An Introduction to Holiness (Lesson 13)
Notes
Transcript
14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
I. Holiness is essential to salvation:
I. Holiness is essential to salvation:
A. After the new birth experience, a conflict arises between the flesh, which is our old sinful nature, and the new nature, which is the Holy Ghost.
A. After the new birth experience, a conflict arises between the flesh, which is our old sinful nature, and the new nature, which is the Holy Ghost.
1. The flesh must continually be crucified in order that we may live to the Spirit, or in obedience and submission to the Spirit.
1. The flesh must continually be crucified in order that we may live to the Spirit, or in obedience and submission to the Spirit.
2. In our struggle to walk with God we are fighting a battle for our souls.
2. In our struggle to walk with God we are fighting a battle for our souls.
a. The devil does not want you to be holy, he knows the power of holiness.
a. The devil does not want you to be holy, he knows the power of holiness.
3. This battle is a battle for holiness, and we must win it in order to be saved.
3. This battle is a battle for holiness, and we must win it in order to be saved.
a. It is the work of the Spirit to crucify the old man and transform our lives. This is a continuous process.
a. It is the work of the Spirit to crucify the old man and transform our lives. This is a continuous process.
i. Sanctification is an ongoing process.
i. Sanctification is an ongoing process.
b. Resistance comes from our carnal mind and nature which must be subdued and brought into submission to the Holy Ghost.
b. Resistance comes from our carnal mind and nature which must be subdued and brought into submission to the Holy Ghost.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
i. Personal holiness is voluntary, you must desire to become holy as God is holy.
i. Personal holiness is voluntary, you must desire to become holy as God is holy.
ii. It is only through our submission to the spirit, and obedience to the Word of God that we can change our nature.
ii. It is only through our submission to the spirit, and obedience to the Word of God that we can change our nature.
iii. The carnal mind refuses to submit to the law of God- You must be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
iii. The carnal mind refuses to submit to the law of God- You must be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
II. The Essentiality of Separation from the World:
II. The Essentiality of Separation from the World:
A. God is holy and He demands that His people be a holy people so that they will be like Him.
A. God is holy and He demands that His people be a holy people so that they will be like Him.
15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
B. The only way to restore the original communion between man and God is for man to be separated from sin.
B. The only way to restore the original communion between man and God is for man to be separated from sin.
1. God’s holy nature does not allow Him to commune with the sinful.
1. God’s holy nature does not allow Him to commune with the sinful.
C. The choice for mankind is either separation from God or separation from sin.
C. The choice for mankind is either separation from God or separation from sin.
1. You cannot be a partaker of sin and of the things of God also.
24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
2. We cannot be spotted with the sinful and ungodly things of this world and expect to find acceptance from God.
2. We cannot be spotted with the sinful and ungodly things of this world and expect to find acceptance from God.
3. Holiness is the method by which we separate ourselves from the world and bring ourselves into a right relationship with God.
3. Holiness is the method by which we separate ourselves from the world and bring ourselves into a right relationship with God.
a. We cannot be a part of the sinful elements of this world and expect God to accept us.
a. We cannot be a part of the sinful elements of this world and expect God to accept us.
b. If we want to have relationship with God, we must separate ourselves from the sinful and unclean, and commit ourselves to holiness.
b. If we want to have relationship with God, we must separate ourselves from the sinful and unclean, and commit ourselves to holiness.
1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
III. Our Lives Should be Offered unto God as a Living Sacrifice:
III. Our Lives Should be Offered unto God as a Living Sacrifice:
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
A. The formation of holiness in our lives demands a sacrifice of our desires and of our will.
A. The formation of holiness in our lives demands a sacrifice of our desires and of our will.
1. Our greatest desire must be to please God and not to serve the flesh.
1. Our greatest desire must be to please God and not to serve the flesh.
2. Before we came to God we served our flesh and were servants of sin. Now we must become the servants of Christ.
2. Before we came to God we served our flesh and were servants of sin. Now we must become the servants of Christ.
B. We must present ourselves in a manner that is acceptable to God.
B. We must present ourselves in a manner that is acceptable to God.
1. The only way God will accept us is if we are living in obedience to His Word.
1. The only way God will accept us is if we are living in obedience to His Word.
2. In our lifestyle, we are to prove what is acceptable to God.
2. In our lifestyle, we are to prove what is acceptable to God.
a. The word “prove” in Rom. 12:2 means “to test, to approve’.
a. The word “prove” in Rom. 12:2 means “to test, to approve’.
b. The word “acceptable” in Rom. 12:2 means “fully agreeable”.
b. The word “acceptable” in Rom. 12:2 means “fully agreeable”.
c. The object of the Christian life is to become fully agreeable with God, God’s nature, and God’s Word.
c. The object of the Christian life is to become fully agreeable with God, God’s nature, and God’s Word.
