1 Peter 1:13-2:1-3

[Announce text]

If you a have Bible, please turn with me to 1 Peter 1:13-2:1-3

[Scripture Introduction]

If you do not remember from last month or you were not here let me remind you. In this letter, Peter is writing to those who are elect exiles, both Jews and Gentiles. They have been scattered from their homeland because of their faith. As we explore this letter, we will notice that Peter expects a response in the believers' way of life due to the hope of their salvation. We know what it feels like to have people expect things from you. We all expect Mahomes to play a good game when we watch football. For Christians, there is an expectation because of the hope of our salvation. We are not to stay in the same place from which God saved us. Those who do not believe will see the greatness of the gospel and how it changes folks from the inside out.

[Re-announce and read text]

read with me from 1 Peter 1:13-2:1-3

[Prayer for illumination]

Pray with me...

[Introduction]

Last month I told you all, if you were here, that my sister has been battling brain cancer. Last Wednesday, I found out that she is in hospice because there is nothing further they can do. I booked a flight that night and drove 2.5 hours up to Iowa to fly out and see her.

You may not know; she is a firm believer in Christ and has been for quite some time. Where the tumor is located has caused her not to be able to talk fluently. She only has a few words that she can use.

As I walked into the hospital room, she immediately burst into tears with joy. It is hard to see your sister suffering. Instead of dwelling and what could be, I decided to do what she would love: read the bible. I read three books of the bible, and she sat there with joy and peace as she listened.

Suffering can cause so much pain in our lives. As Christians, we can suffer too, but that does not mean we should revert to our old life. Our lives must be dedicated to God. For he has done so much for us.

And Many of us know that God desires us to live for Him because of the hope we have through Jesus, but we fail over and over again when temptation or suffering comes.

If you are a Christian, God wants you to live for Him. We are to present Christ to the world. Today we will see the truth of God’s enduring word on how we conduct our lives for him.

Let us hear Peter’s encourage for us today:

[Proposition] Because of the hope of salvation, we must honor God with our lives

[TS]

Peter tells the exiles to “but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your conduct; because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.” The call to holiness is a command and a joy. Let us consider how Peter instructs us to live a holy life by preparing our minds for action, self-discipline, conforming to the Father, and reverent fear.

[Main Point 1] Because of the hope of salvation, we must honor God with our HOLINESS

[TS]

God is holy and requires his children to be holy. Even amidst their suffering, Peter instructs them to live holy, which is the same command for Christians today.

[Subpoint 1] By preparing your mind for action

Remember, these Christians are currently suffering persecution, which will soon intensify. Instead of telling them to run and hide, Peter tells the believers to grid their minds for action. You may be wondering, “What does that even mean?” I am glad you asked. They must prepare their minds for action. In ancient times, men who wore flowing robes must tuck them in for manual labor. This will allow them to move more freely and efficiently by not being tripped up by excess garments.

Peter is telling them to tuck in the unnecessary garments of their minds and prepare for battle or hard labor. They are to pull in all the unnecessary thinking that will cause them to trip or stumble and lose focus of their only hope. While doing this, they are fortifying their position in Christ.

Peter continues by telling them to be sober in spirit.

[Subpoint 2] By self-discipline

Peter says to be sober in spirit, which can also be translated as self-controlled. The idea hs that believers would curb the controlling influence of unwarranted emotions or desires. During the persecution, Peter wants the believers to make careful and informed decisions in response to their eternal hope. Their minds must not be filled with reckless thinking, which can cause them harm during their time on earth.

Then Peter instructs the Christians to become obedient children to their heavenly Father.

[Illustration]

In the army, before a mission or deployment, we would train. We would rehearse, practice, and even go through a series of live drills during our training. We would train and practice so much that it was tiresome and annoying.

However, once we understood the purpose of all the training it changed how we thought each day. We practice over and over again so that when we entered into combat, we would fall back on our training. During the stressful times of combat, it was necessary to have our minds ready for each day.

On the flip side, if we did not prepare or rehearse or practice, we risk the chance of dying or failing the mission at hand. Not only that, but it also becomes hard to operate under pressure if we never were exposed to that type of pressure.

Our minds had to be prepared for the battle. We had to tuck in all other excessive thinking that could get in the way of our mission at hand. Our minds were focused on the task and our training.

Just as soldiers prepare their minds, we also must prepare our minds but holiness.

[Subpoint 3] By conformity to the Father

Read with me verse 14. Peter sees these new believers as children of God and no long children to the devil. Therefore, he tells them no to conform to their former lusts but conform to the Father who is the Holy One. Their ignorance was about God. They did not know God until they were given new life.

Their old life can be characterized with passion for the lust of the world. They had burning passion that overwhelmed them before Christ. They were slaves to sin and doing their father's will, the devil.

