Live a life that’s set apart for God.

We all want to be accepted by others. This explains our tendency to follow trends and what's "in" at the moment. While many of these trends are neither good nor bad in a spiritual, moral, or ethical sense, the human desire to be like everyone else can lead us to compromise or to lose our identity as followers of Christ.

1 Peter 1:14-19,22-25

* "What are some things the average person considers holy or sacred?"

1. Being Holy is Obedience.

1 Peter 1:14-16

14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance.

15 But as the One who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct;

16 for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy.

* "What is your reaction to the commands in these verses?

* "What Is Holiness?"

Let's learn more about the ways God's holiness should influence our own lives.

2. Redeemed to be Holy.

1 Peter 1:17-19

17 And if you address as Father the One who judges impartially based on each one's work, you are to conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your temporary residence.

18 For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life inherited from the fathers, not with perishable things like silver or gold,

19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish.

three motivations Peter gave his readers for holy living:

* Life for believers is lived in light of eternity. Believers think not only of where they are but of where they are going.

* They were slaves to sin who had been set free or redeemed.

* God had redeemed them by Christ's blood. he reminded them of what Christ had done.

* "When do people take the fear of God too seriously?"

* "When do people take the fear of God not seriously enough?"

Let's jump to verses 22-25 and look specifically at what Peter had to say about how we should treat one another.

3. Holiness is an Enduring Purity.

1 Peter 1:22-25

22 By obedience to the truth, having purified yourselves for sincere love of the brothers, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,

23 since you have been born again--not of perishable seed but of imperishable--through the living and enduring word of God.

24 For All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like a flower of the grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls,

25 but the word of the Lord endures forever. And this is the word that was preached as the gospel to you.

* "What are the implications of God tying our obedience to Him to our love for others?

* A pure heart doesn't love for the purpose of getting something in return.

* A pure heart doesn't love only those who think in the same way.

* A pure heart doesn't serve itself before all others.

* "How can we support each other in living holy lives?"

back to "The Point"

"Live a life that is set apart for God."

Conclusion

consider the following ways our lives can point to our powerful, holy God:

Strive for obedience.

As you read God's Word this week, look for principles and commands you can intentionally obey.

Check your motives.

Evaluate what motivates you to serve God and others.

* Do you serve to obey God and glorify Him, or

* do you serve to be affirmed and appreciated?

* Repent of any skewed motives and move forward.

Remember God's Word.

Memorize 1 Peter 1:22 this week.