1 Peter 2 Part 3 (Brenda and Dar)

• 1 Pet 2:11
  • In this passage Peter uses a very strange word to describe the people he is talking to – alien. Usually when you think alien you think outer space or UFO or foreigners. But Peter is not saying that these people are foreigners, rather he is saying that they are outsiders.
• During this time, when Peter was writing this, all these terrible things were happening and they were wondering where God was. People were getting arrested and killed all over the place.
• Since they are outsiders they are not part of the majority. But what is the majority? The World System
• Jn 15:18-19
  • Jesus is talking to his followers here and explaining to them that he is not part of the world system and that he came here for us. And since we are followers of Him, we are also outsiders.
• When we talk about the world system, kosmos, it is not the actual globe. Its actually a system created by the Devil that has a system of values that destroys us.
• Jn 12:31
  • The ruler of this world – the Devil. The world system is his, not God’s
• 1 Jn 5:19
• This is the devil’s domain. God is not in charge of the world system. It has its own moral code
• 1 Jn 2:16
• Three big values of the world system
  • 1 – lust of the eyes. When you see it you want it, almost an uncontrollable desire
• 2 – lust of the flesh. Sex, drugs, entertainment.
• 3 – boastful pride of life. This is our ego, our drive to be strong and have power. We want to be famous and on top of the world.
• But the problem is – with this set of values people end up losing themselves, their friends and their family. These things only get you temporary fulfillment.
  • The next day the thrill is gone. Or a week or month later. Then you have to work twice as hard to fulfill it next time.
• Next thing you know you are captured in this world system. It is so deceitful because it is never enough.
• God calls us to be different because he does not want these to be our values. He wants to give us eternal fulfillment. He wants to change our outlook. Instead of what can I get for me, its now what can I do for others
  • Col 1:13-14
  • God delivered us from the domain of darkness – the world system.
• Since he delivered us, we are no longer citizens of this world, we are now citizens with God.
• Phil 3
• But we are still living here. So how can we take a stand and still live in this system?
  • Jn 17:15
• Jesus is praying to the Lord that the Christians are not taken out of the world. But so many people misinterpret this and try to build walls around themselves to protect themselves from the big bad world.
• 1 Cor 5 – the Corinthians also had a problem understanding this.
• Do not separate yourselves from the world system
• Paul says they should associate with those who are captured in the world system
• In order to understand how to reach out to those in the world, we need to understand God’s attitude of the world
  • Jn 3:16
• God does not see these people as just people. He sees them as prisoners, captives.
• He says “Those are my people out there.”
• In order to outreach to those people we need to understand that they need to be rescued. They need the Lord’s love. And we need to show this love to them
• We need to be excited about loving people.
• Brenda’s personal example: She was stuck in the world system trying to find something that would make her happy – boyfriend, drugs, etc. If it wasn’t for the people in this group showing her this love, she would not know the Lord. She is very thankful for it. She does not have to worry about the future. She wants to share this love with her family and friends now because she loves them and wants to rescue them.
• So how do we go about living in the world system when our citizenship is in heaven?
• We talked about the kosmos, which Satan has put in place. It is like a treadmill – once you get on it you cant get off. Those of us who are Christians – people who have made the decision for the Lord – we see things that we want, but as Christians we don’t need those things anymore. We have substance. Not because we have earned it, but it has been given to us. We have a purpose that lasts beyond this world. It is something that can never be taken away. We have an investment that is more that temporary.
  • We are not whisked off to heaven – we are left behind because we have this opportunity to share what the Lord has given us
    • 1 Pet 2:12
  • We are left behind but there is a certain way you can live so that others will want what we have. Our job is to expose this system. We are not comfortable to have around because we are constantly reminding others of what the world system is and what the Lord has to offer.
  • Mark 3:27
  • So it is the idea that we are going into rob the Devil’s house. We cant just go rescue the people he has captured. We have to figure out a way to tie the Devil so that we can expose the world system
  • 2 Cor 10:5
  • We are exposing the way it really is
  • Lk 4:18
  • The Lord has released us from the world. And now we can come together in this family – as citizens of heaven. And look at this motely crew that has come together?
  • The world system is selfish. Think about the American Dream – we have all these rights. How many people do you know that live in America and are not happy, especially now? People are not happy. What people cannot find is love. That is the appeal of God’s kingdom – it is built on love and no one can steal it from.
• As a Christian, please do not be naïve about your place in this world. There will be a backlash from people who do not want to hear this – that building into the world system is worthless. Our response should not be to react angrily to them. The system is not personal, we want the to be saved. So be angry at the system, not the people.
  • Eph 6:12
• People are held captive by the ruler of this world – the Devil.
• 1 Pet 2:13-14
  • Don’t be naïve. Do you know how you live in this world? Submit to your governing authority. Doesn’t that sound weird? Arent the rulers and authorities evil? Nero was in charge when Paul was writing this letter. He was crazy – he would light Christians on fire after impaling them on stakes to light his parties.
  • So why does he call us to submit to the authorities – your boss, parents, mayor, police, etc.
  • If we want to get this job done – we don’t want to get ourselves in trouble. We want fly under the radar. People are looking for reasons to scoff at Christians. There are a lot of really weird Christians. Why give them a reason to scoff us when we don’t have to? Why let that ruin our witness.
• 1 Pet 2:15
  • Part of the problem are compromised Christians. On the one hand there are rebel Christians – they believe that you can do whatever you want because you are saved by grace. But more often in America we have Christians who no one even knows is a Christian. We want to do the best we can – best at work, best in school. But you don’t want to establish your own kingdom in the world – I’m going to make money. Do you really think that you can make your own kingdom within Satan’s kingdom and he wont care? He will destroy you. You cant just be a part of the culture.
• 1 Pet 2:17-20
  • Give respect where respect is due – this makes it easier to live life. If you are going to suffer, suffer for the glory of God. We can work for a mean boss because we know who is really in charge.
• Matt 10:28
• Don’t worry about the guy who can kill you. In stead fear the one you can not only kill you but can put you in hell – he is more fearsome than anyone. But now we are saved by that very person so we really don’t have anyone to fear.
• God’s kingdom works by forgiveness.
• It is hard when your rights are violated – how many of you can just walk away.
  • As an American we feel like we have so many rights
• 1 Pet 2:21-25
  • That is the Christian message. It is not – live a moral life or try really hard and maybe you’ll get to heaven. Jesus came down to die for us so that we don’t have to. But he honors our free will – he has done this for us and we only have to choose to receive it. you will lose nothing and gain everything.
  • Peter is teaching us how to live a substantial life.
• Next time – 1 Pet 3 – Submission

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