Living Holy In A Fallen World 1peter 1:10-12 Series

Title: "Living Holy in a Fallen World"

Big Idea: (I) Be Sober (II) Be Obedient (III) Be Holy

Intro Illustration: Converted by Livingststone's life

Henry M Stanley found Livingststone in Africa and lived with him for some time. Here is his testimony: "I went to as a prejudice as the biggest atheist in London. But there came for me a long time for reflection. I saw this solitary old man there and asked myself, how earth does he stop-is he cracked, space or what? What is it that inspires him?

"Four months after we met them myself wondering at the old man caring at all that was said in the Bible- "leave all things and follow me". But little by little his sympathy for others became contagious; my sympathy was aroused and seeing his piety, his gentleness, is the, is earnestness, and Harry went about his business, I was converted by him although he had not tried to do it." (Source: The Australian Baptist, Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 3101, P.737)

Sermon Text: 1 Peter 1:13-16 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy." NKJV

The Book of Acts is a record of the coming of the Holy Spirit, it records the great numbers of people coming to faith in Jesus Christ, and describes of the use of the term "Christian" and more. Acts 11:26 states the Word Christian described disciples of Jesus Christ.

Acts 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. NKJV

Christian. Believers in Christ were first called Christians (christianos) in Antioch of Syria (Acts 11:26). What the term intended to convey is uncertain, but the Greek papyri provide some help. There, a comparative form is kaisarianos, a slave or soldier of the divine Caesar;

christianos then would signify a slave or soldier belonging to the divine Christ. Such persons are bought with a price (1 Cor 6:19,20) and are "born again" or "born from above" (John 3:7) through faith in Christ (John 3:16; Eph 2:8,9). (from Dictionary of Christianity in America, edited by Daniel G. Reid, Robert D. Linder, Bruce L. Shelley and Harry S. Stout. © 1990 by InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA; published by InterVarsity Press. All rights reserved.)

1. Be Sober

1 Peter 1:13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; NKJV

a. Peter called believers to "holy living". In the first century people wore long flowing, loose robes which became impractical when a person was called upon to work or even run. These robes because of their length would hamper the activities of the person wearing the garment. Peter's pictures this long flowing robe to illustrates the need for us to cinch up that which keeps us from a life of "holy living".

b. Paul stated it in a very similar fashion (Romans 12:1-2) he calls us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice by the renewing of our mind. We need to renew our mind on a daily basis which brings us to Godly living.

The early day disciples who were in Antioch were identified as "Christians" because people observed Christ in the disciples lives. Are as a follower (a disciple) of Jesus should present our bodies as a "living sacrifice". If a sacrifice was to be offered to God it must meet the strictest requirements. It should be without "spot or blemish". Because of the blood of Christ which paid the price for our disobedience we are able to approach the Father (Heb 9:12), that payment satisfied the redemption price once and for all. But, it must not stop there as a living sacrifice we must live a life that is acceptable to God.

Rom 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. NKJV

c. Only the truly repentant heart is capable of Godly living.

Matt 12:35 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. NKJV