Good Citizenship1 PETER 2:11-17

1 Peter 2:11-17

1. vv 11-12 ~ General principles2. vv 13-17 ~ Specific context3. Practical example

1 Peter 2: 11-12 11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.

12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

1. abstain from sin 2. actively do good

1 Peter 2:13-17 13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.

16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. 17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honour the emperor.

1. abstain from sin: v.16 2. actively do good: v. 15

1 Peter 2:13-17 (continued)

13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.

16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. 17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honour the emperor.

v. 13: submit to human authority v. 14: obey laws of country v. 17: respect everyone, love church family v. 17: honour the Emperor

Governments are God’s provision for us Democracy: privilege & responsibility Impacts our lives NOW

– and generations to come Eternal significance

2 principles: abstain from sin & do good“Rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander”

GREED ENVY MALICE

GENEROSITY SELFLESSNESS

2 principles: abstain from sin & do good

“Rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander”

GREED ENVY MALICE DECEIT & SLANDER HYPOCRISY

“DO GOOD” SELFLESSNESS GENEROSITY LOVE TRUTH

Vote wisely & thoughtfully…. “alert & fully sober”

Do not conform Avoid superficiality Consider policy and ethos

Economic Social Moral

Do I stand by my vote?