Godly Fear – 1 Peter 1:13-25…Sunday Sermon Sampler

Jon Beck

Living out our the Christian life is a task that involves both discipline and grace.  We are called to do something, but we can only do it as we embrace the grace God has poured out upon us.  I remind myself daily I have to do my part, because He has already done His part.

The previous verses dealt with our salvation, but verses 1:13-2:10 deal with out sanctification.  This Sunday we will cover 1:13-25 and discover how hope, holiness, Godly fear, and brotherly love fit into our part of sanctification.

As we anticipate our services on Sunday, I want to take a closer look at Godly Fear according to vv. 17-21.

1 Peter 1:13-25

  1. Hope
  2. Holiness
  3. Godly Fear
  4. Brother Love

Godly Fear

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 you21 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.

  • We can call upon Him
    • We have the incredible privilege to call upon God on a regular and ongoing basis.  As we do call upon Him we can remember that He is merciful, loving, righteous, and just in all He does.
  • He is an Impartial judge
    • Everything God does is based on truth.  He is fair and just in all His dealings with His creation.
  • We are judged according to our deeds
    • What we do MATTERS. By our fruits we will be judged.  I am saved by grace, but grace should produce a changed life.
  • THEREFORE…conduct yourselves with fear during you time of exile
    • I can conduct my self in the proper and biblical manner because I know during my time on earth He will…
      • Guide me, Love me, Comfort me, and Discipline me
      • Fear is not just being afraid, this type of fear is a holy fear.  It is a fear that His guiding hand will be removed from my life.  Fear based on His holiness and greatness.
  • Because of the FINISHED WORK OF CHRIST
    • My hope is not in me being able to do it, but rather my hope is in that HE HAS DONE IT.
    • Imperishable….His love is an always love!
    • Raised from the dead.  The power that raised Christ from the grave is the ame power that allows me to conquer the things of this world and the passions of my heart.

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