Identity In Imperishable Things

Introduction

Our identity is important

You would identify as an Tamil Indian and this changes the way you live and the way that you think about yourselves

1 Peter 1:13–19 NIV

13 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. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 17 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

1 Peter 1:20–2:2 NIV

20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God. 22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. 23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, 25 but the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word that was preached to you. 1 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,

Body

1 Peter 1:13–16 NIV

13 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. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

Find Your Identity In The Impartial Judge

1 Peter 1:17 NIV

17 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.

Have you ever had a teacher that you can tell likes one student so they are easier on that student.

Example - writing a Dr. Luper paper is different than writing a Dr. Trump paper.

When we seek for our identity in this world and for the approval of others each person judges differently.

No matter what we do life can go one way or another.

Example - Knocking

Example - Thermostat vs Thermometer

Knowing Versus Believing In Imperishable Things

1 Peter 1:18–19 NIV

18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

It can be very easy to know something but then we keep doing it. I can know that eating a certain way is bad for me but then I do it anyway

We can know that we are not saved by things that we can do but then we put our worth in our grades.

Your grades dont change how much God loves you or not. How much effort you put into your grades doesn’t change how much he loves you either. But he cares that we continue to give ourselves to him everyday

Example - Greek Class

1 Peter 1:20–22 NIV

20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God. 22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.

Finding Your Identity In The Imperishable Seed

1 Peter 1:23–25 NIV

23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, 25 but the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word that was preached to you.

The things of this world are perishable. They rot and decay

But when we find our identity in Chris he never decays or rots away. What he says about us will always be true.

1 Peter 2:1–3 NIV

1 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

Conclusion

Finding Your Identity In The Impartial Judge

Knowing Versus Believing In Imperishable Things

Finding Your Identity In The Imperishable Seed

Has there ever been a time in your life where you have seen someone judge someone with bias?

Has this ever happened to you? How did it make you feel?

When has there been a time that you have put your identity in something perishable?

Why is it bad to put our identity in perishable things?

How does putting our identity in Christ improve the way that we see ourselves?