Four Commands to Live By

1. Read: 1 Peter 2:13-17

2. About the Text:

1) Peter discusses the importance of a Christian’s loyalty to government.

2) In verse 14 we read of God’s will for what the function of the government should be.

A. To take vengeance on evil doers, and

B. Praise the good people.

3) In verses 15 and 16 we read the purpose for serving government–to put to silence those that falsely accuse us as being anti-government.

4) We do this as free men and women in Christ but we do should not abuse our freedom by using the governments laws as an excuse to sin, vs. 16.

3. Ref. to S, T, P, O.

1. God honors all men–has a certain amount of respect for all men.

1) 2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

2) Titus 2:11, 12 “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.”

3) Acts 10:34 “Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.”

4) 1 Tim.2:4 – “who desires all men to be saved….”

2. We must honor all men–have a certain amount of respect for all men.

1) Matthew 22:39 “And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” We must be neighborly to all if we are going to teach them the gospel.

2) Hebrews 13:2 “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”

3) God is our example in that he sends rain on the just and unjust Matt.5:44-48 “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”

1. 1 Cor.13:4-8

2. One of the Christian graces in 2 Peter 1:7 is “philadephia”–love for the brethren.

3. And in Romans 12:9-18

1. Ecc.12:13, 14 “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”

2. Mat.10:28 “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

3. Heb.12:28, 29 “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire.”

4. Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

1. Daniel 4:17 God rules in the kingdoms of men

2. John 19:10, 11a ” Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above”

3. Romans 13:1-7 (Speed limit law).

4. Exception—when God’s law contradicts the governments Acts 5:29

1. Let us remember the four commands in 1 Peter 2:17 “Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the King.”

2. Invitation