Series Big Idea: "Showing how the early stories of Scripture establish God’s Plan of Salvation”

Sermon Big: "Christ's sacrifice empowers us to live holy lives, fulfilling God's command"

Key Scripture (Leviticus 11:44-45/1 Peter 1:13-25)

Have you ever wondered why God seems so concerned with holiness? Throughout Scripture, from the very beginning to the end, we see this persistent call: "Be holy." Today, we're going to look at two passages separated by over a thousand years but connected by this same phrase: "Be holy, for I am holy."

In Leviticus 11:44-45, God speaks to Israel, saying: "For I am the LORD your God, so you must consecrate yourselves and be holy because I am holy... For I am the LORD, who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your God, so you must be holy because I am holy." Fast forward to the New Testament, and we find Peter quoting these very words in 1 Peter 1:16: "for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy." 

As we continue our Blueprint of Redemption series, we're going to discover how Christ transforms this command from an impossible standard into a living reality. We're not just going to see what holiness means, we're going to see how Christ makes it possible. To understand our call to holiness today, we need to see how Peter connects God's Old Testament command to our present reality in Christ.

(Leviticus 11:44-45)

For I am the Lord your God, so you must consecrate yourselves and be holy because I am holy. Do not defile yourselves by any swarming creature that crawls on the ground. 45 For I am the Lord, who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your God, so you must be holy because I am holy. 

(1 Peter 1:13-25)

13 Therefore, with your minds ready for action, be sober-minded and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance. 15 But as the one who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct; 16 for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy.^, 17 If you appeal to the Father who judges impartially according to each one’s work, you are to conduct yourselves in reverence during your time living as strangers. 18 For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was revealed in these last times for you. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. 22 Since you have purified yourselves by your obedience to the truth, so that you show sincere brotherly love for each other, from a pure heart love one another constantly, 23 because you have been born again—not of perishable seed but of imperishable—through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like a flower of the grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, 25 but the word of the Lord endures forever. And this word is the gospel that was proclaimed to you. 

From Law to Life in Christ

When God spoke these words in Leviticus, He had just delivered Israel from Egypt. He was establishing them as His people, setting them apart from the nations around them. Every detail of their lives – even what they ate – was meant to remind them that they belonged to a holy God. But there was a problem. No matter how hard they tried, Israel couldn't maintain this holiness. The same laws that were meant to make them holy only highlighted their inability to be holy.

This is where Peter's words become so powerful. Look at 1 Peter 1:18-19: "For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb." Do you see what Peter is doing? He's taking us from the old system of laws and sacrifices to the perfect sacrifice of Jesus. The spotless lamb imagery would have immediately connected with his Jewish readers – but now he's showing them that Christ is the ultimate spotless lamb.

This isn't just ancient history – this is your story if you're in Christ. You've been redeemed not by following rules but by the blood of Jesus. The holy life that seemed impossible under the law becomes possible through Christ. Now that Christ has shown us what perfect holiness looks like and provided the means to pursue it, how do we respond?

Living Holy Lives Through Christ's Power

Peter gives us practical guidance for holy living that flows from Christ's work in our redemption. Look at verses 13-14: "Therefore, with your minds ready for action, be sober-minded and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance." Do you see the progression here. It starts in the mind – "minds ready for action." Holiness isn't just about our behavior; it begins with how we think. When we fix our minds on Christ and the grace He brings, it changes how we live.

But it doesn't stop there. Look at verses 22-23: "Since you have purified yourselves by your obedience to the truth for sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again—not of perishable seed but of imperishable—through the living and enduring word of God." This is where the rubber meets the road. True holiness always expresses itself in love. Not superficial love, but deep, sincere, Christ-like love that flows from a pure heart. As we see how Christ fulfills and empowers God's call to holiness, let's consider what this means for us today.

Conclusion:

The command "be holy, for I am holy" takes on new meaning in Christ. We're no longer just following rules; we're being transformed by a relationship. The holy life that Israel struggled to achieve becomes possible through Christ's work in us. Are you pursuing holiness through rules or through relationship with Christ? Are you trying to be holy by your own strength, or are you allowing Christ's power to transform you?

As we leave here today, remember: God's call to holiness hasn't changed, but through Christ, we have everything we need to answer that call. Let's live holy lives not because we must, but because Christ has shown us how and given us the power to do so.

Pastor Beaver's thoughts and ideas are inspired by:

Holman Christian Standard Bible

English Standard Version Bible

King James Version Bible

Christian Standard Bible

Estes, Daniel J. Job. Edited by Mark L. Strauss et al., Baker Books, 2013.Barton, Bruce et al. Life Application New Testament Commentary. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 2001. Print.

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Walter C. Kaiser Jr., Duane Garrett, and Walter C. Kaiser Jr.

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Zondervan, Kent Dobson, and Ed Dobson

Jamieson, Robert, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown. Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997.

Blum, Edwin A., and Trevin Wax, eds. CSB Study Bible: Notes. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017.

Barry, John D., Douglas Mangum, Derek R. Brown, Michael S. Heiser, Miles Custis, Elliot Ritzema, Matthew M. Whitehead, Michael R. Grigoni, and David Bomar. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016.

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Brannan, Rick, and Israel Loken. The Lexham Textual Notes on the Bible. Lexham Bible Reference Series. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014.

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Keener, Craig S. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993.

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Himes, Paul A. 1 Peter. Edited by Douglas Mangum et al., Lexham Press, 2017.

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Packer, J. I. Concise Theology: A Guide to Historic Christian Beliefs. Tyndale House, 1993.

Martin, Glen S. Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers. Edited by Max Anders, B&H Publishing Group, 2002.

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