Church & State
Before the Booth
September 15, 2024
You have won, O Galilean. —Emperor Julian
9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. —1 Peter 2:9-10
1.) OUR IDENTITY
The Church is the Chosen People of God who exist to declare the greatness of God.
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 Peter 2:11-12
2.) OUR CALLING
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. —Matthew 5:14-1612 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 Peter 2:12
God’s calling on the Church is to influence people through the way we live our lives.
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, honor the emperor.
—1 Peter 2:13-16
3.) OUR CIVIC DUTY
A. SUBMISSION TO AUTHORITY
B. GODLY USE OF FREEDOM
16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. —1 Peter 2:16
13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. —Galatians 5:13
C. TREATMENT OF OTHERS
17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.
—1 Peter 2:17