Faith in the Crosshairs 1 Peter Sober

What if…?

Review Shadow of Nero's PersecutionShadow of Nero's Persecution Point: "Live out the faith in the midst of suffering"Point: "Live out the faith in the midst of suffering"

Review What I rejoice in tells me what I worshipWhat I rejoice in tells me what I worship We all go through hardship. The issue is, “Where is my focus? And does it have purpose?”We all go through hardship. The issue is, “Where is my focus? And does it have purpose?”

Review God will never give me something to take me away from him, his people or his Lordship in my life − Didn't come from him OR − I'm misusing it

1 Peter 1 (ESV)

Sober Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 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"- vs Sober

Therefore, preparing your minds for action… "Gird the loins of your mind…" Sober

“Gird the loins of your mind…” That dude looks like a lady… Sober

“Gird the loins of your mind…” That dude looks like a lady… Lock away anything that keeps you from being mentally alert and ready for action Sober

IntellectIntellect − Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil- Proverbs 3:7 We don't study the Bible to get to know the Bible better. We study the Bible to get to know Jesus better Sober

The good old daysThe good old days − Say not, “Why were the former days better than these?” For it is not from wisdom that you ask this - Ecclesiastes 7:10 Sober

Anxiety about the futureAnxiety about the future − Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' …your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you - Matthew 6 Sober

Prison of anger and unforgivenessPrison of anger and unforgiveness − Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger - Eph. 4:26 Sober

Grumbling, gossip and slanderGrumbling, gossip and slander − We must not put Christ to the test…nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall - 1 Corinthians 10:9-12 Sober

All of these things, like a long garment, keep God's people from running quick and straight mentally Which did Peter's audience struggle with the most? Sober

Preparing your minds for action= Gird up the loins of your mind Why my mind? Sober

My mind is the battlefield of my spiritual life − Every holy action starts in my mind − Every word of praise to God begins with my thoughts − Every encouragement to another person begins with an idea and a motivation Sober

No more "Pants on the Ground" Sober

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded… Sober= nepho- abstain from wine "Keep your minds from being intoxicated" Sober

"Keep your minds from being intoxicated" − Latest craze and newest passing enthusiasm Sober

"Keep your minds from being intoxicated" − Latest craze and newest passing enthusiasm − Being accepted and cutting edge Sober

"Keep your minds from being intoxicated" − Latest craze and newest passing enthusiasm − Being accepted and cutting edge − Rationalizations of our world − "Passions of your former ignorance…" Sober

…set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. When my mind is quick, my thoughts are undistracted and my judgments are clear-headed, I can rest in the hope of grace Sober

What is the grace "that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ"? Sober

What is the grace "that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ"? − Glorification − And end to struggle and hardship − Fullness of joy and peace Sober

What is the grace "that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ"? − Glorification − And end to struggle and hardship − Fullness of joy and peace Is that worthy my focus and hope? Sober

What happens when we lose focus, become slow, distracted and intoxicated in our thoughts? Sober

What happens when we lose focus, become slow, distracted and intoxicated in our thoughts? − Lose hope/feel hopeless and powerless − Give in to that which seeks to "steal, kill and destroy" our life − Lose joy and peace Sober

Any man can endure struggle, hardship and trial if he is sure it is leading somewhere and will be worth it in the end Sober

set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ= "Come to final decision to place all your hope on the grace…" Literally, "quit wavering" Sober

Maturity comes from the commitment of deciding that it's worth it Sober

the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ Revelation- the revealing of Jesus. We will be like him because we will see him as he is- 1 John 3:2 Holiness is a function of proximity and grace-driven effort Sober

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 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." Sober

Former ignorance= Gentiles Ignorance= foolishness and spiritual illiteracy Sober

Conformed to the passions… That which captures our passion molds our character Sober

Replacement- do not be conformed to the passions… but…be holy in all your conduct (behavior) Holy= hagios- different, set- apart Sober

Different- chosen for a task in this world and a future in eternity Task- glorify God by being set- apart/like himTask- glorify God by being set- apart/like him − "You shall be holy for I am holy" Future- glorified ChristianFuture- glorified Christian Sober

Holiness is a function of proximity- walk with God Holiness is a function of grace- driven effort Sober

Grace-driven effort has nothing to do with earning or paying back Rather, it is founded upon God's full and complete acceptance regardless of effort Sober

"The only way a Christian can get better is to understand that God will love him if he never gets better"- Tullian Tchvidjian Christian growth doesn't come by behaving better, but by believing better Sober

Religion= guilt and fear Guilt and fear can motivate, but not long-term Sober

The Pharisees had the right behavior, but the wrong motives God cares about our motives Sober

Christ bore our guilt and removed our fear − There is no fear in love. Perfect love casts out fear- 1 John 4:18 Sober

"Obsess over your sin and you'll become a neurotic narcissist. Obsess over your Savior and you'll become free"- Tullian Tchvidjian Sober

Prepare your minds for action, allowing nothing to distractPrepare your minds for action, allowing nothing to distract Set your hope on Jesus and your future with himSet your hope on Jesus and your future with him Replace former passions with holy behavior founded upon Christ's love and acceptanceReplace former passions with holy behavior founded upon Christ's love and acceptance Putting it all together…

Is there anything keeping me from thinking clearly and being ready to follow Christ?Is there anything keeping me from thinking clearly and being ready to follow Christ? If so, am I willing to get rid of it now?If so, am I willing to get rid of it now? Takeaways:

What passions are producing character in me?What passions are producing character in me? Is that character what God wants for me?Is that character what God wants for me? Takeaways:

Am I serving out of grace- driven effort or guilt and fear?Am I serving out of grace- driven effort or guilt and fear? Why?Why? Takeaways: