!”
  3. A believer ought to be able to learn any subject in our colleges & universities today, without being defiled.
    1. Q: What can we do to insulate our Christian Worldview?
    2. I’m praying about doing the 12 week study of The Truth Project. An in depth Christian World Experience. (Focus on the Family; Del Tacket; RCSroul; Ravi Zacharias)
      1. Veritology(What is Truth); Philosophy & Ethics; Anthropology(What is man?); Theology(Who is God?); Science (What is True?); History (Whose story?); Sociology (The Divine Imprint); Unio Mystica (Am I alone);
        The American Experiment (Foundation of religion & morality);
        Labor (Created to Create); Community & Involvement (God cares, Do I?).
11. New Diet (5,8)
12. A crisis of conscience erupted when the 1st meal was served!
  1. Maybe it was PORKchops? Blood Pudding? Meat offered to Idols?
  2. Delicacies: “Every temptation that comes to me is packaged as a good.”
    1. Sift all activities through Gods filter…The Bible!
13. New Name (7)
14. Daniel = God is my judge becomes…Belteshazzar Bel protect his life [Bel is a Babylonian god]
  1. Most likely the Babylonians hoped this would help them forget their God & help in the Babylonian Brainwashing!
  2. Calling you a different name shouldn’t change who you are!
    1. “Shorty – 4 eyes & freckle face – brace face – twiggy – nerd”.
    2. Having a name like “Bell”? [Bell Bran Potato chip; Taco Bell; Liberty Bell; Dumb Bell]
    3. Nothing should shake our faith! - Not a New Home; New Knowledge; New Diet; nor a New Name! Nothing should separate us from the Love of Christ!
    4. We need to Confront our Culture with Convictions!
15. Turn Tragedy into Triumph by accepting your situation courageously, & put yourself in the hands of a loving God who makes no mistakes!
16. (19,20) Suffering is sometimes deserved - Christians do foolish things which involve them in trouble. Suffering is sometimes undeserved - and when we endure it we are commended or accepted; its a mark of grace! (thats our word in Greek, χάρις)
JESUS, OUR ROLE MODEL! (21-25)
1. Outline: Who He Is - What He Did - Why He Did It.
2. WHO HE IS! (21,22)
3. He is our sinless Savior, Jesus Christ!
4. Example - The word is used in 2 Maccabees 2:28 of the outlines of a sketch which the artist fills in w/details. (Linguistic Key to the Greek N.T.: pg.755)
  1. Jesus has laid out life to us as a giant Paint by Numbers, just fill in the blanks!
    1. Like, here’s the boundaries; now be creative inside of them. [every cross is different]
5. Example was also used as the model for handwriting to be copied by the school boy. (ibid)
  1. Like ABCDEF: [written from the top of the line to the bottom of the line]
    1. My drafting teacher in college was so meticulous when it came to block letters!
  2. A model, or conduct for imitation.
6. Follow – To follow after, to follow upon, to follow closely.
  1. He didn’t say “turn” that way; He said “Follow me”!
7. Steps – Footprints! “To follow a man’s footprints is to move in the direction he is going!”
  1. We’re Followers of Christ cuz we’re going somewhere & following Someone.
  2. We’ve all walked in someone else’s footprints at the beach before.
  3. Those footprints might have been larger or smaller than your feet; the stride might have been longer or shorter; you could tell if they were in a hurry or strolling; wandering or in a straight line to get somewhere.
  4. When Jesus says “follow Me” His steps are the perfect stride, always the ideal pace, never wandering, & always in a purposeful direction.
8. Wait, am I called to this? - yeppers(21).
  1. Our existence as Christians involve the idea of suffering...period!
  2. 2 Things: Follow your Master; & find your peace amidst affliction.
9. What was His example? Oh, even unto death!
  1. Why was Jesus willing, w/o protest, to submit to the full penalty due to the worst of sinners?
    1. 2 Cor.5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
10. WHAT HE DID! (23,24a) [Who He Is!]
11. He died on Calvary’s cross!
12. (24) Bore our sins - endured its penalty.
13. On the tree - to the extreme limit of shameful crucifixion.
14. Q: What is the Cross of Christ & why was it so important?
  1. It is the revealed truth of God’s judgment on sin.
  2. It is not a martyrdom. It was not “done to Jesus”. He came to die. The Cross was His purpose in coming.
  3. The incarnation of Christ would have no meaning w/o the Cross; Christmas would have no meaning w/o Good Friday.
  4. The Cross is not a cross of man, but the Cross of God.
    1. The Cross is the gate through which any & every individual can enter into oneness w/God.
    2. But it is not a gate we pass right through; it is one where we abide in the life that is found there (i.e. in the cross; in taking it up).
  5. The reason the Cross is so easy to obtain is that it cost God so much!
  6. The Cross was the intersection where God & sinful man merged w/a tremendous collision, & where the way to life was opened.
    1. But all the cost & pain of the collision was absorbed by the heart of God.
15. WHY HE DID IT! (24b-25) [Who He Is! - What He Did!]
16. That his wounds might heal ours! (2:24b)
17. Healed spiritually! (Peter’s commentary on Isaiah 53:5, not physically, but spiritually)
  1. Context: But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned - every one - to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
18. That we might turn to the Shepherd (2:25)
19. As a Shepherd He feeds us; As an Overseer (ἐπίσκοπος = watcher/protector; Bishop) He keeps watch His people.
20. Rebecca Pippert, Out of the Salt Shaker, “Jesus gives us permission to be human. Yet we struggle to believe that God intends for us to be fully human…we’re afraid that being made of flesh & blood meets with divine disapproval. The fact that we love to laugh, take a walk w/a friend, sip tea, & read a good book for the sheer pleasure of it is probably regarded from on high, we fear, w/a cosmic frown. We forget that it was God’s idea, not ours, to make us human. How do we discover what it means to be authentically human? We look to Jesus.” [He is Irresistible!]
21. Alternate Ending :) In the French revolution there was a young man condemned to the guillotine & shut up in one of the prisons. He was greatly loved by many, but there was one who loved him more than all put together. It was his own father. When the lists were called, the father, whose name was exactly as his son’s, answered. And the father rode in the gloomy tumbrel out to the place of execution. His head rolled beneath the ax instead of his son’s, a victim to mighty love. See here an image of the love of Christ to sinners.

