Introduction

Welcome, beloved in Christ! What a joy it is to gather together today, united by our shared faith, our shared love of the Lord, and the shared desire to deepen our understanding of His Word. We stand here, not as individuals, but as a family, bound by the love of Christ and the fellowship of the Spirit.

Today, we turn our hearts and minds to the book of 1 Peter, specifically verses 14-16, which reads: "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.'"

What a powerful call to action from our Lord! A call to holiness, a call to separate ourselves from the world and its desires, and to align ourselves with the will of God. It's a call that demands our attention, our commitment, and our unwavering dedication.

Strengthening our Spiritual Foundation

Building a strong spiritual foundation requires a deep and abiding relationship with God. It requires spending time in His presence, reading His Word, and seeking His guidance in prayer. In the context of our scripture today, a strong spiritual foundation is what enables us to resist the evil desires of the world and to live a life of holiness. It is what empowers us to live as obedient children of God, to conform our lives to His will, and to reflect His holiness in all that we do.

The first aspect of strengthening our spiritual foundation is understanding the nature of God. He is holy, separate from sin and evil. He is pure, without any trace of corruption or deceit. He is righteous, always doing what is right and just. He is loving, showing kindness and mercy to all. Understanding these attributes of God helps us to see what we are called to be, and what it means to be holy as He is holy.

Next is our identity in Christ. The world or its desires do not define us. We are not defined by our past mistakes or failures. We are defined by Christ, by His love for us and His sacrifice on our behalf. We are children of God, adopted into His family and given a new identity in Christ. This new identity empowers us to live a life of holiness, to resist the evil desires of the world, and to live as obedient children of God.

Following this is the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is our helper, our guide, our comforter. He empowers us to live a life of holiness, to resist the evil desires of the world, and to live as obedient children of God. He convicts us of sin, leads us into truth, and helps us to grow in our relationship with God. Understanding the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives is crucial to strengthening our spiritual foundation.

Finally is understanding the importance of community. We were not meant to walk this journey of faith alone. We were meant to walk it together, to encourage one another, to bear one another's burdens, to hold one another accountable. Community is where we find support and encouragement, where we learn and grow, and where we experience the love and grace of God in tangible ways. Understanding the importance of community in our spiritual journey is key to strengthening our spiritual foundation.

Sanctification through Christ's Sacrifice

The first aspect of this truth that we must consider is the very nature of sanctification itself ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO