Scripture: 1 Peter 1:10-16
Theme: Holy Living
This sermon is about Living the Holy Life – Holiness. A Life that 1. Lives in Awareness of God’s Presence 2. A Life that Feeds on God’s Holy Word 3. A Life that Leans into Others
INTRO:
Grace and peace from God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit!
I want to talk to you today about Holy Living – in short, Holiness. Holiness is a subject that is avoided nearly as much by the Church as by the World at large.
We don’t seem to have an issue when we associate the world holiness with the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY. Most people can joyously sing songs like:
+Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty - Hymn
+Holy is the Lord – Chris Tomlin
+Holiness Unto the LORD - Hymn
And yet, when we make the transition to speak about personal holiness; human holiness, we often begin to pause. We tend to shrug off such ideas, downplay the possibility and may even go as far as to reject the idea of human holiness.
At various times in the history of the Church there has been a tremendous push back from those who promoted holiness by labeling them as Holy Rollers, Holier-than-thou, Religious Freaks or Modern-day Pharisees.
There are even some in the church who would rather be labeled as a little sinful than to be labeled with one of those names – Holy Roller or Religious Freak.
And yet, over and over in the Scriptures, as we see in our passage this morning there is this call to be a holy person. To be holy because the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, the Good God of Creation is holy.
Whether we like the term or not or even want to be called a holy person, the fact remains that from the beginning of the Bible to the end of the Bible, we are called to be God’s Holy People. God has called us to experience a life of authentic holiness.
I think what has happened is that we have looked at Jesus’ encounters with the Pharisees and scribes and as a result have misunderstood authentic holiness.
+While it is true that it appeared from the outside that some of the scribes and Pharisees were holy – the way they dressed, the way they would separate themselves from others and the way they moved around telling everyone that they were holy.
+That in fact, many of them were not living a life of authentic holiness.
If we want to know what holiness looks like we must look at Jesus and then at those who have turned their lives over to Him. We must look at those who have allowed the Holy Spirit to infill them and then spent their lives learning, following and obeying the Lord’s teachings and commandments.
So, what exactly is holiness and how do we go about becoming God’s holy people?
+Holiness is simply being set apart for God. Holiness is being set apart from sin and evil and being consecrated to God and His Mission in our everyday living. It is not something for a very few individuals. It is in fact God’s design for all His People.
+Holiness is not something that we can achieve by our own will and efforts. There is no holiness trophy or certificate that we can attain by our own merits.
+Holiness is a gift of God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ and allowing the Holy Spirit to infill us, transform us, lead us and guide us.
This morning let’s reflect on a few simple ways to live a life pleasing to the LORD – a life of what Simon Peter and others would call a life of holiness.
I. Holiness is Living in an Awareness of the LORD
Some have called this living in awareness - “Vine Time” reflecting on Jesus’ words in John chapter 15.
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch can not bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in them, they will bear much fruit.” – John 15:1-5
In that passage Jesus reminds us of the importance of spending quality time with the LORD even as a branch spends time in the Vine. According to Our Lord, this points to an on-going relationship and not a once and done action. Our relationship with the LORD is to be an everlasting, growing and dynamic relationship.
David sings about this in Psalm 16. Listen to David’s words:
The Lord—Our Safe Place in Life and Covering in Death
16 Keep me, O God, for I am safe in You. 2 I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord. All the good things I have come from You.” 3 As for those in the land who belong to You, they are the great ones in whom is all my joy. 4 Those who have traded for another god bring many troubles on themselves. I will not take part in their altar gifts of blood. And I will not take their names upon my lips.
5 The Lord is all that I am to receive, and my cup. My future is in Your hands. 6 The land given to me is good. Yes, my share is beautiful to me.
7 I will give honor and thanks to the Lord, Who has told me what to do. Yes, even at night my mind teaches me. 8 I have placed the Lord always in front of me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be moved. 9 And so my heart is glad. My soul is full of joy. My body also will rest without fear. 10 For You will not give me over to the grave. And You will not allow Your Holy One to return to dust. 11 You will show me the way of life. Being with You is to be full of joy. In Your right hand there is happiness forever. (NLV)
David understood what it took to live a life being aware of God’s presence and mercy. David lived a life of holiness; a life of being committed and separated to God.
Now, of course was David perfect – No.
Did David mess up more than once – Yes.
Being holy – living a life of holiness does not mean that you are incapable of messing up, committing a sin or even turning away from the LORD. If that were the case, then it would mean that we could lose our free will or that we become some type of programmed spiritual robot.
Being holy – is staying aware of the LORD. It is abiding with and in the LORD throughout the day. It’s leaning in to enjoy God’s Presence and Power. It’s conversing with the LORD, sharing with the LORD your heart, your feelings, your thoughts and each day becoming more and more in tune with the Lord’s heart.
It’s becoming God’s best friend. This is what we see happening in the lives of Abraham, Moses and Daniel. It’s what we see happening in the lives of Hannah, Deborah and Mary.