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Verses 18-25

INTRO:
1. Prayer: Belize Team; Zach/EEO/Ukraine team; Peru Team in the chute.
  1. “As we study your Word, may it study us!”
2. Aesops Fable: THE WIND and the Sun were disputing which was the stronger. Suddenly they saw a traveller coming down the road, and the Sun said: “I see a way to decide our dispute. Whichever of us can cause that traveller to take off his cloak shall be regarded as the stronger You begin.” So the Sun retired behind a cloud, and the Wind began to blow as hard as it could upon the traveller. But the harder he blew the more closely did the traveller wrap his cloak round him, till at last the Wind had to give up in despair. Then the Sun came out and shone in all his glory upon the traveller, who soon found it too hot to walk with his cloak on. “Kindness Effects More than Severity.”
  1. Usually your boss, or coach, or teacher’s leadership style will fit into one of these 2 categories: Motivation by kindness or by severity.
  2. How do we as Christians respond to severity? How should we?
3. Peter was talking about “beautiful conduct” (Gk.) in vs.12.
  1. Then Peter zooms in on a particular example of beautiful conduct, which is submission in vs.13.
OUR BOSS & OUR CROSS!
1. SUBMITTING TO HARSH MASTERS! (18-20)
2. (18) Submit to your masters, even the unreasonable ones(harsh)!
3. Master/slave different then we picture it today. It wasn’t disgusting racism of modern history; nor the deplorable underworld of slave-trafficking in our own days.
  1. Nevertheless, slavery in the ancient world could still be miserable, even deadly, especially if a master didn’t appreciate his slave’s faith in Christ.
  2. Slaves were considered a social class. Somewhere between 25-40% of the population of the day.
  3. Many ways to become a slave: as a spoil of war; children of slaves automatically became property of their masters; you could sell yourself into slavery to fulfill debt or other obligations.
  4. Slavery in the ancient world was based more on social, economic, & political issues, than on race or ethnicity.
  5. Their work could be as menial as cleaning or as brutal as mining.
    1. Other slaves were well educated & held responsible positions in their households.
    2. There were prized cooks; teachers; even physicians(Luke).
  6. The treatment of slaves depended on the temperament of their masters or mistresses.
4. Harsh = σκολιοῖς (where we get scoliosis, curvature of the spine) bent, crooked, severe, hard to deal w/. [LKGNT; pg.754]
  1. Can anyone relate to this task master? (I better not see my staff raising their hands!)
  2. Not for the sake of just getting stepped on, walked on, walked over.
    1. What’s your attitude at work? Talk about your boss to the other employees? What does your boss think of you?
5. The bible is clearly against slavery, & yet the apostle did not proceed to overturn a recognized social institution.
  1. He taught principles which would gradually & effectually undermine it.
    1. Principles of love, submission, conscience.
    2. It’s maintaining integrity, so that God’s new way of living shines forth clearly.
6. With all fear - not the fear of masters to whom they were subject, but fear of God.
  1. You can “fear your boss” & yet not be pleasing to God. But if your fear God you will respect & show faithfulness to duty to your boss.
  2. Rather than retaliating, do what is right!
7. Key: Our submission then is not contingent on the attitude or behavior of our superiors.
  1. Great example is Daniel who is shipped off to Babylon & has submit to a pagan king, Nebuchadnezzar…as far as he could, w/o sinning against God.
8. Daniel ch.1 - New Home (1,2)
  1. The book of Daniel is more than stories about fiery furnaces, lion’s dens, & fantastic dreams. It’s about seeing God for who He is, the Sovereign ruler of ALL nations, & living for Him w/Integrity, & Faith! (Swindoll)
  2. Daniel shows Gods Guidance, Intervention, & Power in the affairs of man.
  3. Daniel(God is my Judge) is a man of Integrity! A model of godliness for his people.
    1. Was deported to Babylon from Judah as a teenager; handpicked for governmental service; his ministry spanned the whole 70 years of the Babylonian captivity; was 1 of the 2 O.T. writers who wrote during the exile. [Ezekiel the other]
