Four Letter Words: “Holy” — 1 Peter 1:13-25

Four Letter Words: Holy

1 Peter 1:13-25
Sunday, April 13, 2025
Pastor Mike Bailey

Introduction

There are some four-letter words that should not come out of our mouths – and there are other four-letter words that we should be talking about. Maybe we don’t because these words make us uncomfortable or we don’t know what to say about them, but that doesn’t mean we should hide from them and the conversations they produce! Words like holy, life, grow, move, care, bold, and free are sometimes misunderstood because the world has redefined them. Let’s explore what the Bible says about these four-letter words together so we can stop avoiding them and start proclaiming what is good and true in our lives and in our world.

April 13: Holy – 1 Peter 1:13-25

April 20: Life – John 14:6

April 27: Grow – 1 Peter 2:1-3

May 4: Move – To Be Announced

May 11: Care – 1 John 3:17-18

May 18: Bold – 2 Corinthians 3:12

May 25: Free – John 8:36

IMPACT Church 101 E. First Ave. Parkesburg, PA 19365
(610) 857-3887 [email protected]

1 Peter 1:13-25 “HOLY”

1. I need to after His will because God is holy. (13-16)

¹ O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water. ² I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory. ³ Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! ⁴ I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer. ⁵ You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy. ⁶ I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night. ⁷ Because you are my helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings. ⁸ I cling to you; your strong right hand holds me securely. Psalm 63:1-8

Notes:

2. I am held because God is holy. (17)

¹¹ For the Scriptures say, “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance to God.’” ¹² Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. Romans 14:11-12

Notes:

3. I am shown because God is holy. (18-22a)

He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. Ephesians 1:7

And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6

Notes:

4. I am given a because God is holy. (22b)

For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 1:9

Notes:

5. I can have a life because God is holy. (23-25a)

And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. Romans 8:2

Notes:

And that word is the Good News that was preached to you. 1 Peter 1:25b

Notes:

Challenge: How does the truth of God’s holiness change my tomorrow?

It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Isaiah 59:2a

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Romans 3:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

All Bible verses are from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.