March 23, 2025 - 1 Peter 2:11-17, 21-25

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                                                                                                      March 23, 2025

1 Peter 2:11-18, 21-25

Lessons Learned

by Wayne Gaeddert

1. Your good works should draw people's attention to God.

2. Those who have trusted Christ as savior bear witness to the gospel by their conduct.

3. Peter was encouraging people to work to make the place where they lived better by doing good works.

4. Peter was encouraging people to engage in their local community activities.

5. In order to impact your community for Jesus, your reputation must be honorable.

6. It is the responsibility of ruling authorities to punish evil and praise good.

7. In order for people to see Jesus in us Peter commands us to:

• Respect all people- Don't despise people Jesus died to save.

• Love our Christian brothers and sisters. 1 John 3:10

• God is to be reverenced above all else.

• Honor civil authorities.

8. Submission to your workplace authority is not dependent on their treatment of you.

9. When you submit, you are relinquishing your own rights to another person to do as they say.

10. There is no honor in enduring punishment you deserve.

11. Suffering for doing good is an opportunity to demonstrate God's grace at work in your life.

12. “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matt 5:16

13. “Peter explained living as good citizens is God's will, wherever we find ourselves, for the Glory of God.” Dr. Charles Ray, Jr.

14. Paul's teaching on submitting to government authority is in Rom 13:1-7

15. According to early church leaders, both Peter and Paul were executed by the Roman Government for their religious beliefs.

16. It was common during first century for Roman cities to publicly display a record of good works done by a person. (An Old Testament example is Mordecai being honored by the king. Esther 6.)

17. Pliny the Younger was governor of Pontus and Bithynia. In a letter written approximately 111 AD (45 years after Peter wrote), he asked the Emperor Trajan how to treat Christians. Trajan instructed Pliny to show mercy to those who would deny Christ. He went on to explain that merely bearing the name Christian would open a person to penalties from the state, regardless of citizenship. Bill Patterson

18. Freedom in Christ does not extend to the point of participating in evil.

                                                                                                    See 1 John 3:9

19. “For this is due to grace, if a man for conscience toward God endures grief, suffering wrongfully.” 1 Peter 2:19 (JUB)

20. “For grace is clearly at work when a person accepts undeserved pain and suffering and does so because he is mindful of God.” 1 Peter 2:19 (VOICE)

21. Application:

·         Don’t allow the norms of society to influence you to relax your standards.

·         Be a good citizen—work to make your community a better place.

·         When called upon to suffer unjustly, follow the example of Christ.