WEBVTT 00:00:01.120 --> 00:00:03.040 Good morning everyone. 00:00:04.160 --> 00:00:08.240 So our reading today is from 1 Peter chapter 2. 00:00:08.400 --> 00:00:10.640 We're going to start reading at verse 11. 00:00:10.800 --> 00:00:14.880 It's on page 1218 in the church Bible. 00:00:15.199 --> 00:00:19.280 And now there's a chance for the congregation to demonstrate their power. 00:00:19.359 --> 00:00:24.800 If they want a Bible, anyone put your hand up and someone will come and bring you one. 00:00:25.440 --> 00:00:26.399 No hands? 00:00:26.559 --> 00:00:27.120 Yeah? 00:00:27.440 --> 00:00:27.760 Okay. 00:00:28.640 --> 00:00:35.759 So let's start reading 1 Peter chapter 2, verse 11. 00:00:36.399 --> 00:00:46.640 Dear friends, I urge you as foreigners and exiles to abstain from sinful desires which wage war against your soul. 00:00:47.280 --> 00:00:59.200 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 that he visits us. 00:00:59.759 --> 00:01:23.680 Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human authority, whether to the Emperor as the supreme authority, or to governors who are sent by Him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right, for it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 00:01:24.079 --> 00:01:30.239 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover up for evil. 00:01:30.719 --> 00:01:41.200 Live as God's slaves, show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. 00:02:10.400 --> 00:02:12.080 Good morning, my name's Dave. 00:02:12.159 --> 00:02:14.319 I'm one of the two pastors in the church. 00:02:15.360 --> 00:02:18.639 If you're not surprised to see me up here, I am. 00:02:20.479 --> 00:02:25.360 Because it should be Hafan sharing with you this morning on this text. 00:02:25.599 --> 00:02:48.800 When we settled on preaching the series in One Peter and I looked at the breakdown, this text, particularly under the heading as we look at it this morning, submission to authorities, I thought there's no person better qualified in terms of their current experience of living under an oppressive regime and understanding what that's like than Hassan. 00:02:48.879 --> 00:02:52.639 So I asked him, Hassan, would you preach this text? 00:02:52.800 --> 00:02:54.800 He said, Yes, I'd happy to do that. 00:02:55.039 --> 00:03:01.599 And then when we had to start a week later than planned, I checked with him that he was still going to be here and he could still preach that text. 00:03:01.759 --> 00:03:03.120 He said, Yes, that's fine. 00:03:03.280 --> 00:03:06.159 And then Tuesday afternoon my phone rang, it was Hassan. 00:03:06.560 --> 00:03:11.840 Hi Dave, um, about Sunday, I'm not going to be here. 00:03:12.000 --> 00:03:13.199 I'm really sorry. 00:03:13.439 --> 00:03:16.080 And it's like, okay, I'll do it. 00:03:16.240 --> 00:03:17.599 We'll work it out. 00:03:17.759 --> 00:03:31.759 Uh, so I trust that God in his grace, um, whilst I had purposed that Hassan spoke on this text, uh, he seemed to have another plan, hopefully a better plan than my original. 00:03:32.000 --> 00:03:34.479 So we come together this morning to look at this text. 00:03:34.639 --> 00:03:40.319 Please do have your Bible open, page 1218, as it's been said, and follow it through. 00:03:40.400 --> 00:03:43.039 Well, follow the text through, but let us look at this. 00:03:43.280 --> 00:03:46.879 We continue our series this morning in 1 Peter. 00:03:47.280 --> 00:03:56.960 Over the past three weeks, we've thought together about a living hope, living in holiness, and living as a people belonging to God. 00:03:57.520 --> 00:04:02.080 This morning we begin a three-part section on submission. 00:04:03.039 --> 00:04:07.520 Today, submission to authorities, then submission to masters. 00:04:07.599 --> 00:04:13.039 That's the week after next, because next week we're looking at the text of Pentecost. 00:04:13.599 --> 00:04:18.240 And then the third part, the submission in marriage. 00:04:19.279 --> 00:04:22.639 At first glance, this may feel uncomfortable territory. 00:04:22.800 --> 00:04:28.000 We live in a culture that values autonomy and independence. 