Week 13 - Living Holy Lives

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

21 Days of Prayer and Fasting - TESIMONY TIME

NEXT SUNDAY - WATER BAPTISMS

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DECLARATION:

Ephesians 2:20–22 (ESV)

20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

SVCC is built by God, upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, and with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone.

We are joined together by union with Christ, we are growing, and we are a dwelling place of God by his Spirit.

Prayer for...

INTRODUCTION:

Review:

WHY?…

TODAY: Living Holy Lives Based on God’s Promises

Opening Scripture: 2 Cor. 6:14-7:4

2 Corinthians 7:1 “1 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.”

“Promises”

“Cleanse Ourselves”

“Bringing Holiness”

1) Our Promises (vv. 6:16-18)

2 Corinthians 6:16–18 “16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, 18 and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.””

God’s promise to dwell with believers and walk with them (v. 16b)

Picture of The Temple, Quoting Scripture on the Tabernacle, and applied to the picture of the family.

The promise of His presence

The great promise of God: “I will be their God, and they will be my people” (v. 16b)

Believers must reject religious defilement to enjoy being children of God (vv. 17–18)

We can have relationship but not fellowship.

We can be the prodigal or the other brother but not have true connection to The Father.

We can Follow Jesus and yet be influenced by the sinful world where we reside.

Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 40: 2 Corinthians (Second Edition) Comment

The promise of God’s approval and fellowship is based on the Christian’s desire and effort to be cleansed

2) Our Cleansing (vv. 6:14-16)

2 Corinthians 6:14–16a “14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols?

Belial - The Greek name Beliar originates from the Hebrew בְּלִיַעַל (bĕliyaʿal), which bears the meaning of “worthlessness” (LTW). A name for the devil found only in 2 Cor. 6:15 (originally perhaps a god of the underworld; cf. 2 Sam. 22:5; Ps. 18:4). Why Paul should choose the term is uncertain; possibly, but not very probably, he has antichrist in view (TDNTA).

***Picture - Tectonic plates***

The Danger of an Unequal Yoke:

Time magazine reported (1/22/95) that the earthquake in Kobe, Japan, occurred when two plates on a fault line fifteen miles offshore suddenly shifted against each other, violently lurching six to ten feet in opposite directions. The result was the worst Japanese earthquake since 1923. Thousands died. More than 46,000 buildings lay in ruins. One-fifth of the city's population was left instantly homeless. The destruction unleashed by those two tectonic plates depicts what happens when a Christian bonds unequally with a non-Christian. Two people committed to each other but going in different directions can only lead to trouble.

The separation clearly means from idols and not a total separation from the world.

Specifically, all of Scripture is concerned with separation from worshipping idols.

Four Items Related to Pagan Worship Prohibited in Acts 15:20 “20 but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood.”

The Items themselves are not wrong (1 Cor. 8:8), it is the worship of idolatry and being a stumbling black that is wrong (v. 8:9).

1 Corinthians 8:4–10 “4 Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” 5 For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. 7 However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. 9 But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols?”

Examples of Separating from the world today:

Stewardship of Resources - Good stewardship is spending wisely, saving diligently, and giving generously

Stewardship of Relationships - Who do you allow to have influence in your life?

Stewardship of Rational - Time management: Celebrate vs. tolerate

3. Our Holiness (vv. 7:1-4)

2 Corinthians 7:1 “1 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body [flesh] and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.”

1 Thessalonians 3:13 “13 so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.”

Paul gives them affirmation: 2 Corinthians 7:2–4 “2 Make room in your hearts for us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one. 3 I do not say this to condemn you, for I said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together. 4 I am acting with great boldness toward you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy.”

Holiness comes with overflowing joy

The goal is that in the midst of this world we overflow with the Joy of the Lord!

***Picture - Canary***

Story/Illustration :

A man had a fine canary whose song was unusually beautiful. During the summer, it seemed a shame to keep the bird inside the house all the time. So the owner placed the cage in a nearby tree for the bird to enjoy the sunshine and the fresh air.

Many sparrows frequented the tree and were attracted to the cage. At first the canary was frightened, but soon enjoyed his companions. But gradually and almost imperceptibly he lost the sweetness of the song. By the end of the summer his "singing" was little more than the twitter of the sparrows. Spending his summer in the wrong environment caused the canary to lose his finest song.

Conclusion/Reflection:

The promises of God, the journey of cleansing, and the embrace of holiness intertwine to shape a narrative of grace, transformation, and joy.

As we walk forward, may this journey be a testimony to the faithfulness of the One who pursues us, makes promises to us, and brings us joy in the pursuit of holiness.

Intro Testimonies from 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting

***Move baptistry at end of service***

Talk It Over

The call to separate from idolatry while engaging with the world can be challenging. How do you strike a balance between being in the world and avoiding idolatrous practices? What practical steps can you take to ensure that your engagement with the world is aligned with God's principles and does not compromise your commitment to holiness?

Reflect on your current relationships—both personal and professional. In what ways do you see the principle of being unequally yoked at play? How might recognizing and addressing unequal yokes contribute to healthier and more flourishing connections in your life?

How does the pursuit of holiness contribute to joy in your life? Are there specific areas in which you've experienced joy as a result of aligning with God's promises and seeking cleansing in your journey of faith?