Holiness201

Holiness 201

Hebrews 12:14-24

Introduction-

For several weeks, we have been looking at practical applications to God’s Word for our lives.

We looked at holiness from 1 Peter. Where Peter tells us

Verse (13) “Prepare your minds for action, be self-controlled, set your hopes fully on the grace given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

As believers, there should be a change in our lives. We should be different from those that do not profess Christ as their savior.

I gave you 5 habits that should be in a believer’s life

(1) Understanding Scripture to be our guide

(2) Seek God daily through prayer.

(3) Realize that being a believer is not easy, but we are sold out for Christ.

(4) Live each day under the anointing power of the Holy Spirit working in our lives.

(5) Desire to be in God’s house and do God’s business.

That is Holiness 101- This morning I want to talk about Holiness 202.

Hebrews chapter 12:14-24

Hebrews 12

Has some imagery.

It is a cloud of witnesses waiting for us to finish our race.

We are told to fix our eyes on Jesus , the author and finisher of our faith.

The author and preacher of Hebrews tells us to endure hardship because God is disciplining us and strengthening our walk with Him.

Our text comes to us as a warning from God

He references holiness

He gives three warning to watch out for.

Tells us that there is a consequence for refusing God’s warnings.

Are you ready to begin Holiness 202?

(14) “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see God.”

This is an exhortation to holy living

Chapter 4- Be Careful- that none of you be found fallen short of it.

Chapter 6- Be Careful that once you have tasted of the Lord that you do not backslide.

Galatians 5- “Freedom in Christ- be careful not to abuse the grace of God.

Holy God demands that God’s people be holy.

Without holiness, you will not see the Lord.

This takes all the guess work out of what God expects.

Good people don’t make heaven, saved people make heaven.

Holy God sets standards.

Holiness is required.

Definition of holiness

Set apart; consecrated to God; allowing God to make us more like the image of Christ.

A man asked-

“How much religion must a man have to get to heaven?” That is the wrong question!

They want God’s full salvation, but do not want to serve God with all their heart.

He wanted enough religion to miss Hell, but not enough to serve Him.

Most people have a little religion, and even have less of a relationship with God. If you cannot feel comfortable in the presence of Jesus- you don’t need more religion, you need a relationship with Him.

What He requires of us is Holy living in an unholy world.

The only way you will be able to do that is to walk with God and heed his warnings.

First warning,

“See to it that no one misses the grace of God (yourself included) and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble.”

Bitterness destroys people- many believers struggle with bitterness.

Not able to let go of something that happened or something that someone did to them.

Bitterness is toxic! It poisons our thinking and can control our lives.

Holiness is a characteristic of God- Bitterness destroys what God is trying to do in your life.

The word here tells us that bitterness grows up. It is planted, watered, and it can take root and smother out all the things that God is planting in our lives.

Let’s grab this warning

Bitterness devastates you spiritually

All believers have a choice- walk in the flesh or walk in the Spirit of God.

We cannot always control what happens in our live, but we do control how we will respond

If you have bitterness in your life, you will not respond correctly- because your relationship with God has been affected.

Bitterness destroys you physically

You think about it all the time. You eat, sleep, talk, think, about it.

It is now your lifestyle.

The one that caused it, he/she doesn’t even think about it anymore. But you think about it 24/7 and won’t let God have it so He can heal you.

Proven fact that much of our illnesses are because of resentment and un-forgiveness and the inability to let go of past hurts and trials.

Bitterness drains you emotionally

Bitterness breeds discouragement

You take on a victims mentality instead of a winner mentality.

You become negative, critical, paranoid.

You think everyone is talking about you and is out to get you.

Some cannot sleep at night and are consumed with emotional baggage.