"Buckle Up"

1 Peter 1:13-20

Introduction

(Illustration) In southern New England, a young man, after experiencing much pain from losing his father at the age of 9 and five years later losing his mother, leaving him a young orphan. His teen years became extremely unstable, and things certainly weren’t looking hopeful. That was until some people around him advised him to abandon the company he had been around and spend his time with more sober minded people. It has been reported that he found himself among religious people and spending his days filled with reading the scriptures. However, ultimately, he had not put his faith in Christ. This young man was falling short through a works-based faith. Its as if things got better for a time before it all felt so empty and painful yet again.

Overview: Peter is writing to the dispersed Jews throughout modern day Turkey (Asia Minor) around AD 64. This would have been roughly 30 years after Jesus’ time on earth. This letter really is unique in comparison to someone like Paul’s letters who writes to specific churches, this is why Peter’s is one of the few lets referred to as a “general epistle”. It is written to a group of people in a general sense. It really is fascinating when you think about the fact that Peter is writing from a gentile context to a Jewish context yet, most of which he writes applies to the believer today. He refers to them as pilgrims or strangers, “the Diaspora” or dispersed/ scattered. These people probably at times did not feel welcome and perhaps were unsure where to turn next. Peter here in this epistle, is writing to a group of people who are facing persecution. I am not talking about light persecution, but persecution that involved execution for their faith. Peter precedes our text todays by reminding these people of their undefiled and incorruptible inheritance that they have through the blood of Christ, as we as believers all have today. The living hope that we must cling to throughout various trials and storms that we face. People who I am sure are discouraged and could be concerned about how to endure this in the long term. Peter’s central theme is; “Christ over all”. I just wonder about Peter and while he was writing these words. Think of Peters history all the way back to his time with Jesus. “We’ve been fishing all night” …. “Lord if it’s you, have me come to you on the water” … “I’ll never deny you” … “I’d die for you”, “Lets make three temples right here right now!” …

SIS (Sermon Idea Sentence): “To Be Holy is to be Wholly Satisfied with Christ”-Demoss

Does Peter ever remind you of yourself? Peter then writes these words to the dispersed pilgrims:

Vs 13. “Gird up the loins” (Figure of speech) _ In that culture the loin cloth hung down, something like a slip, along with the robe, making it difficult to run. By wrapping or tying up the loin cloth and the robe, a person could run much more effectively. The same concept is mentioned in Ephesians 6:14, as Paul explains that the armor of God includes a girding of the loins with truth. For Peter to tell us “To gird up the loins of your mind” (1 Peter 1:13) indicates that he intends for us to be prepared for action

Reference back to the trials mentioned back in verses 6-9

Persecution and Suffering-Peter doesn’t want them to give up and have a faith that’s dead or not growing closer to Christ. They may be pilgrims sojourning, but they certainly are not alone and have citizenship and inheritance.

1) God requests an individual’s preparation towards action. Sometimes it’s not a matter of where our hearts lie, it’s a matter of where we need to direct our minds. This takes discipline! Through soberness comes vigilance. The action to be taken here, is to be disciplined and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is brought to you (pilgrims) at the revelation (second coming) of Jesus Christ. For the Jew this probably took some work getting used to. “We’ve always have done it this ways because it’s the way of our ancestors”.

Actions: 1) Gird up the loins of our mind- “Prepare to Maneuver or get into position” 2) Be Sober (Serious Minded)- To think with clarity with holiness and truth in mind. 3) Rest- Place your head on your pillow on the fact that our foundation is settled, and its enduring!

Vs 14-16 Before salvation we were ignorant of our sin. Once our sin was revealed we now have knowledge and understanding, and we are not to aim to the former lusts. He who bought us is Holy, therefore, we are no longer under “sin” we are under “holiness”. We are forgiven and set free. Throughout the Jews pilgrimage each day, they are to look upon He who is Holy, and follow Him throughout the pain and suffering. We are to do the same.

2) God calls His people to be transformed from everything they knew.

Vs 17-21 We must realize that we weren’t bought with earthly materials but will an eternal weight. Our conduct is not to be aimless. Our conduct should be executed with fear and trepidation. Our redemption came at a price that even silver or gold could not compare to. We are not to be conformed to this world and what it offers, and in many ways, we were never meant to fit! We are to discern what to reject or accept that which is or isn’t Holy, so that we too may be Holy. This brings us back to the correct thinking that we see in verse 13 (“Be Sober” or Be Sober Minded). You see, the very word “Holy” or “Holiness” means to “cut or separate”, to set a apart, to be distinct, to be different!”

3) God and His characteristics are either seen or not seen throughout all individuals conduct.

Big Idea: God never intended for His people to come into His family without transforming them to become more like Him. Holiness requires intentionality and intensity. It takes devotion to be disciplined in nature between our new creation and our old man. To be on the lookout!

