WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.740 So 1 Peter 2, verse 18. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:34.640 This is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:11.659 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. 00:01:12.920 --> 00:01:22.400 By his wounds you have been healed, for you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the shepherd and overseer of your souls. 00:01:23.340 --> 00:01:23.680 Amen. 00:01:23.680 --> 00:01:32.320 Well, last week in our last study, we closed with a quote that I think will be a helpful place for us to begin today. 00:01:32.580 --> 00:01:35.800 The quote was from David Helm, and it goes like this. 00:01:35.840 --> 00:01:36.340 It's helpful. 00:01:37.300 --> 00:01:46.540 Submission defines the Christian's ways because being like the Savior describes the Christian's goal. 00:01:46.540 --> 00:01:57.680 Submission defines the Christian's ways because being like the Savior describes the Christian's goals. 00:01:58.500 --> 00:02:08.259 And of course, that quote came in reference to Peter's instruction in verses 13 to 17 for Christians to submit to the rule of law, 00:02:08.259 --> 00:02:22.519 to every human institution or every human ordinance, whether it be the emperor as supreme or to those as sent by him to deal with evil and to praise the good. 00:02:23.519 --> 00:02:33.799 But the truth of that statement, the weightiness of that statement, really is seen most clearly in the context of the passage that is now before us this morning, 00:02:34.379 --> 00:02:36.780 here in 18 to 23 especially. 00:02:36.780 --> 00:02:39.860 Peter's thoughts here are narrowing. 00:02:39.939 --> 00:02:48.819 They're narrowing from the broader category of Christian citizens who are to rightfully and properly submit to their human authorities. 00:02:49.500 --> 00:02:56.879 He's narrowing that perspective to the particular circumstances of Christian slaves. 00:02:58.460 --> 00:03:04.500 But it isn't the situation of slavery in particular that is the focal point of the text. 00:03:04.500 --> 00:03:24.080 Rather, as Peter progresses step by step, it becomes clear that foremost in his mind here is the real and common circumstance of suffering at the hands of a wicked master for doing what Christians know to be good and right. 00:03:25.360 --> 00:03:30.400 As we dig in, we find that this really isn't about slavery and it's really not about slaves. 00:03:30.400 --> 00:03:32.980 It's about suffering for doing good. 00:03:34.439 --> 00:03:41.099 It doesn't take long for Peter to turn our eyes once again to the example of Jesus. 00:03:41.099 --> 00:03:50.539 No greater injustice has ever been perpetrated than that which was endured by Jesus, the sinless Son of God. 00:03:51.740 --> 00:04:05.599 And at the same time, no greater model for righteously enduring injustices has ever been displayed than what we see in the endurance of Jesus. 00:04:05.599 --> 00:04:22.839 So then, returning to that statement, proper submission to authority and godly responses to injustices when they come from those very authorities define how Christians live their lives. 00:04:22.839 --> 00:04:33.939 And they define how Christians live their lives because following in the steps of Jesus as his faithful disciples describes the Christian's sincerest goal. 00:04:34.799 --> 00:04:39.459 What is it that we want more than anything else or at least what we should want more than anything else? 00:04:40.319 --> 00:04:41.439 To be like Jesus. 00:04:41.439 --> 00:04:49.379 To be a disciple is to literally follow in his steps to mimic what he does. 00:04:49.459 --> 00:04:51.360 And he has left us an example. 00:04:51.540 --> 00:04:59.680 So when we begin to look broadly at what Peter is doing here in this section, we see he's pointing our eyes directly at Jesus to say, 00:05:00.459 --> 00:05:01.720 Look what Jesus did. 00:05:02.519 --> 00:05:04.600 Look what Jesus endured. 00:05:05.600 --> 00:05:07.360 Look how he responded. 00:05:08.000 --> 00:05:10.540 And now you do the same as his disciple. 00:05:11.439 --> 00:05:18.600 Let's step back and consider how the passage fits in the larger sense of the letter. 00:05:20.139 --> 00:05:34.399 Peter has described the Christian experience as one of exile, suggesting that hardship on account of our faith and obedience to God should be expected and it will not be unusual. 00:05:34.399 --> 00:05:45.879 And the source of our sufferings we're learning may routinely come from those to whom God has commanded us to humbly submit. 00:05:46.939 --> 00:05:52.279 Remember last week, what was it that was the primary principle that Peter was issuing? 00:05:52.279 --> 00:06:02.719 That as Christians we have a responsibility to submit to the rule of law, to those human institutions and human authorities that God has ordained. 00:06:02.720 --> 00:06:12.620 And yet Peter says that and he writes that to churches who lived underneath the cruel reign of the emperor Nero in the first century. 00:06:12.620 --> 00:06:23.120 An avowed hater of Christians who persecuted after the great fire of Rome nearly a thousand of them for the entertainment of the crowds. 