Bible Study - Resilient Faith (3) - Enduring Faith - 1 Peter 2:13-23 - July 27, 2014

Bible Study – Resilient Faith (3) – Enduring Faith – July 27, 2014

This is lesson three (3) in our series entitled “Resilient Faith: Standing Strong in the Midst of Suffering.”

Our focus scripture is 1 Peter 2:13-23.

Trust GOD in every circumstance. GOD honors faith and faith honors GOD.

Hebrews 11:6

6 Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him.

Knowing GOD and that HE exist is the foundation upon which Christians build faith. JESUS came from heaven to earth to live in the flesh, fully human: 100% human and 100% GOD. HE was born a human and lived a sinless life upon earth and died as a human but resurrected divine.

GOD performed numerous miracles through JESUS to confirm that HE is Who HE and GOD’S Word said HE is, GOD’S only Son. JESUS gave HIS physical life upon the cross. HE died and was buried. HE was physically dead. GOD raised HIM from the physically dead to prove that he had paid, in full, the penalty for sin and to demonstrate HIS power over physical death. GOD has the power over physical death and the power to resurrect the physically dead at the second coming of CHRIST. Christians who have been born-again through the miracle of rebirth through faith in CHRIST and physically died have gone to Heaven. They will follow CHRIST from Heaven and receive their new Glorified bodies at the rapture of the Spiritual church. The Apostle Paul wrote about this in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18:

13 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, concerning those who are • asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. 14 Since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus. 15 For we say this to you by a revelation from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly have no advantage over those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

This is GOD’S redemptive plan and the new covenant HE has made with all who place their faith in JESUS and trust HIM.

Let’s read 1 Peter 2:13-17:

13 Submit to every human authority because of the Lord, whether to the Emperor as the supreme authority 14 or to governors as those sent out by him to punish those who do what is evil and to praise those who do what is good. 15 For it is God’s will that you silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good. 16 As God’s • slaves, live as free people, but don’t use your freedom as a way to conceal evil. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the Emperor.

Peter was addressing born-again Christians who were or would be facing human authorities in their lives.  Because Christians represent GOD to the world, they are to submit to human authority, because their ultimate authority is GOD and HE is in control. Christians need to be model citizens and not to be lightening rods to attract the wrath of the human authorities. Christians are to be model citizens so they can obediently spread the gospel of CHRIST freely as led by the Holy Spirit. Christians are to be active in government by running for office and most of all by voting.

GOD’S desire is for Christians to carry out the great commission of spreading the Gospel of CHRIST. Christianity was being established in the world. Today, Christians are still establishing Christianity in the world but they are also having to take a stand were Christianity has already been established, America.

The Bible gives Christians guidance when it comes to government in their lives as found in:

Acts 4:13-22: (GOD’S power had been manifested through the Apostles Peter and John by healing the man who had been lame since birth and was begging at the temple gate. They stood before the Sanhedrin.)

13 When they observed the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed and recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 And since they saw the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in response. 15 After they had ordered them to leave the • Sanhedrin, they conferred among themselves, 16 saying, “What should we do with these men? For an obvious sign, evident to all who live in Jerusalem, has been done through them, and we cannot deny it! 17 However, so this does not spread any further among the people, let’s threaten them against speaking to anyone in this name again.” 18 So they called for them and ordered them not to preach or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it’s right in the sight of God for us to listen to you rather than to God, you decide; 20 for we are unable to stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” 21 After threatening them further, they released them. They found no way to punish them, because the people were all giving glory to God over what had been done; 22 for this sign of healing had been performed on a man over 40 years old.

Acts 5:12-32 (Peter and John were arrested again and put into jail.)

12 Many signs and wonders were being done among the people through the hands of the apostles. By common consent they would all meet in Solomon’s Colonnade. 13 None of the rest dared to join them, but the people praised them highly. 14 Believers were added to the Lord in increasing numbers —crowds of both men and women. 15 As a result, they would carry the sick out into the streets and lay them on cots and mats so that when Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on some of them. 16 In addition, a large group came together from the towns surrounding Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by • unclean spirits, and they were all healed. In and Out of Prison 17 Then the high priest took action. He and all his colleagues, those who belonged to the party of the • Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. 18 So they arrested the apostles and put them in the city jail. 19 But an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail during the night, brought them out, and said, 20 “Go and stand in the •temple complex, and tell the people all about this life.” 21 In obedience to this, they entered the temple complex at daybreak and began to teach. The Apostles on Trial Again When the high priest and those who were with him arrived, they convened the • Sanhedrin —the full Senate of the sons of Israel —and sent orders to the jail to have them brought. 22 But when the temple police got there, they did not find them in the jail, so they returned and reported, 23 “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing in front of the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside!” 24 As the commander of the temple police and the •chief priests heard these things, they were baffled about them, as to what could come of this. 25 Someone came and reported to them, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple complex and teaching the people.” 26 Then the commander went with the temple police and brought them in without force, because they were afraid the people might stone them. 27 After they brought them in, they had them stand before the Sanhedrin, and the high priest asked, 28 “Didn’t we strictly order you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to bring this man’s blood on us!” 29 But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had murdered by hanging Him on a tree. 31 God exalted this man to His right hand as ruler and Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

When government clashes with the will and purpose of GOD, Christians are to obey GOD.

