Living in Hope: Action and Holiness in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Preparing for Spiritual Action

As believers, we are called to prepare our minds for action, to be sober-minded, and to set our hope fully on the grace that will be brought to us through Jesus Christ. This means living a life that reflects the magnitude of the gospel and ridding ourselves of sinful behaviors. [01:58]

Ephesians 6:14 - "Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place."

Reflection: What are some sinful behaviors you need to rid yourself of? How can you prepare your mind for action and set your hope fully on the grace of Jesus Christ?

Day 2: Embracing Our Identity in Christ

Holiness is not just about good behavior, but rather it is a result of being chosen and adopted into the family of God. As believers, we belong to God and, in return, God's love, glory, and riches are made available to us. This belonging is not of our own doing, but rather we were bought with a price, the blood of Jesus Christ. [39:16]

1 Corinthians 6:20 - "For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."

Reflection: How does understanding that you were bought with a price, the blood of Jesus Christ, change your perspective on your identity and your actions?

Day 3: Anticipating the Grace of God

The grace of God that will be revealed to believers at the revelation of Jesus Christ is significant. We will not become divine, but we will be made perfect in the sense that all our sins will be wiped away. Jesus will impute his righteousness to us, and we will be credited as if we lived his perfect life. This freedom from sin is a significant aspect of our current struggle. [22:11]

Colossians 1:22 - "But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation."

Reflection: How does the anticipation of God's grace and the promise of being made perfect in Christ affect your daily walk with God?

Day 4: Living in Light of the Second Coming

As believers, we have an obligation to live our lives in view of the second coming of Jesus, regardless of whether it happens in our lifetime or not. Living with the view of the second coming does not mean obsessing over end times events or focusing solely on heavenly rewards, but rather maintaining a mindset of anticipation and readiness. [49:33]

Titus 2:13 - "While we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ."

Reflection: How can you live your life in anticipation and readiness for the second coming of Jesus? What changes can you make in your daily routine to reflect this mindset?

Day 5: Dressing for Spiritual Battle

Following Jesus requires intentional action and we cannot simply sit idly by. We are called to dress ourselves for battle, similar to how a soldier would prepare for war. We also need to fight for our children and marriage, as spiritual warfare and challenges will arise. [05:56]

Ephesians 6:11 - "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes."

Reflection: What are some spiritual battles you are currently facing? How can you prepare yourself for these battles and fight for your family?
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Sermon Summary

The sermon begins with a focus on 1 Peter chapter 1, verses 13 through 17, emphasizing the importance of preparing one's mind for action and being sober-minded. The speaker urges the congregation to set their hope fully on the grace that will be brought to them through Jesus Christ and to be holy in all their conduct. The sermon then transitions to the obligations and responsibilities of those who have received salvation, summarizing these obligations in five points. The speaker emphasizes the importance of taking action and living a life that reflects the magnitude of the gospel, urging listeners to rid themselves of sinful behaviors and to be alert and focused on their hope in Jesus.

The speaker then delves into the concept of holiness, explaining that it is not just about good behavior, but rather it is a result of being chosen and adopted into the family of God. Believers belong to God and, in return, God's love, glory, and riches are made available to them. The speaker emphasizes that believers are not their own, but rather they were bought with a price, the blood of Jesus Christ. The speaker also discusses the idea of working for God, stating that believers should strive to please Him in all that they do because God is always paying attention.

The sermon then shifts to the grace of God that will be revealed to believers at the revelation of Jesus Christ. The speaker clarifies that believers will not become divine, but they will be made perfect in the sense that all their sins will be wiped away. Jesus will impute his righteousness to believers, and they will be credited as if they lived his perfect life. The speaker emphasizes the significance of this by highlighting the freedom from sin and the ongoing struggle with it that believers experience in their current lives.

The speaker then discusses the importance of fixing one's hope on the grace that will be brought at the revelation of Jesus Christ. The speaker emphasizes that believers have an obligation to live their lives in view of the second coming of Jesus, regardless of whether it happens in their lifetime or not. The speaker clarifies that living with the view of the second coming does not mean obsessing over end times events or focusing solely on heavenly rewards, but rather maintaining a mindset of anticipation and readiness.

