~~~~~~~ No 12 in the series - The Epistles of Peter. ~~~~~~~ **Considering 1 Peter 2:13-20** Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, ......... this is acceptable with God. (1 Peter 2:13-20) *1/ How God commands us to respond to the ordinances of man. 2/ Maintaining a character acceptable to God. 3/ Scriptural examples of maintaining a Christian character.* **Sermon summary:** This sermon presents a theologically grounded call for Christian submission to earthly authority, rooted in Scripture from Romans, 1 Timothy, and 1 Peter, emphasizing that all governing powers are ultimately ordained by God for the maintenance of order in a fallen world. It underscores that obedience to authority is not merely a civic duty but a spiritual act of worship, done 'for the Lord's sake,' and is to be accompanied by a humble, respectful, and Christ-like character marked by love, honour, and patience. The preacher carefully balances this submission with the principle that obedience to God supersedes human authority when the latter demands disobedience to divine commandments, citing biblical examples such as Daniel, the midwives, Esther, and the apostles to illustrate how faithful resistance must be conducted with grace, integrity, and a willingness to suffer without malice. Ultimately, the sermon calls believers to live in a way that is not only legally compliant but spiritually acceptable to God, where both obedience and resistance are shaped by a conscience informed by Scripture and a heart devoted to Christ's example of humble submission.
