Christlike Holiness

Worship

"Holy Forever" (Chris Tomlin)

"Great are You Lord" (All Sons & Daughters)

Worldly View vs. Kingdom View

Worldly View: Christian holiness is legalistic, boring, restrictive, and fake. It keeps you from having fun like everyone else and makes you judgmental.

Kingdom View: Christian holiness is freedom, devotion, and purpose. We are set apart by God to reflect his light in a dark and broken world.

Introduction

As students, you feel constant pressure to “code switch” and blend in with your environment like a chameleon. You change your language around one group, your standards around another, and your media habits online just to avoid looking different or maybe even being noticed. But chameleons only blend in because they’re hiding. Jesus calls His followers to live in a way that is distinct from the world.

Exposition

1 Peter 1:13–16 ESV

13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

1. Holiness begins with a choice.

1 Peter 1:13 ESV

13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Holiness doesn't happen by accident; it requires intentional mental discipline.

You absorb (and eventually reflect) what is around you and who is around you. Culture informs your thoughts whether you like it or not through music, social media, conversations with friends, etc.

If you don’t make a decision to filter what comes in, it has a molding effect on your mind and it’s a lot harder to filter what comes out (desensitization, short-form social media, language).

Milk sponge illustration

2. Holiness will make you stand out.

1 Peter 1:14–15 ESV

14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,

It is easy to do the same thing as everyone else (path of least resistance). It is much more difficult to do something different — especially if you don’t have a good “why.” When you do have a good “why,” it is much easier.

We all have comfortable, familiar patterns of sin that are easy to fall back into if we lose focus or get tired of going against the stream.

“Repentance” — not a one-time thing, but a daily choice to turn away from what is “natural” to us and choosing to follow Jesus’s example.

3. Holiness is your family resemblance.

1 Peter 1:16 ESV

16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Family resemblances illustration

There is a trap in holiness you must look out for. It is comparison — when we take the parts of us that look like Jesus and hold them up to other people. This always results in one of 2 attitudes:

Insecure — feeling bad about where we are at, and getting discouraged because we should be further along.

Judgmental — thinking we’re better than someone else, and looking down on them.

We are not called to be holy so we can measure up to someone else’s expectations. We are called to be holy because it’s how God called us to be (and is making us to be — sanctification) so people know whose family we belong to.

God sets us apart from the world, for his purpose.

Supporting Scriptures

Romans 12:1–2 ESV

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

John 17:14–18 ESV

14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.

Main Idea

We are set apart by God to reflect his light in a dark and broken world.

Challenge

Identify one specific area this week — your language, what you watch/scroll, how you treat your parents, or how you act in dating — where you've been blending in with culture. Draw a distinct line in the sand and choose to live set apart in that area this week. Note: holiness isn’t about trying as hard as you can, but saying “YES” to what God has called you to and allowing him to change you from the inside out.

Small Group Discussion Questions

Where do you feel the strongest pressure to "blend in" with culture at school, on sports teams, or online?

Why do you think so many people assume that living a holy life is boring, restrictive, or judgmental?

What does it look like in real life to "prepare your mind" (v. 13) when it comes to what you watch, listen to, or scroll through?

What is the difference between isolating yourself completely from non-Christians versus living among them while staying distinct?

How does knowing that God calls you His own change the way you look at choices regarding honesty, purity, or speech?

What is one practical area where you need to draw a "Distinct Line" this week? Remember, holiness isn’t about trying as hard as you can, but saying “YES” to what God has called you to and allowing him to change you from the inside out.