00:06:24.019 --> 00:06:25.939 And Peter writes and he says, 00:06:25.939 --> 00:06:55.920 How do we reflect the glory of God? 00:06:55.920 --> 00:07:05.900 What does it mean to thrive when facing serious injustices? 00:07:06.920 --> 00:07:13.560 Those are the questions that Peter is answering here for the churches in Asia Minor to which he wrote. 00:07:14.420 --> 00:07:15.920 The structure here is simple. 00:07:16.800 --> 00:07:18.600 It's similar to the previous text. 00:07:18.740 --> 00:07:21.780 He's first going to lead with a pertinent principle. 00:07:21.779 --> 00:07:25.519 He's going to follow that with a particular motivation. 00:07:26.619 --> 00:07:29.279 And then he's going to finish with the perfect model. 00:07:29.459 --> 00:07:35.259 So if you're interested in following along in the outline that we have, that's the flow that we're taking following Peter's lead. 00:07:35.539 --> 00:07:37.719 He's going to give us a principle to begin with. 00:07:38.000 --> 00:07:41.539 And then he's going to give us a proper motivation for fulfilling that principle. 00:07:42.000 --> 00:07:47.779 And then he's going to show us who is the perfect model of fulfilling that, which of course is the Lord Jesus. 00:07:47.779 --> 00:07:53.379 Let's start with the first thing, a pertinent principle, which we find again in verses 18 and 19. 00:07:53.659 --> 00:07:54.699 Look at it with me again. 00:07:55.959 --> 00:08:04.099 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the unjust. 00:08:05.859 --> 00:08:14.099 For this is a gracious thing when mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 00:08:14.100 --> 00:08:22.640 So verse 18 then is a specific application of the principle that Peter underscored in verses 13 to 17. 00:08:23.060 --> 00:08:25.660 He's dealing broadly with proper submission. 00:08:26.160 --> 00:08:28.160 And he starts with citizens. 00:08:28.600 --> 00:08:32.040 And now he's giving a very specific application to that. 00:08:32.259 --> 00:08:36.540 And he's drawing our attention to a very specific group of people in the churches. 00:08:36.539 --> 00:08:46.500 Using the same term for submission as he did in verse 13, he addresses those Christians in the churches who were living as slaves in the Roman Empire. 00:08:46.500 --> 00:08:49.599 Or as bond servants during that time. 00:08:50.379 --> 00:08:55.240 And he's instructing them to properly submit to their earthly masters. 00:08:55.240 --> 00:09:08.039 Whether those masters treat them fairly or whether they treat them unjustly, he tells them that being subject is what is their first responsibility. 00:09:09.940 --> 00:09:11.840 Is anyone else bothered by that? 00:09:11.840 --> 00:09:16.980 Passages like this, they cause us to squirm a bit, don't they? 00:09:16.980 --> 00:09:30.460 Because we would actually rather Peter just outright denounce the entire enterprise of slavery, even with all of its differences and nuances in the Roman Empire versus what we have known in American history. 00:09:30.660 --> 00:09:37.540 We would just rather him just come right out, not address the slaves and try to instruct them, but just outright denounce the enterprise, wouldn't we? 00:09:38.100 --> 00:09:39.019 But he doesn't do that. 00:09:39.019 --> 00:09:45.620 He instructs those who are caught up in such terrible circumstances. 00:09:47.100 --> 00:10:02.399 He addresses those who are Christians and tries to help them understand how despite their circumstances, from which it's very likely they will be freed from, how can they honor God in that circumstance? 00:10:02.579 --> 00:10:03.899 That's what Peter's doing here. 00:10:04.899 --> 00:10:06.399 And that bothers us, doesn't it? 00:10:07.079 --> 00:10:08.759 We want him to do something different. 00:10:09.019 --> 00:10:10.000 And yet he doesn't. 00:10:11.639 --> 00:10:13.759 And yet this is the word of the Lord, isn't it? 00:10:15.500 --> 00:10:23.759 God has given us this text as it is for his glory and for our good, and we need to keep that in mind. 00:10:24.419 --> 00:10:33.819 And we need to be careful not to force modern ideas of activism back on the historical context of the apostles and these early Christians. 00:10:34.639 --> 00:10:36.279 Revolution was not their aim. 00:10:36.279 --> 00:10:40.240 Revolution was not the apostles' aim. 00:10:40.579 --> 00:10:43.100 Frankly, revolution is not the church's aim. 00:10:43.100 --> 00:10:49.060 Leading Christians to thrive in this time of exile. 00:10:49.060 --> 00:10:50.500 That was Peter's aim. 00:10:50.840 --> 00:10:56.360 How to properly represent Jesus in a broken and fallen and terrible world. 00:10:56.720 --> 00:10:58.220 That was Peter's aim. 00:10:58.659 --> 00:11:02.340 And that's what we see coming forth here in this text. 00:11:02.399 --> 00:11:03.340 And that's the reason for it. 00:11:03.340 --> 00:11:09.340 But one key consideration that we have to deal with, we have to sort out, is why does he address slaves at all? 00:11:10.180 --> 00:11:14.440 Why does he choose this group at this particular time to deal with this issue? 00:11:14.519 --> 00:11:19.379 I mean, surely he could have chosen all kinds of different people to address, but why does he choose them? 00:11:19.379 --> 00:11:33.159 And I think that the answer is that they represented the Christians in each church who were most vulnerable to and likely to face severe injustices on account of their faith. 