Summary: We are to challenge ourselves in holy living because this cares for our souls. We are to challenge ourselves in loving one another because that cares for the souls of others. We are to challenge ourselves to live imperishable because this is the right per
INTRODUCTION… Inspirational Nature of Scripture (www.carm.org)
This morning as we begin, I want to share some interesting truths found in the pages of the Bible. They are interesting in that they describe things that human beings have discovered by science in the past few centuries.
First, the shape of the earth. "He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in," (Isaiah 40:22, NIV).
Second, the Earth is suspended in nothing. "He spreads out the northern [skies] over empty space; He suspends the earth over nothing," (Job. 26:7, NIV). This is particularly interesting considering that the cosmology of other cultures at that time did not have the earth suspended in nothing, but rather upon pillars, or people, or animals.
Third, the existence of valleys in the seas. "The valleys of the sea were exposed and the foundations of the earth laid bare at the rebuke of the LORD, at the blast of breath from his nostrils," (2 Samuel 22:16, NIV). This was “discovered” by geologists in the 1900s.
Fourth, the existence of springs and fountains in the seas. "In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, on the seventeenth day of the second month -- on that day all the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened," (Genesis 7:11, NIV). See also Gen. 8:2; Prov. 8:28.
Fifth, the existence of ocean currents. "O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!...When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,...You made him [man] ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet...the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas," (Psalm 8:1,3,6,8, NIV). “Discovered” by Matthew Maury, 1855.
Sixth, the water cycle of climate. "He wraps up the waters in his clouds, yet the clouds do not burst under their weight," (Job. 26:8, NIV). "He draws up the drops of water, which distill as rain to the streams; the clouds pour down their moisture and abundant showers fall on mankind," (Job. 36:27-28, NIV). "The wind blows to the south and turns to the north; round and round it goes, ever returning on its course. All streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full. To the place the streams come from, there they return again," (Ecclesiastes 1:6-7, NIV). “Described” in 1580 by Bernard Palissy.
I find these interesting only because as human knowledge grows we are finding that the Words of the
Bible contain truth in many areas. The Bible is certainly not a scientific textbook and was never designed to be one. Yet, the Bible does describe the world that God created and the people He put in it in a divinely inspired accurate manner. The Bible is a book that contains eternal words that mean much for our lives here on Earth. God’s Word, the Bible, is a book inspired by Almighty God and contains within its pages truth:
Truth about the world and creation God made.
Truth about human beings and our failings and our struggles in life.
Truth about Almighty God and His dealings with human beings throughout history.
Truth about God’s nature and His plan of salvation through Jesus Christ.
Truth about moral and right living.
We are in 1 Peter 1 today. 1 Peter 1 begins by describing believers in Jesus Christ as “strangers in the world” (1 Peter 1:1) and expands on why believers stand out in a dark and hopeless world. We looked at that last week. The passage from Scripture that we will look at today is the second half of 1 Peter 1 in which the Apostle Peter expands the words he already shared in the first part. The passage is anchored at the end by a quote: “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever." That is a quote from Isaiah 40:8. 1 Peter 1:14-25 is all about a life anchored in God’s Word which stands forever.
“As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." 17 Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God. 22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. 23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For, "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, 25 but the word of the Lord stands forever." And this is the word that was preached to you.”