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Message Notes
How Can We Avoid Conforming to The Culture?
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. —1 Peter 1:13
• Be sober-minded.
• Commit yourself to a life of holiness.
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” —1 Peter 1:14-16
“We were declared holy by our gracious God when we were saved, entering into a permanent relationship with him. But from day to day, we must continually remind ourselves of our holy calling, recommit ourselves to it, and live in it. —Chuck Swindoll
• Live with a healthy fear of God.
And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile… —1 Peter 1:17
What does it mean to fear God?
“To fear God is to reverence and be in complete awe of Him.”
“To fear God is hallow Him. Hallow means “to respect greatly.”
“To fear God is to esteem, respect, honor, venerate, and adore Him above anyone or anything else.”
“When we fear God, we take on his heart, we love what he loves, and we hate when he hates. What is important to him becomes important to us. What is not so important to Him becomes not so important to us.”
“To fear God is to hate sin.”
“To fear God is to hate injustice.”
“To fear God is to walk in authentic humility before God and mankind.”
To fear God is to give him the praise, adoration, thanksgiving, and worship that He deserves.
To fear God is to give him all that belongs to Him.
To fear God is to tremble before him in wonder and awe. It is to give His Word and presence our full attention.
To fear God shapes our intentions, thoughts, words, actions, and conduct.”
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. —Proverbs 9:10
• Focus your mind on Jesus.
Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you. —1 Peter 1:18-2
But (He) was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. —1 Peter 1:20-21
Four Daily Practices to Help Us to Thrive in a Crazy Culture:
Practice #1– Start each day in God’s presence, reminding yourself of who you are and who He is.
• Remind yourself of who you are in Christ.
• Renew your sense of awe and reverence for God.
Practice #2 – Put a guard around your mind.
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. —Colossians 3:1-2
Practice #3 – Count the cost of sinful decisions.
Practice #4 – Walk with God throughout the day.
And after he fathered Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and fathered other sons and daughters. So Enoch’s life lasted 365 years. Enoch walked with God; then he was not there because God took him. —Genesis 5:22-24
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. —Romans 12:1-2