By Garry Knighton
Church of Christ/North  - Shreveport, La.

THE HOLINESS OF A CHRISTIAN
I Peter 1:13-18

   INTRODUCTION:

       A.  Word "holy" used many times in the Bible.

       B.  (Greek word) Hagios - different - set apart.

            1.  Example:  Set apart from sin to serve God.

       C.  Some Holy Things:

            1.  Temple - different from other buildings.

            2.  Sabbath day - different from other days.

            3.  Christians - different from other people.

       D.  Christians "called" to be holy people - I Peter 2:9.

            1.  By the Gospel - II Thessalonians 2:13-14.

            2.  Called to be sanctified (set apart)

       E.  God has always demanded holiness of his people.

   I.  Pattern for Christian's Holiness - "Be ye holy: for I am Holy" - I Peter 1:16

       A.  A Christian is an imitator.

            1.  Of God - Ephesians 5:1 - "Be ye therefore imitators of God, as beloved
                 children; and walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave
                 himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice unto God for an odor of a
                 sweet smell."

            2.  By following Christ - I Peter 2:21 - "For hereunto were ye called:
                 because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye
                 should follow in his steps."

            3.  We should magnify Christ in our lives - Philippians 1:20.

                 a.  We are lights.

  II.  Holy in "All manner of living" - I Peter 1:15 - "But like as he who called
       you is Holy, be ye yourselves Holy in all manner of living." (What does
       this cover?)

       A.  In relationship to the world (Notice:  Ephesians 2:1-3)

            1.  Not conformed to the world - Romans 12:1-2 - "I beseech you therefore,
                 brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice,
                 holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. (2) And be not
                 fashioned according to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing
                 of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and
                 perfect will of God."

            2.  To keep unspotted from the world - James 1:27.

       B.  In the marriage relationship.

            1.  Hold it sacred - Matthew 19:1-9.

            2.  Hold fast to it.

       C.  In everyday business - I Peter 1:13-18.

            1.  His aim is honesty - Romans 12:17 - "Render to no man evil for evil.
                 Take thought for things honorable; in the sight of all men."

            2.  In his work - II Thessalonians 3:10 - "For even when we were with you,
                 this we commanded you, if any man will not work, neither let him eat."

       D.  In his priorities.

            1.  Puts things of God first - Matthew 6:33 - "But seek ye first his kingdom
                 and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you."

                 a.  We sometimes worry about how much we have or can get.  This is
                      misplaced priority.

 III.  The Motivation to be Holy

       A.  The Lord's return - I Peter 1:13.

            1.  The second coming - II Peter 3:10-13.

            2.  Be ready just like in Matthew 24:42-44.

       B.  The judgment (stand before God) - I Peter 1:17.

            1.  Must give an account - II Corinthians 5:10 - "For we all must be made
                 manifest before the judgment seat of Christ; that each one may receive
                 the things done in the body, according to what he hath done, whether it
                 be good or bad."

       C.  The resurrection.

            1.  I Peter 1:3-9.

            2.  I Corinthians 15:1-19.

   CONCLUSION:

       A.  Do you live a Holy life?

       B.  Do you set God as your pattern?

       C.  Are you Holy in "all manner of living?"

       D.  Do you have the "hope" that the resurrection of Jesus Christ gives us?