Sharon Reformed Presbyterian Church · Sermon study sheet

Following Jesus in Submission

Bryan Schneider · November 16, 2024

1 Peter 2:18-25

sharonrpc.org/sermons/following-jesus-in-submission

Summary

Peter gives direct pastoral instruction to household slaves, a large and vulnerable part of the Roman world, about following Christ under both gentle and harsh masters.
Their submission is motivated by reverence for God, not by declaring crooked treatment good or making the master the highest authority.
The New Testament does not command a slave revolt in this passage, yet it condemns slave-stealing, commands masters to stop threatening, recognizes Christian slaves as free in Christ, and receives them as brothers.
There is no credit in suffering the consequences of one's own sin, but God sees and commends patient endurance when a believer does good and suffers wrongfully.
Jesus is the decisive example: sinless and without deceit, he did not retaliate when reviled but entrusted himself to the righteous Judge.
Christ is more than an example—he bore his people's sins in his body on the tree so that they might die to sin, live to righteousness, and return to the shepherd of their souls.

How does the Roman setting help me hear this passage's pastoral word to enslaved Christians without pretending slavery was good?
Do I honor lawful workplace, family, church, and civil authority out of reverence for God?
When I suffer consequences, is it because I did good or because my own sin and irresponsibility caused the problem?
How should a Christian respond when an authority is demanding, crooked, or unjust?
Am I mistreating someone under my authority through threats, harshness, exploitation, or disrespect?
What does Jesus' refusal to retaliate teach me about entrusting justice to God?
Do I see Christ merely as an example of suffering, or as the Savior who bore my sins and calls me back to himself?

Household slave: A person legally owned within a Roman household who could perform domestic, professional, educational, or managerial work.
Submission: Patiently honoring a real earthly authority out of reverence for God while recognizing that the authority remains under God's judgment.
Unjust suffering: Grief or punishment endured despite doing good rather than as a consequence of one's own wrongdoing.
Conscience toward God: An inward awareness that conduct is lived before God and seeks his approval above that of a human master.
Substitutionary atonement: Christ bearing his people's sins and punishment in their place so that they may be forgiven and live in righteousness.
Shepherd and Overseer: Jesus Christ as the one who seeks, restores, guards, and directs the souls of his wandering people.