Manuscript Template
Title (written around problem being solved): Everyone wants to have the best life, but what is it?
Problem I’m Trying to Solve / Answer: What is the best life, and how do we get it?
Focus Statement: You can have the best life, the life God created you to live, through conscious obedience, self-control, determination, non-conformity, and being holy.
Function Statement:
Tweetable Phrase: The world’s definition of the best life is about getting; God’s definition is about becoming.
Main Text: 1 Peter 1:13-25
Supporting Text:
Redemptive Closure (point to Jesus): 1 Peter 1:17-25
Benediction: Galatians 2:20 / Matthew 16:24-26
WELCOME
Good morning!!! My name is Ryan Hanson, and I have the honor of serving here at The Light KC as the lead pastor. I’m so glad you’re here with us.
Welcome to those joining us online. We hope you're doing well and hope to see you in person in the coming weeks.
And a special welcome to those joining us for the first time. We’re so glad you chose to be here.
ME/INTRO - Tension
I want to start today with a little dreaming exercise.
Please take 10 seconds, and with your eyes closed, fill in the blank:
“If I could have __________, I’d be living my best life.”
[wait for 10 seconds]
I’m sure something came to mind for each of us.
We all have an idea of what the perfect life would look like.
And...we’re all painfully aware of the gap between our current life and our imagined perfect lives.
What is interesting to me, is that the idea of the perfect life varies greatly depending on who you ask.
If we survey some of the world’s cultures we can see how different the definition of “the best life” can be...
If we survey the world’s religions, we find quite a range of definitions for “the best life” as well...
If we survey historical philosophy, we find even more perspectives on what “the best life” is...
There is quite the range of definitions of “the best life, but there are some very generalized patterns
WE - Tension
The question we all have to answer at some point or another is, “Is our idea of the best life, actually the best life?”
Are we chasing a life of accumulation like the western countries?
Are we chasing a life of peace like the eastern countries and historical philosophers?
Or are we seeking “the best life” as God defines for us, based on who He created us to be?
This week we are continuing our series entitled “Strangers” where we’re working through the book of 1st Peter.
Peter started this book by affirming the identity the exiled Christian readers had in Christ.
Peter then explained what God has done for them as a result of the NEW BIRTH they recieved upon putting their faith in Jesus; giving them a living hope, a heavenly inheritance, and salvation
In the section we’re going to look at today, Peter describes the life that all Christians are called to live in response to what God has already done for them.
In this section, Peter describes what the best life looks like for a Christian.
Peter describes a life not of getting, not of peaceful existence, but a life of becoming.
And the life Peter described to these exiled Christians 2,000 years ago, is still the best life that we are called to live today.
So today...we’re going to look at what the “best life” truly is, as determined by the God who created us.
As we begin, please turn with me to [1 Peter 1:13-25: Sanctuary Bible Page # 980]
We’ll have the scripture on the screen, but if you have a Bible with you, or Bible app on your phone, I’d encourage you to turn to the passage and follow along. There is nothing that replaces having God’s word in your hand.
AND... if you don’t have a Bible, we have Bibles under the seats. If you don’t have a bible and would like one, please come see me after the service and I’ll get you one you can keep.
Let's dive in.
GOD - Text - HEAD
In 1 Peter 1:13-16, Peter outlines 5 characteristics that define what “the best life” is for every Christian.
These are not feelings.
These are traits that each Christian needs to choose to cultivate within themselves every single day.
To Peter, the “best life” that God desires for each of us is based on the ACTIONS we choose to take, that lead us down the path toward BECOMING the people that God created us to be.
The “best life” according to God is living a Sanctified life
Living in a way that allows the HOLY SPIRIT to gradually remove all aspects of our lives that don’t honor God, and strengthen and grow all habits and behaviors that do honor God.
The best life is about DISCERNING and BECOMING everything that God created us to be.
I don’t know if you’ve heard of the CHANGE PYRAMID or not, but psychologists say that all change happens in a specific way.
[Image: Change Pyramid]
Psychologists agree with Peter, that that process of BECOMING starts with BELIEF
From that BELIEF, our VALUES change
Our values start to align with what God values
And once our VALUES start to align with God’s values, our ACTIONS naturally start to change
And this is where we pick up in 1 Peter, with 5 ACTIONS that we need to choose to make part of our lives if we are to BECOME the people that God created us to be, and life the BEST LIFE that God created us to live
Please join me in reading 1 Peter 1:13-16. I’m reading from the ESV (English Standard Version) so the wording won’t match the Sanctuary Bibles perfectly, but I think this translation communicates Peter’s point a bit clearer.
