WEBVTT 00:00:00.719 --> 00:00:01.280 Awesome. 00:00:01.360 --> 00:00:02.560 My name is Dave Kinney. 00:00:02.640 --> 00:00:05.919 I have the privilege of being the executive pastor here at this great church. 00:00:06.160 --> 00:00:12.800 I want to make sure we welcome all of those joining us online as well as all of the correctional facilities that are streaming us through the Pando app. 00:00:12.960 --> 00:00:13.439 Come on, church. 00:00:13.519 --> 00:00:16.000 Help me welcome everybody on the other side of the camera. 00:00:16.320 --> 00:00:20.000 We are honored and thankful that you are a part of this church. 00:00:20.160 --> 00:00:27.600 When I was a kid, I used to get so unbelievably frustrated at this response. 00:00:28.000 --> 00:00:29.359 Because I said so. 00:00:29.760 --> 00:00:33.280 I remember asking my parents, hey, can I go do this? 00:00:33.439 --> 00:00:34.240 Can I eat this? 00:00:34.399 --> 00:00:35.119 Can I have this? 00:00:35.280 --> 00:00:36.719 And the answer was no. 00:00:37.039 --> 00:00:38.240 And I said, Why? 00:00:38.479 --> 00:00:41.119 They would say, because I said so. 00:00:41.359 --> 00:00:46.000 I remember one time specifically, all of my friends were going to go do something that afternoon. 00:00:46.079 --> 00:00:48.240 And I asked my dad, I said, Hey, can I go? 00:00:48.399 --> 00:00:52.000 And he said, Yes, you can go, but you have to mow the yard first. 00:00:52.159 --> 00:00:56.880 And I remember thinking, like, I don't know why mowing the yard right now is so important. 00:00:57.439 --> 00:01:01.039 So I asked my dad, I said, Hey, can I just do that tomorrow or some other time? 00:01:01.119 --> 00:01:01.759 And he said, no. 00:01:01.920 --> 00:01:02.560 I said, why? 00:01:02.640 --> 00:01:05.599 And he said, because I said so. 00:01:06.239 --> 00:01:09.359 It used to frustrate me beyond belief. 00:01:09.439 --> 00:01:11.200 Because there's no reasoning with that. 00:01:11.519 --> 00:01:13.439 It doesn't even give you any clarification. 00:01:13.519 --> 00:01:16.319 It is just an utterly powerless moment as a kid. 00:01:16.560 --> 00:01:20.400 Makes you feel about this big, and you just hate to get that response. 00:01:20.480 --> 00:01:24.239 There's nothing worse when you're a kid and you get that response. 00:01:24.799 --> 00:01:28.239 A few weeks ago, my sons were outside playing in the yard. 00:01:28.319 --> 00:01:31.200 They were playing football or baseball or something like that. 00:01:31.439 --> 00:01:32.799 And I went back into their room. 00:01:32.879 --> 00:01:37.920 I was putting something away, and it was an absolute train wreck in that room. 00:01:38.000 --> 00:01:45.599 I mean, there was clothes all over the place, toys everywhere, baseball courts, their rock collections were all over the place in that room. 00:01:45.760 --> 00:01:50.079 It looked like they were playing a game called Who Can Make the Room the Messiest? 00:01:50.159 --> 00:01:50.959 And they both won. 00:01:51.040 --> 00:01:51.359 All right. 00:01:51.519 --> 00:01:53.439 It was a disaster in that room. 00:01:53.519 --> 00:01:54.560 So what did I do? 00:01:54.719 --> 00:02:01.200 I walk back outside, and my just, by the way, my dad energy in this moment is off the charts, alright? 00:02:01.280 --> 00:02:04.159 So I go outside and I'm like, boys, listen to me. 00:02:04.239 --> 00:02:06.719 It's time for you to get inside and clean up your room. 00:02:06.879 --> 00:02:08.879 All right, it's not your mom's job to clean up your room. 00:02:08.960 --> 00:02:10.479 It's not my job to clean up your room. 00:02:10.560 --> 00:02:11.280 It's your room. 00:02:11.360 --> 00:02:12.159 It's your stuff. 00:02:12.400 --> 00:02:14.240 You need to clean your room up. 00:02:14.879 --> 00:02:18.319 Stop what you're doing now and go clean your room. 00:02:18.560 --> 00:02:20.879 My eight-year-old, he said, Dad, do we have to do that right now? 00:02:20.960 --> 00:02:21.599 And I said, Yes. 00:02:21.680 --> 00:02:22.400 And he said, Why? 00:02:22.479 --> 00:02:24.639 And I said, Because I said so. 00:02:25.120 --> 00:02:29.120 And I gotta be honest with you, it felt incredible. 00:02:29.439 --> 00:02:39.439 Like those same words that used to just haunt my childhood now filled me with the purest form of parental joy that you can experience on this side of heaven, all right? 00:02:39.680 --> 00:02:42.960 It was incredible because I said so. 00:02:43.120 --> 00:02:44.560 If you have your Bible, open them up. 00:02:44.639 --> 00:02:47.840 1 Peter chapter 2 is where we're gonna be today. 00:02:48.400 --> 00:02:54.319 We're in this series called Nomad, and up to this point in the series, it's been really, really awesome. 