What is holiness

What we think of when we think of the word holiness.

A list of do and don’t. Holier than Though. Restrictive. Boring. Maybe is desire but seems like so far beyond us its simply unattainable. So we live on hoping it will happen by accident.

Holiness is important.

Hebrews 12:14 NIV

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

Big topic - this morning want to keep it simple. Prayer is that we will see while Holiness takes great effort - it is not our effort alone. And that far from being a chore or afterthought - it is lifes greatest joy and most worth while pursuit.

We are going to see what hoiness is by focusing on its purpose and then apply by thinking about what it looks like to pursue it.

What is Holiness.

Word we dont use. YET appears 600+ times in scripture.

Used to describe God. Sometimes used to describe place. And used to describe people. Told that people are and something they are to be at the same time.

"The quality of God and of the things and persons set apart for God that marks whatever possesses it as "different" and "other" than the ordinary things of creation. Thus when Moses met God at the burning bush, he was afraid and was told to remove his sandals, because the place was holy."

As we think about what it means for us to be Holy this morning here is my definition.

Set apart by God to glorify and enjoy God.

To grow in holiness - otherwise known as sanctification is the process by which grow more in love and obedience and service and enjoyment of God.

This morning - 2 reasons we are to be Holy, the finish with bit of practical what it looks like to pursue Holiness.

Be Holy because its God’s highest purpose for humanity

I want to work from Exodus (or even before) through to 1 Peter so we will see how Holiness is both our true identity in Christ, and is to be our greatest goal and striving by power of the Spirit.

Lets start then - Exodus 19, but before reading - wonder who can tell me - shout out. Headlines of journey in Exodus up to 19.

Then what about straight after. Chapter 20?

Really important. With that framework let me read passage again.

Exodus 19:1–6 NIV

On the first day of the third month after the Israelites left Egypt—on that very day—they came to the Desert of Sinai. After they set out from Rephidim, they entered the Desert of Sinai, and Israel camped there in the desert in front of the mountain. Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”

Order of Exodus is so helpful to see physical example of what it means to be Holy. Set apart.

Were people to be Holy so that God might choose them and give them better life?

God rescues his people because he has already set them apart. them Holy and calls them to be holy.

Go back further. Why does good chooses Abraham. God chooses him for no other reason than his grace and mercy. Go back to Noah.

In creation - did Adam and Eve do something that God might choose them above the rest of creation - of course not. Yet God chose to make mankind the pinnacle of His creation. In His image. God set them apart. He made them Holy that they above all might enjoy Him and all he has to offer.

Romans 8:28–29 NIV

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

God’s greatest purpose for mankind is that they be Holy. Something about being made in His image in Gen - Holiness. God is Holy. Set apart from all of creation. Perfect. And while humanity is part of creation - God set us apart. To rule and carefore creation. To enjoy unique relationship with Him.

Whole bible story from the fall is God working to restore and remake what the fall had ruined. This intimate relationship between God and His people. All out of His goodness.

So as we come to Exodus 6 that is what we see in dramatic events. Physical picture of Spiritual reality

Exodus 6:4–7 NIV

I also established my covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan, where they resided as foreigners. Moreover, I have heard the groaning of the Israelites, whom the Egyptians are enslaving, and I have remembered my covenant. “Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.

Leviticus 20:23–24 NIV

You must not live according to the customs of the nations I am going to drive out before you. Because they did all these things, I abhorred them. But I said to you, “You will possess their land; I will give it to you as an inheritance, a land flowing with milk and honey.” I am the Lord your God, who has set you apart from the nations.

Leviticus 20:26 NIV

You are to be holy to me because I, the Lord, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own.

Through bible story we see a journey by which God is working to set aside (make Holy) a people for himself. Freeing them from bandage, bringing them out of the wilderness and giving them purpose. 3 parts to this purpose

Firstly that they might enjoying an intimate relationship with their maker and each other in community.

Purpose of 10 commandments and laws that follow. What it looks like to enjoy fellowship with God and his people. Unity.

Second that he might bless them

Zephaniah 3:17 NIV

The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Malachi 3:17 NIV

“On the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty, “they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him.

So often think of Holiness as restrictive, or keeping out of headteachers office. But its purpose is that we might enjoy the best of what God has to offer. His desire is to delight in us and bless us.

Thirdly that he might show his glory to the world around.

Isaiah 42:6 NIV

“I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles,

Isaiah 49:6 NIV

he says: “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”

Incredible though that God involves us in his salvation plan to the world. Starts as he sets us aside and saves us, and continues as we live in right relationship with him and increasingly become like him. World might see God’s power and goodness.

God's greatest desire for his people has always been holiness.

That they might enjoy an intimate relationship with him as his treasured pocesison. Set aside for Glory and joy and peace and permanence and rest and fulfilment.

Prodigal Son

Seeking independence and fun flees. Takes inheritance and spends it. Rock bottom. What is Son’s deepest problem. physical situation?

He finds no fulfilment outside of the loving relationship he had with His father. Sin could not offer what he thought - even when he gave it everything.

Why talk about prodigal son? Come back to this later - but here because we need to re think Holiness. Prodigal Son thought his sonship was a restrictuion. obedience meant missing out. But what he discovered was that sonship was the greatest life. and disbedience led to death.

It’s what we see in OT. move from Exodus through to Judges to Joshua and beyond - Why does God chose a people for himself - so that they might know him and he might delight in them and bless them. In OT we only see it in glimpses because it doesnt last. But when God’s people are living under His leadership - they exprience his blessing. Peace and prosperity and safety. And the nations around are in awe of them, rulers come and recognise that the LORD is God.