However, they were born again to a living hope. Therefore, Peter says, 1 Peter 1:15. Peter emphasizes this here for the believers. He does want them to miss it. They are to be holy in all their conduct. The Greek word is meant to “turn upside down.” They are to flip their old life to the new life. They were to go from evil living to holy living. Peter commands them to pursue holiness.

That is not their only motivation. Verse 16 says it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.”

God has declared to them. The nation of Israel was meant to be a beacon of light for the nations around them. The nations would worship the one true God because they sought holiness. But they fail over and over again. As a result, they became like pagan nations.

[Subpoint 4] By conducting your life in reverent fear

Christians are brought into the family of God and now call Him Father. As children, Christians are to imitate their Father, who is in heaven. These Christians are facing precautions that could cause much harm and bring fear. But instead of addressing their earthly fear, Peter wants them to focus on the Holy Judge, who will judge impartially.

He wants them to live their life in reverent fear of God. Let me explain. This is not a fear of eternal judgment or being sent to the fire but of honor to the Father. It is respect to the one who has given them new life from the dead.

While on earth, they are to honor God with their holiness.

[Application]

Peter wrote this letter to Christians who were suffering, yet he still commanded them to be holy. As Christians, we live in a day when evil is praised. Evil living is the standard of living in society today. When you look around, what do you see? Billboards point us to alcohol, clubs, bars, and party celebrations.

As Christians, Peter's same command to the exiles stands with us today. We are to be holy like our father in heaven.

How do we do that? To start, you must prepare your mind. Tuck in all the sin and unnecessary thinking so that Scripture will flow from your mind. Allow God’s word to guide you rather than the desires of the world.

Secondly, you must be sober in spirit or self-controlled. Our minds must be cleared from all other distractions that will pull us away from holy living. Our focus must be on God and His plan for salvation.

As stated by Peter, “fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Salvation should prompt you to live a life fully dedicated to the Lord.

Think about it, if you are a Christian, you were saved from your old ways and given a new life. Not only that, but you were also given an inheritance stored in heaven. Living a holy life is not an option. We must live it.

But you must change the way you think about it. I know some here are probably saying that it is impossible, or you don’t know what I struggle with. Some of you have a hard time letting go of your past.

If you are a Christian, then Holy Spirit lives with you. He will give you the strength to fight through sin and temptation. The Holy Spirit convicts you of your sin so that you pursue holiness.

If you are not a Christian, then your life is conformed to the world. Your behavior in this world is self-centered. You only think of what you want. There is no clear endpoint other than death.

I urge you to repent of your sin and come to Christ for the forgiveness of your sin.

[TS]

We must honor God by striving for holiness and to be like Him. Also, we can honor God by with our memory of what he has done for us as Christians.

[Main Point 2]

[Analytical question] What must I remember?

[Subpoint 1] We must remember God’s redemptive plan

Look with me at verse 20. “He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but appeared in these last times for the sake of you.”

Not only that but Jesus Christ was also foreknown before the foundation of the world. This displays God’s love for believers that He planned long ago that sinful people would find forgiveness through Christ’s death.

This plan was for the sake of the Christians, which is another reason to live a godly life for the Father. Through Jesus Christ, Christians now have access to the Father.

Why pursue a life dedicated to God because of His redemptive plan to rescue believers. This is their motivation to live for God.

Also, they did not work for this; instead, they were bought.

[Subpoint 2] We must remember the precious blood of Christ

Peter says in verse 18, “knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things like silver or gold from your futile conduct inherited from your forefathers.”

Peter wants them to remember that they were not bought with gold or silver but something more valuable. The price for salvation was costly. It was not cheap. Because of their previous life inherited from their forefathers, they were dead in their sins.

Peter tells them to look back on that day of their salvation because they were redeemed “with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.”

Hebrews 9:22 says, “And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”

Peter is expressing this to the believers so that they will stay focused on their only hope for salvation. There is nothing that can save them from their sin. It does not matter how good they are; they will never measure up to the standard that God desires.

Therefore, Christ had to die to save those who would call on His name. Why? Because all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

Peter then directs their attention to the resurrection.

[Subpoint 3] We must remember the resurrection

Verse 21 says, “who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.”

If Jesus was never raised from the dead by God’s powers, then they were fixing their hope on something dead.

That is not the case. God raised Him from the dead and seated him up on high. The Christians, being reminded of this great resurrection reinforces their hope for the grace to come.

[Illustration]

[Application]

As Christians, we live with a motivation knowing that we were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold. Their inheritance from our forefathers is worthless and will perish. By the world’s standards, receiving silver or gold is valuable, but they will have nothing after this life.

