1 Peter 1:13-16

Introduction

What is something that you had to really mentally prepare for?

Testing,

Explanation and Application

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13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action,

What does it mean to prepare your mind for action?

When our bodies are ready for action, they are poised to move. The mind works the same way.

Preparing your mind for action takes:

Intentionality - You do not slump into an active mind. You must be intentional to grow.

Diligence - Preparing your mind for action is a long and steady process. Have you ever pondered and wondered at how long it takes to make a doctor or a lawyer? Years and years of training.

Hard Work - We don’t except laziness at work, with our kids at practice, with household chores, etc. Why do we accept spiritual laziness so easily? Just as athletes prepare their bodies for action, so we prepare our minds for action.

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and being sober-minded

Sober minded means not allowing something else to influence the decisions. This obviously includes alcohol, but it means other things as well.

What are some of the things that keep us from being sober minded?

People-pleasing, sin, entertainment.

Have you eliminated all of those things that cause you to make decisions?

How much easier would life be if we simply let the Holy Spirit guide all of our actions?

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set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Peter tell us how to be sober-minded. We FULLY set our hope upon the grace of God.

I once saw a pastor illustrate this truth by standing in a chair and saying that he was fully trusting in the chair. He face planted into the choir pews a few seconds later.

There are two challenges to this action:

It is difficult to set our trust on any one thing.

We are inherently skeptical of anything that we cannot see.

“No I’m not!” Well then, I would like to tell you that I have been trying to reach you about your car’s extended warranty.

Are you skeptical? Why? Because, we see advertisement so often that it is hard to see anything without visualizing an alternative motive.

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14 As obedient children

Children are obedient, not because they have all of the answers, but because they trust their parents.

It isn’t a bad thing to ask God why he does something.

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do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance

We lived in darkness formerly, but we are to live in the light.

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15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct

What is at stake if we aren’t sober minded about our faith? Nothing less than Holiness.

Holiness is the cost for those who aren’t sober minded.

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16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Why do you think Peter included this verse in the text? It is a reference to the Old Testament.

Action Points

Be intentional to examine your mind, heart, and life.

Every December, I take a few days to reexamine the year, my motivations, my ministry, my marriage, repent, and ask the Lord to bless my efforts.

We have to intentionally do the same thing.

Find and destroy whatever distracts you and pulls are your decision making abilities.