7 Habits Of Highly Holy People

(Note: after the service I had people placed at each exit to hand out laminated bookmarkers listing the 7 Habits and supporting scripture. People really liked this reminder and many still have them in their Bibles)

Seven Habits Of Highly Holy People

Introduction

In 1989, a book hit the shelves that was destined to become a best seller. It was gear toward giving people the tools they needed to enjoy powerful and effective living. The book is saturated with advice on leadership, life management and relationships, all centered around the “inside-out” concept that old behavior is learned, it is not instinctive. Old habits can be discarded and replaced by new and effective habits.

That book, written by Stephen R. Covey, is The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. The habits he outlined are

Initiative

Creativity

Productivity

Interdependence

Empathy

Valuing Differences

Consistency

Let me ask you a question – If you were to describe yourself in one word , what would that word be?

According to Covey, If you exhibit these seven habits in your daily life, you could rightly describe yourself in the one word, “Effective”

How does scripture want us to be able to define ourselves?

I think Christlike sums it up pretty well

And if nothing else Christ was “HOLY”, that is separate, different, other than…

I’d venture a guess that few if any in this place defined themselves as “Holy”

But as Christians we are called to live a holy life. Look at…

1 Peter 1:15-16

15But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;

16for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

BE HOLY. Why? Because God is Holy

But the question then becomes, “How can I know if I’m ‘Holy’ or not?”

Just as Stephen Covey outlined the seven habits of highly effective people, tonight I want to outline for you

THE SEVEN HABITS OF HIGHLY HOLY PEOPLE

These will serve as a measuring stick to help you determine the areas in your life that are in need of strengthening

Habit #1 - Highly Holy People understand Scripture as the guide for their daily lives (Scripture)

Psalm 1:1-2 – “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.”

Highly Holy People Love God’s word

They can’t get enough of it. They base their lives on it. It is a part of them.

They know that it has the power to protect them from all kinds of junk in life.

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

And they share it whenever possible.

Col 3:16 - Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

The study and application of the Scriptures is a habit with Highly Holy People

Habit #2 - Highly Holy People daily seek God in prayer. (Supplication)

1 Thess. 5:16 – “… pray continually” (Imperative)

If our lives are to be defined as “Holy” we must be a people of prayer.

Why? Because Prayer is our half of a lifelong conversation with God?

It is how we develop a relationship with the creator of the universe.

By a show of hands, how many here tonight have at one point or another in the course of your life, had grandparents?

I’d imagine all of us.

My Grandparents were holy people in the area of prayer

I can still remember hearing grandma and grandpa Young practically screaming their prayers. They wept before God on behalf of my family and I.

They understood the power of prayer and it’s necessity for everyday living.

Parent’s and Grandparents, Let your Children hear you pray. Expose them to the discipline of prayer.

They understood that Prayer is the well of life for the Christian.

This church wants you to have that opportunity. Youth Singles Men Women all have set times of prayer. Because it is understood that a life of prayer leads to a life of holiness

Prayer is a Habit with Highly Holy People

Habit #3 - Highly Holy People are devoted to following Christ no matter what (Savior)

2 Tim 2:8-9a – Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal.

Highly Holy People realize that being a Christian is not always a cakewalk, but they do it anyway because of their devotion to Christ