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The Ultimate Government
Q’s & Cues
5.24.15
I.
Texts
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II.
1 Peter 2:11-25 (Primary)
Matthew 22:15-22
Acts 4:19
Jeremiah 29:4-7
John 13: 15
Sermon Highlights
“How did the weak, marginalized, persecuted band of believers overcome the Roman Empire?”
A LUMINOUS GOODNESS (2:11-12)
Honorable can be translated "beautiful" or "attractive."
"Our lives are like icebergs."
"Grace is not a license to sin."
"Love is the ultimate apologetic."
THE FREEDOM OF SUBMISSION (2:13-17)
Institution is literally "creature."
"How is an exile supposed to interact with the political structures of the world we are passing through."
"To submit means to be other-centered."
"Let us obey the law of the land but let us first worship the Lord."
"Don't just obey the civil authorities, go above and beyond."
THE FREEDOM TO BE SERVANTS (2:18-20)
"Peter doesn't take a hammer to the hard drive of slavery. He does something better. He uploads a virus
of grace to rewire everything at the source."
"Persecution is an opportunity to show a joy in something eternal and not just circumstantial."
"Subvert the system by submitting in love."
"Put the Ten Commandments in law, are we okay? No. The problem is not in the law, the problem is in
our hearts."
"Legislation doesn't save."
"The way to the crown is through the cross. The way up is down."
A LUMINOUS LIFE (2:21-23)
"Christ is looking for servants, not superstars."
"If Christ is just an example, it will drive you to despair."
"We should put W.H.J.D. (What has Jesus done?) on the back of every W.W.J.D. bracelet."
A SERVANT'S DEATH (2:24-25)
"Christ is not just our example, but our atoning sacrifice. He took the whip. He didn't just show us how to
pay off debt, He took our debt."
"The imitation of Christ is absurd and impossible without His Spirit in us."
MAIN POINT: "As citizens of heaven and strangers on earth, the way up is down."
As St. Thomas Aquinas walked through the glittering cathedrals of Vatican City with the Pope, the Pope
looked at him and said, “Behold, Master Thomas, the church can no longer say, as St. Peter, ‘Silver and
gold I have none!’” Aquinas was quick to reply, “Alas, neither can we say what follows, ‘but such as I have
I give thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.’”
"When the church seeks worldly weapons it loses its power."
"Let us not put our trust in any other power than resurrection power."
III.
Q’s & Cues
ICEBREAKER
Q. Conventional wisdom says not to discuss two subjects in polite conversation: politics and
religion. Why?
Read 1 Peter 2:11-12
1. Before warning his readers to “abstain from the passions of the flesh,” Peter mentions the idea
of being “exiles” again. Why do you suppose he does that?
2. Honorable in v. 12 can be translated as “beautiful” or “attractive.” Is that surprising to you? Do
you think of Christians as living “the beautiful life?”
Read v. 13-17
3. Break into pairs. Use v.13-17 to come up with a one-sentence description of “the beautiful life”
according to Peter. Try to use as few of Peter’s words as possible in your description.
4. Does the Bible give warrant to the idea of a “just revolution?” Support your answer.
5. How do we sometimes attempt to “put to silence the ignorance of foolish people?” What is
Peter’s suggestion and why is it preferable?
6. What does Peter mean by “using your freedom as a cover-up for evil?”
Read v.17-20
7. Heath said that Peter didn’t take a hammer to the hard drive of slavery, but uploaded a virus of
grace. What did he mean by that, and why was it so effective?
Read v.21-25
8. What practical circumstance in your life can you apply the example of Christ in v.22-23 to? Why
is it so hard to not undermine or “get back” at someone?
9. How did Jesus do more than just give us an example of how to withstand persecution and
mistreatment?
Finish by reading the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant in Matthew 18:21-35