Old Llantrisant Hill
- The New Testament was written in a 1st century context where slavery was a very significant feature
- The economy was built on slavery
- We thank God for the abolition of slavery - largely through Christians
- Plato's example of 'justice'
- Aristotle example of 'rule'
- When Paul taught no difference between slave and free (in Jesus Christ)
- This was a staggering statement for those in the 1st century to hear
- What then is Peter writing about?
- Servants - be submissive (v18)
- Christians called bondservants of God (v16)
- Eph 2:6
- Christians were not pushovers
- They refused to worship the Emporer
- They refused to accept the gladiatorial games/blood sports
- They stood up for the weak and marginalised
- They stood up against infanticide
- The Roman's and Aristotle thought the weak should be discarded/oppressed
- Does the New Testament accept slavery?
- What Paul and Peter are saying is 'how to live under this regime'
- The Bible is about the gospel messages - changing lives
- Sometimes it is not possible to transform society
- 1st century slavery was not the same as recent slavery
- In such situations act as a Christian
- Do good
- Honour your master
- Be a good example
- Submission - difficult to our modern ear, but all over the New Testament
- v13, 18, 3:1, 5:5
- The modern person thinks submission implies servitude, domineering
- What does the word in Scripture mean?
- 5:5
- Submit to one another
- Want the best for the other
- Not fight against them
- We want to help and support one another
- The world practices 'every man for themselves'
- Naturally we want to decide things ourselves
- Is it not better to yield to one another?
- You cannot understand Christianity without understanding the word submission
- Christianity centres on Christ:
- Who submitted to death
- Who submitted to the will of His Father
- Every practical applications, command, imperative and teaching is based upon the person of Jesus Christ
- v21-24
- We believe in the Trinity - equal and divine
- The Father - All wise, present, powerful, holy, perfect love, perfect righteousness
- The Son and the Spirit - the same
- Yet, Jesus:
- Jesus enters into creation
- The infinite being contracted to a span
- The divine taking on human nature
- The Creator becoming like a creature
- Jesus submitted to the will of His Father
- He took upon Himself the role of mediator
- Humans are cut off from God because of our sin
- He is the God Man
- He lived the perfect life
- Yet He identified with sinners
- At His Baptism, He is tempted
- He gave Himself entirely to people - examples
- He did not revile in return (v23) - examples
- He did not threaten when suffered (v23)
- He committed Himself to God (v23)
- He bore our sins in His body on the cross (v24)
- We cannot understand the agony
- We cannot understand the wrath of God poured upon Him
- The wages of sin is death
- Do you acknowledge that you are a sinner?
- Look what God has done in our lives
- Look at what Jesus did in His life - examples
- He was submissive
- Jesus wants us to be submissive
- The message of Christianity is that Christ submitted to the will of God
- Christianity has changed the world
- Quote from Peter Jordan
- Book from Glen Scrivener
- Have you thought about this? Have you believed it?
- Example of Naaman, the man born blind
- Have you come to Christ?
- Have you asked Him to wash away your sin?
- Have you asked Him to open your eyes?
- It is no good if you agree but do no come
- You must submit to God
- 5:5 - be clothed in humility
- Have you humbled yourself before the living God?
- Quote from Rodney Stark
- Quote from Selsus - Christians embrace the marginalised
- Closing Remarks:
- What is your world view?
- Example of book Homo Deus from Yuval Noah Harari
- Quote from Richard Dawkins
- Consider the gospel message of Jesus Christ
- Are you humble enough to receive Him as Lord and Saviour