1 Peter 1:13–16
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.”
Conscious Obedience
The first thing we need to do to live the BEST LIFE that God created us to live is to “Prepare our minds for action”.
[show highlighted 1 Peter 1:13-16]
The BEST LIFE requires CONSCIOUS OBEDIENCE to God’s commands.
This requires that we choose to deliberately align our actions to God’s commands.
This is the foundation of Spiritual Transformation.
The Holy Spirit resides in us once we put our faith in Jesus as our LORD and SAVIOR, but the work of SANCTIFICATION is a partnership.
We need to provide the correct soil of our lives, for the HOLY SPIRIT to grow Spiritual Fruit.
We do this through intentional choices to obey God’s commands.
The bible is very consistent on this
John 14:21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me.
So...if you want to live the BEST LIFE, the life you were created to live, ask yourself who are you obeying?
If we want to live the BEST LIFE, we need to CONSCIOUSLY OBEY the commands of the God who created us, gifted us, and gave us a purpose.
Self-Control
The second thing we need to do to live the BEST LIFE that God created us to live is to “be sober minded”.
[show highlighted 1 Peter 1:13-16]
The BEST LIFE requires we practice SELF-CONTROL
The BEST LIFE requires that we do not allow ourselves to be controlled by outside circumstances.
The bible is clear on this as well.
Proverbs 25:28 “28 Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.”
Without SELF-CONTROL we are defenseless against the attacks of the enemy and the temptations of culture.
I know what some of you are thinking...
The problem with that line of thinking is that it is a lie.
The idea that some people have innate willpower that allows them to have the SELF-CONTROL we lack is a lie from the devil we believe to let ourselves off the hook
The truth is that the discipline that leads to a SELF-CONTROLLED life is built over time.
2 Peter 1:5–6 “5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;”
SELF-CONTROL is learned over time.
It is built from daily intentional choices that we make.
According to psychologists to have self-controlled life and live a disciplined life we need to do 2 things
So living the BEST LIFE is living a life with SELF-CONTROL, and...
SELF-CONTROL is about making the RIGHT decisions as easy as possible for yourself, and the WRONG decisions as hard as possible.
So...what areas of your life do you feel God calling you to have greater SELF-CONTROL in?
What habits do you need to build?
What changes do you need to make to your environments to make it easy to say YES to God?
Determination
The third thing we need to do to live the BEST LIFE that God created us to live is to “set our hope fully on the grace revealed by Jesus Christ”.
[show highlighted 1 Peter 1:13-16]
The BEST LIFE requires DETERMINATION.
We need to have an unwavering focus on our eternal destination, not allowing the temporary things of this world to distract us from the purpose and path that God gave us through the GOOD NEWS Jesus revealed to us through the GOSPELS.
One of the first things we need to do before we can have the DETERMINATION we’re called to is learn to FORGIVE.
It is SO easy to look back at all the ways we have fallen short, all the times that we have failed to make the right choice, and all the people we have let down - and want to give up
Philippians 3:13–14 Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
And that is our truth,
Looking back doesn’t accomplish any of those goals.
When we live the BEST LIFE that God calls us to live we are living a life with DETERMINATION...
forgetting what is behind, and maintaining an unwavering focus on God’s calling for our lives.
So what from your past is holding you back from accomplishing the mission that God has given you?
What do you need to forgive yourself of?
What has others done to you that you need to release them from, freeing you to move forward?
What calling has God placed on your life that you have lost focus of, that you need to reclaim?
Non-Conformity
The forth thing we need to do to live the BEST LIFE that God created us to live is to “not conform”.
[show highlighted 1 Peter 1:13-16]
The BEST LIFE requires that we DO NOT CONFROM to the beliefs, values, and ways of the world.
This biblical non-conformity operates on a fundamental tension:
As believers in Jesus, we are called to maintain distinct beliefs and values while remaining engaged with the world rather than withdrawn from it.
Jesus prays in John 17:15 “15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.”
We do this by making 3 choices
As Christians we are called to be distinctive in our lifestyle in contrast to the unbelieving world around us
Yet, the reality is that the church fails to impress the world largely because there is not enough difference between the people inside the church and those outside to strike that contrast
To live THE BEST LIFE, we need to be a people that do not CONFORM to the patterns of this world.
