Called to HOLINESS #1
This is not a clever chosen topic, it’s a God calling for every Christian.
By Pastor George Lehman
”A man is what he appears in God’s eyes, and not the slightest bit more.”
We can outwardly put on an OSCAR award performance.
But God knows.
For us to see Jesus active and alive in our lives and our ministry “Holiness must be our lifestyle.”
Romans 11:36 (Amp) – For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.(For all things originate with Him and come from Him; all things live through Him and all things center in and tend to consummate and to end in Him] To Him be glory forever! Amen (so be it).
Romans 12:1 (Amp) – I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your seasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.
I don’t believe God is going to do a new thing. (Isaiah 43)
I read this prophetic word that went out some time ago !
Explain: God sitting as a judge in a Court room, banging with His gavel saying: “Order in My House”
Order comes when we put things back the way they were or where they are supposed to be.
Jeremiah 6:16 This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads* and look; ask where the good old way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.” Crossroads = is a place of decision-making.
We all want new Revelations, new interesting facts and new understanding
As God’s church we have chased after New Things.
And been disobedient to the Old Things.
We have sadly allowed the basic old way to slip by and therefore our foundation has crumbled.
We’ve become educated beyond our obedience.
(We know more than what we are obedient to.)
The New Converts pick up the bad habits of the old people.
God wants us to have “Revival.”
Revival is to bring back an active life that was once in our hearts and lifestyle.
Isaiah 66:1-2 – “This is what the Lord says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Could you build me a temple as good as that? Could you build me such a resting place?
2 My hands have made both heaven and earth; they and everything in them are mine. I, the Lord, have spoken! “I will bless those who have humble and contrite*(Berouvolle) hearts, who tremble at my word.
Hosea 10:12 – “It’s time to Sow Righteousness, its time to break up your unplowed ground, for its time to seek the Lord.
Make a choice to Plow up
That hardened heart, that disobedient lifestyle, that half hearted commitment.
God is calling His children to a “A life of Holiness”
Holiness is not: A once off experience, a Feeling or an emotion or an optional extra.
It’s a direct result of a Jesus filled heart.
A life of Holiness without Jesus in your heart is not possible.
1 Peter 1:15-16 (Amp) – 15“But as the One who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all your conduct and manner of living.” 16“For it is written You shall be holy for I AM holy.”
Leviticus 11:44 – “I Am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I Am holy….”
Holiness: Greek word used Hagiasmos and means: Sanctify – Purity – clean – to be different (dedicated to God’s purpose- Set apart.)
2 Corinthians 5:17 (Amp) -Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!
Jesus prayed this for us in
John 17:15-19 – “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by[a] the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
Can I just say this?
The holiness we are seeking goes much deeper than merely cleaning the outside of the cup. (Luke 11:39) we whitewash but God washes white.
True holiness does not come from following rules – (so many Christians make up their own set of rules about Holiness what’s right of wrong in their own minds – what God’s word says is not to important.) Holiness comes from following Jesus Christ
Being different being like Jesus
John 3:30 – “He must increase, but I must decrease. [He must grow more prominent; I must grow less so.]
Galatians 5:25 (Msg) – Since this is the kind of life we have chosen the life of the spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives.
This must be our Goal – our aim and our Determination.
If your goals are less than Christ likeness
If you are happy and content with yourself
This word on Holiness will pass right over you.
Isaiah 66:2 – This is the man to whom I will look and have regarded him who is Humble.
HUMILITY PRECEDES HOLINESS!!!
Allen Bond – “The bigger I grow in God, the smaller I become.”
A holy man is a humble man.
Why discuss Humility, while on the subject of Holiness?
Simply because holiness is the product of grace and God gives grace only to the Humble.
Jesus said:
Matthew 11:29 – “Learn of me. I am gentle (meek) and humble in heart.”
The holiest, most powerful voice that ever spoke described Himself as: Gentle, Meek, and Humble in heart.
It’s important we understand, Jesus did not condemn sinners. He condemned hypocrites.
A hypocrite is a person who excuses his own sin while condemning the sins of another.
No one can remain a hypocrite and find Holiness at the same time.
That’s why everyday the first step we take to Sanctification* (to be: Pure, clean, different, set apart and dedicated to His purpose.)
Is admitting we are not as Holy as what we would like to appear.
This 1st step is called Humility
1 Peter 5:5 (LB) – God gives special blessings to those who are humble but sets Himself against those who are Proud.
Pride is the only a disease known to man that makes everyone sick except the one who has it.
It’s at the crossroad*(Place of decision) that: Holy men and Hypocrites are Bred.
Those who choose Holiness see their need: Repent, change and pay the price, make the adjustments and “Run to win”
Those who choose to be Hypocrites see their sin, excuse it and remain unchanged.
A life of Holiness
Begins with our determined refusal to hide from the condition of our hearts
It will call for deep, serious honesty – everyday.
So many Christians want to live double lives:
Holy when it’s convenient.
Unholy when it’s inconvenient.
The very sad part of all this is: so many think it’s okay!
Think about this:
Hebrews 12:14 – Strive to live in peace with everybody and pursue that consecration and Holiness, without which no one will (ever) see the Lord.
“ORDER IN MY HOUSE.”
“What kind of house will you build for ME?” asks God
A half-hearted attempt is a wholehearted failure!
A man is what he appears in God’s eyes, and not the slightest bit more.