The idea is that Christians are to trust GOD completely and trust HIM to guide them through life’s circumstances to glorify HIM. They are to trust HIM with their lives in a hostile environment.

Bible scholars believe that Peter wrote First Peter before physical hostility had escalated toward Christians. Christians were to practice what JESUS spoke about in Matthew 5:41:

41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two.   

As written in verses 15 and 16:

15 For it is God’s will that you silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good. 16 As God’s • slaves, live as free people, but don’t use your freedom as a way to conceal evil.

Peter emphasized that Christians are have a new Master, GOD. GOD being their Master means they are to conduct their lives in accordance to their freedom in CHRIST by modeling their lives after CHRIST.

Christians have been forgiven from past, present and future sins but they are not to use their freedom as an opportunity to purposely sin. They are still accountable and responsible to GOD. Christians represent CHRIST and GOD to others as they live their lives upon earth through their relationship with CHRIST.

Peter gave Christians four commands in verse 17:

17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the Emperor.

The sentence structure is such that these are ongoing commands meaning to keep on honoring, loving, fearing and showing respect for judicial human authority.  Christians are to do what is good and uphold the laws of the government as long as these laws do not conflict with GOD’S laws and commands.

Let’s read 1 Peter 2:18-20:

Submission of Slaves to Masters

18 Household slaves, submit with all fear to your masters, not only to the good and gentle but also to the cruel. 19 For it brings favor if, mindful of God’s will, someone endures grief from suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is there if you sin and are punished, and you endure it? But when you do what is good and suffer, if you endure it, this brings favor with God.

Peter addressed household slaves who had become Christians. Household slaves were in a slightly different slave category.

It is estimated that approximately one third of the Roman populations were slaves. Household slaves often resided in the house of their masters. Some of these household slaves were tutors, teachers, craftsmen or artisans. They did not have legal standing in society. Some were beaten and treated poorly. Others were treated as members of their master’s household. They were subject to and obligated to their masters even though they were Christians. Slaves were looked upon as tools or objects, rather than humans.  

Some household slaves became Christians, which meant that CHRIST was their Master. How did their new relationship with CHRIST affect their relationship with their earthly masters? They were still household slaves and they were to work for their earthly masters as unto the LORD whether they were good or bad. Their new lives in CHRIST were to be a witness to their masters, even if their masters were cruel. JESUS taught HIS followers to love those who revile you and persecute you. Matthew 5:10-12: (JESUS’ was teaching.)

10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Suffering often reveals the heart and character of a person. Today, in most places of the world, we do not have slaves and masters but we do have a similar relationship between the employee and the employer, husband and wife, parent and child or children. Employees have bosses and these bosses can be harsh or fair. Husbands or parents are the heads of their household but they can be cruel or good and gentle. Those with authority over others are to be firm but fair. Christians are to work and function as if they were working or functioning for GOD.

Peter gives us some insight into GOD’S reasoning in our next scripture.

Let’s read 1 Peter 2:21-23:

21 For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in His steps. 22 He did not commit sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth; 23 when He was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He was suffering, He did not threaten but entrusted Himself to the One who judges justly.

Christians should not be surprised when they suffer. Peter wrote that Christians are called to suffer because CHRIST suffered for them. When a person becomes a Christian he or she becomes an enemy of Satan and the world. Christians are in the middle of the battlefield every day – work, home, church, socializing and the list goes on. Christians must keep in mind that GOD, their Master, is greater than the evil which is in the world as stated in 1 John 4:4:

4 You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the One (JESUS) who is in you is greater than the one (Satan) who is in the world.

When Christians feel the attack of Satan, as they encounter the circumstances of life, they have the assurance that JESUS Who is in them is greater that Satan and his demons. When Christians sense they are under spiritual warfare they are to claim the blood of CHRIST, resist evil and claim the victory because they belong to GOD. Walk in the victory which has been already won and claim it because you are GOD’S Son or Daughter living in an evil world.  

The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 8:14-17:

14 All those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “• Abba, Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, 17 and if children, also heirs —heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—seeing that we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

No one likes to think about suffering: I know, I don’t and certainly not suffering for being a Christian. Living in America suffering for being a Christian or any religion was not something I considered until the last few years. But our world and America is changing fast. The Bible makes it clear that Christians will suffer. JESUS suffered.

JESUS was sinless, yet GOD made HIM to be sin for us. HE suffered for all who will place their faith in HIM to fulfill the redemptive plan of GOD. JESUS had to fully trust GOD with HIS earthly life which transcended into HIS Glorified life by GOD as revealed by HIS bodily resurrection.

Christians are to be completely obedient to GOD. GOD may deliver them or use their obedience to fulfill HIS plan to reach others through the faithful witness of their lives. GOD knows what HE has prepared for those who love HIM. When compared to what awaits HIS children in eternity and heaven, the temporary sufferings of this world pale in comparison! When we glorify GOD in our suffering it speaks loudly to others and is a powerful witness.

Consider the witness of the Sudanese lady just released from jail. She was facing being beaten and death if she did not denounce her faith in CHRIST and become Muslim.

2 Corinthians 5:21:

21 He (GOD) made the One (JESUS) who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Hebrews 4:14-16:

14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens —Jesus the Son of God—let us hold fast to the confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tested in every way as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time.

Only through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit can Christians stand strong in midst of suffering. Blessings!!!