Sermon Notes: Encouragement in Suffering 1 Peter 2:18-25

I.  Submit to those in authority. 

-Schreiner "They did not believe that overhauling social structures would transform culture. Their concern was the relationship of individuals to God, and they focused on the sin and rebellion of individuals against their Creator. New Testament writers therefore concentrated instead on the godly response of believers to mistreatment." 

     a. We must submit because God commands it. 

-respect = phobos = fear 

     b. We must submit despite their character. 

-MacArthur "The focus on 'rights' in the workplace, whatever the results, is incongruous with the Christian life. Believers are to be concerned instead with obedience and submission to God's will. When they obey and submit to their superiors, as He commands, they prove that their real hope is in the world to come."

-unreasonable = skolios = crooked, perverse 

     c. We must submit because it finds favor with God.

-bears up under = upophero = endure

 

   II.  Christ is the example we follow. 

-example = hupogrammos

-follow = follow after, follow closely, devote oneself to.

-steps = ichnos = footprints 

     a.  Jesus provides the pattern of enduring suffering.

       i.  He suffered though innocent.-Is. 53:9

      ii.  He did not retaliate. 

    b.   Jesus' atontment leads us to live to righteousness. 

-die = apoginomai = get away from, depart, cease to exist

 

   III.  Christ was our perfect substitute.-Is. 53:4, 12

-cross = xulon = tree, wood; Deut. 21:23