A Separated People

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Due to the large amount of sermons and topics that appear on this site I feel it is necessary to post this disclaimer on all sermons posted. These sermons are original to the author and the leading of the Holy Spirit. While ideas and illustrations are often gleaned from many sources including those at Sermoncentral.com, any similarities and wording including sermon title, that may appear to be the same as any other sermon are purely coincidental. In instances where other minister’s wording is used, due recognition will be given. These sermons are not copyrighted and may be used or preached freely. May God richly bless you as you read these words. It is my sincere desire that all who read them may be enriched. All scriptures quoted in these sermons are copies and quoted from the Authorized King James Version of the Holy Bible.

Pastor James May

A SEPARATED PEOPLE

1 Peter 2:9, "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:"

How many of you are included in this group of people Peter has described in this verse? I would hope that every hand would rise in agreement for anyone and everyone who has accepted Christ and repented of your sin is included in the chosen generation.

God has called every man to come to repentance but only a few are chosen. Not by God, but by his/her own choosing to become a part of this chosen generation.

We, who are saved by grace, are all children of God and, as such, we are all of one generation for God is our Father, we are His Children, but there are no “grand-children” for each of us must make our own decision and cannot ride into Heaven based upon the salvation of another person.

I am often concerned that we do not look like and act like God’s children. All too often, when the world looks at our dress, our mannerisms, our activities, and our appearance, they cannot see whether we belong to the family of God or not.

I have never been a “clothes line” preacher and I don’t want to start now but there are some things about the manner of dress that the world has that have no place in the family of God.

When I ride down the street or go to the mall I find that I am hard pressed to find those who I can recognize as Christians among those of the world for they are appear alike. People of the world have no concern for their body for it belongs to the Devil but people of God must be concerned for wherever we go and whatever we do we are portraying to the world a picture of God through our daily living.

What kind of God do people see in you? God has said that our bodies are the Temple of the Holy Ghost and that we are not to abuse them or use them in ungodly ways and yet I see so many who give no thought to the fact the Holy Spirit dwells within. Perhaps that’s because He doesn’t dwell in there after all!

I have always taught and will continue to teach that the Holy Spirit will convict us of those things in our hearts that are detrimental or destructive to the cause of Christ. Even so, I think that sometimes we need to be reminded of just how holy God really is and that He expects us to live a Holy and sanctified life unto Him.

The scripture says that we are to present ourselves and our bodies as living sacrifices unto God. Giving ourselves in living a sanctified and holy life is our debt to Him for the salvation of our souls. What a cheap price to pay for such a great deliverance from the pits of Hell!

I have begun to realize that the church, not just this church, but the church as a whole, with our included, has come to the place where we don’t recognize holiness any longer.

Now, I’m not going to lay down a lot of rules and regulations because that would only lead to legalism and drive many from God’s House. I don’t want to get into many specifics because I still believe that God will teach you His ways if you will listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit and His conviction power within.

The problem is that I wonder if we ever listen, or if we do, are we discrediting the conviction power of the Holy Spirit because we just don’t want to change our ways?

God will wink at our ignorance for a little while but it won’t last for long. Once we know the truth and then refuse to follow and obey that truth then it becomes sin in our lives that will keep us out of Heaven.