00:04:28.480 --> 00:04:36.959 We're naturally suspicious of authority, especially when we see corruption, injustice, and misuse of power. 00:04:37.600 --> 00:04:45.279 And yet, Peter writes these words to believers living in the Roman Empire. 00:04:45.839 --> 00:04:49.279 The Emperor at the time was Nero. 00:04:50.639 --> 00:04:59.920 Peter and the Apostle Paul both knew suffering personally, yet both write on the theme of submission to authorities. 00:05:00.240 --> 00:05:11.040 Both would eventually be killed by the state for proclaiming Christ, and yet neither cause Christians to rebellion or revolution. 00:05:11.360 --> 00:05:22.720 Instead, Peter teaches believers how to live faithfully under earthly authority while belonging ultimately to another kingdom. 00:05:24.720 --> 00:05:33.839 This morning at the Lord's table, we remembered the Lord Jesus Christ, the King who willingly gave himself for us. 00:05:34.319 --> 00:05:48.639 We remembered the one who was betrayed, falsely accused, mocked by rulers, condemned by corrupt authority, and crucified by the Roman state. 00:05:49.600 --> 00:05:51.839 Yet he did not retaliate. 00:05:52.399 --> 00:05:55.759 He entrusted himself to his father. 00:05:56.560 --> 00:06:07.600 And now as we come to 1 Peter 2, Peter teaches us what it means to live as people shaped by that same Christ in a hostile world. 00:06:09.040 --> 00:06:22.319 That's important because Peter's call to submission is not rooted in fear, weakness, or political conformity, but in the example of Jesus Christ Himself. 00:06:23.040 --> 00:06:28.399 Christian submission is not passive surrender to evil. 00:06:29.120 --> 00:06:32.000 It is Christ-shaped witness. 00:06:32.480 --> 00:06:39.759 It is confidence in God's sovereignty, even when earthly powers act unjustly. 00:06:41.040 --> 00:06:45.600 At the Lord's table, we have been reminded we belong to Christ. 00:06:46.079 --> 00:06:55.199 We are one body, redeemed by his blood, and we're citizens of another kingdom. 00:06:57.360 --> 00:07:05.600 And that's what Peter wanted to emphasize when he wrote, Dear friends, I urge you as foreigners and exiles. 00:07:07.519 --> 00:07:13.680 So communion reminds us this world is not our ultimate home. 00:07:15.040 --> 00:07:29.120 So my prayer this morning is that we would hear Peter's words not merely as behave better, but rather live out the identity Christ has secured for you. 00:07:30.639 --> 00:07:47.839 And so the big idea this morning that I want us to get a hold of is this that because Christians belong ultimately to God's kingdom, we live honorably under earthly authority, so that our lives point people to Christ. 00:07:49.680 --> 00:07:55.120 So as we begin the text of a number of points just to work us through, we begin looking at this thought. 00:07:55.439 --> 00:07:59.040 Remember who you are, as we begin in verse 11. 00:07:59.120 --> 00:08:11.360 So Peter wrote, Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, Peter reminds suffering believers that they are not fully at home here. 00:08:12.319 --> 00:08:17.439 This is foundational to everything else in this passage. 00:08:18.319 --> 00:08:26.000 Christians are citizens of heaven, living temporarily in earthly societies. 00:08:27.199 --> 00:08:31.040 We engage seriously with the world around us. 00:08:31.519 --> 00:08:34.000 We care about justice. 00:08:34.559 --> 00:08:36.799 We care about truth. 00:08:37.440 --> 00:08:41.679 We care about our communities and our nation. 00:08:42.799 --> 00:08:52.960 But our deepest allegiance is not to nation, it's not to a political party, it's not to an ideology, nor is it to government. 00:08:53.279 --> 00:08:58.399 Our deepest allegiance allegiance must always be to Christ. 00:08:59.519 --> 00:09:07.840 Peter's readers were already experiencing pressure, suspicion, and marginalization because of their faith. 00:09:08.080 --> 00:09:19.519 The severe persecution under Nero would intensify later, but even now, these believers knew what it meant to stand out from the surrounding culture. 00:09:20.240 --> 00:09:28.639 And Peter does not tell them blend in completely or withdraw entirely. 