Faith in the Crosshairs 1 Peter Serve, Pt. 2 (1 Peter 2:18-25)

Review Because of Faith:Because of Faith: − Lost work, family, homes Diaspora- living in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and BithyniaDiaspora- living in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia − Outpost cities in modern-day Turkey

Review Point: "Live out the faith in the midst of suffering"

Review How I speak of and treat people, esp. other believers, is a primary evidence of my walk with God

Review Submission to human authority for the Lord's sake… − Usurp − Rebel − Deny − Submit to Christ

Context: Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution… Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

Slavery: − Slaves − Freemen − Freedmen

Slavery: Roman Empire- Est Million Slaves − War − Debt − Birth − Selling by parents or self

Slavery: − Desirable position by those in need − The work of Rome was done by slaves − Doctors, Gardeners, Housekeepers, Business Managers, Shopkeepers − Often treated much better than most lower-class Romans

Slavery: − Saturnalia Festival- Celebration in which Masters and Slaves switched places in appreciation of the Slaves

Slavery: Yet, no status as anything other than propertyYet, no status as anything other than property No legal rights to marryNo legal rights to marry Could be abusedCould be abused Some were sold into prostitutionSome were sold into prostitution

Slavery: Why didn't Paul condemn slavery and call for the slaves to rise up and rebel?

− Bloodshed and meaningless death − Stain on Christianity/changed the Mission − Some Romans liked and needed it − Christian teaching would overthrow slavery eventually

Slavery: Slavery was part of the downfall of the Roman empire − Economics − Soldiers

1 Peter

Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. Hypotasso- to subordinate oneself, to obey, to submit to

For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.

For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. Credit= kleos- glory, fame in memory of others…

When faced with hardship: Endure without sinningEndure without sinning − Retribution − Bitter Heart − Lying − Threats

When faced with hardship: Endure without sinningEndure without sinning − …if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God Karis= grace, joyous, thankfulKaris= grace, joyous, thankful

Enduring hardship well is part of the evidence of a changed life that has the potential to change other lives for Christ

When faced with hardship: − Just- I deserved it − Unjust- I'm innocent and being treated unfairly Important: Don't want to be so focused on the hardship that I miss the opportunity for growth and witness

Just Hardship and Blame-Shifting: Job: Blame or simply consequences? Relationship: Maybe it's not them- it's me!

Just Hardship and Blame-Shifting: Money: Is it really just bad luck? Really??? Health: Yeah, that extra couple of helpings of dessert every day had NOTHING to do with it!

If I get so focused on shifting blame and feeling sorry for myself for being treated so unfairly, I miss the opportunity for growth

Those opportunities are God's way of redeeming hard circumstances- so I don't keep making the same mistakes

An examined life is a wise and mature life

Just Hardship: Opportunity to learn and grow Unjust treatment…

Unjust treatment: Opportunity to show what Jesus looks like when Jesus is treated unfairly − Karis= grace, joyous (at opportunity), thankful (for chance to identify with Jesus)

Regardless of the reasons, my responsibility to Jesus is to return blessing for cursing And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." And when he had said this, he fell asleep - Acts 7:59-60

Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said- Acts 14:21-22

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. 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. Example= hypogrammos- to trace an outline as a way to learn how to write

Christ is our Savior first, then our example

…when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name- Acts 5:40-41 Grace, Glory= Privilege

…Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.

Example: − No threats of revenge − No lying to get out of it − No returning insult for insult (reviling) − Complete trust in the Father to administer justice

How would God administer justice for what they did to Christ?

How does God administer justice for what we do to Christ?

Rather than cry for justice, pray for grace!

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. If I return evil for evil- even if I just seek to get even- I nullify Christ's suffering

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. Healed= made whole

We strayed from God by our actions. He brought us back to himself by the bloody death of his son at our hands

Shepherd- keeps watch Overseer- administers justice The justice is satisfied by the cross of Christ We, who have been forgiven by Jesus, have no right to hold anything against anyone

Submit…even when the authority is unfair

Because of Jesus, hardship is always opportunity Don't love the hardshipDon't love the hardship But rejoice at the opportunity to serve Jesus wellBut rejoice at the opportunity to serve Jesus well − Redemption and growth − Witness and glory to God