Hope and Holiness

1 Peter 1:13–25 (ESV)

13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 21 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. 22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, 23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; 24 for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, 25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.

Introduction

Last week Peter explained our reason for hope in heaven. This week Peter wants us to see our reason for holiness in this world.

Our hope of heaven motivates our holiness on earth.

We live differently in this world because our hope is in nothing of this world.

I imagine there were some to whom Peter was writing, who were facing marginalization, suffering, and even persecution who thought, “Is it worth it?” “Is it worth trying to live like Jesus when Jesus is allowing THIS to happen?”

Have you ever felt this way?

Peter will say YES! It is worth living like Jesus because of what Jesus has done for you.

Caveat - Peter is not guilt-tripping us into living like “good little Christians”

“Hey, see these scars? Then stop cussing!”

Instead, Peter is trying to redirect our focus onto three things:

The holiness of God

The precious cost of Jesus’ sacrifice

The continuing authority of God’s Word

We see these three things starting in verse 15, but I want to start in verse 13 where we see

You should be different from the world because you have a different hope.

I think it is interesting that Peter moves from our living hope to living holy but it is clear Peter believes the second flows from the first because he writes “therefore.”

Because you have the hope of heaven that anchors you through suffering, live holy lives.

13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

“Preparing / Being sober-minded” = participles

“set” is the imperative verb

Because of the hope you have prepare for action

“preparing” = girding up the loins of your mind

“sober-minded” = not just not resisting being drunk; rather bing self-controled

The question really is, “How should we then live?” With the pressure of Christian values not being promoted or sometimes even tolerated, how should we live?

Confrontational?

indifferent?

Give in?

14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance,

We are to live differently - not shaped by the world

Not conformed

only used one other place in the Bible

Romans 12:2 (ESV)

2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Before we are Christians, our hope was only found in those things that we could manufacture that we could muster to bring meaning and purpose to our lives.

A church that becomes like the world’s culture is irrelevant.

A church that separates itself from the world’s culture is impotent.

A church that engages the world while being different from the world is powerful.

You should live a holy life because your God is holy.

15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

(Referencing Lev 18:2-4)

What comes to mind when you think of the word “holy?”

I debated if I should use the word “holy” in describing what we should be like because I didn’t want us to think of it as being falsely religious (holier than thou)

I chose to use the word “holy” because (First, it’s the word used in the Bible) it is the best word to describe God

There is a way in which we can never be holy like God - ontologically - in our being.

God is not just “different;” He is HOLY different.

John MacArthur Sermon Archive The Holiness of God

Thomas Watson who said, “Holiness is the most sparkling jewel of God’s crown, it is the name by which He is known.

Isaiah 57:15 (ESV)

15 For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.

ILLUST - clothing in congress

There is a way in which we can be holy like God - in the way we live out our life.

Perhaps when you hear the word “holy” your mind only goes to God and all his glory (and this isn’t bad - it’s great). But if you are wondering what kind of “holy” is lived out - think about Jesus.

Was Jesus holy?

Jesus (as fully God) seemingly gave up some of that glory of his being when he also became human; however, he remained holy in the way he lived.

He was different. But he wasn’t “holier than thou.” He neither ran away from the world’s culture nor did he become enamored with it and live like those in the world. Instead, he was distinct form the world while engaging the world. He was holy.

We often think of issues when we think of holiness. We need to think of attitudes and actions.

Some of us will lean legalistic in holiness and some will lean loose.

Remember Peter - legalistic with Matthew at first but learned holiness from Jesus

But neither did he go loose in his holiness. Why? Because he SAW the price Jesus paid

How? Love with holiness

How would your family describe you? How would your coworkers describe you? Is the only thing different about you your name? Are you distinct?

Is your attitude different?

Are your actions different?

Are your words different?

Are your priorities different?

You should live a holy life because your God is holy.

This is why:

17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers,

Futile = empty

OT sacrifices did nothing of real value

Life before Christ had no real purpose.

not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

You should live holy at any cost because Jesus saved you at great cost.

ILLUST - quarter ride and plane ride.

20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you

When I understand the price Jesus paid for me, the question of “is living the Christian life worth it?” answers itself.

Is it worth living the Christian life when things are difficult in general? YES

Is it worth living the Christian life when people marginalize my beliefs and values? YES

Is it worth living the Christian life when my life is not going as expected? YES

Is it worth maintaining a holy Christian life even when facing life unexpected or life shortened? YES

Why?

21 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.

What is too much for God to ask of you?

The last thing Peter would tell us:

You should ground your holy life in God’s Holy Word

22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, 23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;

When we align our lives to God’s Word the result is a pure heart that loves others. Bible study is not simply to KNOW about God it is to LIVE like Jesus!

Remember, when Peter writes about God’s Word, he is referring to the Old Testament (and perhaps some Gospels)

The Word of God is living and abiding (continues to live) making the salvation message, the gospel, true for you and my children and your grandchildren.

24 for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, 25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.

(from Isaiah 40:6,8)

God’s Word remains true forever.

How much of your life is grounded on God’s Word?