00:09:29.519 --> 00:09:44.720 Instead, he calls them to a faithful distinctiveness that guards us from two equal dangers: withdrawal from society on the one hand or total assimilation into society on the other. 00:09:46.320 --> 00:09:52.320 Many Christians today increasingly feel uncomfortable in British culture. 00:09:53.039 --> 00:09:57.039 Peter would say that shouldn't surprise us. 00:09:58.080 --> 00:10:12.080 Not because Christians are trying to avoid, to create conflict, but because following Christ inevitably places it at odds with every culture. 00:10:13.039 --> 00:10:20.799 If our values are shaped by Jesus Christ, there will always be moments when we feel like strangers here. 00:10:23.519 --> 00:10:28.639 And then to my next point, fight the real battle as we continue in verse 11. 00:10:28.799 --> 00:10:34.559 Peter writes, Abstain from sinful desires which war against your soul. 00:10:35.759 --> 00:10:40.639 Peter suddenly moves from politics to holiness. 00:10:41.200 --> 00:10:42.879 And that's striking. 00:10:43.759 --> 00:10:48.159 The greatest threat to the church is not Nero. 00:10:48.960 --> 00:10:50.480 It is not Rome. 00:10:50.879 --> 00:10:53.200 It is not hostile media. 00:10:54.000 --> 00:10:56.480 It is not secular government. 00:10:56.720 --> 00:11:02.240 The greatest danger is the sinful desires within us. 00:11:03.440 --> 00:11:11.679 Peter is more concerned about the corruption of the Christian heart than the corruption of the Roman Empire. 00:11:12.480 --> 00:11:15.840 And this is profoundly relevant today. 00:11:16.320 --> 00:11:27.440 It is possible for Christians to become consumed with outrage about society while neglecting private holiness. 00:11:29.039 --> 00:11:46.639 We can become experts in identifying the sins of others while ignoring pride, bitterness, greed, lust, envy, anger, or self-righteousness in our own hearts. 00:11:47.919 --> 00:11:51.840 But Peter says the real battle is spiritual. 00:11:52.159 --> 00:11:56.240 Sin wages war against the soul. 00:11:57.840 --> 00:12:00.399 So where is our focus this morning? 00:12:00.639 --> 00:12:09.039 Are we more troubled by the moral failings of society than by our own need for holiness before God? 00:12:10.639 --> 00:12:16.879 Because no political victory can substitute for spiritual transformation. 00:12:19.360 --> 00:12:24.399 And then think about this that we live such good lives that people see Christ. 00:12:24.559 --> 00:12:25.600 Verse 12. 00:12:25.840 --> 00:12:31.039 Peter writes, live such good lives among the pagans. 00:12:32.320 --> 00:12:36.399 Peter assumes Christians will be misunderstood and slandered. 00:12:36.879 --> 00:13:01.440 The early Christians were accused of atheism because they refused to worship pagan gods, disloyalty, because Christ came before Caesar, social disruption, because they would not participate in pagan practices, even cannibalism, because of misunderstandings about communion. 00:13:01.919 --> 00:13:11.120 Yet Peter does not say, win every argument, dominate the culture, or even retreat in fear. 00:13:11.600 --> 00:13:19.039 Instead, he says, do good, live honourably, let your conduct speak. 00:13:19.759 --> 00:13:31.600 Peter's concern is not merely that Christians avoid trouble, but that our lives help others see the beauty and truth of Christ. 00:13:32.559 --> 00:13:41.840 That is why he says, that they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. 00:13:42.879 --> 00:13:47.600 Our lives are meant to point people toward Christ. 00:13:48.159 --> 00:13:53.120 And this remains deeply relevant in modern Britain. 00:13:53.600 --> 00:14:08.799 Christians may increasingly be viewed with suspicion on issues of sexuality, truth, exclusivity, ethics, or even the authority of Scripture. 00:14:09.759 --> 00:14:16.320 Peter's instruction is not panic or outrage, but visible goodness. 00:14:18.000 --> 00:14:25.200 Peter expects Christians to Christian conduct to have a missionary impact. 00:14:26.000 --> 00:14:27.120 Let me say that again. 00:14:27.360 --> 00:14:32.639 Peter expects Christian conduct to have a missionary impact. 00:14:33.759 --> 00:14:38.559 That gives ordinary Christian living enormous dignity. 