00:02:54.560 --> 00:03:02.159 See, we've heard about how we're a chosen people, chosen by God, that we're a royal priest, that we are royalty in the sight of God. 00:03:02.960 --> 00:03:11.680 We even learned last week that we are called to be living stones, that we can share in God's purposes for this world with Him, that we are called to be holy. 00:03:11.759 --> 00:03:18.479 It has been so easy to say amen and believe what the Bible is saying and just be like, come on, I love it. 00:03:18.800 --> 00:03:20.560 All that ends today. 00:03:21.120 --> 00:03:23.680 All of that ends today. 00:03:24.240 --> 00:03:33.680 The text today points us to the fact that our identity in Christ is defined by two of the most difficult things for us to grasp, let alone pursue. 00:03:34.319 --> 00:03:36.960 Submission and suffering. 00:03:37.520 --> 00:03:39.439 Submission and suffering. 00:03:39.520 --> 00:03:44.560 It's gonna be a message that leaves you asking, why would God have it like this? 00:03:44.800 --> 00:03:46.719 Why does the Bible have to say that? 00:03:46.879 --> 00:03:48.960 Why would God want it to be like this? 00:03:49.120 --> 00:03:50.879 And here's God's response to you. 00:03:51.840 --> 00:03:54.319 Because I said so. 00:03:55.280 --> 00:03:58.159 First Peter chapter 2, starting in verse 13. 00:03:58.960 --> 00:04:09.599 Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the Emperor as supreme, or to the governors as sent by him, to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 00:04:09.840 --> 00:04:15.599 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 00:04:15.840 --> 00:04:21.600 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 00:04:22.000 --> 00:04:25.920 Honor everyone, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the emperor. 00:04:26.160 --> 00:04:32.160 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the unjust. 00:04:32.399 --> 00:04:34.160 For this is a gracious thing. 00:04:34.319 --> 00:04:38.480 When mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 00:04:38.639 --> 00:04:42.560 For what credit is it when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? 00:04:42.720 --> 00:04:47.120 But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 00:04:47.360 --> 00:04:54.000 For this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving an example so that you may follow in his steps. 00:04:54.160 --> 00:04:57.360 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 00:04:57.519 --> 00:04:59.839 When he was reviled, he didn't revile in return. 00:05:00.000 --> 00:05:05.360 When he suffered, he didn't threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 00:05:05.600 --> 00:05:11.839 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we may die to sin and live to righteousness. 00:05:12.000 --> 00:05:21.040 By his wounds we have been healed, for you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the shepherd and overseer of your souls. 00:05:21.519 --> 00:05:23.519 Submission and suffering. 00:05:23.920 --> 00:05:27.680 This text points out the importance of submission in two primary ways. 00:05:27.839 --> 00:05:32.879 The first is submission to the government and all governmental authorities over your life. 00:05:33.680 --> 00:05:35.199 I was waiting for an amen there. 00:05:35.279 --> 00:05:35.600 Nothing. 00:05:35.680 --> 00:05:36.000 All right. 00:05:36.160 --> 00:05:39.120 The second is submission in your workplace. 00:05:39.279 --> 00:05:45.600 The wording used here in your translation may be servant or slave, but that's not uh that's not slaves like we're thinking about it. 00:05:45.680 --> 00:05:50.879 And in fact, the original language is painting a picture more of an employer-employee relationship. 00:05:50.959 --> 00:05:58.800 And that's not to minimize the horror of slavery in any way, but it's just an important distinction as we walk in God's word this morning. 00:05:59.120 --> 00:06:02.319 Why is submission so difficult for us? 00:06:02.639 --> 00:06:06.480 See, that very thought of submitting to someone else goes against every fiber in our being. 00:06:06.560 --> 00:06:08.160 We don't like being told what to do. 00:06:08.399 --> 00:06:11.519 When we're told not to do something, that just makes us want to do it even more. 00:06:11.600 --> 00:06:16.319 And it's not just submission, it's the reality that there is an authority over your life. 00:06:16.639 --> 00:06:18.399 See, none of us really love authority. 