Pilgrims and Sojourners 1 Peter 2:11-25

Peter’s Amazing Development Chapter 1: Spiritual Birth! Chapter 1: Spiritual Birth! Relationship With God: the Living Hope Relationship With God: the Living Hope Chapter 2a: the Ancient Plan of God. Chapter 2a: the Ancient Plan of God. Relationships Between Christians: the Living Stones of God’s Dwelling. Relationships Between Christians: the Living Stones of God’s Dwelling. Chapter 2b: Action! Chapter 2b: Action! Relationship to the World Around Us A royal priesthood Relationship to the World Around Us A royal priesthood

Relationship to the World System God’s Will for Christians: God’s Will for Christians: 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light… for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY. 1 Peter 2:10

Relationship to the World System God’s Will for Christians: God’s Will for Christians: 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.. And This is How We “Proclaim…” And This is How We “Proclaim…” Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. 1 Peter 2:11

“Aliens and Strangers” The Kingdom of God: Renouncing the Kosmos The Kingdom of God: Renouncing the Kosmos Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.1 John 2:15

“Aliens and Strangers” The Kingdom of God: Renouncing the Kosmos The Kingdom of God: Renouncing the Kosmos The System of a Monstrous Mind at Work The System of a Monstrous Mind at Work “Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.” John 12:31

“Aliens and Strangers” The Kingdom of God: Renouncing the Kosmos The Kingdom of God: Renouncing the Kosmos The System of a Monstrous Mind at Work The System of a Monstrous Mind at Work It’s a Deceptive Counterfeit It’s a Deceptive Counterfeit A System of Slavery A System of Slavery Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe… 2 Corinthians 4:4...through death Christ might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. Hebrews 2:14-15

“Aliens and Strangers” The Kingdom of God: Renouncing the Kosmos The Kingdom of God: Renouncing the Kosmos Which Makes Us Radically Different Foreigners. Which Makes Us Radically Different Foreigners. With a different substance – a “living hope.” With a different substance – a “living hope.” Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. 1 Peter 2:11

“Aliens and Strangers” The Kingdom of God: Renouncing the Kosmos The Kingdom of God: Renouncing the Kosmos Radically Different Foreigners. Radically Different Foreigners. With a different substance – a “living hope.” With a different substance – a “living hope.” Bored with Tools of Despair – “fleshy lusts” Bored with Tools of Despair – “fleshy lusts” Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. 1 Peter 2:11

“Aliens and Strangers” The Kingdom of God: Renouncing the Kosmos The Kingdom of God: Renouncing the Kosmos Radically Different Foreigners. Radically Different Foreigners. Yet God Sends Us Inside… Yet God Sends Us Inside… “So they may glorify God” “So they may glorify God” Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation. 1 Peter 2:12

"But no one can enter the strong man's house and plunder his property unless he first binds the strong man, and then he will plunder his house.” Mark 3:27 “Aliens and Strangers” The Kingdom of God: Renouncing the Kosmos The Kingdom of God: Renouncing the Kosmos Radically Different Foreigners. Radically Different Foreigners. Yet God Sends Us Inside… Yet God Sends Us Inside… A Sojourn of Plunder! A Sojourn of Plunder! “ To proclaim release to the captives…” (Lk. 4:18) “ To proclaim release to the captives…” (Lk. 4:18) Therefore it says, ‘...he led captive a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.’” Ephesians 4:7-8

“Aliens and Strangers” The Kingdom of God: Renouncing the Kosmos The Kingdom of God: Renouncing the Kosmos Which Makes Us Radically Different Foreigners. Which Makes Us Radically Different Foreigners. Yet God Sends Us Inside… Yet God Sends Us Inside… A Sojourn of Incursion! A Sojourn of Incursion! “ To proclaim release to the captives…” (Lk. 4:18) “ To proclaim release to the captives…” (Lk. 4:18) Sherman’s “March to the Sea” Sherman’s “March to the Sea” “To proclaim release to the captives…” (Lk. 4:18)

“Aliens and Strangers” The Kingdom of God: Renouncing the Kosmos The Kingdom of God: Renouncing the Kosmos Radically Different Foreigners. Radically Different Foreigners. Yet God Sends Us Inside… Yet God Sends Us Inside… A Sojourn of Plunder! A Sojourn of Plunder! “ To proclaim release to the captives…” (Lk. 4:18) “ To proclaim release to the captives…” (Lk. 4:18) Slash & Burn! We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God… 2 Corinthians 10:5