  4. Q: Were the Jews to believe that while they were in Neb’s brutal hands that they were still in Gods?...The book of Daniel affirms w/a resounding…YES!
    1. He would walk w/them through “the valley of the shadow of Discipline!”
  5. God moves people & events according to His divine purposes! (like your boss!)
    1. Yet Daniel will prove that even as a small minority in a foreign land, they could still Trust & Serve the Lord w/Integrity & Faith, in a world of compromise & fear…& so can we!
      1. Some youth think, “Oh, to get away from home”. But often that “unfettered freedom” turns into a “baggage of bondage”!
      2. Daniel proved his Faith wasn’t just cuz he lived at home w/mom & dad.
    2. Wherever we are deported to; or, wherever we are move to; or, wherever we are relocated to because of our job...Nothing should shake our faith!
9. New Knowledge (3,4)
10. They would be trained in Chaldean Philosophy & language.
  1. Chaldeans were the learned class of their day. They were educated in Science; Mathematical Astronomy; Astrology, Divination, & Rituals.
  2. Q: How do you protect your mind from Babylonian Brainwashing?
    1. Keeping your heart washed, prevents brain-wash!
    2. Prov.4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.
    3. “If your heart is right with Him, His Hand will work for you!”
  3. A believer ought to be able to learn any subject in our colleges & universities today, without being defiled.
    1. Q: What can we do to insulate our Christian Worldview?
    2. I’m praying about doing the 12 week study of The Truth Project. An in depth Christian World Experience. (Focus on the Family; Del Tacket; RCSroul; Ravi Zacharias)
      1. Veritology(What is Truth); Philosophy & Ethics; Anthropology(What is man?); Theology(Who is God?); Science (What is True?); History (Whose story?); Sociology (The Divine Imprint); Unio Mystica (Am I alone);
        The American Experiment (Foundation of religion & morality);
        Labor (Created to Create); Community & Involvement (God cares, Do I?).
11. New Diet (5,8)
12. A crisis of conscience erupted when the 1st meal was served!
  1. Maybe it was PORKchops? Blood Pudding? Meat offered to Idols?
  2. Delicacies: “Every temptation that comes to me is packaged as a good.”
    1. Sift all activities through Gods filter…The Bible!
13. New Name (7)
14. Daniel = God is my judge becomes…Belteshazzar Bel protect his life [Bel is a Babylonian god]
  1. Most likely the Babylonians hoped this would help them forget their God & help in the Babylonian Brainwashing!
  2. Calling you a different name shouldn’t change who you are!
    1. “Shorty – 4 eyes & freckle face – brace face – twiggy – nerd”.
    2. Having a name like “Bell”? [Bell Bran Potato chip; Taco Bell; Liberty Bell; Dumb Bell]
    3. Nothing should shake our faith! - Not a New Home; New Knowledge; New Diet; nor a New Name! Nothing should separate us from the Love of Christ!
    4. We need to Confront our Culture with Convictions!
15. Turn Tragedy into Triumph by accepting your situation courageously, & put yourself in the hands of a loving God who makes no mistakes!
16. (19,20) Suffering is sometimes deserved - Christians do foolish things which involve them in trouble. Suffering is sometimes undeserved - and when we endure it we are commended or accepted; its a mark of grace! (thats our word in Greek, χάρις)
JESUS, OUR ROLE MODEL! (21-25)
1. Outline: Who He Is - What He Did - Why He Did It.
2. WHO HE IS! (21,22)
3. He is our sinless Savior, Jesus Christ!
4. Example - The word is used in 2 Maccabees 2:28 of the outlines of a sketch which the artist fills in w/details. (Linguistic Key to the Greek N.T.: pg.755)
  1. Jesus has laid out life to us as a giant Paint by Numbers, just fill in the blanks!
    1. Like, here’s the boundaries; now be creative inside of them. [every cross is different]
5. Example was also used as the model for handwriting to be copied by the school boy. (ibid)
  1. Like ABCDEF: [written from the top of the line to the bottom of the line]
    1. My drafting teacher in college was so meticulous when it came to block letters!
  2. A model, or conduct for imitation.
6. Follow – To follow after, to follow upon, to follow closely.
