April 15, 2018

A Challenge to Be Different

Pastor: Jeff Bedwell Series: Living God's Way Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13– 2:2

Living God’s Way: 

A Challenge To Be Different: 

1 Peter 1:13-2:2: 

God has called every Christian to a holy life! (14-16)

Holy: “set apart”, “distinct”, Different

2 Aspects of Holiness:

  • Negative: Separated from sin (2:1)
  • Positive: Consecrated to God

Choose To Be Different By…

  1. Focusing On Forever (13)

For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself." (Philippians 3:18–21)

O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am!” (Psalm 39:4)

This life is preparation for eternity!

  1. Remembering My Accountability (17)

Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire."  (1 Corinthians 3:12–15)

So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” (2 Corinthians 5:9–10)

Everything you do today matters for eternity!

Your choices on earth have direct consequences on your life in eternity!

  • What we Believe determines our destination
  • How we Behave determines our compensation
  1. Appreciating My Redemption (18-21,23-25)

Redeem: “to set free by paying a price”

“Great was the work of creation, but greater the work of redemption; it cost more to redeem us than to make us; in one there was but the speaking of a Word, in the other the shedding of blood.”  Thomas Watson

  1. Expressing Heartfelt Love (22)

Christian love is not a matter of feeling; it is a matter of the Will

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”” (John 13:34–35)

Let brotherly love continue.” (Hebrews 13:1, ESV)

  1. Drinking Deeply From God’s Word (1:24-25; 2:2)

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16–17)

Hear * Read * Study * Memorize * Meditate * Apply

The pursuit of holiness is a joint venture between God and the Christian!

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12–13)

Making It Personal

  • Is my life truly distinct and different because I am pursuing holiness?
  • Which of these truths that Peter wrote about are most meaningful to me right now? Why?
  • Which of these truths that Peter wrote about do I most need to focus on right now? How will I go about focusing more intentionally on this truth in the days ahead?
  • Have I personally experienced the redemption that is found only in Jesus Christ?
  • Who can I share these truths with?

other sermons in this series

Jul 15

2018

Know Your Enemy

Pastor: Jeff Bedwell Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8–14 Series: Living God's Way

Jul 8

2018

Improving Your Impact

Pastor: Jeff Bedwell Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1–7 Series: Living God's Way

Jul 1

2018

Living God's Way in the Midst of Suffering

Pastor: Jeff Bedwell Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12–19 Series: Living God's Way