HOW CAN YOU BE HOLY WITHOUT BEING “HOLIER THAN THOU”?

I. By Monitoring Your Conduct. Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” - v13-16

A. Be prepared to change. Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. - v13 I. By Monitoring Your Conduct.

A. Be prepared to change. 1. Prepare your minds. Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. - v13 I. By Monitoring Your Conduct.

A. Be prepared to change. 2. Use self control. Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. - v13 I. By Monitoring Your Conduct.

A. Be prepared to change. 3. Focus on the revealing party. Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. - v13 The Second Coming! I. By Monitoring Your Conduct.

A. Be prepared to change. 3. Focus on the revealing party. Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. - v13 a. Salvation pictured as coming when the Lord comes again!. I. By Monitoring Your Conduct.

A. Be prepared to change. 3. Focus on the revealing party. Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. - v13 b. Give ( φέρω ) = carry a burden. I. By Monitoring Your Conduct.

A. Be prepared to change. B. Realize your new life will be different. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. - v14 I. By Monitoring Your Conduct.

B. Realize your new life will be different. 1. In your old life - you allowed your desires to rule you. Why did Eve eat the fruit? Genesis 3:1-6 I. By Monitoring Your Conduct.

B. Realize your new life will be different. 2. In your new life - be like obedient children. Matthew 18:3 - I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. I. By Monitoring Your Conduct.

B. Realize your new life will be different. 2. In your new life - be like obedient children. a. Are you ready to obey the gospel. II Thessalonians 1:8 - He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. I. By Monitoring Your Conduct.

B. Realize your new life will be different. 2. In your new life - be like obedient children. b. Are you ready to obey His teachings. Romans 6: you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. I. By Monitoring Your Conduct.

B. Realize your new life will be different. 2. In your new life - be like obedient children. c. Are you ready to make your thoughts obedient to Christ! II Corinthians 10:5 - we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. I. By Monitoring Your Conduct.

II. By Remembering the Cost. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God. - v18-21

A. Holiness did not come from this world. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers... - v18 II. By Remembering the Cost.

A. Holiness did not come from this world. 1. Not from material gain or social status. II. By Remembering the Cost.

a. Material things get corrupted. Matthew 6: Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. II. By Remembering the Cost.

b. Social status doesn’t count. Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. - v17 Romans 2:11 - For God does not show favoritism. Ephesians 6:9 - And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him. Colossians 3:25 - Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism. II. By Remembering the Cost.

b. Social status doesn’t count. The Rich Young Ruler Matthew 19:16-22 II. By Remembering the Cost.

A. Holiness did not come from this world. 1. Not from material gain or social status. 2. Not from family heritage. II. By Remembering the Cost.

A. Holiness did not come from this world. B. Holiness came from the blood of Jesus Christ!... but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. - v19 II. By Remembering the Cost.

1. What is the significance of blood? Leviticus 17:11 - For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life. II. By Remembering the Cost.

1. What is the significance of blood? Leviticus 1:10 - If the offering is a burnt offering from the flock, from either the sheep or the goats, he is to offer a male without defect. II. By Remembering the Cost.

1. What is the significance of blood? 2. Lord Jesus became that lamb for you!... but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. - v19 II. By Remembering the Cost.

1. What is the significance of blood? 2. Lord Jesus became that lamb for you! Hebrews 4:15 - For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are — yet was without sin. II. By Remembering the Cost.

C. Why is this the only way? He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God. - v20-21 II. By Remembering the Cost.

C. Why is this the only way? He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God. - v20-21 John 14:6 - “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” II. By Remembering the Cost.

So - don’t focus on how good you may be in comparison to others. Instead - focus on improving your own conduct and remember the cost.