So what does your life look like to your unbelieving neighbors, co-workers, family?
Is there a difference between what you value, believe, and how you act when compared to what culture expects?
If there isn’t, what areas of your life do you feel God calling you to make changes?
Being Holy / Set Apart
The fifth thing we need to do to live the BEST LIFE that God created us to live is to “be holy”.
[show highlighted 1 Peter 1:13-16]
The BEST LIFE requires that we choose to live a HOLY life; set part for the purpose God created us for.
But HOLINESS is not something you just choose, it is something you pursue.
Holiness is the lifelong pursuit that we engage in with the help, guidance, and power of the Holy Spirit.
Hebrews 12:14 “14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
And the path that we need to take to BE HOLY, to partner with the HOLY SPIRIT, to walk down the path of SANCTIFICATION is to
John 17:17 “17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”
To live THE BEST LIFE, we need to fill our minds and our hearts with the words of God, allowing the Holy Spirit to sanctify us / transforming us into a HOLY people, set apart, for the purpose that we were created for.
How much time do you spend in God’s word?
When you read it, do you read it like any other book?
Or...do you study it, know it, and do what it says?
Do you believe that the Bible, the word of God, is literally God speaking truth into your life?
YOU - Takeaway - HEART
Whereas these 5 characteristics should define your “best life” as a Christian, Peter gives us one more thing to consider.
1 Peter 1:22
“22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.”
That word Sincere is
anypokritos in Greek, which means
Without hypocrisy / genuine / not acting
We can “fake” the Christian life.
To anyone looking on the outside, we can
DOING is great when you first start out as a Christian, but doing is all about your
As Christians God calls us to BECOME all these things, because BECOMING is about
So...when the bible commands that we love our neighbor - are we just acting, but not actually loving?
When the bible commands that we love our enemy - are we just acting, but not actually loving?
WE / JESUS - Redemptive Close - Call to Action - HANDS
Peter ends this section in verse 23, which reads
1 Peter 1:23
“23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.”
If we are to live THE BEST LIFE, the life God created us to live, JUST LIKE THAT SEED, we need to DIE
Seeds don’t become plants unless they die to everything it is first.
It must let go of everything that it was.
It must start over if it is to grow into the plant that it was destined to be.
Just like a seed, we must die to our old way of living, if we are to be born again, and receive the BEST LIFE that God promises us
So what do you need to let go of from your past?
What do you need to die to right now so God can transform you into the person you were created to be, to live the BEST LIFE He created you to live?
CLOSING
I want to close with a letter written to a Greek man named Diognetus in the 2nd or 3rd century.
Diognetus saw the persecution the Christians were facing and had questions about why they lived the lives they lived.
In a letter written by an anonymous Christian, answering his questions, this is part of what was written.
It reads.
Christians are not distinguished from other men by country, language, nor by the customs which they observe. They do not inhabit cities of their own, use a particular way of speaking, nor lead a life marked out by any curiosity. The course of conduct they follow has not been devised by the speculation and deliberation of inquisitive men. The do not, like some, proclaim themselves the advocates of merely human doctrines.
Instead, they inhabit both Greek and barbarian cities, however things have fallen to each of them. And it is while following the customs of the natives in clothing, food, and the rest of ordinary life that they display to us their wonderful and admittedly striking way of life.
They live in their own countries, but they do so as those who are just passing through. As citizens they participate in everything with others, yet they endure everything as if they were foreigners. Every foreign land is like their homeland to them, and every land of their birth is like a land of strangers.
They marry, like everyone else, and they have children, but they do not destroy their offspring.
They share a common table, but not a common bed.
They exist in the flesh, but they do not live by the flesh. They pass their days on earth, but they are citizens of heaven. They obey the prescribed laws, all the while surpassing the laws by their lives.
They love all men and are persecuted by all. They are unknown and condemned. They are put to death and restored to life.
They are poor, yet make many rich. They lack everything, yet they overflow in everything.
They are dishonored, and yet in their very dishonor they are glorified; they are spoken ill of and yet are justified; they are reviled but bless; they are insulted and repay the insult with honor; they do good, yet are punished as evildoers; when punished, they rejoice as if raised from the dead. They are assailed by the Jews as barbarians; they are persecuted by the Greeks; yet those who hate them are unable to give any reason for their hatred.
What would someone write if they were asked to describe your life?
What would someone write if they were asked to describe the collective lives of this congregation?
We were created to live THE BEST LIFE possible, a life of
Are we living it?
