WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.519 Our Old Testament reading this morning comes from the book of Isaiah, chapter 53, verses 1 through 12. 00:00:13.259 --> 00:00:17.280 Who has believed our message, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 00:00:17.800 --> 00:00:22.280 He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. 00:00:22.940 --> 00:00:28.379 He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. 00:00:28.379 --> 00:00:34.299 He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering and familiar with pain. 00:00:35.039 --> 00:00:40.379 Like one for whom people hide their faces, he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. 00:00:41.359 --> 00:00:48.939 Surely he took up our pain and bore our sufferings, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. 00:00:49.859 --> 00:00:54.039 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities. 00:00:54.039 --> 00:00:59.439 The punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. 00:01:00.079 --> 00:01:06.920 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way, and the Lord laid on him the iniquity of us all. 00:01:07.700 --> 00:01:10.700 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth. 00:01:11.019 --> 00:01:16.400 He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shears is silent, he did not open his mouth. 00:01:16.400 --> 00:01:22.340 By oppression and judgment he was taken away, yet who of his generation protested? 00:01:22.740 --> 00:01:27.280 For he was cut off from the land of the living, for the transgression of my people he was punished. 00:01:28.060 --> 00:01:36.080 He was assigned a grave with the wicked and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence nor was any deceit in his mouth. 00:01:36.079 --> 00:01:44.599 Yet it was the Lord's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, 00:01:45.159 --> 00:01:51.060 he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. 00:01:52.019 --> 00:01:55.579 After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied. 00:01:56.359 --> 00:02:01.519 By his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. 00:02:01.519 --> 00:02:07.579 Therefore, I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, 00:02:08.259 --> 00:02:12.939 because he has poured out his life unto death and was numbered with the transgressors. 00:02:13.359 --> 00:02:18.500 For he bore the sins of many and made intercession for the transgressors. 00:02:21.979 --> 00:02:28.240 I recently read an article that discussed a growing phenomenon in our society, 00:02:28.439 --> 00:02:30.019 and you've probably heard of it yourself. 00:02:30.020 --> 00:02:31.960 It's called Cancel Culture. 00:02:32.620 --> 00:02:35.240 And the article that I read defined cancel culture as this. 00:02:35.340 --> 00:02:35.680 It says, 00:02:36.160 --> 00:02:43.200 Cancel culture is the moment when the masses swarm on an individual after taking offense to their actions or words. 00:02:43.860 --> 00:02:48.719 It's kind of become a modern-day form of public shaming or ostracism. 00:02:49.340 --> 00:02:54.140 And it usually occurs to those who have some level of notoriety or fame. 00:02:54.540 --> 00:02:57.560 They say something or do something that's deemed offensive. 00:02:57.560 --> 00:02:59.140 There's this public outcry. 00:02:59.580 --> 00:03:02.460 And immediately, this person is canceled. 00:03:03.180 --> 00:03:05.439 They are demonized in some way. 00:03:05.599 --> 00:03:09.879 They're stripped of their platform, stripped of their dignity, much to the delight of the masses. 00:03:10.680 --> 00:03:19.680 Now, this occurs sometimes when someone has done something maybe criminally or morally egregious in some way. 00:03:19.680 --> 00:03:27.920 But it's becoming more commonplace just when people express opinions or hold beliefs that other people don't like. 00:03:28.540 --> 00:03:36.439 Now, this article, it blamed this rise in cancel culture primarily on our addiction to social media, 00:03:36.560 --> 00:03:44.860 where people are able to respond quickly, instantly, and anonymously when something happens that they don't like. 00:03:44.860 --> 00:03:55.660 An article mentioned it could be due as well to this increase in polarization within our society or an increased idea of political correctness. 00:03:56.460 --> 00:04:00.460 But I really think all those explanations kind of missed the mark here. 00:04:00.500 --> 00:04:02.040 I don't think it's a technology issue. 00:04:02.120 --> 00:04:03.580 I don't think it's a right or left issue. 00:04:03.580 --> 00:04:12.920 I view it as a rise of victimization, this victim mentality that we think that we may be entitled to nowadays. 00:04:13.800 --> 00:04:20.680 And so with this victim mentality comes this idea that we should never be wrong, that we should never have to suffer. 00:04:21.780 --> 00:04:27.639 And if we do, we have the right to hand out our own form of judgment that we see fit. 00:04:27.960 --> 00:04:30.220 If someone hurts you, you punish them. 00:04:30.280 --> 00:04:32.120 If someone offends you, you attack them. 00:04:32.120 --> 00:04:35.280 If someone disagrees with you, you cancel them. 00:04:35.939 --> 00:04:43.160 It promotes this false idea that our world would be a better place if we just eliminate all forms of suffering, 00:04:43.220 --> 00:04:45.980 if we can just silence all opposition. 