A Pathway to Holiness (September 4, 2008)

Preached by Brother Benjo

1 Peter 1:13-21

Be Holy

13Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."

17Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. 18For 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 forefathers, 19but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

Easton's Bible Dictionary
In the highest sense belongs to God (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 15:4), and to Christians as consecrated to God's service, and in so far as they are conformed in all things to the will of God (Romans 6:19, 22; Ephesians 1:4; Titus 1:8; 1 Peter 1:15). Personal holiness is a work of gradual development. It is carried on under many hindrances, hence the frequent admonitions to watchfulness, prayer, and perseverance (1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 4:23, 24). (see SANCTIFICATION.)

Noah Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language
1. (n.) The state or quality of being holy; perfect moral integrity or purity; freedom from sin; sanctity; innocence.

2. (n.) The state of being hallowed, or consecrated to God or to his worship; sacredness.

Anticipation of the coming of CHRIST

The mind is the battleground.

1.) Look forward for His coming
Ephesians 6:14
"Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,"

1 Thessalonians 5:6
"So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled."

2 Timothy 4:5
"But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry."

1 Peter 4:7
"The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray."

1 Peter 5:8
"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."

2.) Obedience in Faith
Ephesians 4:18
"They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts."

1 Peter 1:2
"who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance."

1 Peter 4:2
"As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God."

Colossians 3:23
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,"

We are raising up the standards of our work because we are serving our GOD.

3.) GOD commands
Leviticus 11:44
"I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy. Do not make yourselves unclean by any creature that moves about on the ground."

Leviticus 19:2
"Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: 'Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.

Leviticus 20:7
" 'Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the LORD your God.

4.) Redeemed by the Precious Blood of JESUS CHRIST
1 Corinthians 6:20
"you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."

Ephesians 4:17
"So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking."

Titus 2:14
"who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good."

Hebrews 9:12
"He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption."

Believers are dead to sin, alive to GOD.

Romans 6:19
"I put this in human terms because you are weak in your natural selves. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness."

Make an impact. Make a difference. Make a ripple. Tip the scale.

GOD BE WITH YOU! MAY YOU ALL GROW IN HIS HOLINESS!

ALL THE GLORY BELONGS TO GOD ALONE!!!

P.U.S.H.

When you feel GOD's love, OVERFLOW!