Holiness Now & Later
Notes
Transcript
Future Incentive as An Incentive to Holiness
Future Incentive as An Incentive to Holiness
Introduction to 1 Peter
run down the list of items from the previous weeks
elect exiles-Elect - Chosen by God- This term gives us the some total of the life of Believers. It shows us our status on the earth as well as our status once we leave.
Exiles- what we are as we live now. It reminds us that we are in the world but not of the world.
Foreknowledge-
[The chosen pilgrims are foreknown by God the Father. Foreknowledge does not only mean that God foresaw that they would be his elect aliens.] Foreknowledge should be understood in covenantal terms, and the foreknown are those upon whom God has bestowed his covenantal favor and affection.
Foreknowledge-
The word “foreknowledge” (prognōsis) could simply mean that God foresaw whom would be his elect or chosen. No one doubts, of course, that such an idea is included. The question is whether the term means more than this, whether it also includes the idea that God ordains whom would be elect.
Does God Elect some and not others? Why would He Choose some, what about those not chosen?
Sanctification-
As elect sojourners, believers are also set apart or sanctified by the Spirit. Their entrance into the sphere of the holy, that is, their conversion, is the result of the Spirit’s work.
Obedience and Blood-
Finally, their conversion means that they have obeyed God and been cleansed by Christ’s blood—forgiven of their sins. We note here the Trinitarian work of the Father, Spirit, Son.
Peter next talks about the inheritance we have in heaven being Guarding by God. This inheritance is imperishable, undefiled, unfading.
He continues to build his case for these believers to stay faithful during their time of trials and suffering by having them to focus on the glory that is associated with the revelation of Jesus Christ. That if nothing else, they could count everything, every trial, every hardship JOY.
WHY joy? because nothing in this world compares to the Joy of seeing Jesus Christ, the savior of the world, and being faithful to him
we all are living now for the purpose of seeing him later.
The songwriter said “i shall see Him, face to face, tell him of the glories of His saving grace.”
we talked about the different trials that we can experience: physical (sickness), verbal (assaults against the faith), attack from satan, trails of lack (power, possession).
Peter says these things will indeed happen.
now we switch to The Incentives for being Holy.
Future inheritance- Incentive for holiness
Future inheritance- Incentive for holiness
Three imperatives-
v. 13 begins with “therefore.” Three imperatives mark this section (vv. 13, 15, 17). First, God has given them an unshakable hope in Jesus Christ, and so they are to fix their hope completely on what Christ has done (v. 13). Setting their hope on Christ means that they will reorient their thinking and live alertly and soberly. Second, Peter also summoned the readers to holiness (vv. 14–16), and this means that they will not capitulate to the desires that animated them formerly. Now they are to live different lives as God’s pilgrim people, conforming their lives to God’s very character. Third, believers are to live in fear (v. 17). The one they invoke as Father is also their judge, who will assess their lives and their eternal destiny according to their behavior. Fear is also fitting because they have been redeemed by Christ’s precious blood (vv. 18–19), and his atoning work was destined by God for their benefit before history began (v. 20). In the meantime their lives are to be characterized by faith and hope, trusting his promises while they endure sufferings in the present age.
How can this work?
• The two marks of decided hope: A healthy mind and a holy life (1:13–15)
• Three motivations to stay at it: God’s character, God’s judgment, and Christ’s sacrifice (1:16–19)
Two Distinguishing Marks of Decided Hope (vv. 13–15)
A Healthy Mind (v. 13)
In anticipation of setting our hope fully on the grace that is to be ours, Peter writes:
Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded …
Preaching the Word: 1 & 2 Peter and Jude—Sharing Christ’s Sufferings A Healthy Mind (v. 13)
Those who distinguish themselves with a set hope are those who have learned to cultivate a healthy mind. To put it simply, if God is to have your heart, he must first have your mind.
In the day in which we live, this will prove challenging. These are dark days for the disciplined mind.
We must have our minds prepared for anything that could come our way.
What’s on your mind?
Politics-impeachment-halftime Superbowl-
We must have a sober mind.
Holy Living (vv. 14, 15)
Immediately following the command to set our hope fully on the grace that will be ours is the second mark of decided hope. Take a look at verses 14, 15:
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who has called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.
Holy conduct is the second distinguishing mark of those who set their hope on the grace to be revealed at Christ’s coming. When we live lives that are modeled on God’s holy character, we demonstrate that we have internalized the call to set our hope on our eternal inheritance. Conversely, whenever we find ourselves trapped and enslaved to sin—when all we can do is continue grasping for the pleasures of the world—we reveal to the world, and to God, that we place too little value on the grace that is to be ours with the coming of Christ. By wallowing in the husks of earthly pleasure we are saying, in effect, that we despise the better wheat and rewards of the next world.