C. We should be willing to do anything to make ourselves acceptable to God, regardless of the sacrifice.
C. We should be willing to do anything to make ourselves acceptable to God, regardless of the sacrifice.
1. We should refuse to allow anything to hinder us in living for God.
1. We should refuse to allow anything to hinder us in living for God.
D. We must be holy and separated in order to be acceptable to God.
D. We must be holy and separated in order to be acceptable to God.
IV. Holiness is imparted by the Holy Ghost.
IV. Holiness is imparted by the Holy Ghost.
A. Man can only become holy through divine assistance.
A. Man can only become holy through divine assistance.
1. The works of the flesh cannot make me holy.
1. The works of the flesh cannot make me holy.
2. It takes the power of the Holy Ghost reigning in my life to make me holy.
2. It takes the power of the Holy Ghost reigning in my life to make me holy.
B. Sanctification (separation) begins with the hearing of the gospel and continues through faith, repentance, and water baptism in Jesus name; but it is accomplished primarily by the infilling and indwelling of the Holy Ghost. God chooses to write his laws on our hearts through faith by the Holy Ghost.
B. Sanctification (separation) begins with the hearing of the gospel and continues through faith, repentance, and water baptism in Jesus name; but it is accomplished primarily by the infilling and indwelling of the Holy Ghost. God chooses to write his laws on our hearts through faith by the Holy Ghost.
1. We do not live for God because of outward ordinances, but because of His Spirit that dwells in our hearts.
1. We do not live for God because of outward ordinances, but because of His Spirit that dwells in our hearts.
2. Our obedience is only made possible when we are in submission to the Holy Ghost.
2. Our obedience is only made possible when we are in submission to the Holy Ghost.
16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
D. All Holy Ghost filled people who allow themselves to be led by the Spirit have the laws of God written upon their hearts.
D. All Holy Ghost filled people who allow themselves to be led by the Spirit have the laws of God written upon their hearts.
1. The Holy Ghost will teach us the difference between right and wrong.
1. The Holy Ghost will teach us the difference between right and wrong.
2. The Holy Ghost will quicken us or warn us when we are erring.
2. The Holy Ghost will quicken us or warn us when we are erring.
3. You cannot be following the Spirit and not obeying the Word, the Spirit does not contradict the word.
3. You cannot be following the Spirit and not obeying the Word, the Spirit does not contradict the word.
E. Being led of the Spirit means that we can be led by a conscience, and by the impressions and convictions of the Holy Ghost.
E. Being led of the Spirit means that we can be led by a conscience, and by the impressions and convictions of the Holy Ghost.
1. The battle is the submitting of our flesh to the leading of the Spirit.
1. The battle is the submitting of our flesh to the leading of the Spirit.
2. The principle of New Testament salvation is that men will be filled with the Holy Ghost and totally submit their lives to its guidance.
2. The principle of New Testament salvation is that men will be filled with the Holy Ghost and totally submit their lives to its guidance.
3. If we were truly holy in our nature, in our mind, and in our attitude the Pastor would not have to preach or teach holiness as often, because the Spirit would keep us living holy.
3. If we were truly holy in our nature, in our mind, and in our attitude the Pastor would not have to preach or teach holiness as often, because the Spirit would keep us living holy.
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
4. If you will learn to hear and to obey the Holy Ghost it will be easy to live as God desires for you to live. The Holy Ghost will confirm everything you see or are taught in the Word.
4. If you will learn to hear and to obey the Holy Ghost it will be easy to live as God desires for you to live. The Holy Ghost will confirm everything you see or are taught in the Word.
F. We have a fundamental basis for holiness resident within us when we receive the Holy Ghost.
F. We have a fundamental basis for holiness resident within us when we receive the Holy Ghost.
1. We have God living in us and all we have to do is allow His nature to conquer and change our nature.
1. We have God living in us and all we have to do is allow His nature to conquer and change our nature.
2. It is the uncrucified, uncommitted flesh that causes us to struggle spiritually.
2. It is the uncrucified, uncommitted flesh that causes us to struggle spiritually.
3. We must bring the flesh into subjection to the Spirit in order to perfect holiness.
3. We must bring the flesh into subjection to the Spirit in order to perfect holiness.
1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
a. Holiness is not an option, God demands holiness of His people.
a. Holiness is not an option, God demands holiness of His people.
b. If we truly love God it will be our desire to be holy.
b. If we truly love God it will be our desire to be holy.
c. Paul says that we are to perfect holiness, to bring it to completeness. We do not want a form of godliness or holiness, without the power thereof.
c. Paul says that we are to perfect holiness, to bring it to completeness. We do not want a form of godliness or holiness, without the power thereof.