00:04:47.000 --> 00:04:50.639 And that's kind of what our passage talks about today, this idea of suffering. 00:04:51.060 --> 00:04:53.399 But we're going to talk about it from a very different standpoint. 00:04:53.620 --> 00:04:58.920 Rather than from how society views suffering as something we want to avoid or eliminate, 00:04:58.920 --> 00:05:03.699 we see here in 1 Peter that suffering can be good for us. 00:05:03.759 --> 00:05:05.360 It's something that we should embrace. 00:05:06.100 --> 00:05:10.220 And we need to recognize that we have a Savior who suffered for us. 00:05:10.259 --> 00:05:17.700 And that when we suffer like our Savior, Jesus, we can actually experience blessing and God can be glorified. 00:05:18.200 --> 00:05:19.460 So let's look at our passage. 00:05:19.459 --> 00:05:23.699 It's 1 Peter 2, verses 18-25. 00:05:23.699 --> 00:05:31.060 Slaves, in reverent fear of God, submit yourselves to your masters, 00:05:31.579 --> 00:05:35.599 not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 00:05:36.060 --> 00:05:41.579 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. 00:05:42.139 --> 00:05:46.199 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing what is wrong and endure it? 00:05:46.199 --> 00:05:51.620 But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 00:05:52.420 --> 00:05:57.719 To this you were called because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his steps. 00:05:58.480 --> 00:06:02.039 He committed no sin and no deceit was found in his mouth. 00:06:02.480 --> 00:06:05.039 When they hurled insults at him, he did not retaliate. 00:06:05.439 --> 00:06:06.980 When he suffered, he made no threats. 00:06:07.120 --> 00:06:10.279 Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 00:06:10.279 --> 00:06:18.139 He himself bore our sins in his body and on the cross so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness. 00:06:19.019 --> 00:06:21.339 By his wounds you have been healed. 00:06:21.939 --> 00:06:29.219 For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the shepherd and the overseer of our souls. 00:06:30.179 --> 00:06:31.519 This is the word of God. 00:06:31.519 --> 00:06:41.019 Now, I think there's certain passages that we come to in the Bible where we may be attempted to avoid them. 00:06:41.659 --> 00:06:43.099 Perhaps they make us uncomfortable. 00:06:44.159 --> 00:06:48.519 Perhaps we think that they just don't apply to us or they're outdated in some way. 00:06:48.519 --> 00:06:55.419 And I think on first glance, you may read this passage and think that that applies here. 00:06:55.620 --> 00:06:57.839 That Peter seems to be condoning slavery. 00:06:57.959 --> 00:06:59.879 He sees it as acceptable and normal. 00:06:59.879 --> 00:07:04.659 And as we would certainly object to the institution of slavery today, 00:07:05.159 --> 00:07:08.759 you may think that Peter just isn't taking a hard enough stance against it. 00:07:08.800 --> 00:07:12.540 That he's really missing the point of the passage here in speaking to slaves. 00:07:13.680 --> 00:07:18.899 On the other hand, you may hear these words about slaves and masters and just think, 00:07:19.120 --> 00:07:22.360 I'm neither one of those, so this passage really doesn't apply to me. 00:07:22.719 --> 00:07:26.019 But I really think there's a great deal we can learn from this passage. 00:07:26.019 --> 00:07:28.740 It reveals much about our own hearts. 00:07:29.279 --> 00:07:35.740 And more importantly, it reveals to us the heart of Jesus, who we are going to see described as our suffering servant. 00:07:36.879 --> 00:07:44.939 In fact, this topic of suffering and slavery would have likely been very personal message to Peter, 00:07:45.299 --> 00:07:46.299 who wrote this letter. 00:07:46.300 --> 00:07:49.680 If you remember, Peter was one of Jesus' 12 disciples. 00:07:49.900 --> 00:07:52.900 He would have heard Jesus speaking on the subject of suffering, 00:07:52.900 --> 00:07:59.920 and he would have experienced and seen firsthand Jesus be arrested and beaten and crucified like a slave. 00:08:01.020 --> 00:08:06.960 And so as we dig into this passage, I really want us to focus on two main points that I think Peter emphasizes here. 00:08:06.959 --> 00:08:11.159 One is our calling, and two is our consciousness. 00:08:11.759 --> 00:08:13.919 Our calling and our consciousness. 00:08:14.819 --> 00:08:17.379 So I first want to look at our calling. 00:08:18.519 --> 00:08:22.560 Now, I think it's important to understand the audience that Peter was talking to, 00:08:22.620 --> 00:08:26.000 what society was like in this New Testament church. 00:08:26.859 --> 00:08:31.859 At that time in the Roman world, slavery would have been something that was very normal and acceptable practice. 00:08:31.860 --> 00:08:37.620 Most well-to-do Roman families would have had slaves, at least one. 00:08:38.180 --> 00:08:45.000 And it's estimated that a quarter of the Roman population would have been composed of slaves. 00:08:45.680 --> 00:08:50.980 Now, I think in our day and age, we may think of slaves as being from one single class 00:08:50.980 --> 00:08:54.180 and maybe confined to manual labor of some sort. 00:08:54.779 --> 00:08:59.259 But in this time, slavery ran across ethnic boundaries. 