Too often we get caught up in the things in the world. The enticements of this life looks great, feels great. . . but in actuality Its strangling us.
examples: lust of eye, lust of flesh, pride in possesions
The Lifestyle of a believer
The Lifestyle of a believer
Lifestyle-
There are two more observations to make from this text about holy living, and the first is this: holy living, or the Christian’s conduct, becomes the subject matter for the rest of Peter’s letter. He uses it seven times (see 1:15, 17, 18; 2:12; 3:1, 2, 16). In essence, one could make the argument that the entire letter is given to explaining what this distinguished mark of decided hope looks like. We will see in coming chapters that holy living looks like:
• sanctification (1:13–21)
• a sincere love for others both in and out of the church (1:22–2:12)
• submission to unjust leaders (2:13–3:7)
• a willingness to suffer (3:8–4:6)
• service to God’s new family (4:7–5:14)
The second observation from this text about holy conduct is this: it is the mark of being a member of God’s family. Take a look at the familial nature of Peter’s terms—verse 14: “As obedient children” and verse 17: “And if you call on him as Father.” That God puts the mark of his holiness into the lives of his children is nothing less than what Peter trumpeted back in verse 3: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!”
What does this mean for us? Simply this. If God is not your Father, living a holy life will be impossible because holy conduct is the fruit of being a member of his family. We simply don’t possess the power to do so from our own genes or heritage. That is why Peter will say in verse 18, by way of contrast, “you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers.” Understanding God as your Father will be pivotal to your ability to live as a worthy member of his family.
Three Motivations
Three Motivations
3 -
Three Motivations (vv. 16–19)
Peter puts forward three motivations to get us out of our chairs and heading in the right direction.
• God’s holy character (v. 16)
• God’s impartial judgment (v. 17)
• Christ’s precious sacrifice (vv. 18, 19)
God’s Character (vv. 15, 16)
The first motivation Peter gives us to live honorable lives is God’s holy character. Take a look again at verses 15, 16:
But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy for I am holy.”
44 For I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. You shall not defile yourselves with any swarming thing that crawls on the ground.
Peter motivates us toward a life of holiness with a quote from . In doing so he selected an ancient text in which God commanded his people to be separate from the world. They were to be distinct. His family was to act differently from unbelieving nations. After all, they were to be his people, possessed with his good character. As his children, should we not want to grow up to be just like him? Christians ought to be motivated in holiness by the desire and opportunity to reflect God’s character.
God’s Judgment (v. 17)
Peter goes on to advance a second motivation for holy living. If God’s character isn’t enough to move us into the way of obedience, perhaps his impartial judgment will. Take a look at verse 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.
Each of us in God’s family needs to be careful how we live because we all have a Father who is absolutely impartial in his judgments. This truth alone ought to protect us against presumptuous sin. Let me put it to you this way: whenever we begin thinking, Oh, I can do this and get away with it. God will forgive me. After all, God is my Father and therefore my friend, we are on dangerous ground.
We must stop being flippant about our sin
MAny get tripped up in our walk, when God has created a way of escape.
13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
lastly,
Christ’s Sacrifice (vv. 18, 19)
But Peter isn’t finished motivating us yet. If God’s character won’t capture us for holiness, and if God’s impartial judgment won’t scare us into the pursuit of holiness, perhaps a reflection on the preciousness of Jesus’ sacrifice will compel us to live lives worthy of our calling. Take a look at verses 18, 19:
… knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
Don’t you love how Peter elevates the work of Christ? I especially love the irony in the precious metals he chooses to call perishable—the earthly metals of silver and gold. These, above all others, are earth’s most precious metals, the most lasting. But Peter makes them look like little more than fruit left too long on the table. The precious blood of Christ is precious indeed. Truly we were bought with a price. Our salvation was costly. It is as costly as the blood of Christ. Honestly, ask yourself, do I really need any other motivation for holy living?
Conclusion
Peter’s cry from high above the ship’s decks now comes to rest. He has finished his early call. He wants us to do one thing: set our hope on the grace that is to be brought to us at the revelation of Christ. He has shown us the two distinguishing marks of those who are doing so—a healthy mind and a holy life. And he put forward three reasons to motivate us to it—God’s holy character demands it, his impartial judgment warns us to it, and Christ’s sacrifice compels us in it.
The Blood of Jesus cost Him his life.