00:11:33.159 --> 00:11:43.539 Their whole lives are wrapped up in a system that completely ignores the dignity of their humanity. 00:11:44.620 --> 00:11:52.799 They are by far the most likely of all the people in these churches to routinely face persecution on account of their faith. 00:11:52.799 --> 00:11:56.759 I think that's why Peter is highlighting them in particular. 00:11:57.319 --> 00:12:01.699 Because fundamentally, this section isn't about the circumstances of slavery. 00:12:03.039 --> 00:12:05.659 It's about suffering for doing good. 00:12:06.659 --> 00:12:16.579 And no one understood that situation better than the Christian slaves who gathered Sunday by Sunday with these churches across Asia Minor. 00:12:16.580 --> 00:12:19.580 And worshiped the same God that you and I worshiped. 00:12:19.800 --> 00:12:24.060 Were redeemed by the same Jesus that you and I were redeemed by. 00:12:24.280 --> 00:12:28.680 Who were just as free in Christ as any other Christian who has ever lived. 00:12:29.800 --> 00:12:35.020 And yet, their experience in this life was probably much more difficult than anyone else's. 00:12:35.280 --> 00:12:35.980 And here's the point. 00:12:35.980 --> 00:12:45.280 If it's necessary, impossible, for even slaves to faithfully follow Jesus. 00:12:45.279 --> 00:12:48.559 And represent him well in such terrible conditions. 00:12:49.939 --> 00:12:53.179 Then everyone else in the church would have to do that as well. 00:12:54.159 --> 00:12:56.279 I think that's why Peter addresses them. 00:12:57.860 --> 00:13:04.039 So what begins as an address to slaves as it continues really becomes a lesson on suffering well. 00:13:05.039 --> 00:13:08.059 A lesson that is fit for all of us. 00:13:08.899 --> 00:13:13.360 Thus, it's necessary that we take seriously what the text instructs. 00:13:13.360 --> 00:13:17.759 Now, I want you to notice the emphasis that Peter uses here in the first phrase. 00:13:17.759 --> 00:13:21.419 He tells us that servants are to be subject to their masters. 00:13:21.580 --> 00:13:24.639 And then he adds this other phrase that needs a little explanation. 00:13:25.580 --> 00:13:26.860 With all respect. 00:13:27.779 --> 00:13:30.519 Literally, in all fear. 00:13:30.519 --> 00:13:37.699 But who exactly is it that Peter means that these Christians needed to fear and to respect? 00:13:38.740 --> 00:13:42.740 Is it the masters that he's telling them to be subject to? 00:13:43.279 --> 00:13:46.340 Or is it in the fear and respect of the Lord? 00:13:46.939 --> 00:13:51.480 And I think the context indicates that it's not their masters that he has in mind with this phrase. 00:13:51.960 --> 00:13:53.539 It is the Lord God himself. 00:13:54.439 --> 00:13:56.899 Now, just look at the previous verse in verse 17. 00:13:56.899 --> 00:13:59.399 He gives us those four quick statements. 00:13:59.539 --> 00:14:01.519 Memorable, pithy statements, doesn't he? 00:14:01.919 --> 00:14:02.779 Honor everyone. 00:14:03.639 --> 00:14:04.720 Love the brotherhood. 00:14:05.399 --> 00:14:06.539 Fear God. 00:14:07.340 --> 00:14:08.120 Honor the emperor. 00:14:09.100 --> 00:14:11.819 A distinction is intentionally being made here, isn't it? 00:14:11.959 --> 00:14:13.340 By Peter in this verse. 00:14:13.720 --> 00:14:18.539 While we are to obey our authorities, we are not to disobey God in the process. 00:14:19.220 --> 00:14:23.659 We are to submit to them but not fear them in the way that we fear God. 00:14:23.659 --> 00:14:29.799 Therefore, if there is a contradiction between what our human authorities are asking us to do 00:14:29.799 --> 00:14:34.539 and what we know God has commanded us to do, we fear God above everything else. 00:14:35.579 --> 00:14:40.279 Now, when we look at the following verse to this as well, in the context in verse 19, 00:14:40.740 --> 00:14:50.720 we find that this unjust suffering is being born out of a situation when these slaves are acting being mindful of God. 00:14:50.720 --> 00:14:56.620 So I think when we come back to verse 18, what we find being clear in the text is what Peter is saying is, 00:14:57.180 --> 00:15:07.220 be subject to your human masters in so far as what they ask you to do is not in defiance to God 00:15:07.220 --> 00:15:10.460 and not in disobedience to God. 00:15:10.980 --> 00:15:18.160 Servants, be subject to your masters in the fear of God. 00:15:18.159 --> 00:15:24.379 So the principle Peter is emphasizing is that slaves were to be subject but in the fear of the Lord. 00:15:24.799 --> 00:15:30.659 They may be servants of men in this world, but they are first and foremost servants of God. 00:15:32.059 --> 00:15:36.319 No human authority in this life trumps God's authority. 00:15:36.980 --> 00:15:43.579 And they were to live in the fear of God while doing everything possible to properly submit to their authorities. 00:15:43.580 --> 00:15:49.660 And as you might imagine, this presents a unique and significant problem. 00:15:50.940 --> 00:15:56.940 Because Peter tells us in verse 18 that many of these masters are unjust, 00:15:57.139 --> 00:16:00.940 not just in the way that they treat their slaves, but it means crooked. 