Holiness: for every child of God?

Key passage for the quarter: I Peter 1:13-16

• I Peter 1:14 – not conforming yourself to your former lusts
• I Peter 1:15 – He who called you is holy, you also be holy.
• I Peter 1:16 – “Be holy, for I am holy.” See Leviticus 19:1-2.

Why is holiness confusing to some people?

• Misconceptions
  • Isn’t holiness only descriptive of a select few?
    • No, it is for all Christians. But God’s laws apply whether you submit to them or not.
  • Isn’t holiness a characteristic to describe those who are self-righteous and hypocritical?
    • No. Those who are self-righteous and hypocritical are not holy in the way God demands of us.
  • Isn’t holiness unattainable? Wouldn’t you have to be perfect (sinless) in order to be described in such a way?
    • No, because God demands holiness of us and God doesn’t ask things of us that we can’t achieve.
  • Aren’t holy people just plain strange?
    • It depends on the perspective of the person asking the question!
  • Is holiness optional as far as Christian living is concerned?

Holiness is for every child of God

• I Peter 2:9 – a chosen generation, a holy priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people
• Titus 2:14 – His own special people, zealous for good works
• II Corinthians 6:17 – Come out from among them and be separate
• I Thessalonians 4:3-7 – the will of God, your sanctification … God did not call us to uncleanness, but in HOLINESS
• I Peter 1:14-16 – not conforming yourselves to the former lusts … you also be holy in all your conduct
• Ephesians 4:22-24 – to put off your old self … be renewed … put on the new self … created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and HOLINESS

Introduction

• Psalms 119:1-6 – We should develop to the point that we delight in God’s word.

That this is important

• Romans 8:5
• Colossians 2:21-3:2
• II Timothy 1:5; 3:14-15 – Timothy’s mother and grandmother made sure he knew the scriptures.

That focus is possible

• Galatians 5:22-23
• Psalms 119:36-37
• Proverbs 25:28 – The important of self-control.

That questions are welcome

• II Samuel 11:2-4 – At some point, we need to have talks about marital relations with our kids.
• Don’t let the world take the initiative away from you on talking about difficult topics.

That the Bible belongs in our lives, not just at the church building

• Deuteronomy 6:6-9
• Deuteronomy 4:1
• James 1:21

A practical book

• James 1:2, 19, 22, 27; 2:1; 3:10; 4:4, 14; 5:12, 16

James 1

James 1:1 – Which James is this?

• People named James in the New Testament
  • James, son of Zebedee (apostle)
  • James, son of Alpheus
  • James the less – Mark 15:40
  • James, father of Judas the apostle
  • James the brother of Jesus – probably this man wrote the book of James, but not sure
    • Matthew 13:55
    • John 7:5 – Jesus’s earthly brothers did not believe.
    • I Corinthians 15:7
    • Acts 12:17
    • Acts 15:13
    • Acts 21:18
    • If these are all talking about the same James, he went from not believing in his own brother to being a prominent man in the early church.
• “bond-servant” – Compare Romans 1:1.
• “to the twelve tribes” – See Acts 8:1

James 1:2-4

• Be joyful when hard times come!
  • Acts 20:19
• We are building endurance by handling trials. It is good for us!
• Endurance is part of being perfect and complete. We become mature and have all the parts we need.
  • James 3:13; 4:8; 5:11 – Action!

James 1:5-8

• Wisdom – the capacity to understand and act accordingly.
• How does God give wisdom?
  • James 3:15
  • Scripture – II Timothy 3:16-17
• “without reproach” – God does not give grudgingly. We should not be hesitant to ask!
• We must ask in faith and not waiver or doubt.

James 1:9-12

• This may be talking about how we should glory in our trials, no matter what sort of change in position may be involved.

Joshua 22

Joshua 22:1-9 – Reuben, Gad, half tribe of Manasseh go to their tents

• See Numbers 32; Joshua 1 regarding their obligation to help continue the fight. At this point, these tribes have been away from their new home for about six years.

Joshua 22:10-34 – Misunderstanding about altar almost leads to war.

• Joshua 22:26-28 – The altar was to be a witness between the tribes to show that they were united.
• Thankfully, the tribes communicated and resolved the issue. This is a good reminder to go directly to the person you have an issue with.

Joshua 23

Joshua 23:1-16 – Joshua’s farewell speech

• “These nations which remain” – Joshua 23:4, 7, 12-13
  • God would end up using these remaining nations to punish Israel.
• “just as the Lord your God promised you” – Joshua 23:5, 14
  • See Genesis 12:7.
• “for if you ever go back” – Joshua 23:6-8, 11-13, 15-16
  • Centuries later, they would be removed from the land by invading armies.

Joshua 24

Joshua 24:1-13 – God reminds them of His help through the years.

• God’s PERSONAL help through the years: “I took … I gave … I sent … I did …”

Joshua 24:14-28 – Joshua warns them to obey.

• Joshua 24:15 – No excuses. You choose who you will serve.

Joshua 24:29-33 – Joshua and Eleazer die. Joseph’s bones are buried.

Introduction

• II Timothy 3:14-17
• I Peter 2:2

“Every interpretation of the Bible is equally good.”

• II Timothy 2:15

Truth: There is only one truth, and we should strive to unify on it.

• Ephesians 4:1-6
• Matthew 15:1-14 – They were adding their own traditions on to God’s law.
• Ephesians 4:4 – There is one church.
• Ephesians 1:22; 5:23 – Body refers to the church.
• John 15:5 – Are there different branches of Christianity? No, denominations are not spoken of in the Bible. Jesus is speaking of His apostles here.
• Matthew 7:1 – Jesus is condemning hypocritical judging. Compare Matthew 7:15 where Jesus was teaching them to judge rightly.
• Romans 14:1-14, 20 – This passage is talking about things that are not sinful on their own.
• Romans 16:17 – There are some things that are just wrong!
  • Hebrews 13:14 – Adultery is just wrong!

“Jesus offers unconditional acceptance.”

• Luke 15:1-6

Truth: Jesus demands repentance!

• Matthew 4:17
• Hebrews 6:1
• Acts 20:21
• Matthew 11:20-24 – These people had no excuse. Jesus rebuked them for failing to repent.
• Matthew 23:33
• Mark 2:15-17 – Jesus dined with sinners, but He never approved of their sin.
• Mark 3:6 – What would provoke this kind of response? Jesus was teaching hard things.
• Luke 23:34
• II Peter 3:9
• Luke 17:3
• Acts 2:23, 36-38 – Despite Jesus’ prayer, Peter was still holding them to account for this sin.
• Acts 3:14, 19-20
• Romans 1:32
• Ephesians 5:6-12 – Beware the wrath of God! God does not tolerate sin.