A Holiness Demanded By God’s Own Character

1 Peter Series Part 4

Sub Series: A Demand for Holiness” (1:13 – 2:3)

Title: “A Holiness Demanded by God’s Own Character”

Text: 1 Peter 1:13-16

INTRO: HOLINESS? WHAT IS HOLINESS?

I. A holy life will make the deepest impression. Lighthouses blow no horns, they just shine.

II. D.L. Moody.

Transition: Previously we looked at:

1. First teaching section (1:3-12). The method and nature of salvation

a. A salvation based on the hope inspired by Christ’s resurrection (1:3-5)

b. A salvation secured through a faith deepened in trial (1:6-9)

c. A salvation reported by the prophets who described its grace and glory (1:10-12)

2. First preaching section (1:13-2:3). A demand for holiness

a. A holiness demanded by God’s own character (1:13-16)

b. A holiness demanded by the costly experience of Christ’s passion (1:17-21)

c. A holiness expressed in genuine love responding to the gospel (1:22-25)

d. A holiness expressed by the new life received from a gracious God (2:1-3)

TEXT: 1 PETER 1:13–16 (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.”

I. Holiness of God is a Mindset.

a. What does holiness look like to you? What is significance of holiness in Christian’s life? How does holiness impact our daily lives?

b. First of all, notice there is a transition word written by Apostle Peter in verse 13; “therefore.”

c. Therefore is a transitioning word tying one thought to another, or the results of a thought often applied to or giving results to a thought or instruction.

i. Basically the impact of a consideration, the act of following through with a challenge.

d. So let us tie together the condition that Peter established prior in chapter one:

i. 1 Peter 1:10–12 (ESV)

ii. 10Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully,

iii. 11inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories.

iv. 12It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.

e. Therefore: Because of the sovereign grace and salvation of God, Peter mentions three necessities dealing with the impact of salvation upon our lives:

i. V13 – “prepare your minds for action,” Gk: “girding up the loins of your mind”

1. to prepare oneself for learning and thinking—‘to get one’s mind ready for action, to be alert.

2. Be ready for action.

a. Luke 12:35–36 (ESV)

b. 35“Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning,

c. 36and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.

ii. Secondly, Be sober minded:

1. Sober: Gk: “Nepho” To be in control of one’s thoughts. Self-control.

2. 1 Thessalonians 5:8 (ESV)

3. 8But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

iii. Thirdly, Set your hope fully on Christ through His grace.

1. Hope: to look forward with confidence.

2. This is all revealed of Christ, in that our mindset is to be upon Christ and the confidence of His return for His Church.

f. 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.

g. Illustration:

i. God calls us to the life of authentic holiness.

ii. Charles Haddon Spurgeon said that “holiness is the architectural plan upon which God buildeth up His living temple.” That is a graphic summation of the teaching of Peter on this important subject of holiness.

h. Application:

1. we are to “roll up the sleeves” of our minds. In other words, we are to take the initiative in preparing our minds for the life of holiness.

Transition: How are we to display our obedience?

II. Holiness is to be Obedient Children, Conformed to God.

a. Does not a child of parents is to obey the parents, to honor the parents?

b. Children are to be conformed to the rules of the household given by the parents.