Sermon text
1 Peter 1:13-25
¹³ 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. ¹⁴ As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, ¹⁵ but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, ¹⁶ since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” ¹⁷ And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, ¹⁸ knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, ¹⁹ but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. ²⁰ He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you ²¹ who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. ²² Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, ²³ since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; ²⁴ for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, ²⁵ but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.
Understanding the text
Difficulties and trials can have an intoxicating effect on us. They can lead us to see God and the world through a myopic and self-centered lens. It’s as if we forget everything except the truth that we are hurting. Faith in Jesus does not ignore the difficulties of life, but it does provide a biblical context for thinking about it. By remembering that in spite of our suffering, the death and resurrection of Jesus are still objectively true, we can prepare ourselves to move forward, instead of being hijacked by our trials.
We need to remember that God is our Father and that He always makes the right decision, every time. We need to remember that we have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ. We need to remember that our faith is not in ourselves, but is in the God who raised Jesus from the dead. As our hearts grow in astonishment at His incredible saving power, our lives will grow to reflect our holy God in increasing measure.
Additional scripture
- James 1:2-4
- Romans 8:28
- Genesis 50:19-20
Applying the text
- How have you experienced the blinding or intoxicating effects of sorrow or difficulties in your life?
- How does knowing and trusting that God is a holy, faithful, and true Judge give us hope when we suffer for our faith?
- Why do you think Peter exhorts us to “love one another earnestly from a pure heart” (1 Peter 1:22)? What role does this have in the midst of trials?
Call to Worship
Psalm 16:1-8
¹ Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. ² I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.” ³ As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight. ⁴ The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips. ⁵ The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. ⁶ The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. ⁷ I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. ⁸ I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
Prayer of Confession
Merciful God, you pardon all who truly repent and turn to you. We humbly confess our sins and ask your mercy. We have not loved you with a pure heart, nor have we loved our neighbor as ourselves. We have not done justice, loved kindness, or walked humbly with you, our God. Have mercy on us, O God, in your loving-kindness. In your great compassion, cleanse us from our sin. Create in us a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within us. Do not cast us from your presence, or take your Holy Spirit from us. Restore to us the joy of your salvation and sustain us with your bountiful Spirit. Amen.
Resources for Parents
Did you know that the kids of Coram Deo are following along with our recent study through Genesis? They are! Every Sunday, the children's ministry team creates lessons that cover the scripture and concepts from a recent sermon. The teachers ask simple questions to help the kids learn to understand and apply what God says in the Bible.
We want to equip parents to talk to their kids about what they're learning. The following is the content that the children's classes taught this week. We encourage parents to use this resource at home to help you and your kids grow as you learn from God's word together.
Children's Lesson from Sunday, September 22
Scripture:
Genesis 14:11-24
The Main Point:
God's promises and power give us courage to do what's right.
Questions:
Q: When Abram didn't trust God and made a plan from fear, what happened?
A: He sinned.
Q: When Abram trusted God what happened?
A: He obeyed God/did the right thing.
Q: What gave Abram the courage to save his nephew?
A: Trusting in God's power and promises.
Q: Where can we get the courage to do the right thing?
A: By believing and trusting in God's promises and power.
New City Catechism Question #35
Q: Since we are redeemed by grace alone, through faith alone, where does that faith come from?
A: From the Holy Spirit.
(Note: All of our classes work through one question per month from the New City Catechism. You can download the New City Catechism app with all the questions and children's songs for free.)