Our Walk: The Freedom of Submission

Following Jesus PART IX
Dr. Timothy Keller
22 June 2014

1Peter 2:13-17; 4:1-5; 5-5-11
13Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.  15For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.  16Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God's slaves.  17Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.

4:1Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.  2As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.  3For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do--living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.  4They are surprised that you do not join the, in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.  5But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

5:5In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders.  All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another because,

"God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble."

6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.  7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

8Be alert and of sober mind.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

10And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while will himself restore and make your strong, firm, and steadfast.  11To him be the power for ever and ever.  Amen.

WHAT IS FREEDOM
--v.16-Free people, but God's slaves.
--Romans 6 says everyone is a slave to something; no one is truly free.
--Freedom is getting the right restrictions.
--Restrictions that are liberating.
--Thy will be done.

WHAT DOES FREEDOM LOOK LIKE
--Free from uncontrolled and enslaving emotions.
--v5:7-Free from anxiety from bad circumstances.
--We have anxieties, but it's not crushing or paralyzing.
--Anything in this world that you trust will let you down.
--v2:16-17--Living free, but as God's slaves, we serve others.
--Modern definition of freedom is basic selfishness and eliminates love.

HOW DOES CHRISTIAN FREEDOM GROW
--Don't be afraid to make promises (membership)
--Gets rid of selfishness which is ultimately liberating
--v4:1 Look to Christ for behavior.