"Peter, Feed My Sheep” (2 Of 21)

For example, they know they can feed their families peanut butter sandwiches every now and then, but if they did this all the time:

• The family would soon dread coming to the table to eat

• They would also suffer nutritionally, because this kind of a diet is not going to supply them the nutrition their bodies need

Likewise, if a pastor feeds God’s sheep only spiritual "peanut butter sandwiches," God's sheep will dread meal time, and they also will not get all the spiritual nutrition that they need to be healthy Christians.

Peter was commanded to feed God's sheep.

After he shows them their "LIVELY HOPE", and "LASTING HOPE" and how they should rejoice in what they have in Christ in verses 1-12, he then feeds them a different course on God's menu.

We not only live in HOPE, but we also-

I. LIVE IN HOLINESS

Look at verses 13-21, we read, "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God."

In these verses of scripture, he not only tells us we should live in HOLINESS, He gives us four motives for living in holiness.

(A) FIRST MOTIVE IS SUCCESS

If we are going to be successful as Christians, there are some things we have to do.

Look at verse 13. We read, "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

The words “Gird up” are not words that we use in our daily conversation. But during the time that Peter lived, this was a very common expression.

WHAT WAS PETER TALKING ABOUT?

Illus: They used the words “Gird up”, because the Orientals wore robes that came to their feet. Often these long robes would get in their way as they tried to carry out the routine of living and working. If they got in a hurry and ran, they would trip over their garments and it would cause them to stumble.

PETER KNEW WHAT IT WAS TO STUMBLE. His spiritual "stumbling" caused him much regret, especially when he denied the Lord three times.

Peter shares a solution with God's people, so that what happened to him does not have to happen to them!

He said, "Gird up”, that is, gather all the loose ends that are in the way of you serving the Lord, and get them under control. If you do not, they will cause you to stumble.

As already stated, we do not use the expression “Gird up” today. We use the expression, "Let’s roll up our sleeves and go to work." Why? Because sometimes when we are working, our sleeves could get caught in the machinery that we work around, and so we roll them up to get them out of the way.

This was the point that Peter wanted to make in this metaphor.

WHAT WERE THEY TO GIRD UP?

Look at verse 11 again, “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind….”

We cannot let our minds run loose, it is dangerous!

Illus: We all have seen track meets where the runners were lined up to start the race. They have on the least amount of clothing they can wear, not because of indecency, but they know that heavy or baggy clothing will slow them down when they run. If they are going to win the race they cannot be weighed down with excess weight. We understand the logic in their wearing this kind of clothing.

Peter's message lets us know that if we are going to be SUCCESSFUL AS CHRISTIANS, we must understand that even as the Orientals had to "Gird up", (Gather all the loose ends) we must gather all the loose thoughts and bring them under control.