Scripture of Focus for April 5, 2022 – Builders Men’s Ministry
1 Peter 2:11-17 – 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.
How Long Do You Hope to Live on the Planet?
Are you willing to be shaped into an influential Christ-follower?
The answer to that first question may depend on your theology, but that is not what I am trying to pinpoint. Regardless of how long we are earth-bound in this present life, in the millennium, or in the new heaven and new earth (see, I told you that the answer depends on your theology), you and I are still “strangers and aliens” on this earth. We are for now – at least.
My mom lived almost 101 years here. She often commented on how quickly her life was passing by. Now at 71, I am feeling the same way. I asked several students recently, and, you know, they – in their teens – were also aware of how quickly life was passing. It seemed to crawl when I was in the middle teen years, but not for these kids.
What is the point of Jesus leaving us here as “living stones” and a “royal priesthood” if we are not going to be here all that long compared to eternity? In 1 Peter 2:11-17, the apostle gives us a strong clue about why we are left here and not just swept up into heaven as soon as we say “yes” to Jesus receiving the salvation He offers. Since we are here only temporarily, Peter says, “Don’t get caught up in the sinful, wasteful things that occupied your life before you became a Christ-follower”(my paraphrase).
I know we are not to live just to please others or to try to make everyone happy….that’s impossible. But we can live to please God and serve Him as our “audience of one”. Pleasing God is the best goal we can have. Ephesians 5:10 is a short, clear verse about that. Pleasing the Lord includes loving Him and being loved by Him, loving others and developing abundant relationships where we can. In fact, those two commands sum up all the law and the prophets. Jesus said so in Matthew 22:37-40. (see verse 40 – “On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets”.
How does that look, exactly? I would say, “living for Jesus, a life that is true; striving to please Him in all that I do”….sounds like a song. It is! We learn to submit to God and to those to whom He commands us to submit. That includes the government (unless they are directing us to disobey God’s law) and other authorities at all levels who are put in place to protect law-keepers and punish law-breakers. Most authorities do just that – but with notable exceptions.
Then Peter sums it up for us in one verse of I Peter 2:17. Verse 17: Honor all people (show proper respect). Love the brotherhood. (love other Christ-followers) Fear God (give Him awe, worship, respect, and love) Honor the king. (give authorities their due respect). Again, my paraphrases are in the parentheses.
Bottom Line: We live in a world desperately needy of salvation, forgiveness, and eternal life. By honoring people, loving the family of God, living in awe and reverence of our God, and showing due respect for authorities we show those in this world who are observing our lives a huge difference between living for Jesus versus living for our own pleasure or just allowing others to control us.
If and when those outside the faith get serious about life and eternity, guess whose example they will remember. I wonder who they will come to for help and some honest answers to real life questions. That would be you!
Here are the questions we’ll be discussing at Builders Men’s Ministry Tuesday, April 5:
Lean In: Who are the most influential people you know? What makes them influential? If they are influential, then others must follow or look up to them or listen to them when they speak/offer opinions. What makes some of these people good influencers and others bad influencers? (Unless it is some historical figure please don’t mention the name of the person.)
Look Down: What bad influences does Peter tell us to block? What does he say we should do? Why does he tell us to stop certain things and start others to replace the bad with the good? How do the sins he warns us to stop doing “war against the soul”? What does submission have to do with Peter’s list of ways we can be a good influence on others? How does he sum up the passage in verse 17?
Look Out: In what ways do you see men being positive influencers? Would you name a few and describe how they are making a positive difference? What big name celebrities or sports figures are doing a good job of using their platform to impact the world in a good way? Do you know some men, who are not really famous but are good role models and examples for those around them?
Look In: Who influenced you most and was a positive role model for you? Are there men who see you as a role model and have benefited from your relationship with them? What could you adjust in your life to intentionally become a better role model – things you could stop or things you could start?
Take It Outside: Our Builders Men’t Ministry exists to help men grow closer to God in a personal relationship, to get to know other men, and to get to know men in other generations. How are we doing? What can we do to help our men at MBC become even better influencers for Christ Jesus our Lord?
Thanks for answering these questions. See you Tuesday, April 5, at Mt Bethel Church, 7pm in the Chapel.
Scriptures of Focus from March 22 and 29: I Peter 2:1-10
1So 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.