00:08:59.259 --> 00:09:03.840 And in fact, you could have had slaves that were quite well-educated, 00:09:03.980 --> 00:09:07.480 that would have had respectable jobs by today's standards, 00:09:07.960 --> 00:09:11.559 jobs like being a doctor or a teacher or an artist in some way. 00:09:12.120 --> 00:09:16.139 But nonetheless, these slaves were on the bottom rung of society. 00:09:16.919 --> 00:09:18.439 And abuse would have been normal. 00:09:18.559 --> 00:09:23.419 It would have been acceptable within the ethical household code of the day. 00:09:24.700 --> 00:09:26.919 And so this is a setting in which Peter's writing, 00:09:27.080 --> 00:09:28.279 which may make you think even more, 00:09:28.279 --> 00:09:30.679 Well, Peter addressed the real issue here. 00:09:30.759 --> 00:09:32.059 Don't call out the slaves. 00:09:32.600 --> 00:09:34.299 Call out the abuse of power, right? 00:09:34.379 --> 00:09:35.399 Advocate for reform. 00:09:35.919 --> 00:09:37.759 Argue for a transformed society. 00:09:38.720 --> 00:09:42.199 But that's not Peter's purpose in writing this letter. 00:09:42.240 --> 00:09:44.259 And it's not his purpose in addressing these slaves. 00:09:44.980 --> 00:09:47.179 He's not trying to transform society. 00:09:47.179 --> 00:09:50.480 It's his desire to transform the believer. 00:09:51.519 --> 00:09:53.279 And so let's look at verse 20. 00:09:53.279 --> 00:09:54.279 It says, 00:09:54.279 --> 00:09:59.000 But if you suffer for doing good and endure it, this is commendable before God. 00:09:59.699 --> 00:10:03.240 To this you are called because Christ suffered for you. 00:10:04.100 --> 00:10:06.339 And so while Peter is speaking to the culture, 00:10:06.399 --> 00:10:10.779 he's actually saying something that would be very different from the prevailing thought of the day. 00:10:10.779 --> 00:10:16.360 Philosophers in that day would have taught that everyone had their place in society. 00:10:17.159 --> 00:10:24.100 So for your benefit, your personal benefit, for the benefit of society, you need to just accept your position in life. 00:10:24.439 --> 00:10:27.480 There was no such thing as upward social mobility. 00:10:27.480 --> 00:10:31.920 So you needed to behave in a manner that was appropriate of your role. 00:10:33.220 --> 00:10:35.060 But that's really not what Peter's saying here. 00:10:35.120 --> 00:10:36.800 He's not buying into that message. 00:10:37.180 --> 00:10:41.180 He's not telling slaves to just resign themselves to the fact that they have to suffer. 00:10:41.560 --> 00:10:47.139 That because they're on the bottom rung of society, they just have to make the best with their position in life. 00:10:48.220 --> 00:10:52.740 Instead, he's not saying that it's just a matter of suffering being inevitable. 00:10:52.740 --> 00:10:58.120 He's saying that we are actually called to suffer by God. 00:10:58.940 --> 00:11:03.060 So even though he's talking to slaves here, he's talking to the most vulnerable within society, 00:11:03.060 --> 00:11:06.700 this message is actually intended for all believers. 00:11:06.899 --> 00:11:09.279 And so that's how we can see it applied to us today. 00:11:09.539 --> 00:11:18.340 When he uses that verb to call, in Greek it's kaleo, he uses it a couple other times in his letter here. 00:11:18.340 --> 00:11:23.019 And I think it's worth noting how he uses it to see how it's applied to all believers. 00:11:24.280 --> 00:11:26.600 In chapter 2, verse 9, he said this, 00:11:27.379 --> 00:11:33.680 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, 00:11:33.740 --> 00:11:40.240 that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness and into his wonderful light. 00:11:41.360 --> 00:11:45.700 Again, in chapter 3, verse 9, he uses that verb to call again. 00:11:45.700 --> 00:11:46.200 He says, 00:11:46.200 --> 00:11:50.920 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, 00:11:51.420 --> 00:11:55.820 because to this you were called so that you may inherit blessing. 00:11:57.120 --> 00:12:02.840 So Peter's saying that just as God has called us, all believers, to salvation, 00:12:03.520 --> 00:12:06.420 he's also called all of us to suffer. 00:12:07.379 --> 00:12:09.420 And notice here, this is in passive voice. 00:12:09.480 --> 00:12:11.720 This is God acting upon us. 00:12:11.800 --> 00:12:14.180 This is God calling us to this lifestyle. 00:12:14.179 --> 00:12:18.799 It is his desire, and it's by his design that we are to suffer. 00:12:20.139 --> 00:12:24.479 And so it's important to look at exactly what kind of suffering he's talking about here. 00:12:24.679 --> 00:12:28.279 He's not talking about suffering when we do something wrong or when we sin. 00:12:28.659 --> 00:12:33.219 He's talking specifically about suffering when we do what is right. 00:12:33.819 --> 00:12:36.699 It's unjust suffering for the sake of Christ, 00:12:36.879 --> 00:12:40.799 which is actually another departure from the common thinking in that day, 00:12:40.799 --> 00:12:46.199 because there really would have been no such thing as unjust suffering for a slave. 00:12:47.000 --> 00:12:51.039 Because of the fact that they are slaves, that's their place in society, 00:12:51.559 --> 00:12:54.620 common thought would have been that they deserve whatever comes to them, 00:12:54.659 --> 00:12:58.719 that their master is justified in acting however he wants toward his slave. 