Introduction: 1. It would be easy to be a Christian here. 2. We live in the world but we are not to partake of the world. 3. God has called us to a higher standard. 4. What kind of life are we to live in this world? I. Honorably (verse 12). Honest-beautiful of outward form, lovely, fine, gracious. A. We are strangers and pilgrims>travelers. B. What we go through>The evils of humanity (Gal. 5:19-21; Rom. 7:14-23). C. Live above reproach (Rom. 13:14; Phil. 2:15; 1 Pet. 3:15, 16). II. Submit to the government (verses 13, 14, 17). A. The government is a God ordained institution (Rom. 13:1). Note: It is not a particular form of government. Remember the way that Rome acted at this time. Government does have a purpose (Rom. 13:4). B. My responsibility to the government-obey (Mt. 22:17-21; Titus 3:1). We should pray for (1 Tim. 2:1-2), pay our taxes (Rom. 13:6, 7), and respect (1 Pet. 2:17) our government). C. Stay away from the revolutionaries (Prov. 24:21, 22). III. Be a good example (verse 15). A. We are all example. We are watched by others. We may be good or evil. B. Charged (1 Tim. 4:12; Titus 2:7, 8). C. Reason: To put others to silence. IV. Honor all men (verse 17). A. Every man has value and worth-created in God’s image (Gen. 1:26; Ps. 100:3a), Christ died for all men (1 Tim. 2:6), with God there is no difference in man (Gal. 3:28). B. There is not to be a class that we discriminate against (race, intellect, position, occupation, financial situation, etc.). (Ja. 2:8-10; Prov. 24:23; Rom. 2:11). V. Be good employee (verse 18). A. God made man to be a worker (Gen. 2:15; 1 Tim. 5:8). B. Be good and honest employees. Give a days work for a days wages (Eph. 4:28; 6:5, 6). Employers (Lk. 10:7; Co. 4:1). VI. Endure persecution (verse 19). A. The godly will suffer at the hands of the ungodly (1 Pet. 4:12, 13; Phil. 1:29). B. Christians must not quit the Lord (Ja. 5:10), nor give in (Rev. 2:10).
Entered on 3/30/2008
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