Illustration: The story from the beginning of the young man in New England, continues July 12th, 1739. He reported that things would certainly change! He expresses that he felt true joy through true repentance at the age of 21. He explains he experienced inexpressible Glory and it seems as though He got a glimpse of God’s Holiness. David Brainerd went on to become a very well know missionary to the native Americans for only 4 years. This took place in New York, Pennsylvania, Western Mass, and New Jersey. It has been said that it was his time with the tribes that was most fruitful. In 1746 he was diagnosed with tuberculosis, and again more pain, struggles and sufferings to walk through. It is also recorded that the daughter of Jonathan Edwards took care of him during his final days in the Edwards home. October 9th, 1747, at age 29 David went into eternity. It is interesting to note that most of which David Brainerd is known for is how he walked while on this earth. Men such as Jim Elliott, Henry Martyn, William Carey, Adoniram Judson, all read of his life and were deeply impacted by the holiness that was portrayed through his conduct that stemmed from a closer walk with Thee. Some of the men even explained that David’s story pushed them and their ministries that they were called to. David truly felt he made little impact for the Lord. Yet he reached many for the Gospel and impacted others to keep going and striving for holiness.

Application:

Approx. 30 years prior while together, Peter and Jesus along with the other disciples are on one incredible missions’ journey after another. Consider the fellowship, enjoyment, edification, and knowledge being poured into these individuals while on this journey. What an incredible time! Consider the amount of time and hard workday after day. The setup and tear down that each day involved, yet it rang true for them all, those who were “wholly satisfied with Christ” were in fact found to be found Holy in those moments. You see, this is a daily battle we face. We see this struggle even within the disciples lives and perhaps even here with the dispersed Jews. We see it daily within our own lives. We must act by placing our minds in a serious state to prepare to maneuver, be serious minded regarding these matters to determine what is Holy through correct and accurate thinking, and rest in the amazing Grace of our God.

It is a daily renewing of our mind (Romans 12:2). God doesn’t want part of us, He wants all of us. We are complete in Him, and by and through Him, He can complete anything through us, because He is all powerful, all knowing, and Holy, Almighty God! If we do not gird up the loins of our mind, we are going to trip when we attempt to run! The first and second time you may just keep trying to get up and attempt to run on your own before running again, but by the 4thor 5th attempt aren’t you going to get frustrated when you trip yet again? “I’m trying to go somewhere but I keep falling!” “It’s the roads fault!” We can remove some of the obstacles in the way, a few of the “Lego pieces” hidden in the night by girding up the loins of our mind.

Transition: So why would Peter cover conduct and holiness in the first portion of his letter to these Jews? Do you ever react towards a situation or circumstance? Peter here is writing for the need of perseverance and endurance in a hostile world environment. Why conduct and holiness? Perhaps Peter is trying to remind the people to not react poorly, stand firm, keep the faith. Recall how Peter sets up this book in the previous verses regarding the foundation of their relationship. Men, do you ever have those moments where you mess up in conversation or reaction with your spouse or children? At times, you may not be able to fix it immediately. Sometimes you just simply have to rely and trust in the foundation of that relationship…” I love you, I love you too Dad”. This is what Peter is getting at. Here is the foundation… cling to it, follow it, make it priority, adhere to it, become it.

How can we do this each day? 1. Make interacting with God and His Word a larger daily priority (We will review this tonight) 2. Ponder and consider things we are faced with against what we know to be Holy 3. Train and discipline our minds to focus on our conduct- our minds drive us directionally, our hearts tell us the condition we are in

4. Self-evaluate our actions against the actions and characteristics of God 5. Ask yourself, “am I wholly satisfied with Christ?”

6. Be Watchful and steadfast in what you know to be true (1 Peter 5: 8-9).

7. Find someone to emulate holiness from. (Who do you read?)

Conclusion: As we continue our way through 1 Peter it will become clear that if Christ is over all in our life, He will be seen in our conduct. He will be our aim. We will be found being like Him as John in his epistle writes later in life (1 John 3:2). Remember the quotes of Peter I stated earlier in this message? Consider what Peter went on to do for Christ… perhaps He grew to be “Wholly Satisfied with Christ”. He certainly seems to understand more, and in that, seems to love more deeply, and by loving more deeply, he seems to be more motivated to aim for holiness.

Ø He takes on a leadership role in the early Church.

Ø Peter gives a message over a large crowd and sees 3000 people come to know Christ.

Ø He preached boldly before the Sanhedrin.

Ø Perhaps through his conduct, he was a witness to Cornelius the Roman Centurion.

In the book of Mark we know the Peter had to go through a lens clearing process in order to see the Messiah clearly, in order to be sober minded and be watchful.

Closing: Will that be the case for you? Are we struggling with practicing the truth (1 John 1)? Perhaps this is an indicator of viewpoint or satisfaction with Christ. The Biblical concept of Holiness carries with it a sense of belonging to God.

“Oh, for Holiness!

Oh, for more of God in my Soul!

Oh, For this pleasing pain!

It makes my soul press after God!”

-David Brainerd