CHRISTIAN LIVING IN

A HOSTILE WORLD
1 PETER 2:11-25
WHAT DO YOU DO IN THE UNFRIENDLY WORLD,
A HOSTILE WORLD, AS A CHRISTIAN?
HOW DO YOU LIVE AS A CHRISTIAN
IN A HOSTILE WORLD?
HOW DO YOU LIVE AS A CHRISTIAN
IN A HOSTILE WORLD?

1. Live a holy life

(away from the desires of the flesh), v. 11
 Christ You The Outcome
Living Christ (1:3-21) ‘for you are receiving Holiness (1:13-16)
the outcome of your
faith, the salvation of
your souls’. 1:9
Living Word (1:22-2:3) ‘…purified your souls by Holiness (2:1-3);
your obedience to the
truth…’ 1:22
Living Stone (2: 4-8). ‘…like living stones, let Holiness (2: 11-25)
yourselves be built into
a spiritual house, to be a
holy priesthood’ 2:9
ERMINE
“Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh,
arm yourselves with the same way of thinking,
for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased
from sin,…” 1 Peter 4:2
“But if we attach 1 Peter 4:2 to the clause "arm
yourselves," it runs like this: "As Christ suffered in the
flesh without shrinking, take for your protection and
support the same thought which proved a protection
and support to Him, viz., That to be rid of sin for ever
was the greatest of all possible blessings, and that
this is only attainable through the bodily death. The
result of embracing this thought will be, that for the
rest of your lives on earth… you may no longer live to
men's lusts, but to God's will." Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905)
HOW DO YOU LIVE AS A CHRISTIAN
IN A HOSTILE WORLD?

2. Have a good way of life, v.12-25.

I. AVOID SLANDER.

“Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles,

so that, though they malign (speak against) you as
evildoers, they may see your honorable deeds and
glorify God when he comes to judge”, v. 12.
“HONORABLY”

• “THIS IS INHERENT GOODNESS WHICH IS NOT EASILY

MANIFEST. BUT WHEN THIS INHERENT RIGHTEOUSNESS
OR GOODNESS IS EXTERNALIZED AND BECOMES
BENEVOLENCE, THEN ONE MAY INDEED DARE TO DIE FOR
SUCH” (SPIROS ZODIATHES).
II. BE SEEN - VISIBLE.
The Outcome Do
Holiness It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you,
(1:13-16) in regard to the things that have now been announced to you through
those who brought you good news by the Holy Spirit sent from
heaven—things into which angels long to look! 1: 12
Holiness ‘…purified your souls by your obedience to the truth…’ 1:22
(2:1-3) ‘Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and
precious in God’s sight, and..’ 2:4
Holiness ‘But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own
(2:11-25) people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who
called you out of darkness into his marvelous light’ 2:9
III. BE A FREE SERVANT – A SERVANT, BUT A FREE ONE.

“16 As servants of God, live as free people, yet do not

use your freedom as a pretext for evil. 17 Honor
everyone. Love the family of believers. Fear God.
Honor the emperor….”
POLYCARP (CA. 69-CA. 155)
“86 years have I have served him,”
Polycarp declared, “and he has done me
no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King
and my Savior?”