What next step do you hear God calling you to take to BECOME the person He created you to be?
If I asked our original question again, would you have a different answer?
So before we pray, I want to ask it again, silently answer for yourself...
“If I could have __________, I’d be living my best life.”
Let’s listen for God’s answer
[wait 10 seconds]
PRAYER
Will you join me in prayer...
SONG
As we enter into our final song, I want to open the steps up front as an altar to anyone who feels God calling them to respond to today’s message.
If today is the day that you put your faith in Jesus, please come see me afterword. I’d love to walk with you as you start your new life in Christ.
You may feel a hand on your shoulder as I or one of the elders join you in prayer.
BENEDICTION
Matthew 16:24–26
“24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?”
This week...
Quick reminder...
I hope you have a great week.
Go in peace.
You are dismissed.
DISCIPLESHIP QUESTIONS (download into APP)
How does consciously obeying God's commands shape your daily decisions?
In what specific areas of your life do you feel God calling you to practice greater self-control?
How can you intentionally set your hope fully on the grace that will be revealed to you in Christ?
What does it mean for you to live in non-conformity to the culture around you?
What steps can you take to pursue holiness in your life?
How do your peers define 'the best life', and how does it compare to God's definition?
What is one area in your life where you can practice self-control this week?
Why is it important to have determination in pursuing your faith?
How can you avoid conforming to negative influences at school or in your social life?
What does being holy mean to you, and how can you strive for it in your daily choices?
Title (written around problem being solved): Everyone wants to have the best life, but what is it?
Problem I’m Trying to Solve / Answer: What is the best life, and how do we get it?
Focus Statement: You can have the best life, the life God created you to live, through conscious obedience, self-control, determination, non-conformity, and being holy.
Function Statement:
Tweetable Phrase: The world’s definition of the best life is about getting; God’s definition is about becoming.
Main Text: 1 Peter 1:13-25
Supporting Text:
Redemptive Closure (point to Jesus): 1 Peter 1:17-25
Benediction: Galatians 2:20 / Matthew 16:24-26
WELCOME
Good morning!!! My name is Ryan Hanson, and I have the honor of serving here at The Light KC as the lead pastor. I’m so glad you’re here with us.
Welcome to those joining us online. We hope you're doing well and hope to see you in person in the coming weeks.
And a special welcome to those joining us for the first time. We’re so glad you chose to be here.
ME/INTRO - Tension
I want to start today with a little dreaming exercise.
Please take 10 seconds, and with your eyes closed, fill in the blank:
“If I could have __________, I’d be living my best life.”
[wait for 10 seconds]
I’m sure something came to mind for each of us.
We all have an idea of what the perfect life would look like.
And...we’re all painfully aware of the gap between our current life and our imagined perfect lives.
What is interesting to me, is that the idea of the perfect life varies greatly depending on who you ask.
If we survey some of the world’s cultures we can see how different the definition of “the best life” can be...
- USA / Western Cultures: “pursuit of happiness” - success, autonomy, having nice stuff (house, car, vacations, clothes, etc)
- Maybe what you thought of fell into this category
- Japan (ikigai): Having a reason for being - purpose
- Denmark (hygge): cozy togetherness - strong relationships
- Sweden (lagom): having just enough
- Norway (friluftsliv): open air living - enjoying nature
- South Africa (ubuntu): “I am because we are” - living in community
If we survey the world’s religions, we find quite a range of definitions for “the best life” as well...
- Buddhism: freedom from suffering by releasing all cravings and attachments
- Hinduism: (4 prusharthas); duty, prosperity, pleasure, liberation
- Islam (falah): a life lived in complete submission to God
If we survey historical philosophy, we find even more perspectives on what “the best life” is...
- 2 Competing Greek Philosophies
- Stoicism (Greek / Roman 300 BC): a life of virtue and reason - accepting what you can’t control
- Epicureanism (Greek 307 BC): simple pleasure, good friends, freedom from fear
- 2 Competing Chinese Philosophies
- Confucianism (Chinese 550 BC): benevolence, proper conduct, filial piety (caring for one’s parents / grandparents)
- Daoism (Chinese 500 BC): the way - living in harmony - flowing with reality, not forcing it
There is quite the range of definitions of “the best life, but there are some very generalized patterns
- Modern western cultures seem to generally equate the best life with getting
- Modern eastern cultures and historical philosophy generally equate the best life with living at peace with yourself, others, and the world
WE - Tension
The question we all have to answer at some point or another is, “Is our idea of the best life, actually the best life?”