00:14:39.039 --> 00:14:50.720 Not everyone preaches publicly, not everyone leads ministries, but every believer bears witness through visible conduct. 00:14:52.399 --> 00:15:07.919 As a church, we influence around 170 folks in the building on a Sunday, and a good number more viewing our services online even now or later in the day or later in the week. 00:15:08.240 --> 00:15:14.159 But how many more do we influence outside of the church? 00:15:14.879 --> 00:15:28.080 Family, neighbours, friends, colleagues, those we meet on the bus or in the queue. 00:15:29.679 --> 00:15:39.440 The church's most persuasive, apologetic is often the beauty of transformed lives. 00:15:43.440 --> 00:15:49.440 Does your life cause people to want to know your God? 00:15:52.720 --> 00:15:59.440 Then Peter writes under this heading, submit for the Lord's sake, verses 13 to 15. 00:16:00.320 --> 00:16:07.200 This is perhaps the hardest section of the passage, and that's why I thought it most appropriate to ask Hassan to do it. 00:16:07.600 --> 00:16:09.840 But he's not here, and so am I. 00:16:10.879 --> 00:16:16.720 Peter says, Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority. 00:16:17.039 --> 00:16:18.559 Verse 13. 00:16:19.600 --> 00:16:25.360 Paul says something very similar in Romans 13, if you read that later. 00:16:25.600 --> 00:16:31.200 Paul writes, let everyone be subject to the governing authorities. 00:16:32.000 --> 00:16:37.919 And remember again, both Peter and Paul wrote under Nero. 00:16:39.200 --> 00:16:44.879 That historic context gives these commands a shocking force. 00:16:45.120 --> 00:16:47.279 So look at four principles here. 00:16:47.440 --> 00:16:49.679 First, the principle of submission. 00:16:50.559 --> 00:17:04.720 Peter is not saying every government action is good, nor is he saying rulers are always righteous, or that Christians must obey evil unquestioningly. 00:17:05.440 --> 00:17:13.279 But he is teaching that normal Christian posture toward authority is not rebellion, hostility, or contempt. 00:17:13.519 --> 00:17:22.799 It is respectful, peaceful submission wherever obedience to God allows it. 00:17:26.000 --> 00:17:32.079 That would have sounded extraordinary to the believers living under Roman rule. 00:17:32.319 --> 00:17:36.799 And yet Peter still says, submit yourselves. 00:17:37.359 --> 00:17:38.000 Why? 00:17:38.799 --> 00:17:47.119 Because Christians trust that God remains sovereign even over flawed earthly rulers. 00:17:49.839 --> 00:17:52.240 Then the limits of submission. 00:17:54.079 --> 00:18:00.559 Now the Bible is also clear that submission to earthly authority is never absolute. 00:18:02.079 --> 00:18:09.839 The apostles said in Acts 5, we must obey God rather than human beings. 00:18:10.720 --> 00:18:21.839 When earthly authorities command what God forbids or forbid what God commands, Christians must obey God first. 00:18:23.759 --> 00:18:29.440 The Bible includes several examples of faithful civil disobedience. 00:18:29.920 --> 00:18:48.559 From the Old Testament to the Hebrew midwives refusing Pharaoh's command, or Daniel continuing to pray despite the king's decree, and then the apostles continuing to preach, Christ despite opposition to their preaching. 00:18:48.880 --> 00:18:58.640 So Christians are not called to blind obedience, but neither are we called to a posture of constant rebellion. 00:18:59.599 --> 00:19:14.720 The normal Christian pattern is this submission where we can, resistance only where we must, and honoring Christ in both. 00:19:17.839 --> 00:19:20.000 And then the heart of submission. 00:19:21.359 --> 00:19:26.000 Notice what Peter says for the Lord's sake. 00:19:26.559 --> 00:19:30.000 This is really the theological heart of the command. 00:19:30.240 --> 00:19:39.920 Peter is not advocating political quietism, nor personality-driven obedience or nationalism. 00:19:40.640 --> 00:19:45.039 Christian submission is Christ-directed. 00:19:45.599 --> 00:19:47.279 It is worshipful. 00:19:47.759 --> 00:19:53.599 It is missional and rooted in trust in God's sovereignty. 00:19:54.720 --> 00:19:58.240 Think of Jesus standing before Pilate. 