Series: Don’t Be Discouraged [#2]
BE DIFFERENT
1 Peter 1:13-2:3
Introduction:
As I look around and see all of the evil going on in the world it’s easy to get discouraged. We can throw our hands in the air and give up, or blame things on the younger generations, or quit trying, or we can be different. It’s hard to be discouraged when you’re focused on Jesus.
1 Peter 1:13
Be different by…
1. Being prepared.
Things are going to happen that can either make you stronger or destroy you. You must be prepared for that. How do you prepare your mind? You prepare your mind for what is going to happen by focusing on God’s Word and things of the Lord. How you handle the things that go across your mind determines your actions. We must learn how to allow Christ to be in control over our minds.
1 Peter 1:14-21
Be different by…
2. Not slipping back into your old ways.
This is one of the greatest challenges as a Christian. It’s hard not to slip back into your old ways sometimes. We are supposed to be holy, which means set apart; because God is holy. This passage tells us to be holy in all that we do. Everything you do should be like Jesus and it should be no surprise that it looks opposite of what the world is doing.
That is what the meeting is about today. The world is telling us that it is ok for same sex couples to be married and that if we speak out against it that we are hateful and closed minded; but God says we are to be holy. It is easier to go along and think about ourselves; but that isn’t what God has called us to.
1 Peter 1:22-2:3
Be different by…
3. Loving one another.
It is hard to love others all of the time and we are told to love one another deeply. The Christian life is much more than just what happens on Sunday mornings. How is it that we can love people that are un-loveable? The only way that we can love others is through the power of Christ in our lives and we are told to get rid of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.
Conclusion:
We need to be encouraged. Through the power of the Word of God, we can continue to grow in the strength and power of Christ. Don’t forget that we have the victory.
