Scripture Focus for Builders Men’s Ministry – Tuesday, April 12, 2022:
1 Peter 2:18-25
18 [e]Servants, be submissive to your masters with all [proper] respect, not only to those who are good and kind, but also to those who are unreasonable. 19 For this findsfavor, if a person endures the sorrow of suffering unjustly because of an [f]awareness of [the will of] God. 20 After all, what kind of credit is there if, when you do wrong and are punished for it, you endure it patiently? But if when you do what is right and patiently bear [undeserved] suffering, this finds favor with God.
Christ Is Our Example
21 For [as a believer] you have been called for this purpose, since Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you may follow in His footsteps. 22 He committed no sin, nor was deceit ever found in His mouth. 23 While being reviled and insulted, He did not revile or insult in return; while suffering, He made no threats [of vengeance], but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges fairly. 24 He personally carried our sins in His body on the [g]cross [willingly offering Himself on it, as on an altar of sacrifice], so that we might die to sin [becoming immune from the penalty and power of sin] and live for righteousness; for by His wounds you [who believe] have been [h]healed. 25 For you were continually wandering like [so many] sheep, but now you have come back to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.
Wouldn’t It Be Wonderful to Be Spoken to and Treated
Kindly and Respectfully-Always?
You may recognize the quote in the picture above from the movie “The Help” with Octavia Spencer. Through all ages and, I assume, in all people groups, individuals and groups have been wrongly treated. You know that, right? We have traveled in more than a dozen other countries besides our own – the USA. We have seen it first hand. Color, ethnicity, nationality, economic status, part of town or the country, political or religious connections have all reared their heads as excuses to persecute or harbor ill feelings for others. I have come to understand that mistreatment of others is not just a racial issue. It is a heart condition. Jesus even told us that “in this world there will be trouble” or “you will suffer tribulation”. He is right!
The condition of the heart that leads to looking down on others as less important, not a true person or as somehow deserving mistreatment stems from the sin nature at its very core. When a person or group gets between what some want and what some have, or if we believe their mistreatment makes us look superior and puts us at an advantage to get what we want, then the gloves come off, and groups become the troublemakers rather than a peace makers.
My guess is that you have been mistreated, persecution, belittled, or made to feel unimportant or unwanted. Am I right? It may have started at home with siblings or even parents, who didn’t always know how to encourage or help a fellow when he was down. Sports and school may have been the next venues for feeling less than wanted and more of a failure than a friend. Dating, marriage, and even parenting has had its times of making us feel unloved. I know now that many of these feelings were unintentionally created, but they were real nonetheless. Some may have been intentionally caused from a person whose heart was hard.
Next, the question is what do we do when we are mistreated? Do we punch back, ignore the person and the pain? What do we do? In 1 Peter 2:18-25 we find some real answers to our real tribulation and pain.
Here it is:
18 Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate,but also to those who are harsh.19 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called,because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example,that you should follow in his steps.22
“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”[a]
23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sinsand live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 25 For “you were like sheep going astray,”[b] but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Maybe I had better add verse 16 and 17:
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.
Scripture is not teaching that persecution and mistreatment of those who are innocent is a good thing. Not at all. But it is a thing. Christians are and have been among those who catch our share of persecution at various times, in different climes and circumstances. What do we do when it happens?
We may appeal directly to the ones doing the damage. That may or may not work to relieve the situation. We may appeal to those over them in authority. We may have to suffer for awhile and trust God to correct it or give us the grace to suffer for doing what is right. His blessings and reward are promised, but that doesn’t mean the persecution stops, does it? You and Jesus will have to determine what your limits are and how much you can stand. He committed Himself to the Father. We must do the same when we are reviled, rejected, or persecuted. If there are no avenues for appeal or we exhaust all means of relief from the persecution, may we be able to suffer for righteousness and entrust the results to our Father in heaven.
Jesus knew His suffering would buy our forgiveness. So He did it because His Father told Him to. Jesus fulfilled His calling and purpose. He did that for me and for you and for all who call upon Him in faith.