00:12:58.720 --> 00:13:05.920 So by Peter saying that calling slave suffering as unjust, 00:13:06.019 --> 00:13:09.180 he's actually giving worth to the slave. 00:13:09.279 --> 00:13:16.019 He's elevating them from this victim status and showing them that their true value is actually found in God. 00:13:16.740 --> 00:13:19.879 He's saying that our worth is not defined by man, 00:13:20.420 --> 00:13:24.160 but by God who sent his son to suffer for us. 00:13:24.159 --> 00:13:29.879 And if we actually go back to verse 16, which James preached on last week, 00:13:29.939 --> 00:13:34.620 we see that James says that we are to live as free men. 00:13:35.259 --> 00:13:37.719 So it's not a matter of being a slave to man. 00:13:37.819 --> 00:13:40.620 We are actually servants of God. 00:13:41.219 --> 00:13:46.719 And so as servants, we must submit to God's lordship, 00:13:47.059 --> 00:13:51.860 and we must remember that Christ has suffered for us. 00:13:51.860 --> 00:13:56.460 And so that may raise the question, well, that doesn't really make sense. 00:13:56.500 --> 00:13:59.720 If Christ has suffered for us, why do we still have to suffer? 00:14:01.100 --> 00:14:03.539 And Jesus himself really answers this question. 00:14:03.639 --> 00:14:05.259 If we were to look back in Matthew 10, 00:14:05.360 --> 00:14:08.960 he discusses this idea of suffering to his disciples, 00:14:08.960 --> 00:14:12.180 who he's about to send out with his authority. 00:14:12.680 --> 00:14:13.840 And he warns them, he says, 00:14:13.840 --> 00:14:17.220 All men will hate you because of me, 00:14:18.080 --> 00:14:21.300 because a slave is not above his master. 00:14:22.860 --> 00:14:26.800 You know, I mentioned earlier that this topic of slavery and suffering 00:14:26.800 --> 00:14:29.759 would have been a very personal message for Peter. 00:14:30.519 --> 00:14:32.740 In fact, probably more than any other disciple, 00:14:32.899 --> 00:14:34.960 he had to learn this message the hard way. 00:14:35.680 --> 00:14:38.820 If you remember when Jesus talked to his disciples 00:14:38.820 --> 00:14:40.580 about how he was going to suffer 00:14:40.580 --> 00:14:43.600 and how he was going to die at the hands of Jewish leaders, 00:14:44.139 --> 00:14:45.360 what did Peter do? 00:14:45.800 --> 00:14:47.420 He rebuked Jesus, right? 00:14:47.480 --> 00:14:47.860 He said, 00:14:47.860 --> 00:14:50.060 Never, Lord, this will never happen to you. 00:14:50.059 --> 00:14:53.819 And Jesus was very poignant in his response. 00:14:54.239 --> 00:14:54.579 He said, 00:14:54.879 --> 00:14:56.000 Get behind me, Satan. 00:14:56.159 --> 00:14:58.500 You are a stumbling block to me. 00:15:00.059 --> 00:15:03.500 If we fast forward then to when Jesus is arrested 00:15:03.500 --> 00:15:06.139 and tried to be crucified, 00:15:07.219 --> 00:15:10.279 we see that Peter is there with those others. 00:15:10.839 --> 00:15:12.199 And what does he do again? 00:15:12.879 --> 00:15:15.339 Three times he denies knowing Jesus 00:15:15.340 --> 00:15:18.700 in order that he can avoid personal suffering. 00:15:20.220 --> 00:15:22.019 And so we see now in this letter, 00:15:22.139 --> 00:15:23.320 thanks to the grace of God, 00:15:23.519 --> 00:15:26.100 it seems as though Peter now gets it, right? 00:15:26.160 --> 00:15:29.160 He understands that Jesus was called to suffer 00:15:29.160 --> 00:15:32.060 and we as servants of God 00:15:32.060 --> 00:15:35.060 are also called to suffer likewise. 00:15:35.059 --> 00:15:39.179 In our university Bible study, 00:15:39.239 --> 00:15:42.000 we've been going through the book of Colossians 00:15:42.000 --> 00:15:44.599 and we just finished up chapter one recently 00:15:44.599 --> 00:15:46.859 and we looked at this interesting phrase 00:15:46.859 --> 00:15:48.199 that Paul says there. 00:15:48.259 --> 00:15:50.459 He says he's rejoicing in his suffering 00:15:50.459 --> 00:15:54.839 and he is filling up what is lacking in Christ's affliction. 00:15:55.679 --> 00:15:56.959 It's kind of an interesting phrase. 00:15:57.159 --> 00:15:59.759 It almost makes you think like he's questioning 00:15:59.759 --> 00:16:02.379 whether Christ's suffering was sufficient for our salvation, 00:16:02.379 --> 00:16:04.539 if he has to fill up what is lacking. 00:16:04.860 --> 00:16:06.799 But he's actually saying something very different. 00:16:07.399 --> 00:16:09.320 He's saying that as servants of God, 00:16:09.439 --> 00:16:12.879 we are invited to partner in God's mission. 00:16:13.840 --> 00:16:16.340 And so since Christ has suffered 00:16:16.340 --> 00:16:19.000 and he died in order to secure salvation, 00:16:19.299 --> 00:16:24.659 we also get to suffer in order to see the spread of salvation. 00:16:26.120 --> 00:16:29.399 And so think of the impact that our unjust suffering 00:16:29.399 --> 00:16:31.559 can have on an unbelieving world around us. 00:16:31.559 --> 00:16:34.739 Think about how countercultural that is, 00:16:34.799 --> 00:16:36.819 especially when we think of the cancel culture 00:16:36.819 --> 00:16:39.119 that has inundated our society. 00:16:39.500 --> 00:16:41.279 Instead of playing the victim, 00:16:42.059 --> 00:16:45.159 we respond with joy when we're ridiculed 00:16:45.159 --> 00:16:46.299 or treated unfairly. 00:16:47.019 --> 00:16:50.059 When people see our unjust suffering, 00:16:50.639 --> 00:16:53.179 our goal should be that they see the suffering 00:16:53.179 --> 00:16:54.500 of our Savior Jesus. 