00:06:18.480 --> 00:06:27.120 At best, we can tolerate it, let alone when it's authority called the government andor your boss or your teacher or your coach or your parents, whoever it may be. 00:06:27.199 --> 00:06:28.560 But here's what I know. 00:06:29.360 --> 00:06:41.519 When I got a because I said so from my parents, or when I give a because I said so to my kids, see, because they believe I'm in authority over them, it changes the way that they behave. 00:06:41.680 --> 00:06:44.959 What they believe about me changes how they respond to me. 00:06:45.120 --> 00:06:49.600 What they believe about me changes their behavior around me. 00:06:49.759 --> 00:06:52.160 This is true for every last one of us today. 00:06:52.399 --> 00:06:55.279 Your belief changes your behavior. 00:06:55.600 --> 00:06:58.399 Your belief changes your behavior. 00:06:58.560 --> 00:07:01.600 What you believe about God changes how you behave. 00:07:01.839 --> 00:07:08.800 If you believe that God is your ultimate authority, it will change how you act and how you behave toward all other authority here on earth. 00:07:08.879 --> 00:07:09.439 How do I know that? 00:07:09.600 --> 00:07:10.480 I'm glad you asked. 00:07:10.639 --> 00:07:12.480 Look at Romans 13, 1 and 2. 00:07:12.639 --> 00:07:18.000 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities, for there's no authority except from God. 00:07:18.240 --> 00:07:20.639 And those that exist have been instituted by God. 00:07:20.800 --> 00:07:26.639 Therefore, whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 00:07:26.800 --> 00:07:27.839 Titus 3, 1. 00:07:28.000 --> 00:07:33.439 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work. 00:07:33.600 --> 00:07:36.560 God has ordained all authority in your life. 00:07:36.720 --> 00:07:38.639 All of it, every last bit. 00:07:39.120 --> 00:07:40.639 See, the Bible is very clear. 00:07:40.879 --> 00:07:47.199 God cares much less about what you believe, about your policies that you uphold and the apolicies that you disagree with. 00:07:47.360 --> 00:07:56.560 He cares much less about what you believe about your boss's leadership style or how they make decisions, and he cares a whole lot more about what you believe about him. 00:07:57.920 --> 00:08:00.639 God commands your submission. 00:08:00.959 --> 00:08:02.000 Please don't miss this. 00:08:02.160 --> 00:08:03.199 Verse 13. 00:08:03.439 --> 00:08:08.720 It says, For the Lord's sake, for the Lord's sake, you are to submit. 00:08:08.800 --> 00:08:14.959 It's not for your own sake, it's not for your boss's sake or the government's sake, it is for the Lord that you submit. 00:08:15.519 --> 00:08:23.279 I promise you will not understand the rest of the message until you understand that your identity is found in submission to the Father. 00:08:23.519 --> 00:08:35.039 Even though we're nomads in this world, and this world ultimately doesn't contain our ultimate authority, we're commanded by our ultimate authority to be submissive as we are passing through this world. 00:08:35.679 --> 00:08:36.879 Sidebar here. 00:08:37.200 --> 00:08:44.879 Every time you believe that you are being righteously rebellious, you may actually be sinning against God. 00:08:46.879 --> 00:08:47.919 It's uncomfortable. 00:08:48.080 --> 00:08:52.879 Submission is uncomfortable, especially when authority is involved. 00:08:52.960 --> 00:08:54.639 But I want to be clear about something. 00:08:55.279 --> 00:08:57.200 See, submission isn't passive. 00:08:57.919 --> 00:09:00.080 Submission isn't just getting steamrolled. 00:09:00.320 --> 00:09:01.440 It's not spineless. 00:09:01.519 --> 00:09:05.120 It's not committing to a life where you just lay down like a doormat. 00:09:05.360 --> 00:09:05.840 That's not it. 00:09:06.000 --> 00:09:07.519 Submission is active. 00:09:07.600 --> 00:09:13.039 And the two characteristics of godly submission are this right here: humility and gentleness. 00:09:13.600 --> 00:09:15.519 Two characteristics to godly submission. 00:09:15.759 --> 00:09:17.279 Humility and gentleness. 00:09:17.360 --> 00:09:19.360 And I can feel the tension in the room. 00:09:19.600 --> 00:09:22.240 Like, all right, Dave, that's fine for a preacher, all right? 00:09:22.320 --> 00:09:24.000 But I live in the real world. 00:09:24.240 --> 00:09:27.519 And my boss is the worst, or the government is a mess. 00:09:27.600 --> 00:09:29.360 And I just don't believe in this policy. 00:09:29.519 --> 00:09:30.320 I don't believe in that. 00:09:30.399 --> 00:09:31.919 I don't think what they're doing is right. 00:09:32.080 --> 00:09:34.080 I hate how he makes his decisions. 00:09:34.240 --> 00:09:36.240 I think what he's doing is wrong. 00:09:36.399 --> 00:09:39.600 Surely submission isn't the answer when it comes to this. 00:09:39.919 --> 00:09:42.000 What about what's standing up for what's right? 