How Can You Be Holy Without Being
“Holier Than Thou”?
I Peter 1:13-21
Intro: What does it mean to be “Holier Than Thou”?
I. v13-16 - By Monitoring Your Conduct
A. v13 - Be prepared to change your life.
1. Prepare your minds.
a. ILL: (KJV) “Gird up your loins” - prepare to go to work.
b. So - get into the word to find out what to change in your life.
2. Use self control.
a. ILL: (KJV) “Be sober” instead of being drunk.
b. So - don’t lose it!
3. Focus on the revealing party - the Lord’s Second Coming!
a. Peter: pictured salvation being given when He comes again.
b. “Give (φέρω) = carry a burden; so when Lord Jesus comes again He will carry His grace to you!
B. v14 - Realize your new life will be different from your old life.
1. In your old life - you allowed your desires to rule you.
a. ILL: Why Eve ate the fruit (Gen 3:1-6).
b. You won’t find happiness doing your own thing. You’ll only find it doing God’s thing!
c. Don’t let your old habits rule you! Get rid of the world!
2. In your new life - be like an obedient child.
a. Matt 18:3 - I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
b. II Thess 1:8 You are to obey the gospel.
c. Rom 6:17 You are to obey His teachings.
d. II Cor 10:5 You are to make your thoughts obedient to Christ!
II. v18-21 - By Remembering the Cost
A. v18 - Holiness didn’t come from this world.
1. Not from material gain or social status.
a. Material things get corrupted. Matt 6:19-21 - Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
b. Social status just doesn’t count with God. v17 You call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially.
(1) Rom 2:11 - For God does not show favoritism.
(2) Eph 6:9 - And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.
(3) Col 3:25 - Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favor- itism.
(4) ILL: The Rich Young Ruler (Matt 19:16-22).
2. Not from your family heritage. All the things gained from heritage is “an empty way of life” in com- parison with your new life in Christ.
B. v19 - Holiness came from the blood of Jesus Christ.
1. The significance of blood.
a. In the Old Testament law the sacrificial death, or blood of an animal, was accepted by God as a substitute for the death the sinner deserved. (Lev 17:11)
b. A lamb without spot or defect was required. (Lev 1:10)
2. Lord Jesus became that lamb for you.
a. He was the only sinless person who has ever lived (Heb 4:15).
b. He was, therefore, the only person without spot or defect.
C. v20-21 - This plan of salvation is the way to establish a relationship with God.
1. All religions don’t get you to heaven simply because you believe in them.
2. Lord Jesus said He is the only way! Jn 14:6 “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
So - don’t focus on how good you may be in comparison to others.
Instead - focus on improving your own conduct
and
Remember the cost!
http://biblelifemessages.org/