God’s greatest purpose for us is that we be set apart for his glory. Set apart as his treasured possesion. His people. His children.

Why does call us to be Holy - because its the purpose for which we were made because it brings Glory to God - but also because its only path to a truly fulfilling and everlasting life. Holiness if a joy and privaledge. There is no greater thing.

Be Holy because Jesus has paid the price for your holiness

How can a sinful people enjoy a relationship with Holy God. If God is perfect and a just judge, how can he tolerate wickedness?

Another theme that runs through bible is sacrifice. Sacrifice. Starting outside garden of Eden after the fall - where God provides clothes of animal skin to over their shame. Blood was shed that their shame might be covered.

Exodus - blood of lambs sacrificed to protect God’s people at passover.

Whole sacrificial system in OLD blood spilt over and over to make atonement for sin so that people could approach God and be near to him.

How can we be a Holy people. How can sinner approach God at all never mind call Him Father? What kind of power can bring life to those who Paul describes as once dead in sin. What can free us from Satans grip?

Through blood of the perfect high priest Jesus - the sinless son of God who willingly gave his life, a willing once and for all sacrifice so that we might have sins forgiven, be washed clean, and raised to new life with him as Sons and daughters.

Colossians 1:20–23 NIV

and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

John 3:16 NIV

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Romans 5:8–9 NIV

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!

If we are going to desire holiness - pursue it. We need to see first of all that it has been given to us. Holy is who we are by the blood of Jesus.

Paul’s letter to churches are written to Holy people. Chosen people. Royal priesthood

We are no longer salves to sin but sons and daughters of loving heravenly father

We are not treated as our sins deserve but as his treasured possesion

We are those who have been brought from Kingdom of darkness into Kingdom of light.

We are a new creation - the old has gone and the new has come

We are those who have been reborn into Spiritual life.

We are being conformed to the image of Christ

Because through faith we are united to Christ in His ressurection life.

WE MUST GET THIS. PURSUIT OF HOLINESS DOES NOT COME OUT OF GUILTY CONSCIENCE OR DESPERATE ATTEMPT TO GET RIGHT WITH GOD - BUT IN KNOWING THAT THE PROICE IS PAID AND HOLY IS WHO WE ARE. THAT OUR LIVES MIGHT BE AN OUTPOURING OF GRATITUDE AND JOY AND ASSURANCE AND HOPE

Romans 8:38-39 nothing can separated us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. We are his. If you are trusting in Jesus as your Lord and Saviour - Satan has no hold on you.

Come back to the prodigal Son. It was a huge cost for the father to welcome the Son back. Not only financial. But reputation. We get hints of this in that he ran - not something respectable people would do in those days. He embraced a son that had rejected him. He treated him as if he had never left. You could imagine people saying what a fool - how naive - but for Father - simple. He loved his son and there was no cost too great.

If you are trusting Jesus you are the prodigal son who has been welcomed home at the Fathers delight.

(tempted to thinik of God like headmaster or hard taskl master who begrudingly lets us off the hook but keeps a close eye waiting for us to trip up and nod dissappoitedly. Maybe you need to hear that his morning. He delights in you. Doesn’t hold on to sin and mistakes. Doesn’t treat you according to your sin. Price is paid. He delights in you as he delights in his own son. Because through faith you are uniited to him. He he longs for you to enjoy the best life. A holy life. To fulfil the purpose for which he made you.

Be Holy By pursuing Jesus above all others

1 Peter 1:14–16 NIV

As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 

If we have put our trusrt in Jesus then Holy is who we are. And so our lives, our desires, our actions should flow out of that identity. As those chosen by God to enjoy him and bring him glory.

Romans 12:1 NIV

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

Two marriages. Fearful wife under abused husband

cleans and shops and cooks for fear of his displeasure. Exhausting. Trapped. Miserable. Constant failure.

Happy wife under a loving husband.

She cleans and cooks and shops because she knows she is loved and it is her delight to prepare the home for his return. that they might enjoy an evening together. And he returns and they embrace. Enjoy dinner. talk about their days and share in joys and trials. He in turn washes up not because she demands it but because he appreciate her and wants her to enjoy rest.

In a loving marriage each party seeks to please one another. They become increasinly of one mind and heart. Wanting to please the other because of the love they have. The more they spend time together the more the husband know what pleases and displeases his wife. The more they spend time together the wife know what excites and what exasberates the husband. As they have kids the kids grow up they know what makes their parents tick. And they seek to honour them.

Point of this. How do we grow in Holiness? Spend time with Jesus. Spend time with his people. Thrust of NT pretty sure is focused on following Jesus.

Focus on Jesus.

Jesus says I am the way the truth the life.

Jesus wants us to have life and life to the full

Follow him

Fix our eyes on him hebrews - why he is the author and perfector of faith.

Be rooted and established in him

We are not to move from him

We are to abide in him

For to live is Christ.

All NT letter written to churches. (Preaching through Romans discovered about unity - list of names with instruction to keep each othe rin the Lord)

Whole NT is a call to pursue Jesus with all we have by keepoing instep with the Spirit and trusting in His power. So that we might be conformed to his image and prepare for eternity. So that we might live life to the full.

Application

Is Holiness our greatest ambition or have other things taken over our priority for life. I’ve found this really challenging coming out of full time ministry back into secular work - how easy it is for worldly goals to take over. How easily my priority can be what I earn over what I have been given. Etc..

Are you investing in the relationship that matters most? If you are trusting in Jesus you are Holy. He has chosen you to be His. Nothing can seperate you from his love. Will you delight in him above all other things.