Our Commitment to Holiness

Bible Text : 1 Peter 3:15-16   

 

INTRODUCTION: 

1 Peter 3:15-16 “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:  Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ” (cf. Isa.8:13). 

“Sanctify” – “to make holy, i.e. (ceremonially) purify or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate: hallow, be holy, sanctify.” 

“We sanctify the Lord God in our hearts when we with sincerity and fervency adore him, when our thoughts of him are awful and reverend, when we rely upon his power, trust to his faithfulness, submit to his wisdom, imitate his holiness, and give him the glory due to his most illustrious perfections. We sanctify God before others when our deportment is such as invites and encourages others to glorify and honour him.” Matthew Henry 

1.            HOLINESS IN THE HOME (v.1-7) 

·                 Our Christian Submission (v.1,5,7)

·                 Our Christian Conversation (v.1,2 cf. v.16)

·                 Our Christian Decoration (v.3,4) 

E.g. Of Holy Women: Of Sarah (Gen.18:12); Of Hannah (1 Sam.1:7-13); Of Abigail (1 Sam.25:3,18); Of Ruth (Ruth 1:16,17). 

2.            HOLINESS IN THE CHURCH (v.8-12) 

·                  Positively: There should be Christian Harmony, Sympathy, Fraternity, Pity, Courtesy (v.8)

·                   Negatively: There should not be Unchristian Behaviour  (v.9-11)

·                   Ultimately: There will be Accountability (v.12) 

3.            HOLINESS IN THE WORLD (v.13-22) 

·                   Our Sufferings in the World (v.13,14-17; cf. 2 Tim. 3:12)

·                   Our Christian Defense in the World (v.15,16)

·                   Our Saviour’s Example in the World (v.18-22) 

·               APPLICATION: 

·                 We should exercise personal holiness in our church, in our homes and in the world at large;

·                 The main purposes of this holy living are the salvation of souls and the honour of our holy God (v.1,15,16,18,20);

·                  In the end, there will be rewards and blessings laid up for us in heaven (v.22). 

·                CONCLUSION: 

Verse to Remember - Isaiah 8:13 “Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.”