Living with Integrity as Sojourners in Faith
Summary
As we step into a new year, it's a time for reflection and renewal. Our journey through 1 Peter continues, focusing on how we, as believers, should live in a world that often feels dark and challenging. Today, we delve into two verses that serve as a mirror, reflecting our current state and God's expectations for us. These verses, though not theologically complex, confront us with the reality of our lives and the integrity required to proclaim God's excellencies.
Peter urges us to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against our souls. This struggle is universal among Christians, as our converted souls reside in bodies still prone to sin. The call to abstain is a reminder that no amount of scripture memorization or spiritual experiences can eliminate this struggle. Instead, we must actively hold back and mortify the flesh, recognizing that we are sojourners and exiles in this world. Our identity is not defined by the culture around us but by our status as children of God.
Integrity is crucial. Just as sterling silver was known for its purity, our lives must reflect the purity and excellence of God. Our conduct among non-believers should be honorable, not just different but better, exemplary in every way. This integrity in our actions and words is what allows us to effectively proclaim the gospel.
Peter emphasizes that our conduct is being watched. Non-believers often scrutinize Christians, eager to see them falter. Yet, it is through our good deeds and consistent behavior that we can lead others to glorify God. Our lives should be a living testimony, drawing others to the beauty of Christ.
As we enter this new year, let us resolve to live in such a way that our faith is evident to all. May our actions align with our words, and may we be a light in the darkness, leading others to the hope we have in Christ.
Key Takeaways:
- The Struggle with the Flesh: Every Christian faces the ongoing battle between the desires of the flesh and the spirit. This struggle is not eliminated by spiritual practices but requires a conscious effort to abstain and hold back from sinful desires. Recognizing this struggle is the first step in maintaining our integrity and witness. [08:07]
- Integrity and Excellence: Just as sterling silver is known for its purity, our lives must reflect the purity and excellence of God. Integrity in our actions and words is essential for effectively proclaiming the gospel. Our conduct should be exemplary, not just different but better than the world around us. [06:44]
- Being Watched by Non-Believers: Our conduct is under scrutiny by those who do not believe. They often delight in seeing Christians falter. However, it is through our consistent good deeds and honorable behavior that we can lead others to glorify God. Our lives should be a living testimony of the gospel. [20:22]
- Living as Sojourners and Exiles: We are called to live as sojourners and exiles, taking our cues from God rather than the world. Our identity as children of God should define our actions and decisions, setting us apart from the cultural norms around us. [13:22]
- The Power of a Consistent Witness: Our lives can be a powerful witness to the gospel. By living out our faith with integrity and excellence, we can draw others to Christ. Our actions and words should align, providing a clear and compelling testimony of the hope we have in Jesus. [25:12]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [03:01] - Introduction to Grace in Life
- [05:24] - The Story of Sterling Silver
- [06:44] - Integrity and Excellence
- [08:07] - The Struggle with the Flesh
- [08:58] - The War Against the Soul
- [10:07] - The Call to Abstain
- [10:51] - The Reality of Struggle
- [12:14] - Holding Back the Flesh
- [13:22] - Living as Sojourners
- [16:15] - A Penetrating Question
- [17:54] - The Call to Purity
- [20:22] - Being Watched by Non-Believers
- [21:34] - The Challenge of Integrity
- [25:12] - The Power of a Consistent Witness
- [27:46] - The Story of David Livingstone
- [29:05] - The Impact of a Godly Life
- [30:27] - Who is Watching You?
- [32:16] - Reflecting God in Our Lives
- [34:11] - The Genius of Jesus
- [35:07] - An Invitation to Know Christ
- [36:55] - A New Year's Resolution
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- 1 Peter 2:11-12
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Peter urge believers to do in 1 Peter 2:11, and why is this significant for their spiritual journey? [08:07]
2. How does Peter describe the relationship between believers and the world in 1 Peter 2:11-12? What terms does he use to illustrate this relationship? [13:22]
3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of maintaining integrity in our actions and words as believers? [06:44]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the concept of being watched by non-believers, and what impact does this have on our witness? [20:22]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the struggle with the flesh manifest in the life of a believer, and how can one actively work to overcome it? [10:07]
2. How does the concept of living as "sojourners and exiles" influence a believer's daily decisions and interactions with the world? [13:22]
3. What role does integrity play in effectively proclaiming the gospel, and how can a lack of integrity hinder this mission? [06:44]
4. How can the consistent witness of a believer's life lead others to glorify God, according to the sermon? [25:12]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you struggled with the desires of the flesh. How did you respond, and what could you do differently next time to align with Peter's call to abstain? [10:07]
2. Consider your current lifestyle and choices. In what ways do they reflect your identity as a sojourner and exile in this world? How can you better align your actions with this identity? [13:22]
3. Think of a time when your integrity was tested. How did you handle it, and what steps can you take to ensure your actions and words consistently reflect the purity and excellence of God? [06:44]
4. Identify a non-believer in your life who is observing your conduct. What specific actions can you take to ensure your life is a positive testimony of the gospel to them? [20:22]
5. Reflect on the story shared in the sermon about the pastor's experience with the hunt club. How can you apply the lessons from this story to your interactions with non-believers in your own life? [25:12]
6. As you enter this new year, what specific resolutions can you make to live in a way that your faith is evident to all? How can you hold yourself accountable to these resolutions? [36:55]
7. Is there someone in your life you need to apologize to or make amends with to restore your witness? What steps will you take this week to address this situation? [36:55]
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:
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Day 1: The Battle Within: Flesh vs. Spirit
The struggle between the desires of the flesh and the spirit is a universal experience for Christians. This internal conflict is not something that can be eradicated through spiritual practices alone. Instead, it requires a conscious and ongoing effort to abstain from sinful desires. Recognizing this struggle is crucial for maintaining integrity and a strong witness in the world. As believers, we are called to actively resist these passions, understanding that our true identity is as children of God, not defined by the world around us. [08:07]
"For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do." (Galatians 5:17, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a specific area where you feel the tension between flesh and spirit. How can you actively resist this temptation today?