00:16:01.500 --> 00:16:03.080 They are wicked people. 00:16:03.660 --> 00:16:05.560 Just as Nero was a wicked emperor, 00:16:05.960 --> 00:16:10.140 so were the people that were ruling directly over some of these people at Christians' lives. 00:16:10.139 --> 00:16:11.159 They were wicked. 00:16:12.059 --> 00:16:16.279 And what was it that the slaves were responsible largely to do in their households? 00:16:17.019 --> 00:16:18.179 Oversee the business. 00:16:19.259 --> 00:16:20.259 Manage the house. 00:16:21.080 --> 00:16:22.000 Teach the children. 00:16:22.559 --> 00:16:24.220 That's what they were responsible for. 00:16:26.139 --> 00:16:33.039 These masters would have likely instructed their slaves to act in ways that would be sinful in God's eyes. 00:16:33.039 --> 00:16:40.199 And what were they to do when their masters instructed them to do his business in a way that was dishonest? 00:16:42.199 --> 00:16:47.579 Do they obey their master for fear of the consequences that would come if they don't? 00:16:48.539 --> 00:16:51.679 Or do they face the consequences willingly and obey the Lord instead? 00:16:54.480 --> 00:16:57.639 What if the master's demands were immoral and hurt others? 00:16:57.639 --> 00:17:04.720 Peter says in such circumstances the Christian was to disobey that order, 00:17:05.400 --> 00:17:07.500 living in the fear of God instead. 00:17:08.920 --> 00:17:15.180 And as you can imagine, the result would have meant the unjust beating and mistreatment 00:17:15.180 --> 00:17:22.139 on account not of doing wrong, but directly for doing good. 00:17:22.799 --> 00:17:23.980 And that's the point. 00:17:25.319 --> 00:17:27.319 Suffering for doing good. 00:17:28.400 --> 00:17:34.040 Well, that's the principle for the slaves who gathered on that Lord's Day 00:17:34.040 --> 00:17:36.759 and heard this letter read in their church service. 00:17:37.360 --> 00:17:38.700 What is the principle for us? 00:17:39.800 --> 00:17:40.759 None of us are slaves. 00:17:42.100 --> 00:17:43.980 None of us are likely to ever be slaves. 00:17:45.100 --> 00:17:46.140 Do we just dismiss it? 00:17:46.240 --> 00:17:47.380 No, I don't think so. 00:17:48.240 --> 00:17:52.420 There are probably a hundred ways that we can draw parallels and applications here, 00:17:52.480 --> 00:17:55.900 but let's think especially of our places of work. 00:17:57.640 --> 00:18:04.040 Most likely all of you have a boss or someone closely, directly related to you in your place 00:18:04.039 --> 00:18:05.500 of business that is not a believer. 00:18:05.500 --> 00:18:12.259 How many times have Shane and I had conversations about unbelieving people that are over him 00:18:12.259 --> 00:18:15.460 who act like unbelieving people as they exercise their authority? 00:18:15.460 --> 00:18:17.960 All of us know what that's like. 00:18:21.759 --> 00:18:27.160 There's going to be times when you're instructed by a superior to do something that you know is sinful. 00:18:27.160 --> 00:18:30.759 You're going to be asked to cheat the system. 00:18:32.240 --> 00:18:34.620 Lie to a client in order to get more money. 00:18:36.779 --> 00:18:39.340 Mistreat a co-worker that doesn't deserve it. 00:18:39.339 --> 00:18:49.399 Or sweep some unethical or immoral act under the rug in order to protect those who want you to game the system. 00:18:50.519 --> 00:18:56.720 What are you going to do when saying no to that boss means he's going to make your work life miserable? 00:18:56.720 --> 00:19:08.100 What if it means that you'll be overlooked for the promotion that you've been working so hard to achieve all these years? 00:19:10.700 --> 00:19:12.480 What if it costs you your job? 00:19:15.600 --> 00:19:17.200 What if you lose those clients? 00:19:17.200 --> 00:19:29.779 Peter's instruction is that in such circumstances we represent God in the world we live in his fear rather than man's. 00:19:31.519 --> 00:19:36.539 Knowing that in exile there's always going to be conflict. 00:19:37.700 --> 00:19:42.799 That our lives of obedience and being faithful to Jesus and faithful to the word of God 00:19:42.799 --> 00:19:49.000 will almost always be in conflict with the people who are around us who are not Christians. 00:19:50.359 --> 00:19:53.859 And what will we do when faced with the ever occurring circumstance 00:19:53.859 --> 00:19:59.419 to go against our co-worker or our boss or our teacher or our coach 00:19:59.419 --> 00:20:03.740 or the chain of command and the marine reserves? 00:20:04.700 --> 00:20:05.399 Whatever it is. 00:20:06.279 --> 00:20:08.700 What do we do when that means disobeying God? 00:20:09.839 --> 00:20:12.200 Well we honor those authorities as best we can. 00:20:12.200 --> 00:20:13.559 That's what Peter's saying. 00:20:14.600 --> 00:20:15.880 We be good employees. 00:20:16.539 --> 00:20:17.640 Good students. 00:20:19.080 --> 00:20:19.980 Good athletes. 00:20:20.160 --> 00:20:21.559 Whatever your situation may be. 00:20:23.360 --> 00:20:25.759 But we do not sin against God in the process 00:20:25.759 --> 00:20:29.279 even if the punishment is unjust and severe. 00:20:29.860 --> 00:20:30.440 That's the point. 