The Hope of Being Holy

So thankful that our worship team is able to weave a tapestry of song help us during the time of our stay here on earth (1 Pet. 1:17).

So it’s good for the church to gather together to receive spiritual refreshment and encouragement that can only come through the Word of God and fellowship of the saints of light.

As you know, we are continuing our series through Peter’s letter to God’s people who were being persecuted for their faith in Christ. The Apostle’s not talking about suffering as a wrong doer, meaning, the kind of suffering that comes about by lawless actions. That person is reaping the consequences of their sin and has no right to complain about what they are facing, but should allow the consequences of their sin bear fruit worthy of repentance.

Even in situations like that, the Lord can use to draw a person to himself and that person will receive mercy, assuming if his repentance is a confession, and allowing the consequences of his or her actions to come as they may.

That person should not say he or she is being persecuted then turning it around to say he or she is being persecuted for their faith – no, Peter has in mind followers of Christ who are, by virtue of the totality of their lives, indeed living virtuous lives for Christ and are being persecuted as a result of their walk of faith.

The persecution that the early church faced was such that it caused the church to be “scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia”

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So when we’re being persecuted for your faith – what is it that so refreshing to ours soul? We know the answer to this, that is…we need hope.

No doubt we will face challenges and providential circumstances that we may not have ever had to face or dream of this year. Perhaps for you it’s the loss of a father or mother, wife or child – it’s seems surreal – but it’s not, we live under the fall of Genesis 3 world.

I could spotlight a number of circumstances in my life where I know that God has, as part of his providence and plan, placed me in situations that are very challenging, yet looking back it was for my own spiritual growth and maturity – and the question that we all should ask in where will we find our hope and stay?

We began our study of this letter with Pastor Steve Viars coming here and considering that we have hope because of How Long God has cared for us. We were reminded that, despite our imperfections, God loved us.

He loves us in our hard times and will continue to love and care for us – his love is ineffable – when there are dark clouds, therein lies in the heart of our Savior a deep mercy that you will not find in anyone else or in anything else.

Last week, Pastor Aucoin shared with us the hope of Being born again into a living hope that enabled us to live though hard circumstances with joy. Wonderful are the words of our Savior who said that “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

In this passage, Christ had opened the curtain of his sovereignty and showed his disciples that he was in control over all events and happenings and circumstances. That is to say, if we find our rest in Christ alone – everything’s going to be ok, he’s written the end of the story, and he has overcome it all…

We saw how trials are likened to a refiner’s fire to burn up the passing pleasures of sin, and to help us to love and to long for the things of heaven.

This week, we are going to finish chapter 1 The Hope of Being Holy and we will see with our time 4 Ways Hope brings about holiness in our lives

[Read 1 Peter 1:13-25]

With our time today let’s look at ….

I. Hope prepares you for action (v13)

1 Peter 1:13 ^{- 13} Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

That’s an interesting phrase – it literally means to gird the loins of your mind…this refers to a long tunic/robe that is rolled up into a person’s belt, when it’s time for action.

There’s time for rest, and we might have been resting before…but no longer. Hope, as opposed to despair is active.

When you are in despair…are you normally busy doing something?

When you are in despair…are you thinking…how can I solve this problem?

No…the picture of a person who is hopeful is a person that is geared up and ready for action…he has as Peter put it…girded up his mind.

We are to be a people fixated on something – we are not just randomly doing something - there is a task to be done…and we are getting ready for a purposeful task. Biblical hope is not wishful thinking…it is the conviction and trust of what is promised to come.

Then…what is this action? It is…

a. Action that has Gospel centered motivation

We saw this verse earlier in our study last week…but it remains us how this action is motivated by what Christ has done for us…

1 Peter 1:3–5 -³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, ⁵ who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

The first thing we do…in these moments is we consider all that Christ has done for us.

Meaning, when you are in hard times…and you need to gear up your mind…where should you first rest your thoughts…on the gospel.

Should the first thing be how hard the trial is?

Should the first thing be how overwhelming the journey to the celestial city is?

Should the first thing be how everyone and everything appears against you?

No, the first thing that we should do, as we gird up our minds…is to remember Christ.

So as look back to be reminded of what Christ has accomplished for his people…and that secures our hope of what is to come.

Think about our inheritance in heaven that we are looking forward to….think about the promise of sin’s removal.

