Called to Be Holy

Living Hope

1 Peter 1:1–12 (NIV)

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,

To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood:

Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

We now have hope in the our own resurrection in the second coming

and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you,

This everlasting inheritance should give us hope to continue on through suffering and trials on earth.

who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.

Trials grow our faith

Faith that remains true in the face of suffering is more valuable than anything else.

These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.

Peter is emphasizing the gift we have in the knowledge of salvation.

What is Our Inheritance?

We have been born again

New Birth

Living Hope

Inheritance kept for us in heaven

End Result of Our Faith?

Salvation of Our Souls

Spiritual Rescue

What can We Determine About God?

He is holy

pure

full of Grace

calls for our obedience and reverence.

Be Holy

1 Peter 1:13–16 (NIV)

Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

Peter is citing Lev 19:2

Leviticus 19:2 NIV

“Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.

Why Should We Pursue Holiness

Because God is Holy

He calls for our obedience

Fear of the Lord - reverence/respect

Your parents we fear them as children usually because we have a respect for them.

What are Characteristics of Holiness

Acting in a manner that does not conform to your previous life

Paul provides an example in Galatians 5:22-26

Galatians 5:22–26 (NIV)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

These are some characteristics of God. And we have those characteristics through Holy Spirit living inside us.

Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

How Can We Pursue Holiness?

Romans 12:1 NIV

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

Offer ourselves daily as a living sacrifice for God’s Glory alone

What Keeps Us From Pursuing Holiness?

1 Timothy 6:11–12 (NIV)

But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Paul is referring to the love of money

But: Earthly and Fleshly Desires

We we Believe God’s Word Must Change?

Starts with us as individuals

How Can You Practice This is Pod This Week?