00:20:32.019 --> 00:20:35.420 And after facing mistreatment from those very authorities 00:20:35.420 --> 00:20:36.539 what are we to do then? 00:20:37.920 --> 00:20:39.160 Be subject to them. 00:20:40.420 --> 00:20:41.519 Live honorably. 00:20:42.200 --> 00:20:44.400 In the things that aren't disobedient to God. 00:20:45.140 --> 00:20:46.259 And what does that prove? 00:20:47.960 --> 00:20:51.120 The true good of the kingdom of God. 00:20:51.259 --> 00:20:52.240 That's what that proves. 00:20:52.980 --> 00:20:55.580 Isn't that the point from the last passage we studied last week? 00:20:56.019 --> 00:20:56.580 Verse 15. 00:20:56.680 --> 00:20:58.980 For this is the will of God that by doing good 00:20:58.980 --> 00:21:02.120 you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 00:21:02.480 --> 00:21:05.940 All of those people who say Christians are just up to no good 00:21:05.940 --> 00:21:09.559 live in suspicion of us. 00:21:09.559 --> 00:21:11.279 This is what it proves. 00:21:11.819 --> 00:21:13.639 The goodness of God. 00:21:13.759 --> 00:21:15.119 The goodness of his people. 00:21:15.919 --> 00:21:17.200 And the glory of his kingdom. 00:21:17.980 --> 00:21:19.619 Well that's the particular instruction. 00:21:19.759 --> 00:21:22.419 That's the pertinent principle that Peter provides to us here. 00:21:22.480 --> 00:21:24.899 Let's move on now to a particular motivation. 00:21:25.679 --> 00:21:28.039 What possibly could motivate us to live this way? 00:21:28.119 --> 00:21:28.779 Look at verse 20. 00:21:28.779 --> 00:21:36.079 What credit is it if when you sin and are beaten for it you endure? 00:21:36.079 --> 00:21:40.659 But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure? 00:21:41.879 --> 00:21:45.199 This is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 00:21:46.919 --> 00:21:49.419 Let's think about the temptations that we often face. 00:21:49.559 --> 00:21:54.460 There is no question that the temptation to disobey or disbelieve God 00:21:54.460 --> 00:21:59.279 will be strong when facing suffering on account of our faith 00:21:59.279 --> 00:22:00.839 and living faithfully as a Christian. 00:22:00.839 --> 00:22:08.220 We're often tempted to live as if the easier thing is just to seek God's forgiveness 00:22:08.220 --> 00:22:10.839 after the fact knowing that he's a merciful God 00:22:10.839 --> 00:22:15.099 than it is to be obedient to him in the first place 00:22:15.099 --> 00:22:18.859 and deal with the repercussions that may come from the wrath of men. 00:22:19.959 --> 00:22:21.619 How many Christians think that way? 00:22:23.119 --> 00:22:24.379 Think well God's merciful. 00:22:24.720 --> 00:22:26.959 It's just easier to ask for his forgiveness 00:22:26.959 --> 00:22:28.480 than to have to deal with this trouble. 00:22:28.480 --> 00:22:31.700 Surely God just wants me to be happy and comfortable. 00:22:33.140 --> 00:22:34.720 And that's not what he's concerned about. 00:22:36.000 --> 00:22:37.599 No, he's concerned with our holiness. 00:22:38.400 --> 00:22:39.880 He's concerned with our obedience. 00:22:40.460 --> 00:22:43.980 What then could possibly motivate the Christian to live this way? 00:22:44.460 --> 00:22:46.079 And for Peter the answer is simple 00:22:46.079 --> 00:22:47.680 and it's actually quite straightforward. 00:22:48.480 --> 00:22:53.620 The motivation for this endurance is simply the smile of God. 00:22:53.619 --> 00:23:00.719 For we know that God blesses those who suffer for doing good. 00:23:01.799 --> 00:23:03.639 It's simply the smile of God. 00:23:04.099 --> 00:23:08.439 This is a gracious thing, he says, in the sight of God. 00:23:09.779 --> 00:23:12.739 And when I was growing up, Ashlyn's here. 00:23:12.839 --> 00:23:14.159 Maybe she's heard Papa say this. 00:23:14.279 --> 00:23:15.959 Our niece Kate is with us today too. 00:23:16.059 --> 00:23:18.019 She might have heard Papa say this at some point. 00:23:18.019 --> 00:23:20.519 But when I was growing up, Papa used to always remind me 00:23:20.519 --> 00:23:22.660 that even though he doesn't see me 00:23:22.660 --> 00:23:24.379 and know everything that I'm doing, 00:23:24.720 --> 00:23:26.579 there is one who does see me 00:23:26.579 --> 00:23:27.920 and knows everything that I'm doing. 00:23:28.220 --> 00:23:29.740 And typically that was followed up with 00:23:29.740 --> 00:23:32.059 and the Holy Spirit typically has a way of letting me know 00:23:32.059 --> 00:23:33.480 what's going on in your life. 00:23:33.980 --> 00:23:36.680 Now, Dad always said that from the negative perspective. 00:23:37.259 --> 00:23:40.180 He assumed Jared was doing something that he ought not to do. 00:23:40.680 --> 00:23:43.259 And he wanted me to know that even though he doesn't see it, 00:23:43.799 --> 00:23:44.559 God sees it. 00:23:44.599 --> 00:23:46.879 And he wanted me to live in the fear of the Lord in that sense. 00:23:46.880 --> 00:23:48.560 And of course, that's true, isn't it? 00:23:49.460 --> 00:23:52.280 But the positive side of that equation is also true. 00:23:53.120 --> 00:23:55.660 And I think that's what Peter is emphasizing here. 00:23:56.880 --> 00:23:59.660 No one else may see and understand the ways 00:23:59.660 --> 00:24:03.600 that you faithfully love and obey the Lord. 00:24:04.320 --> 00:24:07.220 No one else may see and understand the ways 00:24:07.220 --> 00:24:09.100 that you are mistreated on account 00:24:09.100 --> 00:24:11.140 of that faithfulness to the Lord. 00:24:11.320 --> 00:24:12.980 But God sees it all. 00:24:13.920 --> 00:24:14.940 He knows. 