Think about that fact that our salvation is secure because Jesus resurrected from the dead and secured it.

The Living God brought us into a relationship with Him…saved us from the verity of his eternal wrath and living death apart from Him….and now we have not just prospects of a good future…but the greatest future…and inheritance that can never decay, which lay on the golden shores of eternity.

The good news moves up to action…it’s not the kind of action that is self-centered and wild and crazy…it is not just making noise and thrashing about…it is…

b. Action that is focused and sober

Hope moves us to action…and that action is very focused…because….

II. Hope conforms you to God’s character (vv. 14-16)

1 Peter 1:14–16 -¹⁴ As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, ¹⁵ but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; ¹⁶ because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

a. By responding as obedient children

Peter continues this New Birth…If you have been born again…God is your heavenly Father….Just like a child needs to obey their parents…so are we who have been born again need to grow in an obedient way. Children copy and mimic their parents…

1 Corinthians 11:1 -¹ Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.

Ephesians 5:1 -¹ Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;

If we are going to have an authority that we submit to that is outside of us…that means part of this process of living out our faith means…we must respond by….

b. By not being conformed by your lusts

Hope says there is something better than what I want…Hope says that what God is doing, what He has promised…that is going to govern my life.

If you are climbing the rock face of El Capitan, you can’t just do whatever you want…you need to climb in a way that is wise, and safe based on the person who is guiding you…So too is the Christian life filled with Joy and Hope when we are not driven and shaped by our own desires….

instead we are to be…

c. Conformed by God’s holiness – (Leviticus 20:26, Deuteronomy 4:5–8)

This means we identify with Him…we recognize we are His children…He has rescued us for His glory and His purposes…

The book of Leviticus helps God’s people understand after they were rescued from Egypt…How to dwell in the presence of a Holy God….and the impact that was to have on their lives…Be Holy Because I am holy is stated 4 different times in Leviticus…

Leviticus 20:26 -²⁶ ‘Thus you are to be holy to Me, for I the Lord am holy; and I have set you apart from the peoples to be Mine.

Notice that holiness is all about having a relationship with God where you recognize He is near…and the way He calls you to live with Him at the center of your life… gives you wisdom and understanding and is good…

Deuteronomy 4:5–8 -⁵ “See, I have taught you statutes and judgments just as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should do thus in the land where you are entering to possess it. ⁶ “So keep and do them, for that is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’ ⁷ “For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as is the Lord our God whenever we call on Him? ⁸ “Or what great nation is there that has statutes and judgments as righteous as this whole law which I am setting before you today?

Living with Hope sends a message to all those around you…about Who your God is…who you are trusting for the Future…

Just like a rock climber…who climbs all the time…The mountain shapes who they are…they only wear Patagonia clothing…their hands are worn and leathery, their muscles are well defined, and they have a permanent sun tan…The mountain has shaped them and you can tell they are a rock climber… So too is the holy character of our God to shape and mold us so others say…that is a follower of Christ.

Holiness in not letting your lusts/desire control you, but rather the holy character of God your father, who caused you to be born again is to conform your whole being, the core of who you are and what you want out of life.

There is great hope…when you are not enslaved to what you want…and we find that what God wants for us…to be close to Him…is infinitely better.

You see Hope restructures your value system…..

III. Hope changes what you value (fear) – (v17-21)

We really value what people think of us…if they think we are good, competent, smart, attractive, funny….Hope is looking forward to being with the Lord…and that means we are to…

a. Recognize that He is the only judge that matters

1 Peter 1:17 -¹⁷ If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work,…

We have hope because we know God judges rightly…he is not partial….but that means we can’t bribe Him, or manipulate Him, intimidate him or fool him…and that should cause us to have a fear and respect of Him…that He sees our rebellion and He is not to be treated as common.

the time of your sojourn,” picturing the Christian’s life in this world as a temporary stay in a foreign country

Our sin against Him can’t be ignored….it must be addressed.

It is really important for Christian’s to….

b. Understand that Godly fear is good

1 Peter 1:17 …conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth;

Proverbs 9:10 -¹⁰ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Proverbs 31:30 -³⁰ Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 -¹³ The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.

When someone says to fear the Lord…that means to value and respect the Lord…If you are rock climbing, you are tied in and secure…but that does not mean you can’t get injured.

Many of you know me…I have a sense of humor. But believe it or not, there are times when I am no longer joking around but am quite serious, given the circumstances.

