Holiness of Heart and Life

Foundations • Sermon • Submitted 3 months ago • Presented 3 months ago

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1 Peter 1:15–16 ESV

but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

I. Introduction

As we continue in the fourth week of our five-week series on the Foundations of the Christian Faith, we delve into a facet that is foundational yet profound: holiness.

Every Christian denomination tends to bring its own theological emphasis that shapes its identity and message to the world.

Within the Methodist tradition, there lies a distinct focus on the holiness of God and what that means for our sanctification.

Even so, all traditions have recognized the need for holiness in the Christian life.

Holiness is better than morality. It goes beyond it. Holiness affects the heart. Holiness respects the motive. Holiness regards the whole nature of man.

Charles Spurgeon

Today, we will uncover the meaning of God's holiness, reflect on our call to embody this holiness, and explore how the Wesleyan tradition has engaged with this vital aspect of our faith.

Transition: Let us begin by grounding ourselves in the words of Scripture that inspire our reflections today, 1 Peter 1:15-16.

II. God's Holiness

1 Peter 1:15–16 ESV

but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

The first thing to note is that the writer is referencing Leviticus 19:2.

As with all texts, it is helpful to being with where Pter begins.

God

What does it mean for God to be holy?

There are several characteristics in Scripture that speak to what it means for God to be holy.

Transcendent: 1 Kings 8:27: "But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!"

Morally Perfect: Psalm 18:30: "As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him."

Pure: Habakkuk 1:13: "Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrongdoing..."

Possesses Integrity: Hebrews 13:8: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."

Just: Psalm 89:14: "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you."

Loving: 1 John 4:8: "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."

Incomparabile: Isaiah 40:25: "To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One."

What we see in these descriptions is that God’s holiness is beyond us but it is not beyond our responsibility.

Indeed, it has been correctly stated that to speak of God’s love without speaking about God’s holiness is to lie about God.

4661 There is a danger of forgetting that the Bible reveals, not first the; love of God, but the intense, blazing holiness of God, with his love as the center of that holiness.

Oswald Chambers

God’s holiness reminds us that whatever we want to say about faith, we must have God’s holiness at the absolute center of our understanding.

Is His holiness above us?

Yes

Are His ways more pure and perfect than our ways?

Yes

Shall we then lower God’s holiness to accommodate our ways?

Never

Imagine an infinite canvas of radiant light, untouched by shadow, representing the transcendent purity of God—vast beyond the cosmos as 1 Kings 8:27 declares.

Within its core, a heart of gold pulses with moral perfection (Psalm 18:30), its rhythm unchanging through time, symbolizing God's integrity (Hebrews 13:8).

Scales of justice rest upon a foundation solid and true (Psalm 89:14), surrounded by an aura of unfathomable love (1 John 4:8).

And beyond all, the horizon stretches, challenging every comparison, for there is none equal to the Holy One (Isaiah 40:25).

This is the holiness of God—absolute, unchanging, and above us, yet it is the very standard to which we are called, without compromise or dilution.

Now that we understand God's holiness, we can better understand God’s divine imperative for us—to seek holiness in our lives.

III. Being Holy

Ley’s again read 1 Peter 1:15-16

1 Peter 1:15–16 ESV

but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Now that we understand the character of God, we are in position to understand precisely what God has called us to in Jesus Christ……

God is not in the least interested in our character reflecting the character of culture.

God is not interested in a vapid and sickly version of life that calls for spiritual laxity.

He doesn’t ask us to reflect the ethics of family and friends.

Peter calls on us to be holy, just as God is holy.

PEter is not speaking out of turn, but is simply speaking to THE recurrect theme in the New Testament.

To be a disciple of Jesus Christ means making His way our way, and Jesus’ way is above reproach in holiness.

The New Testament Church understood perfectly what this means for believers.

Ephesians 1:4 ESV

even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love

2 Corinthians 7:1 ESV

Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.

Hebrews 12:14 ESV

Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

1 Peter 2:9 ESV

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Just as God is set apart in His holiness, we are called to be set apart as a people of holiness.

This is why it is terribly sad when the church begins to reflect culture.

It’s why progressive churches are dying by the thousands.

There’s nothing distinctive or set apart in them.

They reflect culture rather than standing apart from culture as a holy people.

Friends, to pursue holiness is to be consecrated for God's use…

to be different from the world

to live with purity of thought, word, and deed

to strive towards perfection in love.

Matthew 5:48 ESV

You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

To neglect this pursuit is to walk contrary to God’s will, to assimilate with worldly values, to be tainted by sin, and to fall short of love's ideal.

V. Application

How do we grow in holiness in our Christian walk?

The ways are not terribly different from what you already know.

We need only apply what we know……

Engage in daily prayer, seeking the Holy Spirit's power to conform us to the image of Christ.

Study the Scriptures, allowing God's Word to guide our decisions and behaviors.

Worship with the community, acknowledging God's presence and power in our midst.

Serve others with a heart of love and share the hope of the gospel with them.

Abstain from sins that dishonor God or disrupt our fellowship with Him and with others.

VI. Conclusion

As we draw near to the end of our sermon series, let us affirm that holiness is not only foundational to our faith but also to our identity as Methodists.

Let us pray for God's assistance to be holy in our conduct, to the glory of His name and our collective edification.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we seek Your strength and grace to live lives that reflect Your holiness. Guide us to embody purity, love, and justice in all we do, drawing closer to the example set by Your Son, Jesus Christ. May Your Spirit empower us to be beacons of Your light in this world, striving for holiness in every thought, word, and deed. Grant us the courage to stand firm in our faith and the wisdom to walk in Your ways, that we might glorify You in all aspects of our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.