All of them learned throughout their lives how to become God’s friend. They did that by merely spending time with God throughout the day. They talked to God. They shared their deepest hurts, hopes and dreams. And by doing so, they became more and more like their friend – the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY.
And that leads us to our second point.
II. Holiness is Feeding on God’s Word
When Jesus’ was tempted in the Wilderness, He turned to Scripture.
“It is written,” ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” – Matthew 4:4
“Again, it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.” – Matthew 4:7
“Then Jesus said to him. ‘Be gone Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him shall you serve.’” – Matthew 4:10
Psalm 119:11 reminds us:
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”
This morning, I believe it would be good for us examine what was going on in the house church that we find in the city of Berea. We find Luke writing about them in Acts 17:10-15
“The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men. But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also, they came there too, agitating and stirring up the crowds. Then the brothers immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there. Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens, and after receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they departed.
These Bereans knew what it meant to live daily in God’s Word. They would come together to discuss what was written and what God wanted them to do. As a result, we see that they:
+Were open to receive all of God’s Word – both the Written and Spoken Word.
+ They compared the words and messages of Paul with the words of the Law and the Prophets – they allowed Scripture to speak to Scripture.
+They listened to the Holy Spirit as they were led to protect Paul by sending him to a place of safety.
+They continued to have Silas and Timothy stay and teach them more. It was their desire to know more so that they could live closer to the LORD and enjoy the Abundant Life.
A great deal of the tension and anxiety that the Church faces today would be over in just a few minutes if it would remind itself that God has spoken about a great many things already in His Word. A lot of what the Church faces today has been dealt with in the past. God has already given His Word/Direction on a great many matters.
Perhaps that is the rub. We must either agree that God’s Word is God’s Word or that it is just a collection of words like that of any other faith or religion. When we adopt the latter attitude then everything is on the table and we find ourselves in confusion, in arguments and in disagreements.
However, when we take a high view of Scripture. When we believe that what we have in our Bible is truly God’s Holy Word then a great deal of things are taken care of immediately. God has told us how to live. All we must do is to read His Word, allow His Holy Spirit to testify to that Word and then go and live it out in our daily lives.
III. Holiness is leaning into the Gifts that God Gives Us
One of the most exciting things that God has done for all of us is to provide us with some spiritual gifts of our own and surrounded us with people who have other spiritual gifts.
Each of us have special talents/skills/gifts that God has given us. Some of us can teach well while others know how to deal in matters of finance. Some of us can create things with our hands while others of us know how to draw and design things on paper or are skilled in the art of medicine, biology and science. Some of us are right at home taking care of people’s physical needs while others of us are better at digging ditches or growing a garden.
On top of that each of us has our own unique personality. Some of us are sanguine in nature while others are melancholy. Some of us are introverts while others are extroverts. Some of us want to be in charge while others just want to be left alone and in peace. Some of us are always seeking to bring life to the party while others are so competitive that they must have a win in everything.
Since the time before God took a rib out of Adam and created Eve, humankind needed companionship and community. We are not complete without other people.
Elijah needed Elisha. Moses needed Joshua. Naomi needed Ruth. Martha needed Mary.
We all need one another. And when we lean into one another it takes our walk of holiness up another step. You see it in the lives of those in the Bible and in history.
John Wesley helped George Whitfield and in return George Whitfield helped John Wesley.
Billy Graham needed George Beverly Shea and George Beverly Shea needed Billy Graham.
We need one another. When we lean into each other’s gifts/talents/personalities we can learn a lot from one another. We can use our spiritual gifts and talents to help others and we can glean a lot of knowledge, understanding and insight from all those around us if we are just open and receptive.
The Bible says that “Iron sharpens iron” (Proverbs 27:17) and that “two are better than one” (Ecclesiastes 4:9).
In the New Testament we read these words:
“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11
“Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:2
“To each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” – 1 Corinthians 12:7
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:” – 1 Peter 4:10
Holiness is not to be lived out as a single note. It is rather to be a part of symphony of lives contributing, leaning in and adding their unique voice and flavor. It’s coming together under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
We need each other to be holy.
Holiness is not something we need to be afraid of or stay away from.
Holiness or Holy Living is what we are all called to do in this life.
After all, when we live on the New Heaven and New Earth that is all that we will find – people living holy lives before a Holy God. Sin, disease, corruption, harm, wickedness and death will no longer exist.
As we close this morning – let me challenge you to live the best life you can – the life of holiness –
+Living in awareness of God – make it a point each day throughout the day to talk to God – make it a commitment to be God’s best friend.
+Feed on His Word – become a Person who not only has a Bible but allows the Bible to show you how to live. Become a Person of the Word – read it and allow it to read you.
+Lean into all those around you – learn from them, help them become the people that God wants them to be and allow them to help you become the person that God wants you to become.
As we close this morning, Guy Penrod sings a song (Take My Life) that I would like for us to hear – a song that as he sings you may want to sing with him. A song that as you hear it allow it to be your prayer this morning and allow it to help you become a person of holiness – a person who is doing their best to be God’s best friend.
Song – Sharing of Holy Communion - Blessing