00:24:14.940 --> 00:24:17.299 And he is with you. 00:24:17.960 --> 00:24:19.600 And he sees you. 00:24:20.100 --> 00:24:21.960 And he understands you. 00:24:23.559 --> 00:24:24.980 And in his sight, 00:24:25.759 --> 00:24:28.080 your patient endurance is a gracious thing. 00:24:29.160 --> 00:24:33.420 When he watches you obey him despite the cost, 00:24:34.460 --> 00:24:36.600 he smiles on you. 00:24:36.599 --> 00:24:44.899 What exactly does it mean that this endurance is a gracious thing in the sight of God? 00:24:45.819 --> 00:24:48.959 Well, Peter gives us a contrast here to help us understand it, doesn't he? 00:24:49.219 --> 00:24:50.480 Look again at the verse. 00:24:51.639 --> 00:24:53.240 Here's the first part of the contrast. 00:24:53.240 --> 00:24:59.700 What credit is it if when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? 00:25:00.259 --> 00:25:06.779 In other words, what reward is there for you if you face punishment for something that you did wrongly? 00:25:06.779 --> 00:25:10.160 Not that it was good, but it was sin. 00:25:10.799 --> 00:25:13.180 And you face the proper consequences of that sin. 00:25:13.420 --> 00:25:15.059 What credit is that to you, he says? 00:25:15.440 --> 00:25:19.180 In contrast to that then is what he follows up with. 00:25:19.180 --> 00:25:27.160 But if when you do good and everything you do is right and you still suffer on account of that and you endure that suffering, 00:25:27.580 --> 00:25:29.860 this is the gracious thing in the sight of the Lord. 00:25:29.920 --> 00:25:30.720 There's this contrast. 00:25:30.880 --> 00:25:35.600 It's helping us give a sense of what Peter means to say. 00:25:36.080 --> 00:25:39.460 There's no reason to expect applause when you suffer for doing wrong. 00:25:39.460 --> 00:25:45.019 But when you endure suffering for good, you will receive the blessing in favor of God. 00:25:46.319 --> 00:25:49.860 Let me give you three other passages that make this exact same contrast. 00:25:51.079 --> 00:25:53.600 The first one is Matthew 5, 11, and 12. 00:25:54.340 --> 00:25:55.779 This is the end of the Beatitudes. 00:25:55.880 --> 00:25:56.480 You remember them. 00:25:57.700 --> 00:26:05.900 Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 00:26:05.900 --> 00:26:13.720 Rejoice and be glad, Jesus says, for your reward is great in heaven. 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:17.360 For so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 00:26:18.060 --> 00:26:19.220 What is Jesus saying there? 00:26:19.259 --> 00:26:20.940 He's saying the same thing Peter is saying here. 00:26:21.400 --> 00:26:26.320 He's saying when that happens, it's a gracious thing in the sight of the Lord. 00:26:26.759 --> 00:26:29.140 Great is your reward in heaven. 00:26:29.820 --> 00:26:30.820 Let me give you a second one. 00:26:31.200 --> 00:26:33.280 Matthew 5, 43 to 46. 00:26:33.279 --> 00:26:39.819 Jesus says, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. 00:26:40.519 --> 00:26:41.440 Here's the blessing. 00:26:42.139 --> 00:26:45.500 So that you may be sons of the Father who is in heaven. 00:26:45.839 --> 00:26:46.960 And here's the contrast. 00:26:47.779 --> 00:26:53.920 For if you love those who love you rather than your enemies, what reward do you have? 00:26:54.799 --> 00:26:57.619 What credit is it simply for that? 00:26:58.220 --> 00:26:58.879 The contrast. 00:26:58.880 --> 00:27:03.820 Third, Luke chapter 6, 34 and 35. 00:27:04.760 --> 00:27:05.760 Jesus again. 00:27:06.940 --> 00:27:12.940 If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? 00:27:13.060 --> 00:27:17.940 He's talking about being a generous person without expecting something in return. 00:27:18.680 --> 00:27:22.220 What credit is it if you lend to those that you expect just to give it right back? 00:27:22.220 --> 00:27:27.319 Even sinners lend to sinners to get back the same amount, Jesus says. 00:27:27.839 --> 00:27:32.860 But love your enemies and do good and lend, expecting nothing in return. 00:27:33.200 --> 00:27:34.100 And here's what he says. 00:27:34.779 --> 00:27:43.779 And your reward will be great and you will be the sons of the Most High for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 00:27:43.779 --> 00:27:53.599 In each of these three passages, the contrast is meant to emphasize that there is no reward for doing wrong or simply doing what everyone else finds comfortable to do. 00:27:53.920 --> 00:27:59.019 No, but there is a great reward in heaven for those who love and obey God. 00:27:59.399 --> 00:28:00.899 And that's Peter's point here. 00:28:01.559 --> 00:28:06.579 Doing good and suffering for it provokes the favor of God. 00:28:06.579 --> 00:28:09.379 It provokes the smile of God. 00:28:09.879 --> 00:28:12.279 And great is your reward, not in this life. 00:28:12.379 --> 00:28:15.659 Because in this life, we face nothing but troubles. 00:28:16.079 --> 00:28:18.299 Great is your reward in heaven. 00:28:19.319 --> 00:28:20.779 And the question for us is simple. 