Sermon Central
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The Training Of Saint Who Series
Contributed by Timothy Andrew Stephens on Jul 21, 2011 (message contributor)
Summary: Obedience for the Christ is training in Godliness, much like an athlete trains for the Olympics. as we live out our new identity in Christ it produces obedience that reflects who Jesus is in us.
The Common Made Holy Series
Part 3
“The Training of Saint Who”
God calls those who place their trust in Him to live a life “set apart” to obey Jesus Christ. That is what it means to be a saint. If you have placed you trust in Jesus Christ and Savior and Lord you are a Saint. That is your new Identity. It does not mean we are sinless or that we are better than others. In fact the more you live a life set apart to God the more you will realize just how unworthy you are in and of yourself. And the more you will realize if God can save a person like me, I am confident He can save anyone else.
The secret to living a life set apart to obey Jesus Christ is found in immersing ourselves in God’s Word. 1 Peter 1 10-11 tell us that God’s Word was written for our benefit. Studying God’s Word, memorizing His Word, Meditating on His Word enables us to know God, and know how we are to relate to Him and to discover just how much we can trust Him.
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.
The Written Word (the bible) points us to the Living Word (Jesus Christ), because Jesus Christ is the author of the Written Word. It is through Him that we are born again. And it is through His Word that we have the understanding and the power to live a life that is set apart, to live like a saint.
So I challenge you to immerse yourself in God’s Word, and to Memorize it.
Last week I put these verses in the Worship Guide to challenge as many of us as are willing to memorize God’s Word.
Would you stand with me and lets read Psalm 19:7-14 together to help us move towards hiding it in our hearts.
Memorization – In your Worship Guide
Psalm 19:7-14 (ESV)
7 The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the LORD is sure,
making wise the simple;
8 the precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the LORD is pure,
enlightening the eyes;
9 the fear of the LORD is clean,
enduring forever;
the rules of the LORD are true,
and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
and drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
12 Who can discern his errors?
Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
13 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins;
let them not have dominion over me!
Then I shall be blameless,
and innocent of great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
Immerse yourself in God’s Word, it is the secret to living a life that is set apart by God to obey Jesus Christ.
PRAYER
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.”
EXAMINATION of 1 Peter 1:13-23
What comes to mind when you hear the word obedience?
What about Exercise?
Training?
An athlete in training presupposes an identity that is getting stronger not a fear of failure.
As “Obedient Children” – Becoming who God made you to be.
How many of you want to know what God’s perfect will for you is?
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Obey
Now
Everytime
1. Obedience requires ACTION. (1 Peter 1:13)
13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action,