00:09:42.159 --> 00:09:43.440 What about standing up for things? 00:09:43.600 --> 00:09:45.120 What about taking a stand? 00:09:45.759 --> 00:09:48.879 You want to know the only time when submission isn't the answer? 00:09:49.840 --> 00:09:54.799 Is when you are being told to do something that would cause you to be disobedient to God. 00:09:57.440 --> 00:10:02.960 Submission is not the answer when you are told to do something that would cause you personally. 00:10:03.919 --> 00:10:06.559 Personally to be disobedient to God. 00:10:06.639 --> 00:10:10.480 If your boss says, hey, you need to lie in order to land that account, you can't do that. 00:10:10.639 --> 00:10:10.960 Why? 00:10:11.120 --> 00:10:13.919 Because that would cause you to be disobedient to God. 00:10:14.799 --> 00:10:16.000 Here's what I would also tell you. 00:10:16.159 --> 00:10:22.960 You can take a stand for things, you can stand up for things while being humble and gentle doing so. 00:10:23.120 --> 00:10:25.679 But that's really rarely how we handle it, isn't it? 00:10:25.840 --> 00:10:27.279 Humility and gentleness. 00:10:27.360 --> 00:10:30.240 It reminds me of Daniel chapter 3, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 00:10:30.639 --> 00:10:36.960 Alright, these guys, the king, their governing authorities, the authority over them, as well as their boss, created a God. 00:10:37.039 --> 00:10:40.960 And then they he told all the people, you have to bow down and worship me and that God. 00:10:41.039 --> 00:10:42.639 And if you don't, you're gonna die. 00:10:42.799 --> 00:10:45.039 Shadrach, Meshach, and Benny, what do they do though? 00:10:45.200 --> 00:10:46.639 They say, We can't do that. 00:10:46.879 --> 00:10:52.559 We are not able to do that because God said we should have no other gods before him that we can worship no other God. 00:10:52.639 --> 00:10:54.960 So we cannot and we will not worship that God. 00:10:55.120 --> 00:10:57.200 The king says, Fine, then you're gonna be put to death. 00:10:57.279 --> 00:10:59.519 I'm gonna kill you, I'm gonna throw you in the fiery furnace. 00:10:59.679 --> 00:11:00.639 Look at their response. 00:11:01.200 --> 00:11:03.279 Daniel chapter 3, 17 and 18. 00:11:03.519 --> 00:11:13.440 They say this: if this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, your majesty. 00:11:13.759 --> 00:11:21.200 But if not, be it known to you, your majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up. 00:11:21.919 --> 00:11:24.000 They're still respectful to the king. 00:11:24.080 --> 00:11:25.679 They're referring to him as your majesty. 00:11:25.759 --> 00:11:29.840 They are honoring him in his place of authority over their lives. 00:11:30.000 --> 00:11:30.960 Don't miss this though. 00:11:31.120 --> 00:11:42.080 They say, We know that God can save us, but even if he chooses not to, we will humbly submit even to death under his authority. 00:11:42.480 --> 00:11:48.639 Taking a stand, they were submissive to the consequences and punishment for not following the king's decree. 00:11:48.720 --> 00:11:53.279 All right, so submission is important, but can we just take a step back for a moment? 00:11:54.000 --> 00:11:57.759 Does anyone find it weird that uh Peter is writing this? 00:11:58.720 --> 00:12:02.399 That Peter is the one who is putting pen to paper and writing this to us? 00:12:02.559 --> 00:12:07.279 Peter, the guy who is a hothead, the guy always putting his foot in his mouth. 00:12:07.360 --> 00:12:12.000 He always spoke before he thought rebellious, explosive, fly off the rails. 00:12:12.159 --> 00:12:13.679 Peter is the one who's writing this to us. 00:12:13.840 --> 00:12:14.879 John chapter 18. 00:12:15.039 --> 00:12:16.559 Jesus and Peter are in the garden. 00:12:16.720 --> 00:12:20.320 Jesus is about to be arrested for doing nothing wrong. 00:12:20.559 --> 00:12:21.840 What happens in that moment? 00:12:22.000 --> 00:12:24.960 The guards and the soldiers come into the garden to arrest Jesus. 00:12:25.039 --> 00:12:26.159 And what does Peter do? 00:12:26.320 --> 00:12:33.200 He flies off the rails, he pulls out his sword, and he starts swinging it at the people, and then he lands one swing and cuts a guy's ear off. 00:12:33.279 --> 00:12:34.480 And Jesus, what does he do to him? 00:12:34.639 --> 00:12:36.080 He says, Peter, stop. 00:12:36.240 --> 00:12:37.440 Put the sword away. 00:12:37.600 --> 00:12:41.840 He picks up the man's ear, puts it on his head, and heals him right then and there. 00:12:42.080 --> 00:12:43.279 Do you see the difference? 