Be Holy

Another Stepping Up and Stepping Out message really similar to Joshua 1 Be strong and courageous

God says in His word I am Holy and then says to is that He wants us to be Holy like Him – so we have to look at God, at Jesus, to see what Holiness is.

No argument with God being Holy, But ME??
What is your concept of Holiness?

A Nun, the Pope, white suit, praying all day? Never saying a wrong word, always doing the right thing, always-pure thoughts, never making mistakes?

The world portrays images of so called “Holy” people as being out of touch, weak, not fighters; spoil sports, no fun, and eccentric, religious.

Jesus was none of those things – people loved him especially children, he was invited to parties, I am sure he laughed a lot. Sinners loved Him. It was the religious people hated. Jesus did not sin – He is a picture of holiness

Does Holiness seem too lofty to achieve – something unattainable?

Tonight – some warnings and some promises

Foundation scripture 1 Peter 1:13-16 READ

God says BE HOLY – like He is

God would command us to be something that was not possible – so we can be Holy
I may not feel holy, but if He says I can be Holy, who am I to argue with Him
Like everything else in the Christian life, this is a matter of believing, of stepping up and stepping out in faith

Holiness means “separated”. The same word is used for Saint – it speaks of being pure, consecrated, separated to God.

Our flesh, maybe our subconscious mind can hear that and think – doesn’t sound like much fun! But Holiness is not a matter of “I’ve GOT to be Holy” but rather “I GET to be Holy”. Think about it – I get to be like God. AWESOME – what a blueprint for our lives – live like God develop a character like the greatest Man who ever walked the earth.

Holiness is not a downer – it’s not a long list of I can’t do this and that

Holiness is an upper, which takes us somewhere in life that is liberating, rewarding, exciting, exhilarating, an adventure. Challenges yes, but answers. Obstacles yes, but also divine power to pull them down.
Isn’t it great to start the day without guilt or condemnation?
Holiness is a place where you feel good about yourself.

v13 minds
What’s in our minds and what we think is so important
That where the battle is won – when temptation comes
As we renew our mind with the word – our thinking becomes clearer.
This week, my life has changed.
Vel and I saw something in the word that immediately caught our attention and we are changed – fantastic.

Getting closer to God gives a high that just gets through His word

Proverbs 4:18 The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day
Isn’t that a good way to live – where life gets BETTER AND BETTER. That’s holy living

Be self controlled. There is a price to pay for holiness. We have to show restraint. SAY NO. Follow that inner witness (Is 30:21 this is the way, walk in it) In dong so, we grow. Make good decisions. Right choices

The world has COUNTERFEIT FUN – a so called freedom – do what feels good at the time.
Feels good for a season but it ends in death.

Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man but in the end it leads to death.

Tempted with:

    *Drugs
    *Sex outside of marriage
    *Wrong kind of images on the web
    *Lying
    *Gossip
    *Alcohol
    *Putting others down to make yourself feel better
    *Being dishonest
    *Judging others

We can resist temptation and live holy lives

Watch out for “Did God say?! COMPROMISE – find yourself being drawn away by a friend. Feel uneasy – then put the brakes on. Friends who draw you away from holiness are not friends. Hang around the right crowd Crèche, Kidzone, Rapt, CU2, Amplified, Home Group, ultimately Heaven!

There is a price to pay for sin. Rom 6:23 says the wages of sin is death

Ps 119:11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

The Word helps us to live free.

Know that God loves you, has a plan and purpose for you, and as you simply say you’re available – there will be peace and joy

v14 GRACE
Holiness is not possible without GRACE
Relationship not rules
You could make a list of what I am not going to do any more and try to tough it out.
OR you could lay your life before God like we are instructed in Romans 12 TM take your everyday, ordinary life – your sleeping, eating, going to work/school life, and walking around life - and place it before God on the altar…… you will be changed from the inside out
Suddenly we will find we are changed!! WOW
Let God change you

obedient children – don’t conform to a way of life that is IGNORANT, EMPTY
Hebrews 12:5,6 My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves…..
v10 ….God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
v15 Be Holy in all you DO

Jesus demonstrated Holiness – and although He was perfect and without sin – and we are not – we are called to be Holy just like Him. We are forgiven

Jesus was not out of touch.
He loved people and got involved.
He wants us involved and coming from a place of Holiness – this way I am secure in who I am and whose I am.
I am aware that I am saved by grace, I know people’s struggles with sin because I too am a sinner – just forgiven.
Don’t focus on your sin: deal with it and move on upwards focus on holiness and aspire to be available to the Master
As 1 Cor 9:24 says run in such a way as to win the prize
People will be drawn to you, opportunities will open up because you are serving God and He will make a way for you

To close The Message Romans 12:9-19 describes Holy Living

DECISION Job 28:22 What you decide on shall be done and light will shine on your way

Paul Addison, 27/07/2008