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Scripture:
1 Peter 1:15-23I. Background
• An epistle written by Simon Peter, one of the 12 disciples of Jesus• Addressed to Jewish and Gentile converts
II. Holy
• Greek : hagios• Literal meaning: set apart, consecrated, set for a different purpose/ service
III. 1 Peter 1:15-16
but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:15-16)• Peter clarifies that the call to be holy does not require certain things
• Quotes the Old Testament book of Leviticus 11:44 and 19:2 where to be holy is by observing sets of rules that are absolute, unflexible and external acts of purification which do not actually make them holy but only temporarily covers their sin.
IV. Holiness in Christ
Hebrews 10:10• It is now through faith in Christ that we are made holy, not temporarily but ultimately.
• The things we do are not efforts trying to make ourselves holy and trying to get the approval of God.
• We do things because we realize we are holy. Our identity in Christ is holy.
2 Cor. 3:3
• Our holiness is no longer a set of rules but are now written in our hearts. Our holiness is in Christ, our obedience to God comes from within through the dwelling of the Holy Spirit
V. Our conduct as holy people of God
1 Peter 1:17-19• We are redeemed with the highest value— Jesus' blood
• Now we can call God our Father
God sees in us the holiness of Jesus and expects us to act as holy people by leaving in reverent fear.
Reverent Fear- the consciousness that the God of all creations watches over us and expects us to act in godly behaviour and make choices that are glorifying to Him
• He does not expect perfect sinlessness, He knows we can't
1 John 1:8-9
• If we fall short of God's glory, ask for His mercy and go forward from that
VI. Our confidence in Christ
1 Peter 1: 20-21• God has planned our redemption even before creation.
• He gave Jesus to die and raised Him again as the fulfillment of promise.
• So we can be confident that God will do the same for us when our faith and hope is placed in Jesus.
VII. Our love for others
1 Peter 1:22Matthew 5: 43-48
• Peter used Jesus' teaching on loving others.
• Imitate the love of God for good and bad people.
VIII. Indwelling of the Holy Spirit
1 Peter 1: 23• We are born again not of flesh but of Spirit.
• The Holy Spirit helps us do difficult things such as loving our enemies.
• The indwelling of the Holy Spirit helps us do things that are glorifying to God.
Photo by: Zee Gabales
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