00:12:43.679 --> 00:12:50.639 And then after that, what Jesus does, they're binding him up to arrest him, and Jesus says, Hey, I understand why you're doing this, but it's not necessary. 00:12:50.799 --> 00:12:52.960 I'm not gonna break free and I'm not gonna fight you. 00:12:53.039 --> 00:12:54.639 Do you see the difference? 00:12:54.879 --> 00:13:04.399 Peter disagrees with what his authority is doing, and instead of being submissive with humility and gentleness, he tries to take matters into his own hands. 00:13:04.720 --> 00:13:16.799 He makes a scene, he gets vengeful, he gets abrasive, but Jesus gently heals the ear of one of the men that is gonna lead him to the cross in the greatest act of submission throughout all of human history. 00:13:17.039 --> 00:13:22.320 So Peter is actually the perfect person to tell us why this is so important. 00:13:22.480 --> 00:13:22.879 Why? 00:13:23.120 --> 00:13:32.720 Because he screwed this up just like we do, and he was corrected by Jesus himself on how your belief changes your behavior. 00:13:32.960 --> 00:13:37.039 Remember, just a few hours earlier, Jesus was with all of the disciples. 00:13:37.200 --> 00:13:43.279 Peter was there, and Jesus said, I'm going to be offered up, I am going to be arrested, I am going to be crucified. 00:13:43.519 --> 00:13:44.799 What did Peter respond with? 00:13:44.960 --> 00:13:46.240 No, you're not, God. 00:13:46.480 --> 00:13:47.200 No, you're not. 00:13:47.279 --> 00:13:48.480 I will not let that happen. 00:13:48.639 --> 00:13:50.159 Peter didn't believe Jesus. 00:13:50.320 --> 00:13:58.720 And so fast forward now, whenever Jesus is in the garden being arrested, Jesus' or Peter's behavior changed because he didn't believe what Jesus had said beforehand. 00:13:59.039 --> 00:14:02.080 Jesus' response to Peter was, Get thee behind me, Satan. 00:14:02.240 --> 00:14:03.600 He didn't believe Jesus. 00:14:03.759 --> 00:14:06.879 Your belief changes your behavior. 00:14:07.039 --> 00:14:13.200 When it comes to authority, we're so quick to rise up and draw our swords, to argue, to protest, to give our opinions. 00:14:13.519 --> 00:14:15.600 We love a good revolution. 00:14:15.759 --> 00:14:19.840 We love to post things on social media, but you know what Jesus would say to us today? 00:14:20.080 --> 00:14:23.279 He would say, It's time to put the sword away. 00:14:23.759 --> 00:14:24.639 It's time. 00:14:25.200 --> 00:14:26.559 Put the sword down. 00:14:26.720 --> 00:14:34.559 Your belief about your ultimate authority changes how you respond to all earthly authority. 00:14:35.039 --> 00:14:35.840 Hear me. 00:14:36.159 --> 00:14:38.240 Submission is not weakness. 00:14:38.799 --> 00:14:40.639 Submission is obedience. 00:14:41.360 --> 00:14:44.639 And that's just true for every last one of us. 00:14:45.440 --> 00:14:48.720 I really wish that I could close the book and end right there. 00:14:49.039 --> 00:14:51.279 Because that alone is just enough, right? 00:14:51.360 --> 00:14:53.679 Like that's homework for a lifetime, kind of a thing. 00:14:54.080 --> 00:14:55.759 But Peter doubles down right here. 00:14:55.840 --> 00:14:58.480 Listen to what he says, verses 18 and 19. 00:14:59.039 --> 00:15:06.399 He says, Be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the unjust. 00:15:06.720 --> 00:15:08.159 For this is a gracious thing. 00:15:08.320 --> 00:15:12.720 When mindful of God, one endures sorrows for suffering unjustly. 00:15:12.879 --> 00:15:13.759 Verse 20. 00:15:14.000 --> 00:15:20.960 But if when you do good and suffer for it, you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 00:15:21.440 --> 00:15:23.840 Here's what I need you to understand today. 00:15:24.320 --> 00:15:27.039 You are going to suffer. 00:15:27.919 --> 00:15:32.879 You are going to suffer under the authority that God has called you to submit to. 00:15:33.120 --> 00:15:36.159 You are going to suffer when you do something wrong. 00:15:36.399 --> 00:15:39.279 You are going to suffer when you do everything right. 00:15:39.440 --> 00:15:43.919 You are going to suffer simply because we live in a broken world. 00:15:44.399 --> 00:15:49.919 But your perspective changes how you suffer. 00:15:50.159 --> 00:15:52.960 Your perspective changes how you suffer. 00:15:53.279 --> 00:15:56.559 God never intends for you to suffer in vain. 00:15:56.879 --> 00:15:58.960 It's never just suffering for suffering's sake. 00:15:59.039 --> 00:16:03.440 He doesn't call you to suffer because he wants you to feel a little glimpse of what he felt. 00:16:03.600 --> 00:16:04.240 That's not it. 00:16:04.399 --> 00:16:10.480 He calls us to suffer because he wants to use your suffering to do something in your life and through your life. 00:16:10.960 --> 00:16:15.279 And perspective is a powerful, powerful thing. 