00:19:58.720 --> 00:20:07.200 Pilate tried to assert his authority, saying that he had power either to free or crucify him. 00:20:08.160 --> 00:20:17.119 Jesus replied, You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. 00:20:19.680 --> 00:20:31.519 That beautifully captures both submission to human authority and confidence in God's ultimate sovereignty over it. 00:20:32.400 --> 00:20:46.720 So submission for the Lord's sake becomes an act of trust in God, a witness to the world, and ultimately an act of worship. 00:20:48.480 --> 00:21:00.559 And then the purpose of government, as we look at verse 14, Peter continues, whether to the Emperor as a supreme authority or to governors. 00:21:01.599 --> 00:21:03.440 Does that surprise you? 00:21:03.680 --> 00:21:09.839 Did it surprise the foreigners and exiles Peter was writing to who lived under Emperor Nero? 00:21:10.559 --> 00:21:14.079 Peter leaves no room for misunderstanding. 00:21:14.319 --> 00:21:24.000 Whether directly under the Emperor in Rome or under governors across the wider empire, Christians were still called to submission. 00:21:25.200 --> 00:21:28.960 And Peter explains why authorities exist. 00:21:30.079 --> 00:21:37.839 Verse 14, to punish those who do wrong and commend those who do right. 00:21:38.960 --> 00:21:47.039 Government is not presented merely as unfortunate, necessary, or inherently oppressive. 00:21:47.680 --> 00:21:57.279 Government is a part of God's common grace in restraining evil and preserving order in a fallen world. 00:21:58.480 --> 00:21:59.759 This matters because many. 00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:10.240 Many modern people swing between cynicism about authority and unrealistic expectations of such authority. 00:22:16.400 --> 00:22:24.319 Many of us instinctively criticize government while forgetting how much daily stability we quietly depend upon. 00:22:24.799 --> 00:22:38.079 It is government that is charged with maintaining law and order, operating courts, establishing laws, supporting emergency services, and maintaining national infrastructure. 00:22:38.880 --> 00:22:49.839 Even flawed governments are often instruments through which God restrains chaos, protects the vulnerable, and preserves social order. 00:22:50.880 --> 00:23:00.480 Without authority, society does not become freer, it becomes more dangerous. 00:23:02.400 --> 00:23:08.880 And yet, Peter knew governments would often fail in this God-given role. 00:23:09.599 --> 00:23:14.240 Sometimes authorities reward evil and punish good. 00:23:15.039 --> 00:23:20.880 That is precisely why Peter's teaching is so remarkable under Nero. 00:23:22.640 --> 00:23:27.519 And then we look at the witness of good conduct in verse 15. 00:23:27.680 --> 00:23:37.680 Peter then says, For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 00:23:39.440 --> 00:23:52.880 Notice Peter does not say Christians silence critics primarily through outrage, aggression, or political domination, but through visibly good lives. 00:23:53.839 --> 00:24:07.519 Christianity spread largely through households, through trade networks, through acts of mercy, and the quiet witness of ordinary believers living differently. 00:24:08.319 --> 00:24:18.960 Roman historians noted how Christians cared for the sick during plagues, rescued abandoned infants, and visited prisoners. 00:24:19.279 --> 00:24:33.359 Tertullian, a Christian theologian and writer, noted how Christians, sorry, records pagans saying of Christians, see how they love one another. 00:24:34.319 --> 00:24:38.319 Their lives gave credibility to their message. 00:24:38.559 --> 00:24:42.319 And Peter says, that still matters today. 00:24:43.200 --> 00:24:52.960 So let us remember, submit where we can, resist only where we must, and honor Christ in both. 00:24:55.039 --> 00:24:59.359 And then Christian freedom is not autonomy. 00:24:59.519 --> 00:25:01.519 Look at verse 16 with me. 00:25:01.839 --> 00:25:08.640 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil. 00:25:08.960 --> 00:25:12.079 Live as God's slaves. 00:25:13.359 --> 00:25:18.720 Modern culture defines freedom as I answer to nobody. 