Peculiar 2
Different Values in an Unholy Culture
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light; – 1 Peter 2:9
Last week—learned Peter was writing to persecuted Christians
Already hated: Nero most likely burned Rome—Blamed Christians.
In the face of difficulties we have a peculiar kind of faith.
This World is not your home!
Because this world not your own—You are called to be different! You are called to be peculiar.
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Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 17 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. [temporary residents]
1 Peter 1:13-17
Greatest obstacle to following Christ may be your desire to fit in with this world. (Philosophies of the world)
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Didn’t create you to fit in—Stand out.
God never says that you blend in—You are set apart—Different. Peculiar
Normal: Broke, Hurting, Stressed, Divorced, Afraid, Anxious.
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Jesus said wide is the road and broad is the path—Destruction
Small gate. Narrow road.
Cuss..
Able to stop saying it—Didn’t stop thinking it.
Different on the outside—Not on inside!
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Why does it even matter?
14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:14-16
He has not called you to be happy—“be happy in all you do.” – be HOLY in all you do.
So many people wrongly believe God highest calling is your happiness.
God’s highest calling for you is not your happiness but your holiness.
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Theology of happiness empowers personal justification:
Since I’m not happy—Allowed do something that would otherwise be wrong.
- ¬Not happy in my marriage—I’m simply leaving.
- ¬Want this thing—Can’t afford this thing—Gonna get this thing!
- ¬Dating know we should wait—We’re in love—God understand. Married.
When we believe that God wants us happy above all else,
discomfort, delay, risk, and suffering can’t be God’s will.
Without knowing it, we begin to worship the false gods of
comfort, money, pleasure, and things.
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Happy—God exists to serve me
God does not exist to serve us—We exist to serve him—HOLY.
Hágios—holy, set apart, different, pure.
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Follow Jesus and Have the Courage to be Different.
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14 So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. 1 Peter 1:14
Effort
How many know you can slip into sin? Fall into temptation.
You don’t slip into righteousness—I tripped and became holy.
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Subtle—Sneaky—Never—Be a Satanist! (Sacrifice chicken)
Your enemy—Did God really say?
Did God really say can’t watch those adult shows on Netflix?
That music with bad language is bad?
Gossip is a sin
Not to post half naked photos on Instagram?
I’m not that bad—I’m a lot better than a lot of people.
A lot of people are not the standard!
Questions for Reflection:
- ïWhat is three areas I struggle most trying to fit in?
- ïWhen was a time I put my happiness above God’s call for holiness?
- ïWhat are the biggest ways that I’m different from the world?
- ïWhat is the area that God wants me to be different?
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Why holy? Why does it even matter?
18 For 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 ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God. 1 Peter 1:18-21
God says—Be Holy Because I Am Holy
Because of who he—And because of what he’s done—I want to be holy.
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Not that I have to—WANT TO
We are not talking about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION.
We are talking about SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION
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- ïLiving holy isn’t the path to knowing Christ.
- ïKnowing Christ is the path to living Holy.