00:16:15.519 --> 00:16:18.799 Let's add some perspective to the text today. 00:16:19.120 --> 00:16:25.759 Emperor Nero is the guy who's in charge when Peter is writing this and when this is being taught to all of the people. 00:16:25.919 --> 00:16:28.399 All of them fall under Emperor Nero's rule. 00:16:28.639 --> 00:16:30.559 And here's the three things that Nero is known for. 00:16:30.720 --> 00:16:31.200 Ready? 00:16:31.360 --> 00:16:33.600 He was known for murdering Christians. 00:16:34.000 --> 00:16:36.320 That was like his campaign slogan. 00:16:36.559 --> 00:16:37.039 All right? 00:16:37.360 --> 00:16:44.480 He was known for dipping them in hot wax and setting them on fire while they were alive so that people could see on the streets at night. 00:16:44.960 --> 00:16:54.480 And he was known for removing the heads and the faces off of all of the statues throughout Rome and replacing them with a bust of his face because he claimed to be the one true God. 00:16:54.799 --> 00:16:56.320 That's who they're dealing with here. 00:16:56.480 --> 00:16:59.039 This alone should change your perspective. 00:16:59.200 --> 00:17:19.119 As difficult as it is for us to submit and potentially suffer under the hands of a chaotic and imperfect government, as difficult as it may be for you to submit and suffer under that hands of that boss or that teacher or that coach or the parents that you feel like are making your life difficult, we aren't dealing with anything close to what the real original audience was dealing with. 00:17:19.200 --> 00:17:23.680 And if Peter would say that to them, how much more would he say it to us? 00:17:24.559 --> 00:17:30.160 Last time I checked, our government isn't murdering or threatening to murder Christians just for professing Christ. 00:17:30.400 --> 00:17:39.359 And as rough as your work situation may be, I highly doubt that you are fearful for your life because of how vibrantly you are living out your faith in the workplace. 00:17:39.839 --> 00:17:42.880 Remember, you're a nomad on earth. 00:17:43.119 --> 00:17:45.359 This is not your home. 00:17:45.519 --> 00:17:48.480 You're not meant to live for this world, but instead the world to come. 00:17:48.640 --> 00:18:00.319 Romans 8.18, the suffering that you will experience, the suffering that you will experience on earth is so small compared to the glory of heaven, which is eternal. 00:18:00.480 --> 00:18:02.079 2 Corinthians 4.17. 00:18:02.319 --> 00:18:11.119 For this light, momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. 00:18:12.000 --> 00:18:13.279 What does this mean? 00:18:14.079 --> 00:18:16.000 Suffering is inevitable. 00:18:16.799 --> 00:18:20.000 But it's also temporary if you're a Christian. 00:18:20.319 --> 00:18:25.119 Suffering is inevitable, but it's also temporary if you're in Christ. 00:18:25.680 --> 00:18:35.920 Even with that being said, though, um, even just looking around the room right now, uh I know that there's a lot of people in this room dealing with some very real suffering. 00:18:38.480 --> 00:18:41.200 Heaviness, difficulty. 00:18:42.079 --> 00:18:44.960 See, you never have to convince anyone that suffering is real. 00:18:45.119 --> 00:18:50.720 We all deal with suffering and with hardship, but again, let me just cautiously remind you of this. 00:18:50.960 --> 00:18:56.799 God's purpose of suffering in your life is to use it to do something in your life and through your life. 00:18:57.039 --> 00:18:58.480 First, in your life. 00:18:58.799 --> 00:19:05.680 I get the temptation to be in a room like this, listening to a service like this, and all you can think about is, God, I need you to change my circumstances. 00:19:05.839 --> 00:19:08.640 I've got a lot of suffering going on in my life. 00:19:08.720 --> 00:19:11.279 I need you to change my money situation. 00:19:11.440 --> 00:19:14.160 God, I need you to make the inoperable operable. 00:19:14.240 --> 00:19:15.200 God, we are suffering. 00:19:15.359 --> 00:19:17.039 We don't know what to do, we don't know where to turn. 00:19:17.119 --> 00:19:19.359 We just feel like we are nonstop suffering. 00:19:19.519 --> 00:19:21.680 God, I need you to change my marriage situation. 00:19:21.759 --> 00:19:25.200 God, I need you to take all the parenting issues that we're currently walking through. 00:19:25.359 --> 00:19:26.559 God, would you just change them? 00:19:26.640 --> 00:19:28.480 We're suffering and I'm sick of suffering. 00:19:28.559 --> 00:19:30.640 And God, we need you to do something. 00:19:30.880 --> 00:19:32.079 We are suffering. 