00:25:19.599 --> 00:25:22.640 But biblical freedom is different. 00:25:23.039 --> 00:25:29.519 Biblical freedom is freedom from sin so that we may gladly belong to God. 00:25:30.480 --> 00:25:36.319 Romans 8 tells us we are set free by the Spirit who gives life. 00:25:36.720 --> 00:25:48.480 And Galatians 5 says, You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free, but do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh. 00:25:49.200 --> 00:25:58.240 Christian freedom never becomes arrogance or contempt or lawlessness or self-assertion. 00:25:59.680 --> 00:26:03.920 And once again, communion helps us understand this. 00:26:04.799 --> 00:26:11.680 Jesus possessed absolute authority and absolute freedom. 00:26:12.000 --> 00:26:16.880 Yet he humbled himself in obedience to the Father. 00:26:17.519 --> 00:26:21.200 True freedom is not self-rule. 00:26:21.759 --> 00:26:26.240 True freedom is joyful obedience to God. 00:26:28.799 --> 00:26:38.319 And as we draw to a close a concise Christian ethic, Peter finishes with four simple but profound commands. 00:26:38.799 --> 00:26:49.119 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honour the emperor. 00:26:50.000 --> 00:26:52.079 Notice the structure carefully. 00:26:52.240 --> 00:26:57.920 Respect everyone, love the church, fear God, honour the emperor. 00:26:58.720 --> 00:27:03.200 First, Peter says, show proper respect to everyone. 00:27:03.839 --> 00:27:15.519 A few years ago, when working with Swindon Youth for Christ at Lydia Park Academy, we used to teach a lesson on respect to each year seven tutor group. 00:27:15.839 --> 00:27:20.799 At the end of the lesson, we asked pupils to finish this sentence. 00:27:21.119 --> 00:27:23.519 A person deserves respect when? 00:27:25.039 --> 00:27:28.799 Most answers went something like, when they respect me. 00:27:30.160 --> 00:27:32.000 And that's understandable. 00:27:32.880 --> 00:27:40.319 But if everybody waits for somebody else to show respect first, society quickly breaks down. 00:27:41.039 --> 00:27:55.440 Peter says, show proper respect to everyone, not just those we agree with, not just those who are kind, and not just those who earn it politically or morally. 00:27:56.319 --> 00:27:56.960 Why? 00:27:57.839 --> 00:28:03.920 Because every human being bears the image of God. 00:28:05.839 --> 00:28:12.319 And this is ultimately a step more than we suggested to the year seven pupils to adopt. 00:28:15.680 --> 00:28:18.640 You see, only God is feared. 00:28:19.359 --> 00:28:22.000 The emperor is merely honored. 00:28:22.559 --> 00:28:30.000 That protects Christians from two opposite errors: idealizing government or despising it. 00:28:30.960 --> 00:28:37.759 Notice too how Peter carefully distinguishes between honour the emperor and fear God. 00:28:38.640 --> 00:28:42.960 That distinction is politically explosive in the Roman world. 00:28:43.279 --> 00:28:46.720 Caesar was increasingly treated with divine reverence. 00:28:47.279 --> 00:28:49.519 Peter refuses that. 00:28:50.000 --> 00:28:56.960 The emperor receives honour, only God is held in reverent fear. 00:28:57.599 --> 00:29:05.920 That means Christians are respectful citizens, but never ultimate loyalists to earthly power. 00:29:06.480 --> 00:29:22.880 That is enormously relevant today because modern societies also demand forms of ultimate allegiance: political, ideological, moral, or even identity-based. 00:29:23.200 --> 00:29:37.119 As Christians, we are to honor earthly authorities, but reserve worship, conscience, and ultimate loyalty for God alone. 00:29:38.960 --> 00:29:48.640 And as I conclude, Peter's vision is not of angry Christians, fearful Christians or hidden Christians. 00:29:48.960 --> 00:29:52.319 It is of holy Christians. 00:29:53.039 --> 00:30:11.359 Christians whose lives are so honorable, so gracious, so respectful, so visibly shaped by Jesus Christ, that even in a hostile world, people catch sight of the gospel through them. 00:30:14.319 --> 00:30:16.240 Close with this thought. 00:30:17.039 --> 00:30:26.400 When people look at your life, do they see something of Jesus Christ?