Be Holy For I Am Holy

Be Holy For I Am Holy

2004001

Topic # 1217

Introduction:

A. 1 Pet .1:13-16

B. Holiness = expected behavior for the Christian.

1. We are called to be holy.

2. But what does this mean? How important is this to us?

C. Holiness is both a state of existence & a commitment to action.

1. Evidenced by absence of evil behavior.

2. Also & equally evidenced by godly actions.

a) We cannot demonstrate holiness by doing nothing.

b) Resisting evil proves little if we also reject godly behavior.

3. Likewise; performing good deeds while refusing to cease from evil behavior is not holiness.

4. Human holiness is demonstrated by resisting evil & serving God.

D. It important to understand that we can become holy only through God’s power.

1. Christians are holy because God used Jesus to sanctify us.

a) We’ve been set apart from sin so that we can live exclusively for God!

2. We surrender self to:

a) God’s use; God’s purposes; godly purity; godly behavior;

b) Godly relationships.

3. Titus 2:11-14

I. What does holiness involve?

A. Accepting God’s forgiveness on His terms – obey gospel (this places us in a state of holiness.)

B. Setting our mind/heart/body apart from evil/ungodliness & focusing on the daily pursuit of God.

C. Changing our thoughts; choices; behavior will involve a lifelong process of learning; understanding; changing.

II. God’s holiness is different from the Christians.

A. Holiness = part of God’s divine nature.

1. God did not become holy – God IS holy!

2. God is holy because He is absolutely/completely free of evil!

a) God is the exact opposite of evil!

b) He is exclusively pure!

3. Evil is His enemy! Sin repulses Him!

4. He has no desire to embrace it. He is beyond temptation & never uses it.

B. A Christian is holy because he is cleansed.

1. Eph. 1:7-8a.

a) Jesus’ atoning blood DESTROYS sin through forgiveness.

b) Divine forgiveness DESTROYS human sin!

2. We are holy because we exist in God’s forgiveness.

3. We’re only holy because we’re forgiven.

4. Not because we haven’t sinned.

III. We have been called to make a commitment to holiness.

A. 1 Pet. 1:13 – it involves mental action.

1. We are to prepare our minds for manual labor. Dedication to holiness is hard work.

2. 1:13 – it is a sober decision.

a) It matters! Nothing more important!

b) If we value His forgiveness – we should want to demonstrate it.

c) Done to dedicating our will to holiness.

d) We must choose to think & behave in such ways that God would be pleased.

B. 1:13- they were to fix their hope on God’s grace.

1. Provided w/forgiveness w/100% of God’s goodness & 0% of our worthiness.

2. We holy because of God – not because of ourselves.

3. KEY: our motivation needs to be from an awareness of God’s goodness.

4. FC Christians hoped b/c they had confidence in God.

a) Just as God forgave them – so He will do for us!

b) Let us take confidence in this matter.

C. 1:14 – this hope motivated them to be obedient children.

1. They did not yield themselves to their old desires contrary to God’s will.

2. We too must transform our lives by the renewing of our minds – Rom. 12:1-2

D. 1:15-16 – they were to remember the one who called them.

1. Who called them? God! They were in His presence! We are too!

2. Isa. 6:1-5 – what happened when people of old were in the presence of God’s holiness?

a) Isaiah devastated by his unholiness.

b) 6:6-7 – only God could cleanse the unholiness.

