God's Call for Troop Withdrawal 1Peter2:9-17

“These colors don't run!” That used to be the attitude of most of the citizens of the USA. We like to think we can take on anyone or anything. However, one of the directives in the section of scripture we will consider today is, “Don't fight, withdraw,” in regard to fleshly lusts. God has drawn us (believers) out from single citizenship of the world. He calls us to withdraw from the lifestyle of the world. And yet, He commands us to engage in submitting to ruling civil authorities. And these things are addressed to believers who are harassed by the society in which they live.

To make the riches of His glory known (Romans 9:23), ²³ And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
²⁴ Even us, whom he hath called,

God calls believers to:

SEPARATION

• A Chosen People (16 out of 23 times the Greek word for "chosen" is translated "elect") v.9; Deuteronomy 7:6-9 ⁶ For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.
  ⁷ The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people:
  ⁸ But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
  ⁹ Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; God did the choosing by/because of His sovereign grace.

It is totally a God thing and therefore:

• Disallows pride John 1:12-13; Ephesians 2:8-9 John1 ¹² But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
  ¹³ Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

^{Ephesians 2: 8} For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
⁹ Not of works, lest any man should boast.
¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Some are want to say,”I come from a long line of Christians/ preachers/ Baptists/ etc. Actually our only heritage is a long line of men and women lost, dead in sin, without merit whom, in spite of all that, God loved.

• Exalts God Romans9:23(intro); 2Thessalonians 2:13 ¹³ But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

• Promotes holiness (consumes with gratitude)Romans 6:17 ¹⁷ But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

• Gives strength (since it is irreversible) Colossians 1:19-20 ¹⁹ For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
  ²⁰ And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

• Produces joy (a sure hope in the midst of a sinful world) 1:21; Colossians 1:5 ⁵ For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;

• A Royal Priesthood v.9: Exodus 19:6 ⁶ And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

o Royal – kin of King Jesus Romans 8:16-17(heirs and joint heirs with Christ); Isaiah 9:7; Revelation 20:6 Isaiah9:⁷ Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

Rev.20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

o Priests – Exodus 19:6; ministers Isaiah 61:6 Exodus19: ⁶ And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

Isaiah61:⁶ But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the

Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.

o Ruling with Jesus 1Corinthians 6:1-4 ¹ Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? (cont)
² Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
³ Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
⁴ If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.

• Holy Nation – set apart to have a relationship with God through Jesus. Positionally (vs practically) Sanctified Acts 26:18 (the Apostle Paul's commission)¹⁸ To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. This is what happened/can happen to you.

• Possessed (Purchased) People – Romans 3:25-26 ²⁵ (Jesus)Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation (a payment that not only settles the debt, but restores the relationship) through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
  ²⁶ To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

ILLUMINATION

• Publishers – of His excellencies Acts 1:8 ⁸ But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me

; 2:11 ¹¹ Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. ; Revelation 15:3 ³ And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. We are light, shining, reflecting Jesus

• Practitioners – Living in the light. Colossians 1:13 ¹³ Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

By His grace, we receive the light of God's truth and the righteous desire to obey it.

WITHDRAW FROM THE BATTLE vv.11-12 from fleshly lusts (1John 2:16 – lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, pride of life)

• Don't go there. “Abstain” Hold yourself off
• Run away. 1Corinthians 6:18 ¹⁸ Flee fornication. ; 2Timothy 2:22; ²² Flee also youthful lusts: 1Corinthians 10:14; ¹⁴ Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. 1Timothy 6:11… O man of God, flee these things (the love of money and the sorrows accompanying)…

u AVOID (from John Piper 1987) Some specifics to avoid

o Falling in love with the present world 2Timothy 4:10 ¹⁰For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica;

o Losing the horror of offending God's holiness 2Samuel 12:7-10 ⁷And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man…. ⁹Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight?… ¹⁰Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, The accusation was not of David violating the sanctity of marriage or the sanctity of life, but of despising God, the Holy One.

o Compartmentalizing life 1Timothy 3:2,4-5 ² A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; ⁴ One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity…; We say, “But he is a good, super talented, worker, or a good attender, or a good business man.. these are things we need…” MOSTLY we need (we need to be) godly men…godly in all areas to lead and keep us accountable.

o Disregarding the biblical mystery of marriage Ephesians 5:23 -The Mystery - verse 32 ³²This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

o Giving in to self-pity This was written to persecuted Christians. Here is how Paul avoided it. 2Timothy 4:16-17 ¹⁶ At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. forgiveness
¹⁷Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. faithfulness

DEMONSTRATION OF DISCIPLINE v.12-17

NOTE: The Holy Spirit seems to have impressed upon Peter that

the distinct lifestyle of believers can be used to draw people to

Christ(here and 1Peter3:1-2). Jesus taught likewise (Matthew5:16)

This is NOT to say that we have no need to be ready to give a verbal testimony of our Hope in Jesus alone by faith alone(1Peter 3:15); but when the words are spoken, the demonstration will be used of God to bring people to Himself

(1Corinthians 14:24-25). ²⁴But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged (convicted) of all:
²⁵And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth. Convinced and convicted – not only by what is said in church but by how what is said lines up with what he has seen on the street.

• Deportment(outward) should demonstrate your discipline(inward). We will have to live lives that are more than just good. People here can out “good” you. Out action must be motivated by the blood of Jesus, God's love, and His calling

• Citizens of heaven – heavenly authority
• Sojourners on earth – authorities here are (as with everything) heaven-appointed . vv.13-14 Romans 13:1-7 ¹Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God…
  
• Submit yourself v.13 to show-off Jesus Submission is missing from most goodness, especially worldly goodness.

• Free – made so by the Son of God John 8:32,36 ³²And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. ³⁶ If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

• Willing servants of God v.16 Colossians 3:24; Ephesians 6:6 (from the heart – the new one given you when you received Jesus as Savior) Colossians3:²⁴ Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. Ephesians6:⁶ Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;

• Honor all

• Love the brotherhood

• Fear God

• Honor the king/ruler

Our freedom and authority in Christ is not all about confrontation and casting out... It is also the freedom to back off, to shut up and just behave as a demonstration of our confidence in God who has fought and continues to fight our battles.

Can you trust Him to do that?