1 Peter 1:13-16

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Be Ye Holy

This evening I want to share with you something that is one of the fundamental messages of the C.C.C.U doctrine. Really, it is what sets us apart from many other churches and types of theology. It’s one of the distinguishing marks if not the distinguishing mark, of our heritage. I’m talking about the doctrine of holiness or entire sanctification.

when I was asked why I wanted to have my preaching license with the churches of christ in christian union I told them because of what we believe and stand for concerning entire sanctification and holiness (EXPOUND AS LORD LEADS)

So What is holiness?

What does it mean to be entirely sanctified?

In the year 1741 John Wesley, the founder of Methodism and the man who I believe to be one of the top authorities ever on this topic preached a sermon entitled “Christian Perfection.” In that message Wesley defined holiness in this way:

1. Purity of intention, dedicating all the life to God;

2. All the mind which was in Christ, enabling us to walk as Christ walked; the renewal of the heart in the image of God;

3. Loving God with all our heart, and our neighbor as ourselves.

now As a holiness denomination we believe that all men have sinned.

There is not a single individual in this room that can claim to be sinless.

Paul says, We have all sinned and come short of the glory of God.

And the wages of sin is death.

so All of us have sinned and if we got what we deserved then we would be sentenced to an eternity in hell.

But God has made a way for us to be forgiven of our sins.

In that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.

We can have our slate wiped clean because Jesus Christ has already paid the price for our sin.

We can be saved from our sins and from our rightful punishment.

This is called salvation.

It’s God’s work of grace in the lives of sinners.

But also as a holiness denomination we believe that there is a second work of grace. This second work of Gods grace is called entire sanctification.

And this morning I want to share with you about this work.

I want to share with you about holiness.

C.S. Lewis once said, “How little people know who think that holiness is dull. When one meets the real thing, it is irresistible.”

a lot of people feel that this doctrine is too old fashioned.

The only people who believe this way are just a bunch of holy rollers.

It’s a hard doctrine to understand.

It’s a work that is seems to be to difficult to attain.

It’s not worth the effort.

But I would tend to agree with Lewis, when you meet the real thing, it’s irresistible.

Now I do want to say this

While I do believe whole-heartedly in this doctrine,

and I have preached about it in other messages,

it is one that, at least for me, has been difficult to know how to explain in a way that’s easy to understand.

I have been somewhat intimidated by this doctrine.

But it is what I feel to be a very important matter

I feel that it is a message that God would have me to preach.

And so, this evening that is exactly what I’m going to do.

And I am praying that the Holy Spirit will take the words that I feel like God has given me and make them plain to all or our ears and all of our hearts,

and that He would use this message to do powerful things in each of our lives.

The first thing that I want to talk to you about is the call to holiness.

turn with me in your bibles to

1 Pet. 1:13-16… Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.