February 22 2015 How Can I Display Christianity Under Pressure

How Can I Display Christianity Under Pressure

1 Peter 1:13-16

I. The setting of our scripture

Verse 16 – Be Holy, because I am Holy.

Therefore:

II. Four helps to Holy living

1. You need a well ordered mind.

Verse 13 – Prepare you mind for action.

Exodus 12:11 – And thus shall you eat, with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, your staff on your hand, and ye shall eat it in haste.  It is the Lord’s Passover.

Three Hebrew children:

2. Have a well disciplined life.

Verse 13 – Be self-controlled.

Two things this means:

1. Be alert to potential dangers.
2. Be aware of who you are.

3. Have a well defined goal.

Verse 13 – Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Definition of “set”.

I John 3:2 – When He appears we shall be like Him.

1 John 3:3 – Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself just as He is pure.

4. Have a well established conversion.

Verse 14 – As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.

Obedience is the process of walking in the Light.

Verse 16 – Be Holy because I am Holy.

Five factors that motivate us to Holiness:

1. The character of God.

2. He’s called us.

3. It’s God’s command.

4. The consistency of God.

5. It’s the choice of God.

Romans 12:1 – In view of God’s mercy, offer yourselves as living sacrifices to God.

August 12 2012 How To Have Real Christian Faith

How To Have Real Christian Faith

Vs. 17 - Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by actions, is dead.

Who is right, James or Paul? They both are.

Paul (Gal. 2:16)    &   James (James 2:24)
Problem    Legalism                     Laxity
Works       Jewish Laws               Christian Lifestlye
Focus        Root of Salvation       Fruit of Salvation
(internal/unseen)        (external/seen)
Purpose    How to Know             How to show
I’m a Christian            I’m a Christian


Ephesians 2:8-10 - For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, for a life of good works which God has already prepared for us to do.

What Is Real Faith?
1. Real faith is not just something you say.
Vs. 14 - What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?

2. Real faith is not just something you feel.
Vs. 15-16 - Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.  If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well, keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
1 John 3:17 - If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?
Vs. 17 - In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action is dead.

3.  Real faith is not just something you think.
Vs. 18 - But someone will say, “You have faith, I have deeds.”  Show me your faith without your deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.

4.  Real faith is not just something you believe.
Vs. 19 - You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that and shudder.

5.  Real faith is something you do.

Illustrations: Two Very Different People

• Abraham (Vs. 20-24)

• Rahab (Vs. 25)

II Corinthians 13:5 - Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith, test yourselves.