Are we chasing a life of accumulation like the western countries?
Are we chasing a life of peace like the eastern countries and historical philosophers?
Or are we seeking “the best life” as God defines for us, based on who He created us to be?
This week we are continuing our series entitled “Strangers” where we’re working through the book of 1st Peter.
Peter started this book by affirming the identity the exiled Christian readers had in Christ.
Peter then explained what God has done for them as a result of the NEW BIRTH they recieved upon putting their faith in Jesus; giving them a living hope, a heavenly inheritance, and salvation
In the section we’re going to look at today, Peter describes the life that all Christians are called to live in response to what God has already done for them.
In this section, Peter describes what the best life looks like for a Christian.
Peter describes a life not of getting, not of peaceful existence, but a life of becoming.
And the life Peter described to these exiled Christians 2,000 years ago, is still the best life that we are called to live today.
So today...we’re going to look at what the “best life” truly is, as determined by the God who created us.
As we begin, please turn with me to [1 Peter 1:13-25: Sanctuary Bible Page # 980]
We’ll have the scripture on the screen, but if you have a Bible with you, or Bible app on your phone, I’d encourage you to turn to the passage and follow along. There is nothing that replaces having God’s word in your hand.
AND... if you don’t have a Bible, we have Bibles under the seats. If you don’t have a bible and would like one, please come see me after the service and I’ll get you one you can keep.
Let's dive in.
GOD - Text - HEAD
In 1 Peter 1:13-16, Peter outlines 5 characteristics that define what “the best life” is for every Christian.
These are not feelings.
These are traits that each Christian needs to choose to cultivate within themselves every single day.
To Peter, the “best life” that God desires for each of us is based on the ACTIONS we choose to take, that lead us down the path toward BECOMING the people that God created us to be.
The “best life” according to God is living a Sanctified life
Living in a way that allows the HOLY SPIRIT to gradually remove all aspects of our lives that don’t honor God, and strengthen and grow all habits and behaviors that do honor God.
The best life is about DISCERNING and BECOMING everything that God created us to be.
I don’t know if you’ve heard of the CHANGE PYRAMID or not, but psychologists say that all change happens in a specific way.
[Image: Change Pyramid]
Psychologists agree with Peter, that that process of BECOMING starts with BELIEF
- Believing that God exists, loves us, and wants to redeem all of creation - us included
- Believing that Jesus is the son of God
- Believing that Jesus came to earth, lived a perfect / sinless life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose on the 3rd day giving us hope in an eternity in heaven with God
From that BELIEF, our VALUES change
Our values start to align with what God values
- Love
- Compassion
- Justice
- Mercy
- Generosity
- Humility
And once our VALUES start to align with God’s values, our ACTIONS naturally start to change
And this is where we pick up in 1 Peter, with 5 ACTIONS that we need to choose to make part of our lives if we are to BECOME the people that God created us to be, and life the BEST LIFE that God created us to live
Please join me in reading 1 Peter 1:13-16. I’m reading from the ESV (English Standard Version) so the wording won’t match the Sanctuary Bibles perfectly, but I think this translation communicates Peter’s point a bit clearer.
1 Peter 1:13–16
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.”
Conscious Obedience
The first thing we need to do to live the BEST LIFE that God created us to live is to “Prepare our minds for action”.
[show highlighted 1 Peter 1:13-16]
The BEST LIFE requires CONSCIOUS OBEDIENCE to God’s commands.
This requires that we choose to deliberately align our actions to God’s commands.
This is the foundation of Spiritual Transformation.
The Holy Spirit resides in us once we put our faith in Jesus as our LORD and SAVIOR, but the work of SANCTIFICATION is a partnership.
We need to provide the correct soil of our lives, for the HOLY SPIRIT to grow Spiritual Fruit.
We do this through intentional choices to obey God’s commands.
The bible is very consistent on this
John 14:21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me.
So...if you want to live the BEST LIFE, the life you were created to live, ask yourself who are you obeying?
- Culture’s expectations and promises
- Your own hopes and desires
- Or...God’s commands
If we want to live the BEST LIFE, we need to CONSCIOUSLY OBEY the commands of the God who created us, gifted us, and gave us a purpose.
Self-Control
The second thing we need to do to live the BEST LIFE that God created us to live is to “be sober minded”.
