Sermon: "Fear God ... Honor the Emperor" (l Peter 2:17)
I. "My Kingdom is not of this world"
A. We are sojourners and exiles
1. We are already citizens of Jesus' kingdom
2. We are witnesses, not competitors
B. We seek to be fruitful not powerful
l. The fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace ... (Gal. 5:22, 23)
2. Against such there is no law
Il. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable
A. Be subject to every human institution
B. Do good to silence the naysayers
l . Live as people who are free
2. Do not use your freedom to cover up for evil
3. Live as servants of God
111. St. Peter's summary
A. Honor everyone; Love the Brotherhood
1. Do not expect those outside the church to live as if inside
2. Do not treat those inside the church as if they were outside
B. Fear God, Honor the Emperor
1. Fear Him who can destroy body and soul in hell (Mt. 10:28)
2. Honor him who is given the power of the sword
IV. We are resident aliens in a fallen world we wait for another land