The sermon concludes with a discussion on the importance of action in the Christian life. The speaker uses military language to illustrate the idea of dressing oneself for battle, similar to how a soldier would prepare for war. It is emphasized that following Jesus requires intentional action and that believers cannot simply sit idly by. The speaker also mentions the need to fight for one's children and marriage, as spiritual warfare and challenges will arise.

Key Takeaways

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Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What are the five obligations of application mentioned in the sermon that believers should adhere to? [03:17]
How does the speaker describe the concept of holiness beyond just good behavior? [30:06]
What does the speaker say about the grace of God that will be revealed at the revelation of Jesus Christ? [20:11]
According to the sermon, what does it mean to live with the view of the second coming of Jesus? [17:46]

Interpretation Questions

Why does the speaker emphasize the need for believers to prepare their minds for action and be sober-minded? How does this relate to the concept of spiritual warfare? [04:00]
How does the idea of being "bought with a price" influence a believer's understanding of their identity and responsibilities? [38:32]
What does it mean to set one's hope fully on the grace that will be brought at the revelation of Jesus Christ, and how does this affect daily living? [17:46]
How does the speaker's use of military language to describe the Christian life impact the way believers should approach their faith and daily struggles? [04:00]

Application Questions

The sermon emphasizes the importance of preparing one's mind for action. What specific steps can you take this week to prepare your mind for spiritual action? [03:17]
Reflect on the concept of holiness as being set apart for God. In what areas of your life do you need to make changes to better reflect this set-apartness? [30:06]
The speaker mentions the need to fight for one's children and marriage. What are some practical ways you can engage in this spiritual battle for your family? [05:20]
How can you maintain a mindset of anticipation and readiness for the second coming of Jesus without becoming obsessed with end times events? [17:46]
The sermon discusses the importance of being sober-minded and not intoxicated by the things of this world. Identify one area in your life where you might be "intoxicated" and discuss how you can regain spiritual alertness. [11:52]
The speaker talks about the freedom from sin that believers will experience at the revelation of Jesus Christ. How does this future hope influence your current struggle with sin? [20:11]
How can you live out the reality of being "bought with a price" in your workplace or daily interactions? What changes might this require in your behavior or attitude? [38:32]

Sermon Clips

"Get your head around the idea that living for Christ requires intentional action. You can't sit on your hands and do nothing. We are called the hands and feet for a reason. You sign up for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, you sign up to serve Jesus, you're going to have to fight for your kids." ([04:47])

"Do not lose control of your thoughts and actions wrapped up in addictions, covetousness, and the allure of the things of this world... our mind can be so controlled by our desires, things that on the surface may seem harmless and in themselves are harmless, they're not sinful career aspirations, possessions, recreation, friendships, and the list can go on and on." [12:36]

"Live in such a way that Jesus is not just trusted today but he's trusted for tomorrow, live like you're actually going to heaven that Jesus is coming back." [43:37]

"We hope because of our faith in Jesus Christ which causes us to actually live like he's coming back... it's living every day with the reality that you actually believe Jesus is coming back and he's going to fix everything that's wrong in the world." #!!23:54!!#

"You're not holy because you're a good person, you're holy because God pulled you out of the world and you belong to him... his love and his riches and His glory belong to you... because you belong to him." #!!37:56!!#

"You are not your own, you were bought with a price and it was the blood of the perfect Lamb of God... you're not your own anymore, you are God's... I don't resent belonging to God because I love him and I trust him." #!!39:16!!#

"At the revelation of Jesus Christ we will be made perfect like God is perfect... all of our sin will be wiped away and Jesus will impute to us his accomplishment of righteousness... our struggle with sin... that ongoing frustrating battle of warring with your flesh every day... that war will be over." #!!20:11!!#

"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 of your conduct since it is written you shall be holy for I am Holy." #!!00:32!!#

"Now he is shifting from describing and explaining the nature of Salvation to commanding the ones that have received it concerning their obligation and responsibility in light of what Jesus has done and a truly saved person is happy to oblige in these obligations because they desire to follow in the footsteps of the Lord." #!!01:58!!#

"Believers have an obligation to live their life in view of the second coming of Jesus at all times... even if I do die before he returns I'm still intimately involved in the second coming because it says when he blows the trumpet what happens first the dead in Christ or those asleep will rise first so guess what if I'm dead I just get to go to the party first." #!!17:46!!#

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