“Aliens and Strangers” The Kingdom of God: Renouncing the Kosmos The Kingdom of God: Renouncing the Kosmos Radically Different Foreigners. Radically Different Foreigners. Yet God Sends Us Inside… Yet God Sends Us Inside… A Sojourn of Plunder! A Sojourn of Plunder! A Contrast to the Self-Ism of the Kosmos A Contrast to the Self-Ism of the Kosmos …because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Wisdom for “Aliens and Strangers” Don’t Be Naïve: Backlash Occurs! Don’t Be Naïve: Backlash Occurs! v.12 …so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers…

Wisdom for “Aliens and Strangers” Don’t Be Naïve: Backlash Occurs! Don’t Be Naïve: Backlash Occurs! Victims are not the Enemy. Victims are not the Enemy. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12

Wisdom for “Aliens and Strangers” Don’t Be Naïve: Backlash Occurs! Don’t Be Naïve: Backlash Occurs! Victims are not the Enemy. Victims are not the Enemy. Pick Your Fights Strategically! Pick Your Fights Strategically! Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. 1 Peter 2:13-14

Wisdom for “Aliens and Strangers” Don’t Be Naïve: Backlash Occurs! Don’t Be Naïve: Backlash Occurs! Victims are not the Enemy. Victims are not the Enemy. Pick Your Fights Strategically! Pick Your Fights Strategically! You Are Being Watched Closely You Are Being Watched Closely “Scoffers delight themselves in scoffing…” Prov.1:22 “Scoffers delight themselves in scoffing…” Prov.1:22 For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. 1 Peter 2:13-15

Wisdom for “Aliens and Strangers” Don’t Be Naïve: Backlash Occurs! Don’t Be Naïve: Backlash Occurs! Victims are not the Enemy. Victims are not the Enemy. Pick Your Fights Strategically! Pick Your Fights Strategically! You Are Being Watched Closely You Are Being Watched Closely The Compromised: what Fatal Confusion! The Compromised: what Fatal Confusion! “You shall be different, for I am different.“ 1 Peter 1:16 “You shall be different, for I am different.“ 1 Peter 1:16 Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. 1 Peter 2:16

Wisdom for “Aliens and Strangers” Don’t Be Naïve: Backlash Occurs! Don’t Be Naïve: Backlash Occurs! Victims are not the Enemy. Victims are not the Enemy. Pick Your Fights Strategically! Pick Your Fights Strategically! You Are Being Watched Closely You Are Being Watched Closely The Compromised: what Fatal Confusion! The Compromised: what Fatal Confusion! Conquest through Character Conquest through Character Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king. 1 Peter 2:17

Wisdom for “Aliens and Strangers” Don’t Be Naïve: Backlash Occurs! Don’t Be Naïve: Backlash Occurs! Victims are not the Enemy. Victims are not the Enemy. Pick Your Fights Strategically! Pick Your Fights Strategically! You Are Being Watched! You Are Being Watched! The Compromised: what Fatal Confusion! The Compromised: what Fatal Confusion! Conquest through Character Conquest through Character Conquest by Forgiveness Conquest by Forgiveness “Father, forgive them!” “Father, forgive them!” Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable. For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. 1 Peter 2:18-20 “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Romans 12:20 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God… Romans 12:19

Don’t Leave Yet! Your Checklist for Success: Abstain from fleshly lusts (v.11) Abstain from fleshly lusts (v.11) Keep up excellent behavior (v.12). Keep up excellent behavior (v.12). Submit to every human institution (v.13-15) Submit to every human institution (v.13-15) Even unjust ones (v.18). Even unjust ones (v.18). Suffer for rightness (v.19-20) Suffer for rightness (v.19-20) Without lashing back (v.23) Without lashing back (v.23)

Something is Missing! 1 Peter 2:21-25 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, “WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls. fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith Hebrews 12:2 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it… Philippians 1:6

Real “Aliens and Strangers”: Resting in Christ “For this finds favor [GRACE]…finds favor [GRACE] with God…” v.19,20 “For this finds favor [GRACE]…finds favor [GRACE] with God…” v.19,20 “Glorify God” v.12 “Glorify God” v.12 “the will of God” v.15 “the will of God” v.15 “Bondslaves of God” v.16 “Bondslaves of God” v.16 “Fear God!” v.17 “Fear God!” v.17 “For the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up…” v.19 “For the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up…” v.19