Undivided Allegiance
We’re launching a new series this Sunday entitled “Bearing Witness,” and we’ll be spending 7 weeks in 1 Peter 3.13-18. Peter gives us a “mission for normal folks” in these verses. This isn’t Paul in Acts traveling city to city and causing riots; this is everyday folks, living in neighborhoods, raising their families, working their jobs, and being faithful witnesses for Jesus. They aren’t knocking on doors, trying awkwardly to drop “Jesus” into every conversation, or donning some witness-wear. They’re people energized by the Spirit and the Good News, zealously committed to doing what is good, right, and true, even when it is costly. They’ve given their whole-hearted allegiance to Jesus and his Kingdom, and have abandoned hopes in the Empire. They are living the kind of lives that make their neighbors ask questions, into which they are eager and ready to speak of their Hope in Jesus. They hold their deep convictions and speak of them with gentleness and respect. In all things, Jesus is not only their message but also their means — he suffered for sin and for sinners, especially us. It is going to be a great series!
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
Read 1 Peter 3:13-18
Verse 15 says “[…] but in your hearts, honor Christ the Lord as holy […]”. In order to do this, Peter says that Christ demands our undivided allegiance. In your daily contexts (school, work, family, friendships, neighborhoods, etc.), what are the things that compete for your allegiance? What do they promise in return for allegiance?
In your contexts, what ways are you tempted to isolate, disengage, or remove yourself from the culture? In what ways are you tempted to completely assimilate and lose your Christian distinctiveness?
In your contexts, which of Peter’s descriptions in this passage would be the most countercultural witness to Jesus and His Kingdom? Why?
Where is the Holy Spirit convicting you that Jesus does not have the allegiance of your heart? What do you need to repent of? What steps do you need to take in order to live in light of the Gospel and functionally start to depend on the presence and power of the Holy Spirit to “honor Christ as holy” in your life?
May 21, 2023 - Steve Hart