Sermon Recording Sermon OutlineSpeaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: Spiritual Vitality

1 Peter 1:13-21 (ESV)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.” 17 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, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 21 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.

Sermon OutlineGod has done something that sets you apart to live differently.

1. Ransomed From

2. vv18-19 “knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers”

3. v14 “do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance”

4. Called To

5. v15 “ as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct”

6. vv18-19 “ransomed… not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb…”
7. v14 – “As obedient children…” (cf v17)
8. v21 “so that your faith and hope are in God”

Prayer of ConfessionOur holy Father, we thank you for liberating us through the costly gift of your Son, Jesus Christ. We admit that apart from you we are helpless. We acknowledge we have acted in ignorance. We have been ruled by our corrupt desires. Being conformed to our world, we formed understandings of you that have been idolatrous. Even as you showed us kindness and revealed the rightness of your ways, we have still been disobedient. Forgive us our sin. Shape us so that we are more like Jesus. We desire to live holy lives that please and honor you, and we ask for your help. Amen.

Questions for Reflection

1. What harmful patterns do human beings demonstrate? What unethical or problematic things do people do in every time and place?
2. How do our desires rule us?
3. How do you deal with problematic desires (when you desire something you know is not good)? How can you change your desires?
4. What connections are there between ignorance and harmful desires?
5. Are there areas in your life where you feel helpless? Is God a help to you in any (or all) of those areas?
6. Why is it important to grasp that we were ransomed/redeemed by the “precious blood” of Jesus Christ? What is the significance of blood in this context? What does that tell us about God and why answering His call makes so much sense?
7. In what ways are you resistant to obedience? What emotions do you feel when you have to exercise obedience to Christ?
8. How should a desire to be like Christ inform how you understand a life of obedience? What good things come from a life lived in holiness (set apart for God, living with Him and according to His ways)?
9. How does a life rooted in grace inform the kinds of decisions you make daily? What do you expect to do differently if you are a person of grace?