00:16:54.739 --> 00:16:57.059 When they experience our love, 00:16:57.119 --> 00:17:00.819 that they are actually experiencing the love of Christ. 00:17:00.820 --> 00:17:04.519 And so this brings us to our second point. 00:17:04.640 --> 00:17:07.340 If we understand that we are called to suffer, 00:17:08.160 --> 00:17:11.860 then we also must be conscious of God in our suffering. 00:17:12.840 --> 00:17:15.320 So let's look at verse 18 and 19. 00:17:16.059 --> 00:17:16.539 It says, 00:17:16.539 --> 00:17:35.220 And so we see bookend on these two verses 00:17:35.220 --> 00:17:38.180 that Peter is addressing our mindset. 00:17:38.180 --> 00:17:40.860 He's saying how we should suffer. 00:17:40.860 --> 00:17:42.900 We submit with all respect, 00:17:42.900 --> 00:17:45.560 and we are conscious of God. 00:17:46.460 --> 00:17:49.539 And so the Greek word that's used for respect here in the NIV 00:17:49.539 --> 00:17:51.259 is the word phobos. 00:17:51.340 --> 00:17:53.360 It's actually used in the verse before, 00:17:53.640 --> 00:17:55.519 and it's translated as fear, 00:17:55.740 --> 00:17:58.960 how we should fear God and honor the King. 00:18:00.060 --> 00:18:02.320 And so if we use that fear here, 00:18:02.420 --> 00:18:04.279 who's that fear supposed to be directed at? 00:18:04.279 --> 00:18:07.379 Are we supposed to submit to man out of fear for man? 00:18:07.660 --> 00:18:10.200 Or do we submit to man out of fear for God? 00:18:10.299 --> 00:18:13.519 And I think how Peter continually uses this verb 00:18:13.519 --> 00:18:14.700 throughout his letter, 00:18:14.779 --> 00:18:17.180 it's clear he's saying to fear God. 00:18:17.440 --> 00:18:20.299 We are to fear God and not fear man. 00:18:20.920 --> 00:18:22.299 And so that's what he's saying here, 00:18:22.399 --> 00:18:25.579 that we are to submit to our masters 00:18:25.579 --> 00:18:28.160 out of fear for God. 00:18:28.160 --> 00:18:32.019 And this fear is really a reverence for God 00:18:32.019 --> 00:18:35.640 that's going to motivate us toward righteous living. 00:18:37.220 --> 00:18:39.720 And likewise, when he says being conscious of God 00:18:39.720 --> 00:18:41.779 in verse 19, he's saying this, 00:18:41.900 --> 00:18:46.000 that our attention should be habitually directed on God. 00:18:46.120 --> 00:18:49.400 We should be continually mindful of our calling 00:18:49.400 --> 00:18:52.460 and God's will in the midst of our suffering. 00:18:53.800 --> 00:18:56.100 Peter's telling us we're not supposed to focus 00:18:56.099 --> 00:18:58.859 on ourselves, which is so easy to do. 00:18:58.939 --> 00:19:01.279 In our suffering, we focus on God. 00:19:02.179 --> 00:19:04.579 And so think about how this may affect our lives, 00:19:04.659 --> 00:19:06.000 some of the difficult situations 00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:08.399 that we face day in and day out. 00:19:08.859 --> 00:19:12.079 Maybe you work in a toxic work environment. 00:19:12.199 --> 00:19:14.219 Maybe you have an overbearing boss. 00:19:15.059 --> 00:19:16.819 And it's very easy to think 00:19:16.819 --> 00:19:19.039 in those situations about yourself, right? 00:19:19.079 --> 00:19:21.259 You may be prone to self-pity. 00:19:21.980 --> 00:19:23.899 You complain about your current situation. 00:19:23.900 --> 00:19:25.780 You feel as though you deserve better 00:19:25.780 --> 00:19:26.920 because you're a professional. 00:19:27.140 --> 00:19:29.580 You deserve to be treated that way. 00:19:31.400 --> 00:19:34.320 Maybe when we are focused on self, 00:19:34.700 --> 00:19:36.240 we just want revenge. 00:19:36.880 --> 00:19:40.259 If you have a classmate or roommate 00:19:40.259 --> 00:19:42.240 who ridicules you or makes fun of you, 00:19:43.000 --> 00:19:44.519 you may just want to get even with them. 00:19:44.580 --> 00:19:45.720 You want to teach them a lesson 00:19:45.720 --> 00:19:47.580 so that they don't hurt you again. 00:19:48.840 --> 00:19:50.540 And what about this, kids, if you're listening? 00:19:50.640 --> 00:19:52.500 You've probably happened in your house often. 00:19:52.500 --> 00:19:54.500 If your house is anything like ours. 00:19:54.880 --> 00:19:57.440 When you maybe get in a fight 00:19:57.440 --> 00:19:59.140 or a disagreement with your brother and sister 00:19:59.140 --> 00:20:00.859 and your parents are trying to correct you. 00:20:01.119 --> 00:20:03.380 Maybe what's the first thing to come out of your mouth? 00:20:03.880 --> 00:20:07.799 But he started it, but she hit me first, right? 00:20:07.920 --> 00:20:10.480 We want to place the blame 00:20:10.480 --> 00:20:12.859 on someone else for our actions. 00:20:13.000 --> 00:20:14.940 We don't want to be responsible for our action 00:20:14.940 --> 00:20:16.640 because we think we are justified 00:20:16.640 --> 00:20:18.200 in feeling that way 00:20:18.200 --> 00:20:20.740 because someone else has hurt us. 00:20:20.740 --> 00:20:24.559 But all these ways that we may act 00:20:24.559 --> 00:20:29.640 are not the way that Peter calls us to act in this way. 00:20:30.440 --> 00:20:32.660 We need to stop focusing on ourselves 00:20:32.660 --> 00:20:33.920 and start focusing on God 00:20:33.920 --> 00:20:35.900 because that's what's going to change 00:20:35.900 --> 00:20:37.579 how we respond to suffering. 