[show highlighted 1 Peter 1:13-16]
The BEST LIFE requires we practice SELF-CONTROL
The BEST LIFE requires that we do not allow ourselves to be controlled by outside circumstances.
The bible is clear on this as well.
Proverbs 25:28 “28 Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.”
Without SELF-CONTROL we are defenseless against the attacks of the enemy and the temptations of culture.
I know what some of you are thinking...
- some people are born with an incredible willpower, that allows them to have incredible SELF-CONTROL, and I do not have it.
- they can resist temptation, do what’s right independent of the cost, and ignore the voices of other people because of their God given willpower
The problem with that line of thinking is that it is a lie.
The idea that some people have innate willpower that allows them to have the SELF-CONTROL we lack is a lie from the devil we believe to let ourselves off the hook
The truth is that the discipline that leads to a SELF-CONTROLLED life is built over time.
2 Peter 1:5–6 “5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;”
SELF-CONTROL is learned over time.
It is built from daily intentional choices that we make.
According to psychologists to have self-controlled life and live a disciplined life we need to do 2 things
- Automate our habits
- To live a SELF-CONTROLLED life we need to PRE-DECIDE to do what God calls us to do. Maybe you need to build the habit of...
- Daily Devotional - Set a specific time, choose a specific space, set a reminder so each day you can spend time with God
- Community - Find a small group, commit to coming consistently, intentionally build relationships with other Christians.
- Service - Pray that God shows you a cause, organization, or people to serve. Build a habit of regularly serving.
- Generosity - Consistently give your first and best as God calls you to do.
- Sharing your faith - Set for yourself criteria that will trigger you to share your faith (Andy Stanley 3 NOTs)
- NOT in church
- Life is NOT going well
- Facing a situation they are NOT prepared for
- To live a SELF-CONTROLLED life we need to PRE-DECIDE to do what God calls us to do. Maybe you need to build the habit of...
- Intentionally design our environments, making God honoring choices as easy as possible and things we want to avoid as hard as possible
- Have your bible on your night stand instead of your phone to remind you to start your day with God
- Have a dedicated devotional area in your house
- Have a prayer board to remind you to pray, and what to pray for
- Setup reminders on your phone to trigger actions you’ve committed to
So living the BEST LIFE is living a life with SELF-CONTROL, and...
SELF-CONTROL is about making the RIGHT decisions as easy as possible for yourself, and the WRONG decisions as hard as possible.
So...what areas of your life do you feel God calling you to have greater SELF-CONTROL in?
What habits do you need to build?
What changes do you need to make to your environments to make it easy to say YES to God?
Determination
The third thing we need to do to live the BEST LIFE that God created us to live is to “set our hope fully on the grace revealed by Jesus Christ”.
[show highlighted 1 Peter 1:13-16]
The BEST LIFE requires DETERMINATION.
We need to have an unwavering focus on our eternal destination, not allowing the temporary things of this world to distract us from the purpose and path that God gave us through the GOOD NEWS Jesus revealed to us through the GOSPELS.
One of the first things we need to do before we can have the DETERMINATION we’re called to is learn to FORGIVE.
It is SO easy to look back at all the ways we have fallen short, all the times that we have failed to make the right choice, and all the people we have let down - and want to give up
Philippians 3:13–14 Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
And that is our truth,
- we have HOPE in Jesus Christ
- we have an ETERNAL DESTINATION that we are headed toward
- we have a MISSION to bring as many people with us as we can
Looking back doesn’t accomplish any of those goals.
When we live the BEST LIFE that God calls us to live we are living a life with DETERMINATION...
forgetting what is behind, and maintaining an unwavering focus on God’s calling for our lives.
So what from your past is holding you back from accomplishing the mission that God has given you?
What do you need to forgive yourself of?
What has others done to you that you need to release them from, freeing you to move forward?
What calling has God placed on your life that you have lost focus of, that you need to reclaim?
Non-Conformity
The forth thing we need to do to live the BEST LIFE that God created us to live is to “not conform”.
[show highlighted 1 Peter 1:13-16]
The BEST LIFE requires that we DO NOT CONFROM to the beliefs, values, and ways of the world.
This biblical non-conformity operates on a fundamental tension:
As believers in Jesus, we are called to maintain distinct beliefs and values while remaining engaged with the world rather than withdrawn from it.
Jesus prays in John 17:15 “15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.”
We do this by making 3 choices
- Romans 12:2 be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
- We need to choose to test every thought and only act on those that honor God
- Galatians 1:10 “10 Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God?