V. We Have a Responsibility to Learn About Holiness:
V. We Have a Responsibility to Learn About Holiness:
A. Holiness is taught to us by the Holy Ghost that dwells in us.
A. Holiness is taught to us by the Holy Ghost that dwells in us.
26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
1. We need to pray and ask God to give us strong convictions. You must believe truth with all of your heart.
1. We need to pray and ask God to give us strong convictions. You must believe truth with all of your heart.
2. We should desire to be holy simply because God is holy and we have an earnest desire to be like Him.
2. We should desire to be holy simply because God is holy and we have an earnest desire to be like Him.
3. The Holy Ghost will convict us of all unholiness, but we must yield to its influence.
3. The Holy Ghost will convict us of all unholiness, but we must yield to its influence.
a. Your will must be surrendered to the will of God.
a. Your will must be surrendered to the will of God.
b. Holy Ghost taught holiness must become a personal conviction.
b. Holy Ghost taught holiness must become a personal conviction.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
B. Holiness is taught to us by Holy Ghost filled Teachers and Pastors.
B. Holiness is taught to us by Holy Ghost filled Teachers and Pastors.
1. A teacher is a gift from God, given for the perfecting of the saints.
1. A teacher is a gift from God, given for the perfecting of the saints.
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
2. The struggle for perfection is bringing the flesh into subjection to the Word and Spirit of God.
2. The struggle for perfection is bringing the flesh into subjection to the Word and Spirit of God.
3. The ministry is given to the church to instruct the saints and to help them win the struggle for holiness.
3. The ministry is given to the church to instruct the saints and to help them win the struggle for holiness.
4. We need to ask God to help us to be obedient to our spiritual leadership.
4. We need to ask God to help us to be obedient to our spiritual leadership.
a. We should pray that God would help us to submit to our Pastor and to his teaching.
a. We should pray that God would help us to submit to our Pastor and to his teaching.
b. The holiness standards and doctrines that our Pastor teaches us must become personal convictions.
b. The holiness standards and doctrines that our Pastor teaches us must become personal convictions.
5. You will not always immediately understand everything that you are taught, but if you will obey and be submissive God will give you understanding.
5. You will not always immediately understand everything that you are taught, but if you will obey and be submissive God will give you understanding.
17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
6. The fact that we do not understand some principles of holiness and godliness is evidence that we need a Pastor to teach us.
6. The fact that we do not understand some principles of holiness and godliness is evidence that we need a Pastor to teach us.
7. The understanding of holiness comes through obedience.
7. The understanding of holiness comes through obedience.
a. If you will not submit and obey, you will never understand, because you have left faith and obedience out of living for God.
a. If you will not submit and obey, you will never understand, because you have left faith and obedience out of living for God.
C. Holiness is taught to us by the Bible.
C. Holiness is taught to us by the Bible.
1. The Bible does not try to give specific answers to the countless situations that may face an individual, but the Bible gives us principles by which to govern our lives.
1. The Bible does not try to give specific answers to the countless situations that may face an individual, but the Bible gives us principles by which to govern our lives.
2. Dealing with the specifics of holiness is the purpose of the Holy Ghost and of the Ministry.
2. Dealing with the specifics of holiness is the purpose of the Holy Ghost and of the Ministry.
a. The Holy Ghost will give you guidance in the practical application of Bible principles.
a. The Holy Ghost will give you guidance in the practical application of Bible principles.
b. The ministry as expounders of the Word will help you to gain a depth of understanding in the Word.
b. The ministry as expounders of the Word will help you to gain a depth of understanding in the Word.
i. The Pastor must make a practical and contemporary application of the scripture.
i. The Pastor must make a practical and contemporary application of the scripture.
ii. It is the responsibility of the pastor to set standards for the church.
ii. It is the responsibility of the pastor to set standards for the church.
3. The Bible does give us basic guidelines concerning holiness that apply to men and women of all cultures, times, and situations.
3. The Bible does give us basic guidelines concerning holiness that apply to men and women of all cultures, times, and situations.
a. The Bible will never be out dated, because it gives sound principles that will work in any time or place.
a. The Bible will never be out dated, because it gives sound principles that will work in any time or place.
i. You must fully understand a principle before you can know how to apply it.
i. You must fully understand a principle before you can know how to apply it.
b. Many times it is the obedient practicing of teachings, concerning a not yet comprehended standard, that brings us the revelation of the principle.
b. Many times it is the obedient practicing of teachings, concerning a not yet comprehended standard, that brings us the revelation of the principle.
i. The majority of your convictions are going to be a result of obeying preaching and teaching.
i. The majority of your convictions are going to be a result of obeying preaching and teaching.
