Be Hopeful 1 Peter Session 3 - Staying Clean in a Polluted World

The Christ Church Wednesday Bible Study Group is studying the book of 1 Peter.

The thing that separates Christianity from other religions is grace. It is simply God doing something for you with no strings attached. God’s grace is solely motivated by love: deep, abiding, unconditional, sacrificial love.

Peter wrote this letter to Christians who were going through various trials. The apostle knew that a severe “fiery trial” was just around the corner, and he wanted to prepare believers for it. God’s message to us is, “Be hopeful! Suffering leads to glory! God can give you all the grace you need to honor Him when the going gets tough! The future is still as bright as the promises of God, so—be hopeful!

In Session 2 we start looked at why we have hope. If we have hope, then we can walk in holiness and in harmony. if we focus on Christ, we can overcome, and God will transform suffering into glory. In Session 2 we learned that; Christians are born for glory, Christians are kept for glory, Christians are being prepared for glory, Christians can enjoy the glory now.

In Session 3 start to look at how to stay clean in a polluted world because God as commanded us “Be holy, because I am holy.”

We are using for our study "Be Hopeful (1 Peter): How to Make the Best of Times Out of Your Worst of Times" by  Warren W. Wiersbe.  

 When we started we learned that Peter wrote this letter to Christians who were going through various trials, and he wanted to prepare believers for it. God’s message to us is, “Be hopeful! ! God can give you all the grace you need to honor Him when the going gets tough! The future is still as bright as the promises of God, so—be hopeful!  Peter said that suffering leads to glory.   He says in this letter that 

Christians are born for glory, 

‭1 Peter 1:3 NIV‬

[3] Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 

Christians are kept for glory, 

‭1 Peter 1:5 NIV‬ [5] who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 

‭1 Peter 1:9 NIV‬  for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Christians are being prepared for glory, 

‭1 Peter 1:6-7 NIV‬ [6] In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. [7] These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 

Finally, Christians can enjoy the glory now. 

When we were last together we got through the fact that we were born for glory, kept for glory, and being prepared for glory.  Today we are going to see how Christians can enjoy the glory now.

It is encouraging to know that we are born for glory, kept for glory, and being prepared for glory, but the most exciting thing  of all is Christians can enjoy the glory now

‭1 Peter 1:8-12 NIV‬ [8] Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, [9] for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. [10] Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, [11] trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. [12] It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things. 

(1) To enjoy glory now we first have to Love Christ 

8] Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 

Our love for Christ is not based on physical sight, because we have not seen Him. It is based on our spiritual relationship with Him and what the Word has taught us about Him. 

‭John 20:26-29 NIV‬ [26] A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” [27] Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” [28] Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” [29] Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” 

The Holy Spirit has poured out God’s love into our hearts and we return that love to Him. 

‭Romans 5:5 NIV‬ [5] And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

When you find yourself in some trial, and you hurt, immediately lift your heart to Christ in true love and worship. 

Satan wants to use life’s trials to bring out the worst in us, but God wants to bring out the best in us. If we love ourselves more than we love Christ, then we will not experience any of the glory now. The heat of the trial will burn us, not purify us.  The love of Christ and the Holy Spirit will purify us.

(2) In order to enjoy glory now we have to love Christ and we have to trust Christ 

8] Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy

Faith means surrendering all to God and obeying His Word in spite of circumstances and consequences.

‭Hebrews 11:1 NIV‬ [1] Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 

Love and faith(belief, trust) go together: When you love someone, you trust him. And faith and love together help to strengthen hope, where you find faith and love, you will find confidence/hope for the future.

How can we grow in faith during times of testing and suffering? The same way we grow in faith when things seem to be going well: by feeding on the Word of God.

(3) In order to enjoy glory now we have to love Christ and we have to trust Christ, and we have to rejoice in Christ 

8] Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy

You may not be able to rejoice over the circumstances, but you can rejoice in them by centering your heart and mind on Jesus Christ. 