- We need to choose to say “no” to external pressure and maintain an internal allegiance to God
- Daniel 3:17–18 “17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.””
- We need to obey God’s authority independent of feared consequences
As Christians we are called to be distinctive in our lifestyle in contrast to the unbelieving world around us
Yet, the reality is that the church fails to impress the world largely because there is not enough difference between the people inside the church and those outside to strike that contrast
To live THE BEST LIFE, we need to be a people that do not CONFORM to the patterns of this world.
So what does your life look like to your unbelieving neighbors, co-workers, family?
Is there a difference between what you value, believe, and how you act when compared to what culture expects?
If there isn’t, what areas of your life do you feel God calling you to make changes?
Being Holy / Set Apart
The fifth thing we need to do to live the BEST LIFE that God created us to live is to “be holy”.
[show highlighted 1 Peter 1:13-16]
The BEST LIFE requires that we choose to live a HOLY life; set part for the purpose God created us for.
But HOLINESS is not something you just choose, it is something you pursue.
Holiness is the lifelong pursuit that we engage in with the help, guidance, and power of the Holy Spirit.
Hebrews 12:14 “14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
And the path that we need to take to BE HOLY, to partner with the HOLY SPIRIT, to walk down the path of SANCTIFICATION is to
- Read God’s Word
- Study God’s Word
- Know God’s Word
- Do what God’s Word say
John 17:17 “17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”
To live THE BEST LIFE, we need to fill our minds and our hearts with the words of God, allowing the Holy Spirit to sanctify us / transforming us into a HOLY people, set apart, for the purpose that we were created for.
How much time do you spend in God’s word?
When you read it, do you read it like any other book?
Or...do you study it, know it, and do what it says?
Do you believe that the Bible, the word of God, is literally God speaking truth into your life?
YOU - Takeaway - HEART
Whereas these 5 characteristics should define your “best life” as a Christian, Peter gives us one more thing to consider.
1 Peter 1:22
“22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.”
That word Sincere is
anypokritos in Greek, which means
Without hypocrisy / genuine / not acting
We can “fake” the Christian life.
To anyone looking on the outside, we can
- Obey God’s commands
- Practice Self-Control
- Be Determined
- Not Conform to the world
- Look and act HOLY
DOING is great when you first start out as a Christian, but doing is all about your
- tasks
- external output
- checking box
- short term performance
As Christians God calls us to BECOME all these things, because BECOMING is about
- identity
- growth
- transformation
- consistent long term obedience
So...when the bible commands that we love our neighbor - are we just acting, but not actually loving?
When the bible commands that we love our enemy - are we just acting, but not actually loving?
WE / JESUS - Redemptive Close - Call to Action - HANDS
Peter ends this section in verse 23, which reads
1 Peter 1:23
“23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.”
If we are to live THE BEST LIFE, the life God created us to live, JUST LIKE THAT SEED, we need to DIE
Seeds don’t become plants unless they die to everything it is first.
It must let go of everything that it was.
It must start over if it is to grow into the plant that it was destined to be.
Just like a seed, we must die to our old way of living, if we are to be born again, and receive the BEST LIFE that God promises us
So what do you need to let go of from your past?
What do you need to die to right now so God can transform you into the person you were created to be, to live the BEST LIFE He created you to live?
CLOSING
I want to close with a letter written to a Greek man named Diognetus in the 2nd or 3rd century.
Diognetus saw the persecution the Christians were facing and had questions about why they lived the lives they lived.
In a letter written by an anonymous Christian, answering his questions, this is part of what was written.
It reads.
Christians are not distinguished from other men by country, language, nor by the customs which they observe. They do not inhabit cities of their own, use a particular way of speaking, nor lead a life marked out by any curiosity. The course of conduct they follow has not been devised by the speculation and deliberation of inquisitive men. The do not, like some, proclaim themselves the advocates of merely human doctrines.
Instead, they inhabit both Greek and barbarian cities, however things have fallen to each of them. And it is while following the customs of the natives in clothing, food, and the rest of ordinary life that they display to us their wonderful and admittedly striking way of life.
They live in their own countries, but they do so as those who are just passing through. As citizens they participate in everything with others, yet they endure everything as if they were foreigners. Every foreign land is like their homeland to them, and every land of their birth is like a land of strangers.
They marry, like everyone else, and they have children, but they do not destroy their offspring.
They share a common table, but not a common bed.
