Sermon Mark S. Aites 5/19/13 A.M. PERFECTING HOLINESS (lesson idea borrowed) INTRODUCTION: 1. Hebrew writer gives a biblical charge: Heb. 12:14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. 2. The need for holiness is a recurring theme in the sacred writings (word holy/holiness -- more than 500 times). 3. Hebrew - kadosh - separated, consecrated. Greek - hagiazo - set apart. - (sanctification) 4. Basically, these words refer to distinguishing or setting apart that which is sacred, consecrated, and hallowed, from that which is common. 1) Example, to Israel: Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy (Exod. 20:8). 2) Other examples: various meat, sin and peace offerings, etc. (Lev. 7:37). 3) Also the Law, Tabernacle, Temple, worship, priests (consecrated). 5. Certainly the Lord Himself; He is Holy or set apart: 1) Exod. 15:11 Who is like You, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? 2) Isaiah 6:3 And one cried to another and said: Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory! 6. Paul, in writing of Christ and the church: Rom. 11:16 For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. 7. Song: O To Be Like Thee O to be like Thee! blessèd Redeemer, This is my constant longing and prayer; Gladly I ll forfeit all of earth s treasures, Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear. Refrain O to be like Thee! O to be like Thee, Blessèd Redeemer, pure as Thou art; Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness; Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart. 1 Cor. 11:1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. 1 Peter 2:21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps. 8. Jesus has blessed us, and has made it possible for us to be partakers of His holiness (Heb. 12:10). 9. If we genuinely want to be more like Jesus, then we need to note several things regarding holiness. DISCUSSION: I. THE ORIGIN OF HOLINESS FOR MAN.
- 2 A. Holiness begins when one makes the choice to be the offspring or child of God. B. As we become His child, we partake of His divine nature which is holy (2 Pet. 1:4). C. The process actually begins when we are born anew/again. 1. Jesus conversation with Nicodemus: John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:5 Jesus answered, Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 2. But we later learn in Peter s writings that the process of being born again involves being born of an incorruptible seed (1 Pet. 1:22-23). 1) Just as we physically are born of human seed, so too we are born spiritually when we receive the spiritual seed. 2) Parable of sower: seed is the Word of God (Luke 8:11). 3. James 1:21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 4. Rom. 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 5. The Word of God is holy for it contains a holy message; a message of salvation, and sanctification. 6. As fruit or a response to its message, we turn from our sins in repentance, we demonstrate our faith in Christ as we confess Him before men, and in obedience are baptized for the remission of sins. D.As an evidence of our reception of God s word, our lives change drastically. 1. Jesus becomes the Lord of our lives: Matt. 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 2. In an effort to respond to Him, we willingly distance ourselves from the world. 1) Rightly so: the things of the world are evil (1 John 5:19). 2) Our friendship with the world/ways of the world must change (Jas. 4:4). 3. Holy living demands that we deny ourselves of the evil things of the world. 1) Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him (1 John 2:15). 2) It is not that we cannot enjoy some of the things in this world, but that we cannot love and cling to the things of this world and put them before God. 3) Anything that we put before God is something which we worship or
- 3 value more than God. 4) Old Testament law: Thou shalt have no other gods before me (Exod. 20:3). (Good principle for us to note.) 4. New Testament exhortations: Rom. 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 2 Cor. 6:17 Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you." E. If we are really serious about seeing God, then we must distance ourselves from worldly living. Matt. 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. II.THE PERFECTING OF HOLINESS. A. At the close of 2 Cor. 6, Paul speaks of the wonderful promises of God, that if we will separate ourselves from the world, God will receive us as His child. B. 2 Cor. 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 1. As one expressed it: Christians are to cleanse themselves from the filthiness of the flesh because sinning in the flesh does cause one to be lost. 2. 1 Cor. 6:9-11 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. 3. The context of this discussion, based upon previous thoughts from chapter 6, and Paul s reference here to the spirit, seem to indicate that Paul was referring also to sin committed in the mind. C. The holiness for which we must strive must be evident both in our deeds and thoughts. 1. It is for this reason that some misunderstand the concept of holiness. 2. To many, Christianity and holiness is simply going through the motions. 3. For example: some will make donations or contributions to the Lord s work, thinking that being generally good, and making occasional contributions will ensure a home in heaven.
