The Pathway to Holiness
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Learning the first steps to growing spiritually through God's Word.
Text: 1Pet. 2:1-3
Date: 07/21/2019, the Evening service.
Series: "Peter's Epistles: The Sojourners Handbook" Part 8
Description:
Peter continues his discussion of sanctification with two powerful metaphors of how to get started on our lifelong journey of spiritual growth. First, the old "clothes" that typified our pre-Christ life must be removed and discarded. We will analyze each of these "villains" that poison our growth and therefore have no place in a life that strives for Christ-likeness. Then, Peter uses the metaphor of taste-- emphasizing that once the Word of God has been tasted, and Christ is known-- like newborn babies we will fervently hunger and thirst for more. Underlying and strengthening this spiritual growth is the sheer joy of learning more about Christ as we "taste" the pure milk of God's Word and embark on the pathway to holiness.
View:
Options:
I. Introduction
II. Exposition of the text, 1Pet. 2:1-3.
A. Context
B. Growth through the Word.
1. Identifying and purging the villains of vice.
a. Establishing the imagery.
i. A continuation.
ii. Changing clothes, Eph. 4:22-24.
b. The lineup of villains.
i. The villain of "Malice", Matt. 22:18, 1Cor. 5:8.
ii. The villain of "Deceit", Jer. 17:9, Matt. 7:15, Psa. 101:7.
iii. The villain of "Hypocrisy", Matt. 23:3-6,15,25,27-29,33.
iv. The villain of "Envy", Ex. 20:17, Prov. 27:4, Eccl. 4:4.
v. The villain of "Slander", Ex. 20:16, Matt. 12:36.
2. Tasting the Word, vs. 2.
a. An image of intensity, Matt. 5:6.
b. Identifying the "pure spiritual milk".
i. A context pointing to the Word of God, 1Pet. 1:16,22,23.
ii. Pure and spiritual.
c. Growing into our salvation.
3. "Tasting" the Lord, vs. 3.
a. Indulging in the Words of God.
b. The Old Testament connection, Psa. 34:8-9.
c. The Lord of lords.
III. Conclusion