They exist in the flesh, but they do not live by the flesh. They pass their days on earth, but they are citizens of heaven. They obey the prescribed laws, all the while surpassing the laws by their lives.
They love all men and are persecuted by all. They are unknown and condemned. They are put to death and restored to life.
They are poor, yet make many rich. They lack everything, yet they overflow in everything.
They are dishonored, and yet in their very dishonor they are glorified; they are spoken ill of and yet are justified; they are reviled but bless; they are insulted and repay the insult with honor; they do good, yet are punished as evildoers; when punished, they rejoice as if raised from the dead. They are assailed by the Jews as barbarians; they are persecuted by the Greeks; yet those who hate them are unable to give any reason for their hatred.
What would someone write if they were asked to describe your life?
What would someone write if they were asked to describe the collective lives of this congregation?
We were created to live THE BEST LIFE possible, a life of
- Conscious Obedience
- Self-Control
- Determination
- Non-Conformity
- Holiness
Are we living it?
What next step do you hear God calling you to take to BECOME the person He created you to be?
If I asked our original question again, would you have a different answer?
So before we pray, I want to ask it again, silently answer for yourself...
“If I could have __________, I’d be living my best life.”
Let’s listen for God’s answer
[wait 10 seconds]
PRAYER
Will you join me in prayer...
SONG
As we enter into our final song, I want to open the steps up front as an altar to anyone who feels God calling them to respond to today’s message.
- Maybe as you think about ...the 5 characteristics Peter defines as “the best life” for a Christian (conscious obedience, self-control, determination, non-conformity, holiness), you need to come up and pray that God shows you the next step that He wants you to take to BECOME closer to the person He created you to be
- Maybe as you think about ...Peter’s call to sincerity, you need to come up and ask God to forgive you of all the ways that you have been acting your way through the Christian life and ask His Holy Spirit to grow within you genuine love for others
- Maybe as you think about ...the letter to Diognetus, you need to come up and pray that God shows you exactly how He desires you to “stand out” from culture and who He wants you to share His love, grace, peace, and forgiveness with
- Or maybe, you heard this message and you haven’t yet put your faith in Jesus as your LORD and SAVIOR. Maybe you need to pray to God
- Admitting that you are a sinner and need forgiveness
- Verbalizing your Belief in Jesus as the Son of God, who died on the cross paying the penalty for your sins, and rose from the dead on the third day giving your hope of an eternal life with God in Heaven.
- Confessing that Jesus is your LORD and SAVIOR
If today is the day that you put your faith in Jesus, please come see me afterword. I’d love to walk with you as you start your new life in Christ.
You may feel a hand on your shoulder as I or one of the elders join you in prayer.
BENEDICTION
Matthew 16:24–26
“24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?”
This week...
- Let’s stop defining “the best life” the way that culture does;
- by getting
- or living at peace with others
- Let’s define “the best life” by God’s definition. A life of...
- Conscious obedience to the commands of God
- Self-Control through the formation of intentional habits
- Determination - forgetting the past and maintaining an unwavering focus on God’s will for our future
- Non-Conformity - living in the world, but knowing that we are citizens of heaven and guarding ourselves from being influenced by the world
- Holiness - allowing the Holy Spirit to transform us more and more into the likeness of Christ by reading, studying, knowing, and doing the Bible says.
- Let’s all commit to being a people who live lives so different from culture, that people can’t help but ask WHY
- And let’s be ready to give an answer for the Hope we have in Jesus when asked
Quick reminder...
- If you’re new, please fill out the card in the seat back and stop by our info desk, or see me. We’d love to say “hi” and get you know you a bit better.
- If you’d like to get more information about taking your next step of faith, fill out the card in the seat back and give it to me or turn it in to the info desk.
I hope you have a great week.
Go in peace.
You are dismissed.
DISCIPLESHIP QUESTIONS (download into APP)
How does consciously obeying God's commands shape your daily decisions?
In what specific areas of your life do you feel God calling you to practice greater self-control?
How can you intentionally set your hope fully on the grace that will be revealed to you in Christ?
What does it mean for you to live in non-conformity to the culture around you?
What steps can you take to pursue holiness in your life?
How do your peers define 'the best life', and how does it compare to God's definition?
What is one area in your life where you can practice self-control this week?
Why is it important to have determination in pursuing your faith?
How can you avoid conforming to negative influences at school or in your social life?
What does being holy mean to you, and how can you strive for it in your daily choices?