4. The Bible defines for us what God likes and what He dislikes.
4. The Bible defines for us what God likes and what He dislikes.
5. The Bible tells us what practices and attitudes that God will not accept, and those which he expects of His people.
5. The Bible tells us what practices and attitudes that God will not accept, and those which he expects of His people.
6. Our goal is to please God and the easiest way to do that is to be obedient to His Word and to His ministers.
6. Our goal is to please God and the easiest way to do that is to be obedient to His Word and to His ministers.
a. Those who do not live a life of obedience to the Spirit of God and to the Word of God, and Man of God are not the sons of God.
a. Those who do not live a life of obedience to the Spirit of God and to the Word of God, and Man of God are not the sons of God.
b. Those who do not allow the Spirit of God, the Word of God and the Man of God to correct them and teach them are not the sons of God.
b. Those who do not allow the Spirit of God, the Word of God and the Man of God to correct them and teach them are not the sons of God.
8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
VII. Understanding Holiness from a Personal Perspective:
VII. Understanding Holiness from a Personal Perspective:
A. Holiness is an individual problem, you are personally responsible for
allowing God’s nature to be formed in you.
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
1. This does not allow each person to make his own rules for being
saved, but it means that each must carry out or accomplish his own
salvation with fear and respect.
2. Salvation is ultimately the individuals own responsibility, obedience is
left up to you.
17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
*Your failure to obey what you have been taught makes you a sinner.
*It is the ministry’s responsibility to teach and establish holiness, it is
your personal responsibility to obey and apply it to your life.
3. After receiving the new birth experience, each person has to make
sure that he endures to the end of the race.
a. You will never make it to heaven if you do not develop a spirit of
submission and obedience.
*Rebellion and disobedience is the spirit of Lucifer.
b. You cannot reach the goal if you do not follow the prescribed course.
4. You must maintain the spiritual experience that God has given you.
14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
*You must walk faithfully and consistently with God.
5. It is the responsibility of the ministry to teach us the things of God,
but it is up to us to obey them.
*I cannot make you live right, you will only live right if it is in your heart
6. When a minister preaches or teaches with authoritativeness and
firmness he is simply fulfilling his obligation as a spiritual leader.
*The minister is fulfilling the responsibility of His calling and of His
office when he preaches truth without fear or favor.
B. Holiness can only be maintained by having a true love for God and a deep
love for truth in our hearts.
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1. We can only live a holy life by loving God, and not loving the world,
which is under Satan’s control.
2. Only a real love for God will create a desire in us to avoid everything that
is not like God and everything that is not conducive to experiencing His
presence in our lives.
3. When we love God, our Father and Savior, we want to obey His Word
and please Him.
4. God’s Spirit in us helps us to be obedient, we must simply yield to His
Spirit.
*No one can consistently live for God out of fear, you must love God.
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
*Some questions we need to answer;
“Do you love God enough to obey Him”?
“Do your love God enough to serve Him?
VIII. Some Basic Principles of Holiness.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
A. The Bible teaches us the essential elements of true holiness.
1. These three scriptures describe the essence of practical holiness.
2. The underlying purpose of any specific standard of holiness is to help us abide by these basic principles.
3. The full and proper application of these principles to our lives would bring a significant change to our lifestyle.
B. We must not act or look like the sinful and ungodly world around us.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
1. We must avoid even those things which have a suggestion of, or a resemblance to evil.
*Our objective is not only to not look like the world, but to exemplify or look like God.
2. The question should not be: “How closely can we resemble the world and still get by?”
*It should be our desire to get as close to God as we can, the closer we get to God, the farther we will be from the world.
3. We should ask ourselves the following questions:
a. “What can we do to be as close to God as possible?”
b. “How can we live so that there will be no doubt to the world that we are identified with Jesus Christ?”
c. “What areas of my Christian life and consecration do I need to improve?”
C. We must learn to be temperate in all things.
25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
1. We should always exercise self control and restraint.
2. Our flesh must always be in subjection to the Spirit.
3. Temperance also means that everything should be done in moderation
and not to extremes or excess.
*If heaven is our goal, we know that we should abstain from and avoid anything that would hinder us from reaching our goal.
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
D. The principles of nonconformity to the world and temperance in all things are the keys to understanding every area of holiness.
1. You must understand that the objective is to get closer to God, and in order to do that you must be separate from the world.
2. We are not simply trying to be different but we are trying to be Godly and holy.
3. Holiness makes sense and is practical when we view it from the proper perspective.
*We are trying to be like Jesus, our goal is to please Him.
4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
*We must keep ourselves separated from the world so that we can draw closer to God.
*The things that are in this world hinder us from having a close relationship with God, it is only by abstaining from these things that we can develop a deep relationship with God.