- 4-4. Others think that by filling a pew that it will ensure salvation. Matt. 7:21 Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. D. Even one s motives need to be determined: Matt. 7:2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. 1. Sometimes one may appear to be righteous, even doing righteous deeds, but their motive is wrong. 2. Phil. 1:15-17 Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: 16 The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; 17 but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. 3. Holiness then is not only outward, but inward as well. 4. We can fool others, but not God: 1 Sam. 16:7 For the Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. E. If we are going to perfect or complete our holiness, then our entire being must be changed. 1. Our dedication and love for God must be complete: Luke 10:27 So he answered and said, You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself. 2. Our minds must be like the Lord s: Phil. 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. 3. Jesus gave His all in service to God. His going to the cross was evidence of His love and commitment to God and man. 4. We have been urged to follow His steps in every aspect of our life. III.THE INCREASE OF HOLINESS. A. We are striving then this morning to be more holy: song -- More Holiness Give Me. More holiness give me, More strivings within, More patience in suffering, More sorrow for sin, More faith in my Savior, More sense of His care, More joy in His service, More purpose in Prayer. More purity give me, more strength to o er come, More freedom from earth stains, more longings for home More fit for the kingdom, more useful I d be, More blessed and holy, more, Savior, like Thee. B. To attain the goal of a greater holiness, it requires several things on our part: 1. More time in prayer: 1) Jesus is a good example.
- 5-2) Mark 1:35 Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. 3) Paul admonished the church at Colossae to continue in prayer (Col. 4:2). 4) Thessalonica: 1 Thess. 5:17 Pray without ceasing. 5) Prayer is direct communication with God; the opportunity afforded us as His children to talk to Him; to express our love and adoration, thanksgiving, and petitions. 6) Key: The more we communicate with God, the closer we will draw to Him; and the fruit of that is that we will become purer and more holy. 2. More time in study: 1) Not just in reading the Bible, but in study. 2) The definition of study includes the idea of research: Acts 17:11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. 3) One dictionary: attentive scrutiny ; to apply the mind in acquiring knowledge. 4) It is not enough just to read the Bible, but study is imperative. 5) The more we spend time in the study of God s word, again, the closer we will draw to God -- for the word contains His will for us. 1. Psa. 119:11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. 2. Psa. 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. 6) It is also through a closer study of God s word that we learn more about God: 1. Personal example: for years I did not understand the concept of the Godhead or Trinity. 2. Learned that the Father, Son, Spirit are all Divine; make up the one God. 3. Learned that Jesus existed before His earthly birth in Bethlehem; in fact, that He always has existed (John 1:1). 4. Learned also that He was not a created being as some erroneously teach. 5. But such was possible, not just through a simple reading; but an intense study. 7) It is important also to avail ourselves to the various tools available to help us in our study: 1. Valuable investment: good concordance, dictionary, and encyclopedia. 2. Sometimes having different translations for comparison will help. 3. If the proper caution is exercised, a good set of commentaries can
- 6 be of a great help. (need to use care; want conservative scholarship). 8) Your objective is to learn; to acquire more knowledge; will bring more holiness. 3. More fellowship with Christians. 1) When Jesus sent His disciples into the world: Matt. 10:16 Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. 2) Paul wrote the Corinthians: 1 Cor. 15:33 Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits. 2 Cor. 6:14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 3) The mistake that many Christians have made and continue to make is that they spend far too much time with those who are not Christians. 4) This mistake has caused some to leave the faith; some to have doubts about God; and yet others to live a worldly lifestyle while professing to be a Christian. 5) Again Paul tells us: Eph. 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 2 Cor. 6:17 Therefore Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. 6) The apostle John encouraged Christians to fellowship one another (1 John 1:7). 7) In fact, the book of Acts talks of the daily fellowship of children of God. 8) To make this a reality: 1) Plan to attend every service. 2) Plan activities with Christians. 3) Invite Christians into your home. 4) Talk to other Christians when you are having difficulty instead of turning to the world. CONCLUSION: 1. As a child of God, my encouragement to you is to try to plan to 1) More time in prayer 2) More time in Bible study 3) More time in fellowship with Christians. 2. I urge you to strive to perfect your holiness in the fear of the Lord. 3. Remember: God s children are to be set apart from the world: 1 Cor. 6:20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's. 4. Jesus died on the cross and purchased us with His blood that we might be sanctified, or set apart from the world; having been saved from our sins which
- 7 - would lead to death (eternal separation from God). 5. Jesus died for you to sanctify you: Rom. 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 6. Remember again the words of the Hebrew writer: Heb. 12:14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. 7. Friends, if Jesus were to come today, would you be ready? Are you seeking a life of holiness? 8. If you were to die today, would your sins separate you from God for all eternity?