  1. He didn’t say “turn” that way; He said “Follow me”!
7. Steps – Footprints! “To follow a man’s footprints is to move in the direction he is going!”
  1. We’re Followers of Christ cuz we’re going somewhere & following Someone.
  2. We’ve all walked in someone else’s footprints at the beach before.
  3. Those footprints might have been larger or smaller than your feet; the stride might have been longer or shorter; you could tell if they were in a hurry or strolling; wandering or in a straight line to get somewhere.
  4. When Jesus says “follow Me” His steps are the perfect stride, always the ideal pace, never wandering, & always in a purposeful direction.
8. Wait, am I called to this? - yeppers(21).
  1. Our existence as Christians involve the idea of suffering...period!
  2. 2 Things: Follow your Master; & find your peace amidst affliction.
9. What was His example? Oh, even unto death!
  1. Why was Jesus willing, w/o protest, to submit to the full penalty due to the worst of sinners?
    1. 2 Cor.5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
10. WHAT HE DID! (23,24a) [Who He Is!]
11. He died on Calvary’s cross!
12. (24) Bore our sins - endured its penalty.
13. On the tree - to the extreme limit of shameful crucifixion.
14. Q: What is the Cross of Christ & why was it so important?
  1. It is the revealed truth of God’s judgment on sin.
  2. It is not a martyrdom. It was not “done to Jesus”. He came to die. The Cross was His purpose in coming.
  3. The incarnation of Christ would have no meaning w/o the Cross; Christmas would have no meaning w/o Good Friday.
  4. The Cross is not a cross of man, but the Cross of God.
    1. The Cross is the gate through which any & every individual can enter into oneness w/God.
    2. But it is not a gate we pass right through; it is one where we abide in the life that is found there (i.e. in the cross; in taking it up).
  5. The reason the Cross is so easy to obtain is that it cost God so much!
  6. The Cross was the intersection where God & sinful man merged w/a tremendous collision, & where the way to life was opened.
    1. But all the cost & pain of the collision was absorbed by the heart of God.
15. WHY HE DID IT! (24b-25) [Who He Is! - What He Did!]
16. That his wounds might heal ours! (2:24b)
17. Healed spiritually! (Peter’s commentary on Isaiah 53:5, not physically, but spiritually)
  1. Context: But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned - every one - to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
18. That we might turn to the Shepherd (2:25)
19. As a Shepherd He feeds us; As an Overseer (ἐπίσκοπος = watcher/protector; Bishop) He keeps watch His people.
20. Rebecca Pippert, Out of the Salt Shaker, “Jesus gives us permission to be human. Yet we struggle to believe that God intends for us to be fully human…we’re afraid that being made of flesh & blood meets with divine disapproval. The fact that we love to laugh, take a walk w/a friend, sip tea, & read a good book for the sheer pleasure of it is probably regarded from on high, we fear, w/a cosmic frown. We forget that it was God’s idea, not ours, to make us human. How do we discover what it means to be authentically human? We look to Jesus.” [He is Irresistible!]
21. Alternate Ending :) In the French revolution there was a young man condemned to the guillotine & shut up in one of the prisons. He was greatly loved by many, but there was one who loved him more than all put together. It was his own father. When the lists were called, the father, whose name was exactly as his son’s, answered. And the father rode in the gloomy tumbrel out to the place of execution. His head rolled beneath the ax instead of his son’s, a victim to mighty love. See here an image of the love of Christ to sinners.

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Copyright Statement
These files are the property of Brian Bell.
Text Courtesy of Calvary Chapel of Murrieta. Used by Permission.

Bibliographical Information
Bell, Brian. "Commentary on 1 Peter 2". "Bell's Commentary". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/cbb/1-peter-2.html. 2017.

Bible Commentaries1 Peter 2

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Verses 18-25

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1 Peter 2