We are redeemed with the blood of Christ, which washes away all sins and declares them righteous before God. “Jesus’ blood was the price paid to bring about the freedom of God’s people from their bondage to sin and evil and to bring them into the freedom that belongs to them.”

For us, this is the greatest motivation we have. It motivates us to live a godly life and reflect Christ in this world. Jesus Christ, who knew no sin, died to take the sins of everyone who calls on His name. The world’s desire must not preoccupy outlives; God’s great mercy must drive our godly living.

Because we are redeemed, we now have access to God. Hear Hebrews 4:14-16:

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us take hold of our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things like we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

If you are not a believer in Christ, there is cause for some concern. As stated above, there is a judgment coming for all people. All humanity will stand before God and give an account for all their deeds.

Through Christ, you can have salvation. That is the only way. He is “the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through Me.” This is through faith and faith alone. You cannot work for it or obtain it somehow.

You must repent of your sin and place your faith in Jesus Christ; His blood will wash you from all iniquity.

Believe today you will be given new life in Christ.

This leads us to the final point, that is…

[Main Point 3] Because of the hope of salvation, we must honor God with our LOVE

[TS]

As Christians, love is foundational. God loved us, and then in return, we must love.

[Subpoint 1] We must love our neighbors

The text says, “Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a love of the brothers without hypocrisy, fervently love one another from the heart.”

Fervently love the brother with hypocrisy. This is a genuine love for the people of God.

Christians love one another because of their salvation. Also, they have the same spirit living within them. Peter tells them to love one another from the heart fervently. This type of love is profoundly abiding for brothers and sisters in Christ. They love from a heart that has been born again. Again, Peter returns to the new birth due to the transformation.

Peter understands the love for Christ will pure out for love of the brothers.

[Illustration]

Take a look with me at John 21: 15-19

John 21:15–19 LSB

So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My lambs.” He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep. “Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go.” Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me!”

Peter loved Jesus, and his love for Jesus purred out to all other Christians. He loved until his death on the cross. His love was sacrificial.

Not only are Christians to love the brothers, but also God’s word.

[Subpoint 2] We must love the Word of God

According to verse 23, they were born again to an imperishable seed through the enduring word of God.

All of this is possible because of God’s living and enduring word. Everything will perish, but God’s word will be forever. God’s love endures forever, so Christians' love for one another must endure forever.

The Word of God was preached to them and through it they were transformed into a new person.

[Subpoint 3] We must love spiritual growth

Look at 1 Peter 2:1-3

1 Peter 2:1–3 LSB

Therefore, laying aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have TASTED THE KINDNESS OF THE LORD.

Peter instructs Christians to grow in maturity by seeking and longing for the pure milk of the word. God made children grow through nursing.

“Just as a human child is human yet must grow up to learn what that means and how to live as a human being, so these sanctified and chosen people are the Father’s children who must grow up and actively seek to demonstrate this in their lives.”

Part of the process is putting off that which weighs us down.

All malice and all deceit refer to all kinds of evil intentions. Christians must not tell lies or mislead anyone because of evil intentions.

Hypocrisy is regarded by society as one of the great sins. “Saying one thing and doing another is easy and regularly gives a bad name to Christians and the church community.”

Envy can so quickly overtake a Christian before they have even realized it. Christians thought must be on the living hope and the grace that will come. It is dangerous territory for Christian's thoughts to be on someone’s wealth or possessions.

Slander of every kind speaks of ill will toward other people.

Christians are born again, new children to God. They must grow up in maturity, which sees them living a holy life that images the Lord they worship.

Mainly, they must respect the gospel that has been preached to them. They are to learn more about the salvation that was so graciously given to them.

[Application]

If any of you have children, you can remember that all they need is milk. They crave milk day and night. When you are relaxing and watching the game, they want milk. When you are studying for the sermon, they want milk. Every few hours they need milk.

Peter tells us today to be in word of God like newborn babies crave milk. As Christians, we should not go long without the spiritual milk to comfort us. This is a daily task. It is our lifeline.

That is why Peter tells us to lay aside all malice and all deceit, and hypocrisy, and envy, and all slander.

You are a Christian do not have a desire to read the word of God, then you are filling yourself up with the junk food that world gives you.

You are too lay aside all the junk and pick up the pure milk of God’s word which will endure forever.

2 Corinthians 5:17 LSB

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

You are made new because of the new birth. Do not fall back into you old life which is corrupted by sin and wickedness. Long for the pure milk!

Also love your neighbor as yourself. Love covers a multitude of sin. Love for another shows the love of Christ even to those who despise you.

Follow what the psalms says in Psalm 119:9-11

Psalm 119:9–11 LSB

How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me stray from Your commandments. Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.

Seek God’s word and store it in your heart.

By yourself, this is impossible. The Holy Spirit will guide you.

[Conclusion]