My wife knows me very well. My kids know me too. There’s a time and season for everything under the sun…

So when there’s a potentially dangerous situation at hand…every wife and child understands that given the situation, now is not a time to play around because their father is in protection mode and he becomes quite a foreboding figure, because there comes with that a respect and a humility that you are dealing with someone much more powerful than yourself.

But our Creator is far more powerful than any man and is a far greater Person who is not only kind and merciful, but is also powerful and majestic in holiness which ought to cause us to worship and be in awe and reverence….the highest level of respect.

We should understand that I am a sinner…and because of my sin against God…His holiness should utterly consume me…and I need the greatest of protection against His holy Wrath….That fear gives way to appreciation and thankfulness because…

C. Godly fear helps us appreciate the precious blood of Christ

1 Peter 1:18–19 -¹⁸ knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, ¹⁹ but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.

To be redeemed, means to be bought back…something of value had to be given in your place…This passage reminds us that it was not gold or silver…that is not valuable to pay the debt we owe eternally to a holy God….

What is the most precious thing on earth….it’s life…if you are running from a forest fire…you are not worried about your phone, your watch…you backpack….you are worried about your life…and you are worried about the lives of your children.

Life is precious…and there is nothing more precious that the Life of Christ…the blood of Christ…that was the payment that was required to redeem you and I….it was either your life in Hell forever…or it was the wrath of God poured out on Christ so that He gave His life in your place.

A fear of God…helps you appreciate what had to be paid. Our hope comes from trusting that God paid the price for us…to redeem us and bring us into a relationship with Him.

This changes your whole value system…When a person has hope things change…what is important to you changes…

D. What we trust in is the most important thing about us

What you trust in defines who you are…how you live your life…it is more important than your last name, more important than your gifts and abilities, more important than any aspect of your life because it impacts every aspect of your life….it defines who you are and how you live…

Peter emphasizes who Jesus is…and He is the most important person in the world, b…so what you think about Him…and if you trust Him….is the most important thing about you.

1 Peter 1:20–21 -²⁰ For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you ²¹ who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

How you respond to trials reveals what you really trust in, what you really believe…and that is more precious than gold…and what you trust in is what brings God glory and honor…

1 Peter 1:6–7 -⁶ In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, ⁷ so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

The reality is Hope changes how we think…it changes what influences us and what we fear…it also changes how we love…

IV. Hope refines our love to be enduring – (vv. 22-25)

1 Peter 1:22–25 -²² Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, ²³ for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God. ²⁴ For, “All flesh is like grass, And all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, And the flower falls off, ²⁵ But the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word which was preached to you.

When you have hope…because You have been loved…with a perfect live that you don’t deserve…and you have been accepted and redeemed…that results in love for others.

Hope refines our love…

A. Because it is based on obedience to the truth

There is something outside of you…that changes your soul….when you agree with God, that you are a sinner and you need to be forgiven and accept His love…you are now operating not on you feelings, but on the truth…of who you are…who God is…and the truth that you need a savior…and Jesus is the one who loves you and died for you…and is coming back to you…

Simply put…

1 John 4:19 -¹⁹ We love, because He first loved us.

This kind of live is different than just attraction….

B. Because it is based on imperishable seed that have caused you to be born again

If you have trusted Christ…you have been born again…you are a new creation in Christ…and this seed…does not grow like a normal seed, that sprouts, and gets bigger and then dies….it is something that keeps growing forever…and what is to grow is your love for God and your love for others…

Having a hope of heaven changes you…

C. Because it produces genuine and fervent love toward others

1. Brothers and Sisters in Christ

John 13:35 -³⁵ “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

1. Our enemies

Matthew 5:44–45 -⁴⁴ “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Romans 5:8–10 -⁸ But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. ⁹ Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. ¹⁰ For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

1. Because it is based on the unchanging and enduring word of God

What someone says to you might change…how someone feels about you might change...but what does not change is what God says about you.

What never changes is the word of God…and so we have Hope…because what God says He will do….raise us up in Christ….give us an eternal inheritance in heaven with Him….what He says he will do…It will never fade away….

May that Give you hope to live with purpose and action for the glory of the Lord.

May the God of Hope conform you to His character….and may you put off what you want out of Life and want the author of life instead.

And may that fill you with such hope…that He loves you and He wants you to be with him…that you overflow with love toward others.