‭1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV‬ [16] Rejoice always, [17] pray continually, [18] give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Each experience in trial helps us learn something new and wonderful about our Savior.  This joy is so deep and so wonderful that we cannot even express it.

(4) And finally we will receive from Christ

‭1 Peter 1:9 NIV‬ [9] for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 

If we love Him, trust Him, and rejoice in Him, then we can receive from Him all that we need to turn trials into triumphs. 

In other words, we can experience some of that future glory today. It is not enough that we long for heaven during times of suffering, for anybody can do that. What Peter urged his readers to do was exercise love, faith, and rejoicing, so that they might experience some of the glory of heaven in the midst of suffering now.

Yes, for Christians, it is glory all the way! When we trusted Christ, we were born for glory. Every day we are being kept for glory. As we obey Him and experience trials, we are being prepared for glory. When we love Him, trust Him, and rejoice in Him, we experience the glory here and now.

Joy unspeakable and full of glory!

Staying Clean in a Polluted World

The first part of chapter 1 of 1 Peter deals with walking in hope this next section emphasizes walking in holiness, meaning that Christians are different.  

‭1 Peter 1:13-21 NIV‬ [13] Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. [14] As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. [15] But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; [16] for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” [17] Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. [18] For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, [19] but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. [20] He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. [21] Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

 A holy person is not an odd person, but a different person. Their life has a quality about it that is different, or should be different, from the “lifestyles'' of the unbelievers around them. A Christian’s lifestyle may even appear strange to an unbeliever, but  shouldn’t appear strange to other Christians.

‭1 Peter 4:1-4 NIV‬ [1] Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. [2] As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. [3] For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. [4] They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. 

Now we do have to admit that it is not easy to live in this world and maintain a holy walk. The anti-God atmosphere around us is always pressing against us, trying to force us to conform. In this paragraph, we read, verses 13-21 Peter presented to his readers five spiritual incentives to encourage them (and us) to maintain a different lifestyle, a holy walk in a polluted world.  Here are the incentives and we are going to talk about each of them.

THE GLORY OF GOD

THE HOLINESS OF GOD

THE WORD OF GOD 

THE JUDGMENT OF GOD 

THE LOVE OF GOD

The first incentive the glory of God revealed in the return Jesus  

‭1 Peter 1:13 NIV‬ Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 

At the very beginning of this study we said that Christian believer has a “living hope” because his faith and hope are in God.

‭1 Peter 1:3 NIV‬ [3] Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 

Christians live in the future tense; their present actions and decisions are governed by this future hope.  Christians today live with the expectation of seeing Jesus Christ.

‭Colossians 3:1-4 NIV‬ [1] Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. [2] Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. [3] For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. [4] When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

We should be alert and disciplined.  When you center your thoughts on the return of Christ and live accordingly, you escape the many worldly things that would distract us.   When we keep our eyes on the prize of salvation with the return of the risen Savior our attitude is one that causes us to live differently.  

Attitude determines action. A Christian who is looking for the glory of God has a greater motivation for present obedience than a Christian who ignores the Lord’s return.encourage us to be calm and collected (1 Peter 4:7)

If we are disciplined we are also calm, steady and controlled, and yet optimistic.   Christians that are not disciplined in their study tend to become out of control when the look at prophecy and lose their balance.  The mere fact that Christ is coming as we saw in our last study of the last days,should encourage us to be calm and collected.

‭1 Peter 4:7 NIV‬ The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 

The result of this spiritual mind-set is that a believer experiences the grace of God in their life. Yes, we will experience grace when we see Jesus Christ; but we can also experience grace today as we look for Him to return.  We just talked about experiencing God’s glory today. 

We have been saved by grace and we depend moment by moment on God’s grace. Looking for Christ to return strengthens our faith and hope in difficult days.

‭Titus 2:11-13 NIV‬ [11] For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. [12] It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, [13] while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 

This scripture shows the relationship between grace and the coming of Jesus Christ.  When we started this study we said;

 

“The thing that separates Christianity from other religions is grace.  What is grace? Simply put, grace is God’s unmerited favor. You cannot earn grace; you cannot do anything to deserve grace. It is simply God doing something for you with no strings attached. God’s grace is solely motivated by love: deep, abiding, unconditional, sacrificial love.