3. Let us be aware of God’s holiness.

4. Let it motivate us; challenge us to dedicate ourselves to holy behavior.

5. Fact that God freed us from slavery to sin motivates us to surrender to Him in holiness.

IV. We must live our lives in the fear of profound reverence.

A. If we dare to call God our Father – we must live in profound reverence of God.

1. This reverence comes from deep respect & genuine appreciation.

2. God wants a father/child relationship w/us.

3. How awesome is it for the holy God to permit unworthy humans to call Him Father?

B. 1:17 – the fact that we call Him Father will not blind Him to our behavior!

1. We must not abuse His grace & forgiveness!

2. Why?

C. 1:18-19 – our ransom paid w/precious blood of Jesus!

1. Much more precious than money or precious metals.

2. Remember…Jesus did not deserve to die!

3. God made His own innocent Son His sacrificial lamb to ransom us!

4. His life was God’s to give!

D. 1:20-21

1. Before foundation of world – God knew how He would respond if people exercised free will to choose Him:

2. God has raised Jesus from dead & glorified Him.

3. God gives us a choice.

a) We choose whether or not to accept the of what He did in Jesus.

b) What decision will it be for you?

V. No one is holy by accident.

A. It not convenient for anyone to be holy. Not easy either.

1. Remember: holiness is resisting evil & doing good.

2. It involves our making deliberate decisions & choices that reject evil.

B. Brethren: a holy life is the result of commitment & effort – not the product of an accident!

C. Yes…it runs counter to our emotions & desires.

1. yes..it requires complicated decisions.

2. yes..it requires changes in how a person lives.

3. yes..It requires a change in those w/whom we associate & are involved with.

D. Call to holiness is a call to sacrifice! Holy existence is not pain free or struggle free!

1. It is a chosen life.

2. It is a doable; possible life.

3. It is a life that is willing to pay the price.

4. Chadwell: God paid the price to allow us to become holy. We will pay the price if we live in holiness.

Conclusion:

A. Some personal questions for us to answer:

1. What does holiness look like?

a) Would people know what holiness looked like if they listened to us & watched our lives?

2. What does purity look like?

a) Would people know what purity looked like if they listened to us & watched our lives?

3. What does godliness look like?

a) Would people know what godliness looked like if they listened t4o us & watched our lives?