00:20:38.500 --> 00:20:40.000 We're not going to have self-pity. 00:20:40.420 --> 00:20:41.799 We're not going to seek revenge. 00:20:41.900 --> 00:20:44.099 We're not going to blame our actions on others. 00:20:44.299 --> 00:20:47.120 Instead, we're going to follow this specific blueprint 00:20:47.119 --> 00:20:48.579 that Peter gives us here. 00:20:49.239 --> 00:20:52.639 And the blueprint actually is Jesus himself. 00:20:53.699 --> 00:20:56.099 If we look at verse 21, it says this, 00:20:56.139 --> 00:20:57.939 Christ suffered for you, 00:20:58.399 --> 00:20:59.739 leaving you an example 00:20:59.739 --> 00:21:02.779 that you should follow in his steps. 00:21:03.559 --> 00:21:05.679 And this is really powerful imagery 00:21:05.679 --> 00:21:06.799 that Peter is using here. 00:21:06.859 --> 00:21:07.819 When he says example, 00:21:07.959 --> 00:21:10.019 this word is actually referring to 00:21:10.019 --> 00:21:12.899 how a child would basically learn 00:21:12.900 --> 00:21:14.080 to write the alphabet, 00:21:14.220 --> 00:21:15.980 how they would trace over letters 00:21:15.980 --> 00:21:17.880 as they're learning to write. 00:21:18.860 --> 00:21:20.120 And so he's saying that 00:21:20.120 --> 00:21:21.600 our following of Christ 00:21:21.600 --> 00:21:24.180 should be the closest of copies. 00:21:24.720 --> 00:21:25.680 In the same way, 00:21:25.740 --> 00:21:26.820 we need to be walking 00:21:26.820 --> 00:21:29.360 in the footsteps of Jesus. 00:21:31.019 --> 00:21:32.060 Just last weekend, 00:21:32.180 --> 00:21:33.640 our family was able to go 00:21:33.640 --> 00:21:35.019 to the Pentlands for the first time 00:21:35.019 --> 00:21:36.200 because we just got a car 00:21:36.200 --> 00:21:39.080 and could get out of the city a little bit. 00:21:39.079 --> 00:21:41.819 And a lot of those trails 00:21:41.819 --> 00:21:43.019 are very well defined 00:21:43.019 --> 00:21:44.299 from just years of use 00:21:44.299 --> 00:21:46.659 and many, many people that hike there. 00:21:47.099 --> 00:21:48.319 And this is most notable 00:21:48.319 --> 00:21:49.259 on when you go to 00:21:49.259 --> 00:21:51.679 some of the steep portions of the hill, right? 00:21:51.839 --> 00:21:53.579 You've probably seen these footprints 00:21:53.579 --> 00:21:55.980 that are just embedded into the dirt 00:21:55.980 --> 00:21:57.299 from people stepping on them 00:21:57.299 --> 00:21:58.779 over and over again. 00:21:59.179 --> 00:22:00.240 And so the easiest way 00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:01.359 to get up those steep sections 00:22:01.359 --> 00:22:03.119 is just to follow exactly 00:22:03.119 --> 00:22:04.079 in the footsteps 00:22:04.079 --> 00:22:06.859 of those who have climbed before you. 00:22:06.859 --> 00:22:09.539 And so that's what Peter is saying 00:22:09.539 --> 00:22:10.740 that we need to do here. 00:22:10.839 --> 00:22:14.039 We need to walk in Jesus's footsteps 00:22:14.039 --> 00:22:16.740 because his suffering, 00:22:16.819 --> 00:22:17.500 the suffering of Jesus 00:22:17.500 --> 00:22:19.419 is actually the paradigm 00:22:19.419 --> 00:22:21.179 by which we must live. 00:22:22.459 --> 00:22:24.659 And so if we are to be servants of God, 00:22:24.719 --> 00:22:26.000 we must not only be willing 00:22:26.000 --> 00:22:27.240 to suffer unjustly, 00:22:27.299 --> 00:22:28.359 but we need to do it 00:22:28.359 --> 00:22:29.740 in the same attitude 00:22:29.740 --> 00:22:32.119 and the same behavior as Jesus. 00:22:33.079 --> 00:22:35.359 So let's look at how Peter portrays 00:22:35.359 --> 00:22:36.299 Christ's suffering. 00:22:36.299 --> 00:22:38.359 If we read verse 22 and 23, 00:22:39.119 --> 00:22:39.559 it says, 00:22:39.700 --> 00:22:40.819 he committed no sin 00:22:40.819 --> 00:22:43.559 and no deceit was found in his mouth. 00:22:43.960 --> 00:22:45.539 When they hurled insults at him, 00:22:45.599 --> 00:22:46.680 he did not retaliate. 00:22:47.180 --> 00:22:47.899 When he suffered, 00:22:48.000 --> 00:22:48.740 he made no threats. 00:22:48.839 --> 00:22:50.419 Instead, he entrusted himself 00:22:50.419 --> 00:22:53.220 to him who judges justly. 00:22:54.180 --> 00:22:56.879 Peter here is actually referencing Isaiah 53. 00:22:57.019 --> 00:22:58.480 This is a passage that we read 00:22:58.480 --> 00:23:00.480 earlier on in the service. 00:23:01.639 --> 00:23:03.379 And this passage is known 00:23:03.379 --> 00:23:05.299 as the suffering servant passage. 00:23:05.299 --> 00:23:08.159 It's the prophecy that foretells 00:23:08.159 --> 00:23:10.279 Jesus's suffering and death. 00:23:11.599 --> 00:23:12.460 And so it's interesting, 00:23:12.619 --> 00:23:14.200 the element that Peter specifically 00:23:14.200 --> 00:23:16.940 focuses on here from Isaiah 53, 00:23:16.940 --> 00:23:18.419 it's that verbal aspect 00:23:18.419 --> 00:23:19.899 of Jesus's behavior, right? 00:23:20.460 --> 00:23:22.419 He says that there was no deceit 00:23:22.419 --> 00:23:23.759 found in his mouth. 00:23:23.819 --> 00:23:25.279 When insults were hurled at him, 00:23:25.339 --> 00:23:26.419 he did not retaliate. 00:23:26.680 --> 00:23:27.460 When he suffered, 00:23:27.740 --> 00:23:28.839 he made no threats. 00:23:28.839 --> 00:23:31.759 And I think he may highlight this 00:23:31.759 --> 00:23:34.659 because what are we most tempted to do 00:23:34.659 --> 00:23:36.359 when we're treated unfairly? 