Four Commands to Live By
Categories: Sermon Outlines, Topical Sermon OutlinesDate written: 1990
Scripture ref: 1 Peter 2:17
SUBJECT: Ethics
TITLE: Four Commands to Live By
PROPOSITION: To discuss the four commands in 1 Peter 2:17: Honor all men; Love the brotherhood; Fear God; Honor the king.
OBJECTIVE: The hearer should be able to quote and explain the verse citing a supporting scripture for each point.
INTRODUCTION:
1. Read: 1 Peter 2:13-17
2. About the Text:
1) In this passage, Peter discusses the importance of a Christian’s loyalty to their government.
2) In verse 14 we read of God’s will for what the function of the government should be.
a. To take vengeance on evil doers, and
b. Praise the good people.
c. In verses 15 and 16 we read of the purpose for serving the government–to put to silence those that falsely accuse us as being anti-government.
d. We do this as free men and women in Christ but we do should not abuse our freedom by using the governments laws as an excuse to sin, vs. 16.
3) Quote 1 Peter 2:13-17 again.
3. Ref. to S, T, P, O.
DISCUSSION: In this passage we have the command to . . .
I.___Honor all men
1. God honors all men–has a certain amount of respect for all men.
1) 2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
2) Titus 2:11, 12 “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.”
3) Acts 10:34 “Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.”
2. We must honor all men–have a certain amount of respect for all men.
1) Matthew 22:39 “And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” We must be neighborly to all if we are going to teach them the gospel.
2) Hebrews 13:2 “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”
3) God is our example in that he sends rain on the just and unjust Matthew 5:44-48 “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”
II.__Love the Brotherhood
1. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth”
2. One of the Christian graces in 2 Peter 1:7 is “philadephia”–love for the brethren.
3. And in Romans 12:9-18 “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”
III._Fear God
1. Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14 “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”
2. Matthew 10:28 ” And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”
3. Hebrews 12:28, 29 “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire.”
4. Proverbs 1:7 ” The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
IV.__Honor the King
1. Daniel 4:17 God rules in the kingdoms of men
2. John 19:10, 11a ” Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above”
3. Romans 13:1-7 (Speed limit law).
4. Exception to obeying the government–when God’s law contradicts the governments Acts 5:29
CONCLUSION:
1. Let us remember the four commands in 1 Peter 2:17 “Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the King.”
2. Invitation