Day 2: Reflecting God's Purity and Excellence
Integrity and excellence are essential for effectively proclaiming the gospel. Just as sterling silver is known for its purity, our lives should reflect the purity and excellence of God. This means that our conduct should not only be different from the world but exemplary in every way. By living with integrity, we can effectively communicate the gospel through our actions and words, drawing others to the beauty of Christ. [06:44]
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." (Philippians 4:8, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you demonstrate integrity and excellence in your daily interactions this week?
Day 3: Living Under Scrutiny
As Christians, our conduct is often scrutinized by non-believers who may delight in seeing us falter. However, it is through our consistent good deeds and honorable behavior that we can lead others to glorify God. Our lives should serve as a living testimony of the gospel, drawing others to the hope we have in Christ. This requires a commitment to living out our faith authentically and consistently, even when no one is watching. [20:22]
"Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation." (1 Peter 2:12, ESV)
Reflection: Consider a recent situation where your actions were observed by others. How did your behavior reflect your faith, and what might you do differently next time?
Day 4: Embracing Our Identity as Sojourners
We are called to live as sojourners and exiles, taking our cues from God rather than the world. Our identity as children of God should define our actions and decisions, setting us apart from the cultural norms around us. This means living with a sense of purpose and direction that is rooted in our faith, rather than being swayed by the changing tides of society. [13:22]
"Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul." (1 Peter 2:11, ESV)
Reflection: What cultural norms or pressures are you currently facing that challenge your identity as a child of God? How can you remain steadfast in your faith?
Day 5: The Power of a Consistent Witness
Our lives can be a powerful witness to the gospel when we live out our faith with integrity and excellence. By aligning our actions and words, we provide a clear and compelling testimony of the hope we have in Jesus. This consistent witness can draw others to Christ, as they see the transformative power of the gospel at work in our lives. [25:12]
"In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a person in your life who does not know Christ. How can your actions and words this week serve as a witness to them?
Quotes
Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles, or we would say non-Christians, keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable so that when they speak out against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God. In the day of visitation. [00:02:29]
See, the context, as I said, is in verses 5 through 10. We are told to be the very temple of God and to be a priesthood that ministers for God in this world. And the culminating delight of being a minister of God is in verse 9, that we get to proclaim the excellencies of an excellent God. The one who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. [00:03:01]
And what would happen is a lot of people who sold silver for obvious reasons, they would sell silver that had more alloy in it than it had silver, and then thus it would look dull and it wouldn't look quite as nice. And so guys were getting cheated. What came to be among European craftsmen, that they knew that there was one particular, German businessman, that if you could buy silver from him, you knew that it didn't have above 92.5%, it didn't have more than 8% alloy. [00:04:42]
And as time went along, this guy Easterling that would sell this silver, they started to shorten it and they started to call it Sterling silver. And I don't know about you guys, but I always thought that Sterling was just kind of a synonym for bright, or for shine. for brilliant. And it has certainly become known to be a synonym for that. But initially, it wasn't so. [00:06:00]
What you say and what you do have to line up. Well, in verse 11 here, he's going to say that if you want to convince others about the greatness of God, that is great. But it's possible that if you compromise to the sins of your culture in your day, that it can silence your voice where the gospel is concerned. [00:07:11]
Would you just make a note of these things here? Number one, that you and I, according to Peter, have passions of the flesh. See, our souls have been converted through faith in Jesus Christ. The problem is, is that our souls have been converted through faith in Jesus Christ. The problem is, our souls are, are, are They are inside of this. They are housed in this body of flesh of ours. [00:07:50]
And even though we have converted souls, we still have to struggle with our bodies or what Francis of Assisi called brother donkey. Although he didn't use the word donkey, he used a different word for donkey that I can't say up here in the pulpit. But you get the idea. And that's what he would call his body because his body sometimes was like a donkey. [00:08:27]
And that is a very significant word because it tells you, number one, that there is no Christian that will not struggle. I don't care how many verses that you memorize. I don't care how much Scripture you read. That you're still going to be a person that has to hold back. You're still a person that's going to have to abstain. You are still going to struggle. [00:10:51]
A man asked Billy Graham one time, he said, you've kept your behavior excellent over 40 years of ministry. How have you done it, Billy? And he said, I run scared, young man. I run scared. He struggles. I struggle. I would like to tell you that you could memorize the Scriptures and it would subdue your fleshly desires, but you would only simply know more about the very things that you struggle with. [00:11:18]
And young people today, it's almost like you need to be convinced that just because you feel right about something, doesn't make it right. And we have to, like Paul said, we have to buffet our bodies and make them our slaves. That we make our bodies do what we want. it to do we make our bodies our slaves and we don't become a slave to our flesh to our bodies lest we have preached to others and we be disqualified abstain hold back [00:14:06]
And the day of visitation is probably this period right now prior to judgment, where God has visited the earth with His blessing of salvation. And Peter's idea is in this brief period. of mercy, that as people watch you, as people watch how you live your life, that you can possibly be the reason that they will end up following Christ as well. [00:26:35]
And those are the words of Henry Stanley. He glorified God in the day of visitation because he watched the deeds of a great and good man. Who is it that God has placed in your life, that he has placed in your sphere of influence for you to be a sermon of Christ for him to watch, for her to watch? Who is God placed in your life for this purpose? [00:30:00]
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