00:28:20.960 --> 00:28:21.539 It's this. 00:28:24.119 --> 00:28:27.740 Is the smile of God enough for you? 00:28:30.619 --> 00:28:33.339 Is the smile of God enough for you? 00:28:33.339 --> 00:28:42.699 Is bringing glory and pleasure to Almighty God, your Heavenly Father who has redeemed you, 00:28:43.019 --> 00:28:49.459 is that enough motivation for you to do good, even when it costs you something? 00:28:49.460 --> 00:29:04.980 Thriving despite injustice means seeking the smile of God above your own comfort and ease and really everything else. 00:29:06.720 --> 00:29:09.200 The pleasure of God is why we exist. 00:29:10.779 --> 00:29:13.940 His glory is our very purpose. 00:29:13.940 --> 00:29:23.500 And it is always good for us to desire that smile and to live in such a way as to provoke it. 00:29:25.100 --> 00:29:30.880 Well, is there possibly a model or an example of this that we can see? 00:29:31.559 --> 00:29:33.720 What does this actually look like practically? 00:29:35.080 --> 00:29:37.240 Fortunately for us, there's a model. 00:29:38.120 --> 00:29:39.420 And it's not just a model. 00:29:39.960 --> 00:29:41.259 It's a perfect model. 00:29:41.259 --> 00:29:44.119 Look with me at 21 to 23. 00:29:46.619 --> 00:29:56.819 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 00:29:57.960 --> 00:29:59.480 He committed no sin. 00:30:00.619 --> 00:30:02.259 Neither was deceit found in his mouth. 00:30:03.319 --> 00:30:06.079 And when he was reviled, he didn't revile in return. 00:30:07.119 --> 00:30:08.920 When he suffered, he didn't threaten. 00:30:08.920 --> 00:30:15.360 But he continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 00:30:16.400 --> 00:30:18.000 Do you see what Peter's now doing? 00:30:18.200 --> 00:30:20.900 It's a gracious thing for Peter to do this, isn't it? 00:30:23.300 --> 00:30:30.220 He leads us to lift our eyes from our present circumstances in order that we might place them fully on the Lord Jesus, 00:30:30.220 --> 00:30:37.180 who is our perfect example in enduring injustice and suffering for doing good. 00:30:38.539 --> 00:30:40.380 And notice the language of calling. 00:30:41.940 --> 00:30:48.160 He says, it is to this, suffering for good and being submissive anyways, 00:30:48.960 --> 00:30:50.759 it is to this that you have been called. 00:30:50.819 --> 00:30:51.940 Now, what does he mean by that? 00:30:51.940 --> 00:30:55.240 Well, calling in the New Testament is never about vocation. 00:30:55.820 --> 00:31:00.660 We use that term, we impose that term often in the Christian conversation. 00:31:01.039 --> 00:31:06.059 But the New Testament never speaks of calling in the sense of your gifting or of your vocation, 00:31:06.220 --> 00:31:12.559 even though there is a sense in which we might understand God is sovereign and he gives us in particular ways and calls us to certain things. 00:31:12.720 --> 00:31:13.620 Certainly that's true. 00:31:13.619 --> 00:31:18.699 When the Bible uses the term calling, it's always in reference to the call to salvation. 00:31:19.299 --> 00:31:19.699 Always. 00:31:20.939 --> 00:31:24.219 And what is it that Peter means for us to acknowledge about this calling here? 00:31:24.979 --> 00:31:29.639 The call to salvation is simply the call to follow Jesus. 00:31:30.539 --> 00:31:36.699 And Jesus willingly suffered in part to show us how we might follow him in that. 00:31:37.399 --> 00:31:40.739 How we might live faithfully as he lived faithfully. 00:31:40.740 --> 00:31:45.019 In other words, suffering well means walking in the steps of Jesus. 00:31:45.660 --> 00:31:50.339 And that's what we've been called to as his disciples, to walk in his steps. 00:31:50.500 --> 00:31:56.000 Which means it will be inevitable that we will be facing suffering on account of our faith. 00:31:56.380 --> 00:31:57.700 And what is it that we are to do? 00:31:57.920 --> 00:31:59.019 We are to endure. 00:31:59.680 --> 00:32:03.519 We are to endure with joy in our suffering. 00:32:03.859 --> 00:32:04.180 Why? 00:32:04.700 --> 00:32:06.440 Because that's what Jesus did. 00:32:06.839 --> 00:32:08.880 And we are following him in all things. 00:32:10.740 --> 00:32:12.859 And we will return to 22 to 25 next week. 00:32:12.900 --> 00:32:14.900 Again, looking at the sufferings of Jesus. 00:32:15.059 --> 00:32:21.059 I feel like it would be useful for us just to take a week just to think about the atonement and what Peter says about that here. 00:32:21.160 --> 00:32:27.319 But in 22, Peter doesn't only mean that Jesus was sinless in his suffering. 00:32:28.299 --> 00:32:28.980 Notice what he says. 00:32:29.039 --> 00:32:30.059 He committed no sin. 00:32:30.480 --> 00:32:32.640 Neither was deceit found in his mouth. 00:32:32.640 --> 00:32:37.700 Peter doesn't simply mean that as he suffered, Jesus did not sin. 00:32:37.700 --> 00:32:40.019 He's going to make that point in verse 23. 00:32:40.460 --> 00:32:45.880 Verse 22, he's saying he had no sin that made it necessary for him to suffer in the beginning. 00:32:46.920 --> 00:32:50.140 He was sinless in every way. 00:32:51.220 --> 00:32:52.920 In every possible way. 00:32:53.360 --> 00:32:54.819 That's what Peter means to say. 00:32:56.940 --> 00:33:01.980 And yet when he was reviled, he did not revile in return. 