And because of God’s grace there is hope both for today and the rest of eternity. It is not the facts of life that determines hope, but the faith of life”  Like we said earlier a Christian believer has a “living hope” because his faith and hope are in God.

The second incentive for us to maintain a different lifestyle, a holy walk in a polluted world is the holiness of God

‭1 Peter 1:14-15 NIV‬ [14] As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. [15] But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 

God is holy; therefore, as His children, we should live holy lives. Peter reminds his readers of what they were before they trusted Christ, but now they were to be obedient children. True salvation always results in obedience.

‭1 Peter 1:1-2 NIV‬ [1] Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, [2] who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance. 

‭Romans 1:5 NIV‬ [5] Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake. 

He says that we lived in spiritual ignorance before which led us to indulge in worldly things.  We really didn’t have any choice because we were born with a fallen nature, it was natural for us to live sinful lives.  That all changed because of God’s grace.  He called us to accept salvation offered through Jesus and we accepted by faith.

Peter uses the word or term called often in his letter;

 We are called to be holy (1 Peter 1:15). We are called “out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). We are called to suffer and follow Christ’s example of meekness (1 Peter 2:21). In the midst of persecution, we are called “to inherit a blessing” (1 Peter 3:9). Best of all, we are called to “his eternal glory” (1 Peter 5:10). 

God called us before we called on Him for salvation. It is all totally by His grace.  Being called also carries some responsibility.  The responsibility for us to be different is to be different is to be holy.

God has given us the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit to help us maintain that difference that holiness in essence since the Holy Spirit is God any holiness we have is derived from Him. 

Basically, to be sanctified means to be “set apart for God’s exclusive use and pleasure.” To a dedicated believer, there is no such thing as “secular” and “sacred.” All of life is holy as we live to glorify God. If something cannot be done to the glory of God, then we can be sure it must be out of the will of God.

‭1 Corinthians 10:31-33 NIV‬ [31] So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. [32] Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— [33] even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

The third incentive for us to maintain a different lifestyle, a holy walk in a polluted world is the Word of God

‭1 Peter 1:16 NIV‬ [ [16] for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

“It is written!” is a statement that carries great authority for the believer. Our Lord used the Word of God to defeat Satan, and so  can we. The Bible says that the sword of the Spirit is the word of God

‭Ephesians 6:17 NIV‬ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

 But the Word of God is not only a sword for battle, it is also a light 

‭Psalms 119:105 NIV‬ Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

food that strengthens us  

‭Matthew 4:4 NIV‬ Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

and water that washes us

‭Ephesians 5:25-27 NIV‬ [25] Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her [26] to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, [27] and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 

Those who delight in God’s Word, meditate on it, and seek to obey it will experience God’s direction and blessing in their lives 

‭Psalms 1:1-3 NIV [1] Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, [2] but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. [3] That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.

Keep in mind that the early Christians did not have the New Testament. The only Word of God they had was the Old Testament. Believers today are not under the ceremonial laws given to Israel; however, even in these laws we see moral and spiritual principles revealed. Nine of the Ten Commandments are repeated in the Epistles, so we must obey them.   The one that is not repeated in the Epistles is the Sabbath commandment because it was 

given especially to Israel and does not apply to us today.

‭Romans 14:1-9 NIV‬ [1] Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. [2] One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. [3] The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. [4] Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand. [5] One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. [6] Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. [7] For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. [8] If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. [9] For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.

In the Scriptures, we will find precepts, principles, promises, and persons to guide us in today's decisions. If we are really willing to obey God, He will show us His truth.

We do not study the Bible just to get to know the Bible. We study the Bible that we might get to know God better. Too many earnest Bible students are content with outlines and explanations, and do not really get to know God. It is good to know the Word of God, but this should help us better know the God of the Word.

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