Proper Conduct Before Unbelieving World

Driving home: It has been said that Jonathan Edwards, the brilliant yet godly and useful New England preacher and theologian. Of his preaching it was said that his doctrine was all application, and his application was all doctrine.

An extended quotation about Jonathan Edwards' preaching style, where 'his doctrine was all application, and his application was all doctrine,' is used to illustrate the apostolic mindset of integrating doctrine and practical living, setting the stage for Peter's practical exhortations.

Beloved, I beseech you as sojourners and pilgrims to abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your behavior seemly among the Gentiles, that wherein they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works which they behold glorify God in the day of visitation. It has been said that Jonathan Edwards, the brilliant yet godly and useful New England preacher and theologian. Of his preaching it was said that his doctrine was all application, and his application was all doctrine. Now the person who wrote those words understood that as Edwards preached, every doctrine tha...

0:26 - 1:51 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The first part of Peter's appeal is a reminder of the believers' true identity as 'sojourners and pilgrims.' Martin explains these terms as 'foreign neighbors' and 'temporary…

The analogy of a 'foreign neighbor' or 'resident alien' is used to explain the terms 'sojourners and pilgrims,' clarifying that believers live alongside citizens of this world but maintain allegiance to another country (heaven).

But lest they have forgotten that specific element of their true identity, he now brings it forward again on the threshold of unburdening his heart with respect to the central concern, and says in essence, now, in terms of what I'm going to do, what I'm going to appeal to you about, remember, I'm appealing to you conscious of your identity as sojourners and pilgrims. And I want you, in receiving my appeal, to think of yourselves in terms of who and what you are as pilgrims and sojourners. Now these two words briefly, some of you perhaps will remember when we went through them in the other cont...

14:49 - 16:04 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The first part of Peter's appeal is a reminder of the believers' true identity as 'sojourners and pilgrims.' Martin explains these terms as 'foreign neighbors' and 'temporary…

A brief analogy dispelling the image of 'big black hats and knickers' associated with the word 'pilgrim' to clarify that the term simply means a temporary resident whose heart is towards their homeland.

He is a foreign neighbor. And the next word points more to one being a temporary resident. When the word pilgrim is used, that brings up all kinds of images of big black hats and knickers, and the rest. But that's not in here at all.

16:50 - 17:08 Read in full sermon

Driving home: As one has said, these lusts are not like a besieging army waiting for us to surrender. They don't pitch their tents around the wall of the soul and wait for us to cave in in some kind of war of attrition. No, they are c…

The metaphor of fleshly lusts as 'not like a besieging army waiting for us to surrender' but 'constantly sending their troops to batter down the walls of the soul' is used to emphasize the ongoing, active nature of spiritual warfare against the soul.

And now Peter says, you must hold yourself aloof from and keep distant from those fleshly lusts that will war against against your soul, your soul that has been purified in its obedience to the truth, that has known the sweetness of welcoming Christ as He is offered in the gospel, a prophet to teach us, a priest to forgive and intercede for us, and a king to rule over us. You must hold yourself aloof, keep yourself away from the fleshly lusts that are constantly warring in the present tense, constantly warring against the soul. As one has said, these lusts are not like a besieging army waiting...

28:59 - 30:15 Read in full sermon

The point: Be committed to a lifestyle in every facet of external behavior that is honorable, praiseworthy, and morally good, lived out amongst the Gentiles.

The example of 'going off into the mountains and form a Christian community' is used to illustrate what Peter does NOT envision, emphasizing that honorable behavior is to be lived out 'among the Gentiles' in the world.

and hold ourselves aloof from every fleshly lust which wars against the soul, we are on the positive side to be committed to a lifestyle in every facet of our external behavior that is honorable, that is praiseworthy, that is morally good, lived out amongst the Gentiles. That is, amongst those who do not know your God, amongst those who are still the citizens of this world, who are building their castles here, who are not strangers and sojourners. This world is their home. Its standards are those by which they live. But in the midst of them, you see, Peter doesn't envision a retreat. Abstain f...

32:36 - 33:32 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin transitions to the 'goal or motivation' for this conduct, which is its impact on non-Christians. He examines 'what the ungodly are saying' (speaking against believers as…

The historical anecdote of Peter escaping Herod but not Nero, and his eventual martyrdom, is used to illustrate the severe opposition and false accusations Christians faced from the ungodly world.

This Christians will be accused in the courts, false charges, will be laid against them even to imprisonment and death. Peter had escaped the sword of Herod. Remember that in the book of Acts? But he could not escape the perverse hatred of Nero.

39:31 - 39:51 Read in full sermon

The point: Do not cling to this world, which is slated for final conflagration, but retain your citizenship in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The metaphor of the 'world's Trinity' (lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life) is used to describe the driving forces of the worldly system, contrasting it with the Holy Trinity.

You will never become a citizen of heaven unless you're prepared to throw away your passport and lose your identity as a citizen of this world. You can't hold dual citizenship. And what is it that drives this world? The old writers like to say it's worship of the world's Trinity.

53:57 - 54:14 Read in full sermon