Part 1: One bite at a time!
Opening: When
we think about the pursuit of holiness it can feel pretty overwhelming. Most of
us have lots of areas in our life that we need to work on: Relationships;
Habits; Attitudes; Behaviors. Where to start? In our desire to deal with
everything, sometimes we turn the pursuit of holiness into nothing more than a
general commitment to do better. But holiness is not just a general commitment
to “be more like Christ” or to “keep growing.” It is tangible and specific. And
it has to be pursued that way.
Over the next 5 weeks I will encourage you to
identify one area of your life where you would like to be noticeably different:
marriage, habits, spiritual disciplines, sexuality, finances or emotional
stability. And we will also encourage you to identify one thing in that area
and develop an actionable plan that is both challenging and attainable.
So be watchful, and control yourselves completely.
In this way, put your hope in the grace that lies ahead. This grace will be
brought to you when Jesus Christ returns. You should obey your Father. You
shouldn’t give in to evil desires. They controlled your life when you didn’t
know any better. The
God who chose you is holy. So you should be holy in all that you do. It is written, “Be holy,
because I am holy.” 1
Peter 1:13-16
1. God is
HOLY
There isn’t anyone holy
like the Lord.
There isn’t anyone except him. 1 Samuel 2:2a
There isn’t anyone except him. 1 Samuel 2:2a
Lord, who among the gods
is like you? Who is like you? You are majestic and holy. Your glory fills
me with wonder. You do amazing things.
Exodus 15:11
2. We
must be HOLY
HABITS The term “habit” refers to a
settled or regular tendency or practice
This has become mine, that I observe
Your precepts. Psalm 119:56
Habits of holiness are sometimes called spiritual
disciplines and are not the mere product of human strength and desire. Godly
habits are initiated, carried on, and matured through the sanctifying work of
the Holy Spirit who dwells within us.
The God who chose you is holy. So you should be
holy in all that you do. It
is written, “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:16
SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES
Train yourself to be godly. 1 Timothy 4:7
Ill: Jonathan Edwards (1703 — 1758)
is best remembered for his masterful sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry
God.” He was one of America’s premier theologians and greatest preachers. Many
believe Jonathan Edwards was the greatest mind in American history. Edwards
lived by a list of resolutions.
For example: “Resolved,
never to do anything which I would be afraid to do if it were the last hour of
my life.” This statement shows how serious he was
about pursuing holiness. It reveals a man who understood the fear of the Lord
and sought to live it.
Yet look at another of Edwards’ resolutions: “Resolved, never to give over, nor in the
least to slacken, my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.” What marvelous balance! Edwards
resolved to fight the sin in his life but recognized that it would be a slow
and painful process, one that would often feel unsuccessful. Defeat didn’t
weaken his resolve.
SEXUALITY
Keep
far away from sexual sins. All the other sins a person commits are outside the
body. But sexual sins are sins against their own body. 1 Cor. 6:18
From the Covenant of Christian Conduct in the
current Manual of the Church of the Nazarene: The Church of the Nazarene
views human sexuality as one expression of the holiness and beauty that God the
Creator intended for His creation. It is one of the ways by which the covenant
between a husband and a wife is sealed and expressed. Christians are to
understand that in marriage human sexuality can and ought to be sanctified by
God. Human sexuality achieves fulfillment only as a sign of comprehensive love
and loyalty. Christian husbands and wives should view sexuality as a part of their
much larger commitment to one another and to Christ from whom the meaning of
life is drawn.
The Christian home
should serve as a setting for teaching children the sacred character of human
sexuality and for showing them how its meaning is fulfilled in the context of love,
fidelity, and patience.
Our ministers and
Christian educators should state clearly the Christian understanding of human
sexuality, urging Christians to celebrate its rightful excellence, and
rigorously to guard against its betrayal and distortion. Sexuality misses its
purpose when treated as an end in itself or when cheapened by using another
person to satisfy pornographic and perverted sexual interests. We view all forms
of sexual intimacy that occur outside the covenant of heterosexual marriage as
sinful distortions of the holiness and beauty God intended for it.
Homosexuality is one
means by which human sexuality is perverted. We recognize the depth of the
perversion that leads to homosexual acts but affirm the biblical position that such
acts are sinful and subject to the wrath of God. We believe the grace of God
sufficient to overcome the practice of homosexuality (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). We
deplore any action or statement that would seem to imply compatibility between Christian
morality and the practice of homosexuality. We urge clear preaching and teaching
concerning Bible standards of sexual morality.
I know this may offend some steeped in our culture but I am completed to
preach this message with compassion and grace.
FINANCES
Give, and it will be given to you. A good amount
will be poured into your lap. It will be pressed down, shaken together and
running over. The same amount you give will be measured out to you. Luke
6:38
If you’re serious about becoming financially free,
take these action steps:
Transfer
ownership to God.
Recognize that God really owns what you have and that includes your family as
well as your time and things. Recognize this biblical principle or it will be
impossible to free yourself financially. "The earth is the Lord’s,
and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it." Psalm 24:1 NASB
Get out
of debt. Break
the habits that keep you in debt – like spending more than you earn and
borrowing. Save so you don’t have to borrow. "Better is a little
with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and turmoil with it." Proverbs 15:16 NASB
Accept
God’s provision for you. God is wiser than you are and He will provide for your needs just as He
promised. "Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What
will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’.” Matthew 6:31 NASB
EMOTIONAL STABILITY
I believe that God is more interested in
changing us than He is in changing our circumstances. He wants us to get to the
point where we are content and not dissatisfied or disturbed, no matter what
state we are in. When we’re content, we can still desire change, but our
circumstances won’t bother us and distract us from living like Christ.
Psalm 91:1 says, “He
who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed
under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand].”
So we know that we really can be stable, and the
way for us to get there is through God.
3. We can only be holy when we are in a RELATIONSHIP with the Holy God!
Besides, we have all had human fathers who trained
us. We respected them for it. How much more should we be trained by the Father
of spirits and live! Our parents trained us for a little while.
They did what they thought was best. But God trains us for our good. He
does this so we may share in his holiness. Hebrews 12:9-10
“God wants you to be holy . . .” 1
Thessalonians 4:4 GNT
Sanctification is God’s
stated purpose for the believer
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