00:23:36.419 --> 00:23:38.019 What's our easiest way to respond? 00:23:39.000 --> 00:23:40.339 It's with our words, right? 00:23:40.980 --> 00:23:41.740 We threaten, 00:23:42.079 --> 00:23:42.939 we criticize, 00:23:43.339 --> 00:23:43.939 we complain, 00:23:44.059 --> 00:23:45.500 we talk behind other people's back. 00:23:45.559 --> 00:23:47.480 That's the easiest thing for us to do. 00:23:47.539 --> 00:23:48.439 That comes naturally. 00:23:48.440 --> 00:23:51.279 But as Jesus demonstrated here, 00:23:51.380 --> 00:23:53.080 if we are to suffer well, 00:23:53.480 --> 00:23:55.700 we must keep our mouth shut. 00:23:56.940 --> 00:23:57.420 And instead, 00:23:57.779 --> 00:23:59.820 we entrust ourselves to God, 00:24:00.059 --> 00:24:02.580 the one who judges justly. 00:24:03.299 --> 00:24:04.120 So what does that mean 00:24:04.120 --> 00:24:05.660 to entrust ourselves? 00:24:06.880 --> 00:24:08.500 Our youngest daughter, Francie, 00:24:08.580 --> 00:24:09.860 who's just turned four, 00:24:09.960 --> 00:24:12.400 she's wanted to ride her bike 00:24:12.400 --> 00:24:13.680 like her big brother and sister 00:24:13.680 --> 00:24:14.900 without her training wheels. 00:24:15.680 --> 00:24:16.860 And so she's asked me 00:24:16.860 --> 00:24:17.440 to take them off. 00:24:17.440 --> 00:24:18.320 I think you refer to them 00:24:18.320 --> 00:24:19.299 as stabilizers. 00:24:19.440 --> 00:24:21.080 That sounds much more official 00:24:21.080 --> 00:24:21.620 or proper. 00:24:21.820 --> 00:24:23.120 She has her stabilizers 00:24:23.120 --> 00:24:24.720 that she wants off of her bike, right? 00:24:25.360 --> 00:24:27.220 And as we've been practicing 00:24:27.220 --> 00:24:29.059 going up and down the street 00:24:29.059 --> 00:24:30.420 without her stabilizers on, 00:24:30.480 --> 00:24:31.740 I've been running behind her, 00:24:31.820 --> 00:24:32.500 holding her bike. 00:24:32.640 --> 00:24:34.140 And the thing that she always repeats 00:24:34.140 --> 00:24:34.840 over and over again, 00:24:34.940 --> 00:24:35.880 daddy, don't let go. 00:24:36.080 --> 00:24:37.000 Don't let go, daddy. 00:24:38.080 --> 00:24:39.660 And my response is the same. 00:24:40.120 --> 00:24:40.759 Trust me. 00:24:41.019 --> 00:24:41.420 Trust me. 00:24:41.460 --> 00:24:41.940 I got you. 00:24:42.000 --> 00:24:43.160 It's okay if you wobble. 00:24:43.519 --> 00:24:44.820 Nothing's going to happen to you. 00:24:45.759 --> 00:24:47.240 And so I think sometimes 00:24:47.240 --> 00:24:47.859 in our suffering, 00:24:47.960 --> 00:24:49.099 we have that same fear 00:24:49.099 --> 00:24:50.000 that Francie may have 00:24:50.000 --> 00:24:51.079 that I let go of her. 00:24:51.299 --> 00:24:52.200 We think that God 00:24:52.200 --> 00:24:53.400 has let go of us, 00:24:53.460 --> 00:24:55.160 that God has abandoned us 00:24:55.160 --> 00:24:56.519 or that he's not in control. 00:24:58.019 --> 00:24:59.799 But yet when we look to Jesus, 00:25:00.839 --> 00:25:02.519 someone who suffered far more 00:25:02.519 --> 00:25:03.720 than we ever will, 00:25:04.620 --> 00:25:06.880 we see that he fully trusted 00:25:06.880 --> 00:25:08.059 his father. 00:25:08.799 --> 00:25:09.980 Because Jesus recognized 00:25:09.980 --> 00:25:10.920 that his suffering 00:25:10.920 --> 00:25:13.440 was God's way of accomplishing 00:25:13.440 --> 00:25:15.220 the redemption of man. 00:25:17.019 --> 00:25:17.700 And so likewise, 00:25:17.840 --> 00:25:18.560 when we suffer, 00:25:18.680 --> 00:25:19.620 we can be confident 00:25:19.620 --> 00:25:21.300 that God is in control, 00:25:21.400 --> 00:25:22.900 that he is using our suffering 00:25:22.900 --> 00:25:24.680 to accomplish his purposes 00:25:24.680 --> 00:25:27.160 in us and through us. 00:25:29.360 --> 00:25:30.900 And I think this is important here. 00:25:30.960 --> 00:25:33.039 When we think about emulating Jesus, 00:25:33.160 --> 00:25:34.740 it's not only seeing him 00:25:34.740 --> 00:25:36.360 as our example, 00:25:36.359 --> 00:25:39.079 but we need to recognize Jesus 00:25:39.079 --> 00:25:41.919 as our true Savior. 00:25:43.279 --> 00:25:44.939 In verse 24, it says this, 00:25:45.859 --> 00:25:47.699 he himself bore our sins 00:25:47.699 --> 00:25:49.359 in his body on the tree 00:25:49.359 --> 00:25:51.659 so that we may die to sins 00:25:51.659 --> 00:25:54.099 and live for righteousness. 00:25:55.699 --> 00:25:56.659 On the cross, 00:25:56.759 --> 00:25:57.979 Christ accomplished 00:25:57.979 --> 00:25:59.479 what we could not. 00:25:59.719 --> 00:26:00.679 No matter how much 00:26:00.679 --> 00:26:01.879 we may be willing to suffer, 00:26:01.959 --> 00:26:03.299 no matter how many good things 00:26:03.299 --> 00:26:04.119 we think we do, 00:26:04.200 --> 00:26:05.480 we can't save ourselves. 00:26:06.399 --> 00:26:07.220 It's only through 00:26:07.220 --> 00:26:09.099 the suffering of Jesus 00:26:09.099 --> 00:26:11.579 that our salvation is secure. 00:26:12.460 --> 00:26:13.359 It's only through Jesus 00:26:13.359 --> 00:26:15.559 who bore the punishment of man 00:26:15.559 --> 00:26:16.779 by hanging on that tree 00:26:16.779 --> 00:26:18.440 and bore the punishment of God 00:26:18.440 --> 00:26:20.159 by bearing our sins. 00:26:20.460 --> 00:26:21.700 It's only through him 00:26:21.700 --> 00:26:23.079 that we can be saved. 