Holy Hearts

Holy hearts - hearts that are "set aside" in some way for something special. What does it mean to live with "holy" hearts? What kinds of things tend to direct or influence our hearts?

In the passage to the right, Peter invites us to live with a certain focus and disposition of our hearts. What is that about? What does that really mean? As you read and reflect on the passage from 1 Peter, what speaks to you the most powerfully?

As it turns out, what goes on in our hearts has a huge impact on how we live, and what it is like for those who live along side of us. Perhaps that is why Peter reminds us here, of what Jesus so frequently reminds us in His teaching - that following Jesus is something that involves what flows out of our hearts as we respond to Him. It is all about heart work - the heart of God poured out and expressed to us in Jesus, and about what happens in our hearts as we live in response to that amazing love and grace.

That is what Pastor Jon explores for us today in the sermon. If you would like to listen to the sermon once again, or perhaps for the first time, you can access our sermon library here, or the livestream version of the service here.

1 Peter 3

NIV

8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For,

“Whoever would love life

and see good days

must keep their tongue from evil

and their lips from deceitful speech.

11 They must turn from evil and do good;

they must seek peace and pursue it.

12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous

and his ears are attentive to their prayer,

but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”[a]

13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.