Mr. Robert Mossotti, OPC Licentiate
On Sunday, July 26, 2015, Robert Mossotti preached “Honor the Emperor” from 1 Peter 2:13-25.
Sermon Details
The sermon today is divided into three parts, the first deals with verses 13 to 17, and it is called, “Dual Citizens;” the second part covers verses 18 to 23, and it is called, “Respecting the Boss;” and the last part covers verses 24 and 25 and it is called, “Sin and Righteousness.”
Source: Sermon Audio
Sermon Text
Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 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. 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. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 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. 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. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls (1 Peter 2:13-25 ESV).
Listen to “Honor the Emperor” (1 Peter 2:13-25) at mcopc.org.
Mid-Cities Presbyterian Church Library 
Obtaining the Blessing (1 Peter 3:8-12)
Mr. Robert Mossotti, OPC Licentiate
On Sunday, November 1, 2015, OPC Licentiate Robert Mossotti preached “Obtaining the Blessing” from 1 Peter 3:8-12.
Peter details duties to various classes of believers earlier in his book, to church members in general in the present passage. He forbids contention and trifling with the peace of the church. As OPC church members, we have vowed to keep the peace and purity of the church. We are to love as siblings, being children of the same Father. We are to be tender-hearted and humble, counting others as more significant than ourselves. We are not to repay evil for evil, from within as well as from without the church.
The church has always been a mix of believers and unbelievers. Persecution can come from inside as well as outside the church. Fraternal strife between true brothers is also possible in the church.
We must leave justice to the Judge, and we are to bless our persecutors. Because of our union with him who received punishment without resistance, we are called to do likewise.
In commanding us to bless others that we might obtain a blessing, is Peter preaching an apostolic form of the prosperity gospel, by teaching us to seek blessing in exchange for something we do? It is important to not misinterpret Scripture. Our blessing is a matter of inheritance, not merit. Christ was cursed that we might be blessed.
A good tree produces good fruit. The fruit does not produce the tree. Only fruit-bearing trees inherit the blessing, even if the blessing is not earned by bearing fruit.
Listen to “Obtaining the Blessing” (1 Peter 3:8-12) at mcopc.org.
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