00:19:32.160 --> 00:19:37.920 But can I be the guy to lovingly tell you today that God is absolutely capable of changing those things? 00:19:38.000 --> 00:19:39.839 And he may even decide to do it. 00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:53.519 But somehow, just as miraculous as that is him wanting you to know that he is with you in the midst of your suffering, reaching out his hand, asking you to fully and completely follow him as he leads you through your suffering. 00:19:53.680 --> 00:19:56.160 He is doing a work in your life. 00:19:56.400 --> 00:20:00.160 His chief desire is to make you more like Jesus. 00:20:00.319 --> 00:20:01.680 Psalm 34, 18. 00:20:01.759 --> 00:20:06.240 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. 00:20:06.400 --> 00:20:10.400 God is producing in you an eternal weight of glory. 00:20:11.039 --> 00:20:16.480 Even when you're going through these things, even when you're suffering, you're never suffering alone. 00:20:17.119 --> 00:20:22.960 He's doing something within you to help mold you and shape you into the image of his son. 00:20:23.359 --> 00:20:27.359 He wants to use your suffering to do something in your life. 00:20:28.720 --> 00:20:31.599 To through your life. 00:20:32.160 --> 00:20:34.799 Wants to use your suffering to do something through your life. 00:20:34.960 --> 00:20:36.240 Look at verse 15. 00:20:36.720 --> 00:20:45.440 It says, When you toil and suffer while being good and doing good and being faithful to God, you actually can put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 00:20:45.920 --> 00:20:47.759 See, we typically just want to argue. 00:20:47.920 --> 00:20:49.920 We want to make sure that our opinion is heard. 00:20:50.000 --> 00:20:51.680 We want everyone to know where we stand. 00:20:51.839 --> 00:20:57.440 But in the kingdom of God, suffering well as a nomad can actually be what brings about change. 00:20:57.599 --> 00:21:00.880 Verse 19, when mindful of God, you suffer unjustly. 00:21:01.039 --> 00:21:06.240 Verse 20, when you do good, suffer, and endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 00:21:06.400 --> 00:21:13.519 This helps us understand that suffering is ultimately an opportunity to let God for God to make the hope of the world go forth. 00:21:13.680 --> 00:21:18.559 Your suffering carries purpose in the same way that the cross of Christ carries purpose. 00:21:19.279 --> 00:21:25.039 Your suffering can point people to Jesus, just like the cross of Christ can point people to Jesus. 00:21:25.359 --> 00:21:26.160 Help me out here. 00:21:26.240 --> 00:21:28.000 How many people in this room believe in miracles? 00:21:28.960 --> 00:21:29.920 Help me out. 00:21:30.480 --> 00:21:31.759 Y'all believe in miracles? 00:21:32.160 --> 00:21:33.200 Praise God. 00:21:35.680 --> 00:21:38.480 A lot of people not in this room don't believe in miracles. 00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:47.599 And you can tell them about a miracle that it has taken place in your life, and they will politely listen, but then they will marginalize that miracle. 00:21:47.680 --> 00:21:54.079 They will think in concoct of ways to justify that, and they'll be like, well, they're a Christian, so that's probably why they're thinking this happened when really it was this. 00:21:54.240 --> 00:21:54.960 That's what they'll do. 00:21:55.039 --> 00:21:58.160 They marginalize, they justify miracles when they hear about them. 00:21:58.240 --> 00:21:59.359 But you know what people never do? 00:22:00.319 --> 00:22:02.000 Never marginalize suffering. 00:22:02.400 --> 00:22:10.880 The suffering that you've experienced in your life, the suffering that you will one day experience in your life is an opportunity for God to reveal Himself to the people around you. 00:22:11.839 --> 00:22:26.880 They may not believe in miracles, but when they see you lose a loved one and suffer well, when they see you walk through that diagnosis and suffer well, when they see you suffer well and dealing with loss and hurt and pain or that situation at work or whatever it may be, they will think, How in the world is it possible that they still have joy? 00:22:27.279 --> 00:22:29.440 How in the world is it possible that they still have peace? 00:22:29.839 --> 00:22:31.039 How can they still have hope? 00:22:31.440 --> 00:22:36.319 How can they profess that they still believe in God after everything that they've been through? 00:22:36.400 --> 00:22:37.839 And they'll think, I don't have that. 00:22:38.319 --> 00:22:43.119 And just from Dave to you, you want to know what I've seen God do more in the last five years than anything else? 00:22:43.759 --> 00:22:45.440 It'll help them become curious. 