Cleaning Up Our House

It has been awhile since my last post.  It may be a while yet before my next.  I am going through a valley right now and covet the prayers of those who know Christ.  Here is a word that was upon my heart today.  May it be food for thought…

For those of us who still long to see a real movement of God, there is a major problem which exists in many churches and amongst Christians in general that is holding back the healing rain of the Spirit we so desire. Sin in the camp. In our present age, we hear people beat the drum within Christian and secular society saying, “We shouldn’t judge!” The problem is that it is almost always taken out of context and is the very thing that has allowed sin to be in our midst amongst churches. In the Old Testament, we are all familiar with how God brought down the walls of Jericho. And some of us may even remember how a man named Achan hid a wedge of gold and a Babylonianish garment under his tent. No one knew except God and Achan. However, when Israel went to defeat the next town, Ai, they lost and many of their men were killed. Joshua began to pray, wondering why God had not been in their midst fighting their battles. “And the LORD said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff. Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.” (Josua 7:10-12) Notice the Lord says “Neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.”

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1 Peter – Be Ye Holy II 1 Peter 1:15-16

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Scripture Text

1 Peter 1:15-16 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Introduction

Last time we were examining the command in God’s word to be holy. As we ended I said “We see holiness as unattainable. Why? Is it possible that we don’t fully understand what is being said here?” We need to also be reminded; this is a command from God.

Word Study

Interestingly the root of the Greek word for holy describes an “awful thing”. We have this type of thing in our language as well; let’s use the word “died”. We all know what that means. Now add three letters to it and you get “studied”.

Back to the word holy: as in English add a couple of letters and now an awful thing is made pure. How cool is that, contained within the word holy is our original state and the work that God performs when we are saved.  If you have a Greek dictionary here is what you will see: Sacred-set apart, Morally/Physically Pure, Consecrated-dedicated.

Okay, here goes, our works do not make us holy. We were made holy when we received Christ. The command we received is “be ye holy”. We have been transformed; we must show the world what God has done for us. We have the freedom now to say no to sin; project that changed life for the world to see.

Word of Caution

When we make holy unattainable then we make excuse for sin. God would never command us to do something out of our reach so when He tells us to be holy, we can obey. We have learned that God is the one who made us holy, consecrated and separated; we are to show that transformation.

Someone might think… “Nobody’s perfect”. First of all I’d invite them to make sure they understand what holy means and then my response would be “Are you doing your best to show the holiness God invested in you?” (this is the command we were given)

Closing Thoughts

So what is our conclusion here? Peter is challenging us to use what God has given us.  We have been set apart and dedicated to God’s service. Because of our salvation we have been purified by the blood of Jesus. We were consecrated; we were made holy. Stand up and act like it, show the world what holiness is, a gift from our Heavenly Father.

Until Night,

A Servant

 

1 Peter – Be Ye Holy 1 Peter 1:15-16

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Scripture Text

1 Peter 1:15-16 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Introduction

What do you think of when you hear the word “holy”? Most would say “I think of God”. That would be a logical response; God is holy. Our next two verses charge us as Christians to be holy. Now, what is your first reaction to that bit of news? It is likely we would say “not possible”. God’s word says it is, in fact, it is a command.

 

1 Peter – Starting Over 1 Peter 1:14

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Scripture Text

1 Pe 1:14  As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:

Introduction

What if we were given a chance to start over?  Knowing everything we know now we get the chance to start again; would we do it?  This isn’t some fairytale, it is our post today. We can start over.  So are you interested?  Okay, hang on then.

 

1 Peter – Hope to the End 1 Peter 1:13b

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Scripture Text

1 Peter 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

Introduction

Last time we heard Peter’s call “it is time to get to work”.  We discussed what our mindset and demeanor should be while working for our Lord.  It is time now to see the big picture.