00:26:23.159 --> 00:26:24.839 It says by his wounds, 00:26:25.039 --> 00:26:26.180 we are healed. 00:26:27.759 --> 00:26:29.339 And so how are we to respond here? 00:26:30.279 --> 00:26:31.039 Peter makes it clear. 00:26:31.139 --> 00:26:31.460 He says, 00:26:31.460 --> 00:26:34.160 since Christ died for our sins, 00:26:34.860 --> 00:26:36.980 we must die to our sins 00:26:36.980 --> 00:26:38.660 and live for righteousness. 00:26:39.799 --> 00:26:40.860 We need to recognize 00:26:40.860 --> 00:26:42.340 that we're no longer slaves 00:26:42.340 --> 00:26:43.340 to our sin, 00:26:43.400 --> 00:26:44.880 that we no longer have to have 00:26:44.880 --> 00:26:46.420 this victim mentality. 00:26:46.740 --> 00:26:48.120 We no longer have to judge 00:26:48.120 --> 00:26:49.940 others who hurt us. 00:26:50.720 --> 00:26:51.940 As servants of God, 00:26:52.019 --> 00:26:54.220 we are set free from accusation. 00:26:54.360 --> 00:26:55.720 We are presented as holy 00:26:55.720 --> 00:26:57.500 and pure before the Father. 00:26:58.279 --> 00:26:59.940 And now we are empowered 00:26:59.940 --> 00:27:01.580 by the Father through the Spirit 00:27:01.580 --> 00:27:03.620 to pursue righteousness. 00:27:05.420 --> 00:27:06.700 And so when we face suffering 00:27:06.700 --> 00:27:07.700 for doing what is right, 00:27:07.799 --> 00:27:09.279 let's take heart 00:27:09.279 --> 00:27:10.940 in knowing that it is 00:27:10.940 --> 00:27:12.860 our calling from God. 00:27:13.980 --> 00:27:14.840 And as we suffer, 00:27:14.960 --> 00:27:16.660 let us be conscious of God, 00:27:17.019 --> 00:27:18.080 following in the footsteps 00:27:18.080 --> 00:27:18.920 of Jesus, 00:27:19.720 --> 00:27:20.840 our suffering servant. 00:27:20.839 --> 00:27:23.740 This passage concludes 00:27:23.740 --> 00:27:24.599 in verse 25 00:27:24.599 --> 00:27:25.639 with saying, 00:27:25.740 --> 00:27:26.839 for you were like sheep 00:27:26.839 --> 00:27:27.500 going astray, 00:27:27.599 --> 00:27:28.859 but now you have returned 00:27:28.859 --> 00:27:29.899 to the shepherd 00:27:29.899 --> 00:27:31.659 and overseer of your souls. 00:27:33.259 --> 00:27:34.339 And so believers, 00:27:34.500 --> 00:27:35.879 rather than focusing on 00:27:35.879 --> 00:27:37.539 how we can change 00:27:37.539 --> 00:27:38.659 our circumstances 00:27:38.659 --> 00:27:39.839 to avoid suffering, 00:27:40.240 --> 00:27:42.099 let's focus instead 00:27:42.099 --> 00:27:44.339 on how God has changed us. 00:27:45.059 --> 00:27:46.799 How he is our good shepherd, 00:27:46.799 --> 00:27:48.259 how he has called 00:27:48.259 --> 00:27:49.660 his sheep together, 00:27:50.079 --> 00:27:51.619 how he protects his flock, 00:27:51.720 --> 00:27:52.779 how he provides for them, 00:27:53.059 --> 00:27:54.279 how he laid down 00:27:54.279 --> 00:27:55.900 his life for us. 00:27:58.480 --> 00:27:59.759 If you're an unbeliever, 00:28:00.480 --> 00:28:01.579 maybe this passage 00:28:01.579 --> 00:28:02.400 really scares you. 00:28:03.400 --> 00:28:04.440 Maybe you think that 00:28:04.440 --> 00:28:06.059 you've already experienced 00:28:06.059 --> 00:28:07.059 enough suffering in your life 00:28:07.059 --> 00:28:07.619 and you don't need 00:28:07.619 --> 00:28:08.839 anything else piled on. 00:28:10.539 --> 00:28:11.779 If that's your thought, 00:28:12.660 --> 00:28:14.379 know that there is 00:28:14.379 --> 00:28:16.160 more suffering to come 00:28:16.160 --> 00:28:17.799 for those who are not in Christ. 00:28:18.700 --> 00:28:20.559 God says that he will come again 00:28:20.559 --> 00:28:22.720 to judge the living 00:28:22.720 --> 00:28:23.359 and the dead 00:28:23.359 --> 00:28:25.279 and that the penalty 00:28:25.279 --> 00:28:27.440 for our sin is death. 00:28:29.099 --> 00:28:31.099 It's said back in Isaiah 53 00:28:31.099 --> 00:28:32.400 that all we like sheep 00:28:32.400 --> 00:28:33.079 have gone astray. 00:28:33.180 --> 00:28:35.259 We have turned to our own ways, 00:28:35.379 --> 00:28:37.420 but the Lord laid on him 00:28:37.420 --> 00:28:39.420 the iniquity of us all. 00:28:40.980 --> 00:28:42.859 We can have hope in knowing 00:28:42.859 --> 00:28:45.019 that we can avoid punishment 00:28:45.019 --> 00:28:46.819 because of the sacrifice 00:28:46.819 --> 00:28:48.639 of our Savior Jesus. 00:28:49.799 --> 00:28:52.019 And so know that Christ 00:28:52.019 --> 00:28:53.660 has died for you. 00:28:53.779 --> 00:28:55.039 He has empowered us 00:28:55.039 --> 00:28:57.379 to live this life of suffering, 00:28:57.619 --> 00:28:59.900 to be able to pursue righteousness, 00:29:00.480 --> 00:29:02.819 and be able to glorify God 00:29:02.819 --> 00:29:03.980 in the process. 00:29:03.980 --> 00:29:07.640 So I pray that that will be 00:29:07.640 --> 00:29:08.779 your thought today 00:29:08.779 --> 00:29:10.000 and encouragement to you 00:29:10.000 --> 00:29:11.660 that when we go through suffering, 00:29:11.799 --> 00:29:13.440 we can know that Christ 00:29:13.440 --> 00:29:15.019 has suffered for us. 00:29:15.079 --> 00:29:17.220 He has accepted the ultimate penalty 00:29:17.220 --> 00:29:18.279 for our sins, 00:29:18.279 --> 00:29:19.860 and now we are empowered 00:29:19.860 --> 00:29:20.880 through his Spirit 00:29:20.880 --> 00:29:22.500 to live righteously. 00:29:23.500 --> 00:29:23.819 Amen. 00:29:23.819 --> 00:29:23.960 Amen.