Bringing Back the Focus to Christ (1 Pet. 1:10-16)

1 Peter 1:10–11 NASB95

As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.

1 Peter 1:12–13 NASB95

It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look. Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 1:14–16 NASB95

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

The Reason to celebrate Christmas

The Christ-glorifying ways to celebrate Christmas

The Reason to celebrate Christmas

1 Peter 1:10 NASB95

As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries,

Salvation is the main subject of this passage (v10).

The believers were persecuted and scattered all over the Mediterranean Region (v1) and Peter wants to encourage them to remember the good news (Gospel of Jesus) and to TAKE HOLD and REJOICE IN the salvation that they have received in Jesus,…their is a greater joy waiting for them in the return of Jesus despite the attacks happening to them.

In the same way, we also must Remember our Salvation, remember the Christ who came to earth more than 2000 years ago, in Bethlehem, the city of David to save us from our Sins.

Matthew 1:21 NASB95

“She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

Romans 6:23 NASB95

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Christmas is a time of remembering and acknowledging the GRACE and MERCY of God in sending the GREATEST Gift we could ever receive - The Son of God, the Savior, Jesus Christ!

The reason we celebrate Christmas is because

1. 2000 years ago, God came down to earth to give those who believe in Jesus the gift of ETERNAL life!

John 1:12 NASB95

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,

This Salvation that the believers received should motivate them to HOLY LIVING as part of God’s family.

That in whatever seasons, the believers are to lived their lives worthy of the salvation they received.

That as we received salvation, Christ should also received the glory he deserved! We are to focus our whole being to love and obey Christ!

But this is not true all time!

We struggle to give all the glory to Christ!

We lose focus of our priority - the glory of God in our lives!

We are too DISTRACTED at times with what is happening in the world.

This time of Christmas there are many DISTRACTIONS - party, reunion, gifts, outfits, decorations, etc...

Do you agree?

These things are not bad in it self, but they are not priorities, and they have the tendency to take the place of God in our hearts - an idol.

So what should we do???

Let the Word of God teach us ----

The Christ-glorifying ways to celebrate Christmas

1 Peter 1:13–14 NASB95

Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance,

Verse 13-14 is a CALL TO ACTION

Therefore - refers to the SALVATION Peter talked about in verse 10.

The truth and the joy of the Gospel must compel us to action!

Peter is calling the believers to meet the CHALLENGE of obedience by adopting a new mind-set.

5 Pointed Exhortations

1. Prepare your mind for action - participle

2. Keep Sober in Spirit (Be Self-controlled) - participle

3. Fix your Hope completely - main verb

4. Do not be conformed to the former - participle

5. Be holy (v.15-16) - main verb

2 Principles to help us have Christ-glorifying Christmas Celebration

Principle 1: Celebrate Christmas by having a HOPE completely fixed on the GRACE of God.

The word Hope is repeated 5 times in this letter.

Hope means - confident expectation, a joyful waiting of the Return of Christ. Christmas is supposed to be a hopeful and joyful celebration!

but the enemy will try to steal that hope and joy from us by distracting us with other things such as the pressure of what gifts to give, where to get the money to buy gifts, what food to bring to the party - daghan ang na stress kung ting Christmas! Malipay ba kaha si Manito or Manita sa akong gift? Unsa nga putahe akong e handa?

1 Peter 1:13 NASB95

Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Peter is exhorting the believers to be SPIRITUAL ALERT AND FOCUSED!

Prepared Mind for Action - “Gird your loins” - it all starts in the mind - let your mind to be transformed and ready for sustained spiritual battle - so that the enemy will not be able to steal your hope and joy in Christ!

Be alert and do not give in to the pressure of the trivial things -

1 Timothy 4:10 NASB95

For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.

Self-Control - repeated 3X, fruit of the spirit - spiritual concentration (focus), to keep your mind fully operational to prevent the enemy from distracting you of the true meaning of the celebration - the Gospel!

example: mahubog, entertainment focused, gift focused.

When we stumble and fall short in preparing our mind to action and failing short of self-control - remember the GRACE of God - He can restore you, refreshed you, and equip you again for battle!

Principle 2: Celebrate Christmas by displaying the Holy character of Christ.

This does not mean that we are not allowed to have fun and joy!

This means that we have to mindful of our actions, and activities

1 Peter 1:14–16 NASB95

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Do not comform - unsa imong celebration sa dili paka Christian ug sa karon nga Christian naka, aduna nay diference.

Likayi na ang mga activities o bulohaton nga maka guba sa imahe ni Kristo.

Gusto diay ni Kristo nga adunay mga law-ay nga mga activities?

Gusto diay ni Kristo nga walay pinasayloay diha sa pamilya?

Gusto diay ni Kristo nga dili ta matinud-anon sa atong mga sulti?

Proper Response

A. SEEK to glorify Jesus in your gathering

Priority, include Jesus in your conversations and activities (Bible games,)

B. SHARE the HOPE and GRACE of God, not just gifts.

Gospel, Forgiveness

C. STAND firm and avoid compromise.

be a good example to your children and guests.