Can’t do this at all without the Holy Spirit at work in us. He will do it.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
23 Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. 24 God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.
These are the questions to help you get ready for Builders Men’s Ministry Tuesday, April 12:
Lean In: What stories do you know of people who have been punished or had to suffer though they did nothing to deserve such treatment? What causes people to look down on others, strike out at groups different than themselves? Is persecution happening in our day? What reasons are the persecutors using to continue the persecution?
Look Down: How did Jesus respond to those who persecuted Him? What kinds of persecution did He receive? What physically painful persecution did He receive? What persecution or rejection was mental, psychological, emotionally painful? How does Peter through Jesus’ example instruct us to handle persecution that comes our way?
Look Out: How do men normally handle being misunderstood, falsely accused, or spoken about negatively? What examples have you seen where a man stood up against the wrong being done to him or to others and found a way to a solution and relief? What have you seen of men who suffered wrongfully but did not find a solution?
Look In: Have you ever had to deal with wrongful accusation or someone saying lies about you? Have you experienced rejection and loss even though it wasn’t your fault or responsibility? Have you ever loss a bonus or promotion to another person less deserving or not deserving at all? What was your response to the wrong you suffered? Was your response one that would fit the passage in 1 Peter: 18-25 and be a good example to unbelievers?
Take It Outside: This is our final “scheduled” meeting of Builders Men’s Ministry for this study. Let’s take some time to write down some of the ways we have grown in our relationship with God and how we are changing as a result?
- How do you view God differently from when we started this study of 1 Peter 1 and 2?
- Do you know ways you can influence other men or boys positively and in a godly direction?
- What actions have you already taken to get to know and mentor younger men or boys – relatives, friends, etc?
- Who from a younger or older generation do you know better or perhaps know well now?
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Scriptures from March 22, 29; April 5: I Peter 2:1-17
2 So put aside every trace of malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander and hateful speech; 2 like newborn babies [you should] long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may be nurtured and grow in respect to salvation [its ultimate fulfillment], 3 if in fact you have [already] tasted [a]the goodness and gracious kindness of the Lord.
As Living Stones
4 Come to Him [the risen Lord] as to a living Stone which men rejected and threw away, but which is choice and precious in the sight of God. 5 You [believers], like living stones, are [b]being built up into a spiritual house for a holy and dedicated priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices [that are] acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For this is contained in Scripture:
“Behold, I am laying in Zion a chosen stone, a precious (honored) Cornerstone,
And he who believes in Him [whoever adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] will never be disappointed [in his expectations].”
7 This precious value, then, is for you who believe [in Him as God’s only Son—the Source of salvation]; but for those who disbelieve,
“The [very] stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief Cornerstone,”
8 and,
“A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense”
for they stumble because they disobey the word [of God], and to this they [who reject Him as Savior] were also appointed.
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a [special] people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies [the wonderful deeds and virtues and perfections] of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people [at all], but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
11 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers [in this world] to abstain from the sensual urges [those dishonorable desires] that wage war against the soul. 12 Keep your behavior excellent among the [unsaved] Gentiles [conduct yourself honorably, with graciousness and integrity], so that [c]for whatever reason they may slander you as evildoers, yet by observing your good deeds they may [instead come to] glorify God [d]in the day of visitation [when He looks upon them with mercy].
Honor Authority
13 Submit yourselves to [the authority of] every human institution for the sake of the Lord [to honor His name], whether it is to a king as one in a position of power, 14 or to governors as sent by him to bring punishment to those who do wrong, and to praise and encourage those who do right. 15 For it is the will of God that by doing right you may silence (muzzle, gag) the [culpable] ignorance and irresponsible criticisms of foolish people. 16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover or pretext for evil, but [use it and live] as bond-servants of God. 17 Show respect for all people [treat them honorably], love the brotherhood [of believers], fear God, honor the king