Our Story: God has a plan to bless sojourning believers who draw on His Spirit/grace/power to live in a sanctified obedient covenantal rlshp w/ Him

»10 Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, 11 searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12 To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven-things which angels desire to look into   1Cor 6:3 we rule angels

  
»13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and fix your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ

I. Sojourning Saints are Fix’n to Win

1:3 Born to a Hope=expectation of eternal reward/glory (power/pleasure) that causes us to joyfully endure loss of temporal glory/pleasure
Desire for temporal power (security/significance), pleasure, and possessions will keep us from experiencing the same eternally.
A sound-minded person not only has an accurate view of things, but governs their passions by honorable (most valuable) objectives

»14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”  1:22 you purified your souls by obeying the truth through the Spirit

II. Sojourning Saints Follow Christ in Faultless Holiness

2Pt 3:11Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons should you be in holy conduct and godliness

1Th 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.  23  Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely: indeed.  may your whole   spirit and  soul   (donut=mind, will, emotions)  and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1. Spirit: we relate to God as He has specified not according  our preferences and man-made traditions   Mk 7:6-13 vain worship

2. Mind: we dwell on God-glorifying/praiseworthy/eternally profitable aspirations   Phil 4:8 meditate on these things

3. Will: we train to delight in submissive obedience, denying ourselves for the eternal good  Lk 22:42  not my will, but Yours, be done

       
4. Emotions: we filter our perceptions and responses so we feel only what God desires  Js 1:2 count it all joy when you fall into various trials
   An emotion is a controllable response to a stimulus that passes thru a learned value filter and expresses itself in a learned behavior

                
5. Actions: we channel all our energies into wholeheartedly what's wise, loving, and eternally good in light of God's truth, being empowered by the God who owns us  1Cor 6:19  know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you…and you are not your own? 20  For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body & in your spirit, which are God’s.  Heb 10:36 patience…do God’s will…receive
See “Sanctificaton: Ain’t Gonna Reign No More” in TOYL

Rm 12:1…present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, your service/worship 2  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may experience…that good and acceptable and perfect will of God

»17 And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; 18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things… from your aimless conduct received by tradition…

III. Sojourning Saints Fear God rather than man or loss

2Cor 7:1 Since we have these promises, let’s purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God
2Cor 5:10-11 we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive…according to...done…good or bad.

Fear of the Lord=constant awareness that the God who judges is watching and remembering everything I think do and say Mt 12:36
Php 2:12  trembling Heb 2:15  fear of death 1Jo 4:18 fear hath torment. (discipline and suffering) Rev 18:15 torment, weeping and wailing, 2Co 7:5,15; Eph 5:21 6:5;  in singleness of heart, as to Christ; Mt 14:26; 28:4 Mr 4:41 Lu 2:9;  8:37    21:26  Joh 7:13; 20:19 Ac 5:5; 19:17 Ro 13:3 . 1Ti 5:20 rebuke before all, that others also may fear

Rom 3:18 no fear of God before their eyes. Ps 111:10 beginning of wisdom; Pr 1:7 knowledge  29 choice; 8:13 hate evil: pride, and arrogance, evil way, perverse mouth; 14:27 a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. 16:6 by the fear of the LORD one departs from evil.
Pr 22:4 By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honor, and life. Ps 34:11-21 teach; depart from evil and do good.

Mt 10:28  do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. What are some of the things/thinking that could trip you in your Christian walk and keep you from receiving your reward/inheritance?
2. Are all believers as holy as Jesus? Why not? What part do we play in our holiness or sanctification? How do you personally glorify God?
3. Does right thinking always result in right behavior? How do we re-program our attitudes, actions, and emotional responses?
4. How do you think someone will fare at the judgment seat who doesn’t view God as someone to be feared, but rather respected?
5. How certain are you that you are doing and experiencing the perfect will of God? How certain are you that you will be rewarded?