00:22:46.720 --> 00:22:50.640 And curiosity can lead to conviction through the power of the Holy Spirit of God. 00:22:51.440 --> 00:22:53.039 God wants you to use your suffering. 00:22:53.359 --> 00:22:54.480 Don't forget this. 00:22:54.640 --> 00:22:56.720 Jesus didn't just turn water into wine. 00:22:56.960 --> 00:23:03.440 He didn't just walk on water, he didn't just heal people and feed people and deal with diseases and calm storms. 00:23:03.759 --> 00:23:05.680 He also suffered and bled and died. 00:23:05.839 --> 00:23:10.000 Verse 24 says, By his wounds, you have healing. 00:23:10.319 --> 00:23:13.200 God is in the business of using wounds to bring about healing. 00:23:13.440 --> 00:23:15.200 What might God want to do with your wounds? 00:23:15.680 --> 00:23:17.519 What might God want to do with your suffering? 00:23:17.759 --> 00:23:23.680 What might God want to do in the situation that you're currently walking through that you feel like is just an absolute burden on your life? 00:23:24.079 --> 00:23:30.960 God wants to use your wounds, use your suffering to do something in your life and through your life. 00:23:31.200 --> 00:23:33.680 Your perspective changes how you suffer. 00:23:34.480 --> 00:23:36.880 Your perspective changes how you suffer. 00:23:37.039 --> 00:23:38.480 Let's recap here for a moment. 00:23:39.519 --> 00:23:41.759 One, your belief changes your behavior. 00:23:41.839 --> 00:23:48.880 You are called by God to be submissive under the government and under all other authority placed in your life because it's all from him. 00:23:50.160 --> 00:23:53.039 Two, your perspective changes how you suffer. 00:23:53.440 --> 00:23:55.279 Suffering is inevitable. 00:23:55.440 --> 00:23:56.799 It's going to happen. 00:23:56.880 --> 00:24:02.480 And God says sometimes you're going to understand suffering, sometimes you're not going to understand suffering, but you will suffer. 00:24:02.880 --> 00:24:04.160 Submit and suffer. 00:24:04.319 --> 00:24:07.119 Anyone else glad they came to church for an encouraging word today? 00:24:07.440 --> 00:24:07.920 All right. 00:24:08.559 --> 00:24:11.039 Someone's like, Come on, Dave, I'm like, yes with me. 00:24:11.119 --> 00:24:14.319 I'm sorry, but what the book says, all right? 00:24:15.839 --> 00:24:21.200 A couple weeks ago, um Emily and I we we decided to get out of town for a few days. 00:24:21.359 --> 00:24:22.559 The kids had a break at school. 00:24:23.039 --> 00:24:27.359 So we got out of town and um we had all three kids with us. 00:24:28.240 --> 00:24:29.599 We went and stayed in the cabin. 00:24:29.680 --> 00:24:30.880 We decided we were gonna go on a hike. 00:24:31.039 --> 00:24:36.079 So we looked up some hikes near us and uh made sure that they weren't too difficult because again, all three kids. 00:24:36.640 --> 00:24:38.720 Um we we get to the trailhead. 00:24:39.119 --> 00:24:44.480 The first quarter of the hike was no issue at all, just a leisurely walk through the woods, all right? 00:24:44.559 --> 00:24:48.960 Then it elevation started to pick up a little bit, started to get a little steeper, all right? 00:24:49.200 --> 00:24:52.960 And so Emily and I are walking, you gotta kind of really know where you're putting your feet on the rocks. 00:24:53.279 --> 00:24:55.839 I'm staying really close to my five-year-old son, Walker. 00:24:56.480 --> 00:25:04.480 And I noticed that Walker is really focusing, he's right behind me, he's really focusing on where he where I place my feet. 00:25:05.680 --> 00:25:11.519 And what I noticed is after he sees where I place my feet, he tries to mimic that exact same step. 00:25:11.680 --> 00:25:15.279 The difference is though, uh, my stride is quite a bit longer than Walker's. 00:25:16.079 --> 00:25:21.680 And so sometimes when he couldn't make that stride, he would trip or he'd stumble or he would fall, or something like that. 00:25:22.960 --> 00:25:28.000 And when I noticed that, I started just simply taking smaller steps so he can follow me better. 00:25:31.039 --> 00:25:36.079 Your belief changes your behavior, your perspective changes how you suffer, but listen to me, don't listen. 00:25:37.279 --> 00:25:39.519 Who you follow changes everything. 00:25:41.039 --> 00:25:43.200 Who you follow changes everything. 00:25:43.599 --> 00:25:50.559 I've read the book of 1 Peter so many times, but never has a phrase jumped out at me like the way that this one did. 00:25:50.960 --> 00:25:52.559 It's a phrase that changes everything. 00:25:53.200 --> 00:25:57.680 It changes how we should view our submission to any and all authority. 00:25:58.319 --> 00:26:01.599