00:33:01.980 --> 00:33:12.279 As he suffered as the sinless son of God, he did not threaten those who were responsible for the injustice. 00:33:13.000 --> 00:33:14.220 He did the opposite. 00:33:15.220 --> 00:33:16.599 He prayed for them. 00:33:17.400 --> 00:33:19.980 Father, forgive them. 00:33:21.720 --> 00:33:23.640 They don't realize what they're doing. 00:33:23.640 --> 00:33:27.740 It didn't make their actions any less sinful. 00:33:27.900 --> 00:33:32.400 But in that moment, he does not say, you guys are going to regret this later. 00:33:34.500 --> 00:33:36.240 No, he says, Father, forgive them. 00:33:37.060 --> 00:33:40.400 And he faithfully endured the cross for our sake. 00:33:40.840 --> 00:33:49.660 And Peter says in verse 21, he did this so that we might have an example to follow when we're in the same circumstance. 00:33:49.660 --> 00:33:53.680 Maybe it won't be a cross, but it will be suffering in some sense. 00:33:59.340 --> 00:34:06.500 Rather than retaliate or respond with threats of future retaliation, as all of us would be prone to do, 00:34:08.680 --> 00:34:14.880 Jesus instead continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 00:34:15.519 --> 00:34:16.240 What does that mean? 00:34:16.240 --> 00:34:16.280 What does that mean? 00:34:19.659 --> 00:34:26.039 It means that Jesus demonstrated what it means to trust God for our vindication 00:34:26.039 --> 00:34:31.659 and to trust that God will judge our enemies the right way. 00:34:33.980 --> 00:34:37.099 The scriptures repeatedly affirm the instruction, 00:34:38.059 --> 00:34:39.139 vengeance is mine. 00:34:39.980 --> 00:34:41.779 I will repay, says the Lord. 00:34:41.780 --> 00:34:48.080 Jesus taught in the middle of the Sermon on the Mount against the idea of retaliation, 00:34:48.500 --> 00:34:50.240 against those who do us wrong. 00:34:50.980 --> 00:34:57.900 I don't think that he means to suggest that if there are processes in our human systems 00:34:57.900 --> 00:35:01.420 by which we can seek justice, that we ought not pursue those processes. 00:35:01.580 --> 00:35:02.440 Of course we should. 00:35:02.440 --> 00:35:07.679 Paul himself did that clearly in his path to Rome. 00:35:09.400 --> 00:35:14.000 But the point is, we are not to be retaliatory in our spirit. 00:35:14.760 --> 00:35:15.200 Why? 00:35:16.539 --> 00:35:19.659 Because Jesus wasn't retaliatory in his spirit. 00:35:20.760 --> 00:35:23.780 And of all of us, he's the one who had the right to be. 00:35:23.780 --> 00:35:33.560 As in everything, we need only to look to Jesus when we're uncertain about how to respond in any given circumstance. 00:35:34.740 --> 00:35:39.019 We're to constantly be asking the question, what does it mean to follow Jesus' example? 00:35:39.740 --> 00:35:43.620 And in this case, it means refusing to fight sin with sin. 00:35:43.619 --> 00:35:49.420 It means refusing to be consumed with vengeance or the pursuit of retaliation. 00:35:49.960 --> 00:35:56.920 It means trusting that on the last day, God will deal decisively with those who perpetrate such injustices 00:35:56.920 --> 00:36:00.699 and will reward those who suffer for his sake. 00:36:02.159 --> 00:36:08.900 It means submitting in the fear of the Lord, even to those who unjustly use and mistreat us. 00:36:08.900 --> 00:36:12.200 That's what it means to follow Jesus. 00:36:13.079 --> 00:36:18.860 And faithfully following Jesus is what it means to thrive in exile. 00:36:21.360 --> 00:36:24.360 You don't have to be a slave for this text to matter. 00:36:26.260 --> 00:36:28.300 That wasn't Peter's intention anyways. 00:36:30.740 --> 00:36:34.780 He addressed them to give us the weight of this principle. 00:36:34.780 --> 00:36:40.980 To show the most vulnerable and the most subject to abuse. 00:36:42.160 --> 00:36:48.000 And to say, if they must still follow Jesus faithfully in their suffering, so should we. 00:36:49.540 --> 00:36:53.240 And we must submit to those human authorities in the fear of the Lord. 00:36:55.220 --> 00:36:57.780 Seek the pleasure of God in response to injustices. 00:36:58.880 --> 00:36:59.740 Seek his smile. 00:36:59.739 --> 00:37:00.739 Seek the pleasure of God in response to the Lord. 00:37:00.739 --> 00:37:05.979 And then above all things, keep our eyes on Jesus. 00:37:07.079 --> 00:37:09.179 The author and finisher of our faith. 00:37:10.619 --> 00:37:18.459 Who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame. 00:37:19.559 --> 00:37:23.179 And is now seated at the right hand of the Father. 00:37:24.439 --> 00:37:26.039 Do you know what that's a picture of? 00:37:26.039 --> 00:37:32.320 That's a picture of the blessing that you have in Christ as one of his own. 00:37:34.380 --> 00:37:38.820 For the joy set before you, be willing to suffer for his sake. 00:37:39.579 --> 00:37:43.980 Knowing that in the end, you'll be seated with the Father. 00:37:44.759 --> 00:37:46.300 And you will receive his smile. 00:37:46.940 --> 00:37:48.519 And your inheritance will come. 00:37:49.300 --> 00:37:50.639 You may not receive it here. 00:37:50.980 --> 00:37:52.000 You probably won't. 00:37:52.880 --> 00:37:54.119 But you will receive it there. 00:37:54.119 --> 00:37:59.219 And for that reason, we can rejoice even in our sufferings.