B. How real is Christianity to us?

1. The Christian is someone who never forgets what human holiness cost God.

2. This commitment to holiness is #1 of the Christian’s list of priorities.

C. Where is it on yours?

1. Get this year off to a great start by surrendering to God.

2. Make the commitment to holiness!

D. I N V I T A T I O N



Be Holy For I Am Holy 2004001 Topic # 1217 Introduction: A. 1 Pet .1:13-16 B. Holiness = expected behavior for the Christian. 1. We are called to be holy. 2. But what does this mean? How important is this to us? C. Holiness is both a state of existence & a commitment to action. 1. Evidenced by absence of evil behavior. 2. Also & equally evidenced by godly actions. a) We cannot demonstrate holiness by doing nothing. b) Resisting evil proves little if we also reject godly behavior. 3. Likewise; performing good deeds while refusing to cease from evil behavior is not holiness. 4. Human holiness is demonstrated by resisting evil & serving God. D. It important to understand that we can become holy only through God’s power. 1. Christians are holy because God used Jesus to sanctify us. a) We’ve been set apart from sin so that we can live exclusively for God! 2. We surrender self to: a) God’s use; God’s purposes; godly purity; godly behavior; b) Godly relationships. 3. Titus 2:11-14 I. What does holiness involve? A. Accepting God’s forgiveness on His terms – obey gospel (this places us in a state of holiness.) B. Setting our mind/heart/body apart from evil/ungodliness & focusing on the daily pursuit of God. C. Changing our thoughts; choices; behavior will involve a lifelong process of learning; understanding; changing. II. God’s holiness is different from the Christians. A. Holiness = part of God’s divine nature. 1. God did not become holy – God IS holy! 2. God is holy because He is absolutely/completely free of evil! a) God is the exact opposite of evil! b) He is exclusively pure! 3. Evil is His enemy! Sin repulses Him! 4. He has no desire to embrace it. He is beyond temptation & never uses it. B. A Christian is holy because he is cleansed. 1. Eph. 1:7-8a. a) Jesus’ atoning blood DESTROYS sin through forgiveness. b) Divine forgiveness DESTROYS human sin! 2. We are holy because we exist in God’s forgiveness. 3. We’re only holy because we’re forgiven. 4. Not because we haven’t sinned. III. We have been called to make a commitment to holiness. A. 1 Pet. 1:13 – it involves mental action. 1. We are to prepare our minds for manual labor. Dedication to holiness is hard work. 2. 1:13 – it is a sober decision. a) It matters! Nothing more important! b) If we value His forgiveness – we should want to demonstrate it. c) Done to dedicating our will to holiness. d) We must choose to think & behave in such ways that God would be pleased. B. 1:13- they were to fix their hope on God’s grace. 1. Provided w/forgiveness w/100% of God’s goodness & 0% of our worthiness. 2. We holy because of God – not because of ourselves. 3. KEY: our motivation needs to be from an awareness of God’s goodness. 4. FC Christians hoped b/c they had confidence in God. a) Just as God forgave them – so He will do for us! b) Let us take confidence in this matter. C. 1:14 – this hope motivated them to be obedient children. 1. They did not yield themselves to their old desires contrary to God’s will. 2. We too must transform our lives by the renewing of our minds – Rom. 12:1-2 D. 1:15-16 – they were to remember the one who called them. 1. Who called them? God! They were in His presence! We are too! 2. Isa. 6:1-5 – what happened when people of old were in the presence of God’s holiness? a) Isaiah devastated by his unholiness. b) 6:6-7 – only God could cleanse the unholiness. 3. Let us be aware of God’s holiness. 4. Let it motivate us; challenge us to dedicate ourselves to holy behavior. 5. Fact that God freed us from slavery to sin motivates us to surrender to Him in holiness. IV. We must live our lives in the fear of profound reverence. A. If we dare to call God our Father – we must live in profound reverence of God. 1. This reverence comes from deep respect & genuine appreciation. 2. God wants a father/child relationship w/us. 3. How awesome is it for the holy God to permit unworthy humans to call Him Father? B. 1:17 – the fact that we call Him Father will not blind Him to our behavior! 1. We must not abuse His grace & forgiveness! 2. Why? C. 1:18-19 – our ransom paid w/precious blood of Jesus! 1. Much more precious than money or precious metals. 2. Remember…Jesus did not deserve to die! 3. God made His own innocent Son His sacrificial lamb to ransom us! 4. His life was God’s to give! D. 1:20-21 1. Before foundation of world – God knew how He would respond if people exercised free will to choose Him: 2. God has raised Jesus from dead & glorified Him. 3. God gives us a choice. a) We choose whether or not to accept the of what He did in Jesus. b) What decision will it be for you? V. No one is holy by accident. A. It not convenient for anyone to be holy. Not easy either. 1. Remember: holiness is resisting evil & doing good. 2. It involves our making deliberate decisions & choices that reject evil. B. Brethren: a holy life is the result of commitment & effort – not the product of an accident! C. Yes…it runs counter to our emotions & desires. 1. yes..it requires complicated decisions. 2. yes..it requires changes in how a person lives. 3. yes..It requires a change in those w/whom we associate & are involved with. D. Call to holiness is a call to sacrifice! Holy existence is not pain free or struggle free! 1. It is a chosen life. 2. It is a doable; possible life. 3. It is a life that is willing to pay the price. 4. Chadwell: God paid the price to allow us to become holy. We will pay the price if we live in holiness. Conclusion: A. Some personal questions for us to answer: 1. What does holiness look like? a) Would people know what holiness looked like if they listened to us & watched our lives? 2. What does purity look like? a) Would people know what purity looked like if they listened to us & watched our lives? 3. What does godliness look like? a) Would people know what godliness looked like if they listened t4o us & watched our lives? B. How real is Christianity to us? 1. The Christian is someone who never forgets what human holiness cost God. 2. This commitment to holiness is #1 of the Christian’s list of priorities. C. Where is it on yours? 1. Get this year off to a great start by surrendering to God. 2. Make the commitment to holiness! D. I N V I T A T I O N