Pastor’s Notes
This week, Peter’s progression in his letter continues as he points the early church towards the light that is shined on them during these times of difficultly. Peter educates the early reader as well as you and I today that during times of struggle, all eyes are on the church. How will Christians respond to hardships? How will the church respond to struggles? How will the faithful respond during a time when faith is hard to come by? All eyes are on the church.
Peter’s first and primary point is to educate his brothers and sisters in the powerful example that is set when a believer shows godly submission to authority during times of struggle. Peter tells us to, “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake.” Peter speaks to us about being submissive towards our government, employers, and leaders within the home. Not only does Peter call the early believers toward the difficult task of submission, but also to be submissive to both good and bad versions of authority.
Peter’s word to us this week is just another wonderful example of God’s love for you and I today in the midst of our current challenges. In today’s climate and with everything that we are going through, submission is not a characteristic that many desire to show and are easily faithful in. In a time when the president speaks on a daily basis about the stability in our country and our day to day operations change every 24 hours, submission is not seen in many. Anger, arrogance, and a desire for authority is more the norm. Peter uses this reality to educate us that submission, not comprise, but peaceful adherence is a loud voice of holiness.
Through Peter’s words, we can see a much wiser man than where we left him in Matthew. Near the end of Matthew, we see Peter pull out a sword to fight away those who accused Jesus. He thought this was the hour for action! But now, decades later, as an older and wiser man, Peter says to the early church and us today, “I have put away that sword.” For Peter, preaching the truth of the Gospel and living a life of honor and peace was the strongest sense of action. Peter has learned from his childish youth. He is now free to submit.
“Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.”
1 Peter 2:16-17
Scripture to go along with the message
Continue reading the story of Joseph highlighted last week in the devotion in Genesis.
Highlight in your Bibles
Highlight verses 2:21 & 3:15 as we will be speaking on these two verses at length during our Sunday morning service.
Questions to consider
1.) When Peter gives examples of being submissive, he gives three main examples (government, workforce, and home). Which of the three is the hardest for you to be submissive in and which is the easiest? Also, why did you answer the way you did?
2.) What examples in today’s world calls us to be submissive, but we also have to balance not compromising our beliefs? How do you go about doing both?
3.) In today’s current struggles, how can your submission be a light on the goodness of God?
