A Holy People/An Instrument Of Change

A Holy people/an instrument of change

Presented at Grand Anse Baptist Church/23rd August 2007(Thursday)/Tone: Challenge

1 Peter 2:1/9

Introduction-Quote by Dr. Francis Schaeffer

"The greatest creativity ever given is the ability of men, by their choices, to change the course of history." God gave man that creativity. That is the great dignity of humanity. The power to change the world -- that is what the church is here for” Said, Dr. Francis Schaeffer. (1981)

As our theme says a holy people an instrument of change, let us examine the word ‘instrument.’

According to the Webnet dictionary, it defines as:

A device that requires skill for proper use

a person used by another to gain an end

the means whereby some act is accomplished

We are the church of the living God

Friends this evening I want to reaffirm us that the church of Jesus Christ is the ordained instrument of change for any society. The church as we know it is the body of believers. You and I must believe that we are the church-in other words God lives in us. (Hebrews 3:6b). Therefore we as believers are the true dwelling place of God. (We must act like this also)

- 1 Peter 2:5 ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ

-I Pet. 2, 9-10: "You, however, are ’a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people he claims for his own to proclaim the glorious works’ of the One who called you from darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were no people, but now you are God’s people.”

- I Tim 3, 14-15: "I am writing you about these matters so that if I should be delayed you will know what kind of conduct befits a member of God’s household, the church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of truth.” ]

God has called us and he foreknew us-our calling is not an accident

God has called us and He knows us.-Jeremiah 1:5/Romans 8:29/30

He extended forgiveness to us- *Isaiah 1:18-20 /Roman 5:8 God commended His love…

[‘Scarlet’ or ‘Crimson’, was the colour of a deep red permanent dye. It stain was virtually impossible to remove from clothing. The stain of sin seems to equally permanent, but God can remove sin’s stain from our lives as He promised to do for the Israelites.] We don’t have to go through life permanently soiled. God word assures us that if we are willing an obedient; Christ will forgive and remove our most indelible stains (Psalms-51-1-7) a psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery---1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous (just, reliable) to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. NASB: KJV: GWT

The Holy Calling

Church this evening I want to remind each of us who are born again, that God has called us to be a holy people- "And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it ... but the redeemed shall walk there." Isaiah 35:8-9

God is too pure to behold sin (Habakkuk 1:13).

Without holiness, no man can see God (Hebrews 12:14).

In other words no man gets the things of God that He will give to those who have that relationship with Him—(Sin or ungodliness defiles this relationship) VJ. (Hebrews 12:14)

God will use Holy people and therefore holy people are instrument of change. He told us in

2 Timothy 14-21: If a man cleanse himself, (from dishonor) he will be a vessel for honour, sanctified, and useful for the Master (God) prepared for good works

God is calling us follow after holiness, to "follow after” holiness, to "continue in” and yield to the work of sanctification by the Holy Spirit in our lives.

References:

It remains our part (These are all active verbs; the effect is conditional upon our own will.)

Romans 6:19 "... even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness."

Romans 12:1 " ... present your bodies ... holy ..."

II Corinthians 6:17 "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you."

II Corinthians 7:1 "... let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness ..."

Colossians 1:22-23 "... to present you holy ... if ye continue in the faith ... and be not moved away ..."

I Thessalonians 4:3/4 “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body[a] in a way that is holy and honorable”