STEADFAST HOLY LIVING IN THE MIDST OF TRIALS

(The message to the chosen tourist)

Text: 1 Peter 1: 13-25

Intro:
Wea all know that apostle Peter is writing to the persecuted Christian that
are scattered abroad. He advices them to remain calm, steadfast, unmovable, and
hope only to God because He is:
(1) Our Heavenly Father
(2) Our merciful Father
(3) We are His family
And in Him we have an:
(1) Undoubted inheritance
(2) Kept by His power
(3) We have the full right to claim them
And the apostle encourages every Christian to prove the genuineness of their
faith because trials are but for a season.

This morning our lesson was focus on the instruction of apostle Peter to every
Christians to remain steadfast in holy living in the midst of trials.

I. GIRD UP THE LOINS OF YOUR MIND

(v.13a)

“Gird” – encircle the part of the body with a belt, that is to prepare
oneself for something difficult or challenging.

“Loins” - the part of the body on both sides of the spine between the
lowest ribs and the hipbones.
 Apostle Peter exhorts Christians to be clearheaded (sober) and holiness.
He is saying that let the strength of your mind be employed (exerted) in
your body.

Here apostle Peter exhorts us to disengage ourselves from all that would
hinder us and go on resolutely in our obedience.

The exhortation is,

(1) Be sober – (clearheaded)

(2) Be vigilant – (watchful)

Against all your spiritual dangers and enemies, and be temperate and
modest in the whole of your behavior.

Listen to this truth, the main work of the Christian lies (rest) in the
right management of his heart and mind.

The matured Christians have need to be exhorted to sobriety or

preparedness. Our main work is to address ourselves strongly to the
work we have to do, encouraging ourselves to remain holy in the
midst of trials.

The main point is, we must reject all those who hinder us from
following the what is godly and biblical and focus on purifying ourselves
from selfishness.

II. BE SOBER
(v.13b)

Spiritual sober-mindedness includes the ideas of:

(1) Steadfastness
 (2) Self-control
(3) Clarity (clearness) of mind
(4) Moral decisiveness (certainty)

The sober Christian is correctly in-charge of his priorities and not

intoxicated or under influence with the various allurements
(temptation) of the world.

III. HOPE TO THE END

(v. 13c)

In light of our great salvation, true Christians, most especially those

undergoing suffering, should unreservedly live for the future,
anticipating the consummation (completeness) of their salvation at the
second coming of Jesus Christ.

(1 Pet. 1:7; Col. 3:2-4)

In times of diver’s trials, we must hope in Christ because at His second

coming He will be going to deliver us from all sufferings and there in
heaven there is no more;

(1) trials
(2) sufferings
(3) pain

That is the great blessing of being chosen to salvation.

IV. UNTIL THE CONCLUSION OF GRACE

(v. 13d)
 Jesus Christ future ministry of glorifying Christians and bringing them to
eternal life in His presence is the final conclusion of the grace initiated at
our salvation.

(Eph. 2:7)

Meaning to say, the end of our diver’s trials here in this life as true
Christians is heaven. Therefore, we have to maintain living holy life even
in the midst of diver’s trials.

V. BE CHILDREN OF OBEDIENCE
(v. 14)

This verse is an argument to press true Christians to holiness from the

consideration of what they are now.

Question: Who are Christians now?

Answer: Children of obedience

The children of God ought to prove themselves that they are truly God’s
children by their obedience to God even in times of troubles and
sufferings.

Obey God, stay holy, do not let your divers trial separate you from the
Lord, instead let your trials separate you from the world and sin and
keep you separated unto the God.

VI. ATTAIN THE HIGHEST DEGREE OF HOLINESS

(vv. 15-16)

There are three reasons that are strongly required and enforced to the
Christian to consider.
 (1) The grace of God is calling every Christian to holiness.
(v. 15a)

(2) The command – It is written

(v. 16a)

(3) His example – I am holy

(v. 16b)

We must imitate God though we can never be equal with Him. The
consideration of the holiness of God should oblige us to attain the
highest degree of holiness.

Holiness essentially defines the Christian’s new nature and conduct in

contrast with his pre-salvation lifestyle.

The reason for practicing holy manner of living is because true Christians
are associated with the holy God and must treat Him and His Word with
respect and reverence.

Now, we can glorify Him best by being like Him.

(Matt. 5:48; Eph. 5:1; Lev. 11:44-45; 18:30; 19:2; 20:7; 21: 6-8)

Conclusion:
Every chosen tourist are called to be steadfast in holy living in the midst
of this crocked world.