A Field Manual for Warriors in a Hostile Land Part 9: Jesus – Our Anchor in a Sea of Suffering 1 Peter 2:18-25

Have you ever found yourself in one or more of the following situations an employer who is extremely hard to work with and work foran employer who is extremely hard to work with and work for

Have you ever found yourself in one or more of the following situations a teacher who seems to play favorites when it comes to other members of the class.a teacher who seems to play favorites when it comes to other members of the class.

Have you ever found yourself in one or more of the following situations An adult child whose father always seems to be interfering in the son's personal affairs;An adult child whose father always seems to be interfering in the son's personal affairs;

Have you ever found yourself in one or more of the following situations a wife who is belittled by her husband;a wife who is belittled by her husband;

Have you ever found yourself in one or more of the following situations a husband who is constantly abandoned by his wife;a husband who is constantly abandoned by his wife;

Have you ever found yourself in one or more of the following situations These are all pictures of men, women, or children who are suffering under abusive authorityThese are all pictures of men, women, or children who are suffering under abusive authority

As a servant Servants, be subject to your masters… (2:18a)

As a servant Submit to the authority individual.Submit to the authority individual.

As a servant Submit with all fearSubmit with all fear Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect (2:18) Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect (2:18)

As a servant If your fear God you will respect and show faithfulness to your boss.If your fear God you will respect and show faithfulness to your boss.

As a servant This means submit to all good bosses right?This means submit to all good bosses right?

As a servant Submit to the good and hard to deal withSubmit to the good and hard to deal with Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. (2:18)

As a servant

Our submission then is not contingent on the attitude or behavior of our superiors.

Submit as a sufferer 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?

Submit as a sufferer But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 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 (2:19-21)

Submit as a sufferer To show glory in the face of injustice is true evidence of Christian character.To show glory in the face of injustice is true evidence of Christian character.

Submit as a sufferer Jesus Christ is our modelJesus Christ is our model because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, (2:21)

Submit as a sufferer

Jesus is our example: worthy of being copied.Jesus is our example: worthy of being copied.

Submit as a sufferer because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps (2:21)

Submit as a sufferer He is worthy because he suffered and did not sinHe is worthy because he suffered and did not sin He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. (2:22)

Submit as a sufferer Committed Himself to Him who judges righteouslyCommitted Himself to Him who judges righteously When he was reviled, he did not revile in return (2:23)

Submit as a sufferer Do you strike back? Do you "get even."Do you strike back? Do you "get even."

Submit as a sufferer Jesus simply committed Himself to His father, & left the outcome with Him.Jesus simply committed Himself to His father, & left the outcome with Him. 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.(2:23)

Submit as a sufferer He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. (2:24)

Submit as a sufferer He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. (2:24) Is this speaking of a physical healing or a spiritual healing?

Submit as sheep For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (2:25)

Bottom Line: Being Jesus-centered means knowing you have a “place” and while you are in your “place” you will make much of Jesus!Being Jesus-centered means knowing you have a “place” and while you are in your “place” you will make much of Jesus!

If you haven’t started the Jesus- centered life Jesus – who did no wrong died for you! What are you going to do about that?Jesus – who did no wrong died for you! What are you going to do about that?

If you are living the Jesus-centered life Live real close to your healingLive real close to your healing

If you are living the Jesus-centered life He also made possible our transformation.He also made possible our transformation.

If you are living the Jesus-centered life Getting even is not the Jesus wayGetting even is not the Jesus way

If you are living the Jesus-centered life Two Minute Party: Try coming up with a few of your own examples.Two Minute Party: Try coming up with a few of your own examples.

If you are living the Jesus-centered life Trust your soul to its overseerTrust your soul to its overseer

I Must Tell Jesus I must tell Jesus all of my troubles, I cannot bear these burdens alone; In my distress He promised to help me, He ever loves me and He cares for His own.

I Must Tell Jesus Tempted and tried we need a great Savior, One who can help my burdens to bear; I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus: He ever loves me and my burdens will share.

I Must Tell Jesus I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus! I cannot bear these burdens alone; I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus! Jesus will help me, Jesus alone.