 

1 Peter – Call to Action 1 Peter 1:13a

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Scripture Text

1 Peter 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

Introduction – Wherefore (As a Result of)

Peter has told us thus far that all our hope rests on the finished work of Jesus. (The shedding of blood, death & resurrection) Only through Christ can we have access to God.  As a result of being saved from destruction we should honor God by our obedience.

To start Peter uses a phrase they would be very familiar with “girding up the loins”; this was a practice of preparing to go to work.  A person would take their long garment, gather it together and tie or bind it so they could move more freely.  Today we might say “get your work clothes on”.  Peter is saying now that Jesus has saved you it is time to get to work.

 

1 Peter – Back in the Old Testament 1 Peter 1:10-12

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Scripture Text

1 Peter 1:10-12  Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

Introduction

Last time we talked about “Back in the Old Days” with an earthly meaning.  Now it is time to transition that thought to spiritual matters.  In 1 Peter 1:10-12 Peter talks about the old days when God’s children were still waiting on the coming of Messiah.

Better Than the Prophets

Ever considered the time we live in compared to other times?  What would it be like to live in mid-evil times?  How about the American Revolution?  In the revolution there were many prominent people, Ben Franklin, John Hancock, John Adams & Thomas Jefferson to name a few. Many of the signers of the declaration of independence lost their fortunes in the war.  They believed so fervently in the cause of freedom that they gave everything to see the colonies become a nation.  Most of these men never enjoyed the fruit of their labor like we do today.

 

1 Peter – Back in the Old Days 1 Peter 1:10-12

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Scripture Text

1Pe 1:10-12  Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

Introduction

If there is a phrase that makes the younger generation roll their eyes it would be this: “Back in the old days…” With a start like that you can imagine hearing something like this… we used to walk 5 miles, uphill, to school barefooted.  We used to have to go outside to go to the bathroom.  We used to carry water into the house to cook with.  We used to have one set of cloths.  You get the idea; they mean to say it used to be a much harder life.

In our text Peter is going to use this same thought to describe what it was like for God’s children before Jesus died on the cross.

That brings up a serious question; how did things work before Jesus?  Today we confess and forsake our sin believing in Jesus.  What did people do before Jesus came and died on the cross?  This topic is not in our text but we should answer it before we go on.

Old Testament Faith

The best place to go for an answer is Hebrews chapter 11.  This chapter is commonly referred to as the roll call of faith chapter.  It is a roll call record of many well-known Old Testament believers and the faith they showed in God.

We have clearly established before in our studies that salvation comes through faith believing in Christ.  So how did Abraham, Moses and Daniel become believers? 

The answer might surprise you, they came the same way we did, by faith.  They believed forward to the time of Jesus, so their faith was in the promise of the coming Messiah.

Hebrews 11:13  These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

Closing Thoughts

We believe in Jesus, they believed in the promise of Jesus.  Both took faith, both requires trusting in God to keep His promises. Both methods require that we turn our back on the world and follow God.  One God, one Savior, one way to heaven.

Until Night,

A Servant

 

 

1 Peter – Times of Trouble 1 Peter 1:6-9

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Scripture Text

1 Peter 1:6-9 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

Times of Trouble – v.6-9

Peter talks about heaviness, temptations and trials, it’s going to happen. Times of trouble are also part of the Christian life. In this life we decide whom we will serve; will we serve the evil one or will we serve God?  For those who choose God there is a reward waiting, but what about now? Why did God allow…? 

 

1 Peter – Hope 1 Peter 1:3-5

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Scripture Text

1Pe 1:3-5  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Introduction

Why did Peter go to such lengths in addressing these believers?  In verse 1 Peter addressed the strangers scattered abroad referring to Jews in other countries.  We also see references that cause us to believe he is also addressing Gentiles.  God is not regional, only reigning in Jerusalem.  God is not partial, being only the God of the Jews.  God calls all people everywhere to repent.  Today God is not only worshipped in the church houses, Jesus said “Mat 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”