Witness at Work

”18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” – 1 Peter 2:18-25

When mistreated by at work, we should submissively endure by entrusting ourselves to God, the righteous Judge.

Sermon Points

I. A New Perspective vv 18-20

II. A Transforming Example vv 21-25

Study Questions

Read 1 Peter 2:18-25

Introduction:
Have you ever suffered mistreatment at your work? How did you handle it, and what would
you do differently if you could do it again?

Into the Text:
1. While it is not a perfect comparison, some similarities can be seen between the
master/slave relationship of the first century and the employer/employee relationship of
today.
A. What does this passage instruct employees/slaves to do? What does that look like for you
in your work environment today (verse 18)?
B. According to Peter, what enables the Christian to carry out his responsibilities even when
he encounters harsh or unjust treatment? (verse 19)
C. What does Peter remind these Christians who are suffering unjust treatment (verses 21-
21)

Application:
1. Why does God allow unjust authority to go on?
2. How can we know when it’s proper to defend ourselves and when we should bear an
injustice without defense?
3. Was Paul wrong to stand up to corrupt authority in Acts 16:35-40? Why/why not?
4. How can this passage help you persist and not give up or skip out on your opportunities
and duty when it gets difficult? How do we know when to put up with a harsh work
environment or to move out from under corrupt authority?
5. From the sermon: “Tomorrow morning, most of us will be going back to some work, of
course not as enslaved people, but many will be going back to situations where there is
stress, in the very least, unfairness and even abuse. Our passage reminds us that we go with
a transforming perspective on the whole world of work and the dignity of free men and
women who are moral agents accountable to God for the decisions we make, the attitude
we adopt, and the way we work, knowing that we are in God’s sight and for God’s sake.
Finally, remember that we take the cross with us to our work. The cross is not just for Good
Friday; we carry it wherever we go and look to it for our example of Christ but also the
forgiveness of Christ.”

What can you apply tomorrow morning from this passage to your working life?