The Call to Holiness (The Power of Holiness)

Morning today is nice and I want to go online and those who listen to podcast later and Austin this month, it's the power of Holiness and the title. The lord gave me is the cold hardiness. I'm going to start by making you think which may not help with my puppies, aren't even nevermind. Sorry. How many buses can you think of that? Start with the word be? Anyone call out. so, I think I just call out Be strong and courageous. That's a good one. Joshua 1:9, anyone else? Another great room talk to you. Some 46 verse 10. Be still and know that I am. God.

Be home.

Thank you. We are coming to that and I'll give you one more James. 1:22. Be do is of the word only. There's only deceiving your own selves. I'll be honest. And I cheated. How do you understand the verse that starts with the word be? I hear it in my heart as a come-on, not in a harsh way, but neither is it merely a suggestion? In the Army. If a commanding officer gives an older, it's not up for debate. But for us, I'll come on down. Officer is love.

I called is love as it says. For example, in 1 John 4, verse 8. Love that is so gentle that it will not break a bruised Reed as it says in Matthew 12:20, a information a bruised. Reed is really easily snapped. Love. That is so powerful that wants who is without sin, Jesus chose to fulfill his Destiny and be tortured and murdered on the cross for our sins. Despite as he says, it's his arrest and mighty 2653, having the option of asking God, for more than 72,000 Angels, active service, Love that is so wise that he finds a way to combine Justice, and mercy, as Jesus did fix on for when the woman was caught in adultery, was brought to him the Lord demanded that she be stoned to death. And he said that the one without sin, be the first to strike of the Stone. When we see the word be to put it this way, I'll come on down officer love. It's give me an instruction with no alternative option. In Greek, the meaning of the word be includes to begin to be to become. In other words, it may be the start of a journey or somewhere in a process. I read that as well as the expectation is not of immediate Perfection. The instruction is mandatory so he comes home buying verse for today as we're being a helpfully pointed out, one Peter 1:15 and I'll read it from the NIV that's one p2115 but just as he who calls you is Holy, so be holy in all you do. Holiness is not an option. God in his Holiness is so powerful that he invites us into the process of becoming holy like he is in my opinion, it would take power. The power of true love to make us. Holy If we have surrendered Our Lives to him as Lord and Savior and invitation is open to all by the way. If we recognize Jesus sacrifice on the cross for our sin and his resurrection from the dead, then this invitation this instruction to be holy is for us, and it's not one that we can refuse. It comes with surrender. I'll put it another way. This honor is for us to become like him and it comes at a cost.

I relay the great was means sacred physically. Pure morally blameless, consecrated or set apart. Dedicated for Divine Purpose, I find that a helpful way of putting it. I recently started reading the biography of James Hudson, Taylor, Who's heard of James Hudson Taylor. And I want to take and he was born In 1832 and you won't traction a. So that's going to take against his name. For those who know, my husband's yorkshiremen James came from really old and Ray beginnings and went on to found the China in Inland Mission is an absolutely amazing story, a face and self-sacrifice and I'm not even read much of it yet. But something to encourage your soul is that absolutely nothing in his background qualified. Him for the call, he received from the Lord, but he went to extrude to go to China, but he went to extraordinary lengths in practical ways to prepare for it. I'll just give you one example. He and the Willing cousin even found out the meaning of over 500 Chinese characters, using one tract of the Gospel of Luke that they had in Mandarin on a message. I devised of comparing it to a gospel, the gospel in English of leg. At Seventeen, James has had the revelation of what Christ has done for him, but went beyond head knowledge to his heart and surrendered his life to the Lord. I'll call right now to encourage your Christian parents and those with children in their lives. In speakable value of years of study discipline in a Christian home. Now, became apparent, he was in a position to make rapid progress. The Bible was familiar territory. A land of promise, waiting to be possessed. Prayer. What's the natural expression of a heart long accustomed to turn to God? I'm sure his parents were a fight like the rest of us, but did that best? I caught a snippet of a podcast recently, where a guy was talking, who's the son of well-known? Christian teaches to paraphrase? What he says home life wasn't tool speaking in tongues, and they were children, what he did mention? However, was what he learned subconsciously from what he overheard. For example, how his parents address, different issues, spoke to each other at cetera. Anyway, James Hudson Taylor. Spiritual growth wasn't a straight line of progression either. But one day, he went up to his room to be alone with God, I quote Well, do I remember he wrote long? After as in unreserved consecration, I put myself my life, my friends, my all on the altar, the Deep solemnity that came over my soul with the assurance that my offering was accepted. The presence of God became Anna, Tripoli real. Stretching myself on the ground online that before him with unspeakable, all and unspeakable, joy. A deep Consciousness that I was not my own took possession of me that has never since been removed. This is woman's experience of dedication to Divine Purpose. That is one expression of the meaning of Holiness is both an invitation and a challenge to his old to understand from the Lord, while we are on this journey to honestly, ask him to show us any hindrances to this and be prepared to change.

1 Peter 1 15 test but just as he who called you is Holy so be holy in all you do. Remember, in over YouTube. All that we do. We all dedicated for Divine Purpose? The classic Amplified Bible says, be wholly in all your conduct and manner of living. Why does God coolest instructors to be highlight? I think think it can feel huge even overwhelming as an instruction. So I think an important starting point is to remember that the motive for this instruction is love God's motive for asking us to do anyting is love. Even if it costs us and it's painful, but he is loved. And he knows the end from the beginning, which is why he asks us God wants us his children to be like him, how often do parents and others Delight in seeing themselves and their children or pointing out the seminar, the something about sharing who you are and having that common Bond. Even now some yeah it's off to my parents have passed Simon will sometimes say for example but I say oh just like my mom did and apparently I spend like my dad.

There's something about it. So women can see something of my parents in me. Similarly, God wants people to see him a Heavenly dance in US. As it says in Ephesians 5 verse one. And I'm reading from the Amplified version 5 verse one, become imitators of God, copy him and follow his example as well being of children, imitate that father. To get the contest. It goes on to talk about walk in love as Christ, loved us. Well, so I'm not going to dwell on that right now. I don't think we can separate Holiness and love. If Holiness is dedication to Divine Purpose, then love is one aspect of them. I would also like to suggest that this instruction to be holy is not only because it's what's best for us. But because it's how God designed us, he designed us to be consecrated to him dedicated to him. Think back to the Garden of Eden and the fellowship, the Adam and Eve had with God before sin spoiled everything. To repeat 1 Peter 1:15, this time in the New Living Translation but now you must be holy in. Everything you do just as God, who chose you is? Holy In this pool to Helena's and everything that it entails never forget, but it's because you are loved and chosen. Let this be the anchor for our souls as we consider the power of Holiness and start to get to grips with what it means for us. Let's look briefly other well-known passage at the beginning of the book of Isaiah chapter 6, in the Old Testament, where the prophet Isaiah had a vision in approximately 740 BC. At the bridge that slightly to focus on the relevant parts. So I signed a six-month going to read from vs128 as long as 6128. I saw the Lord high and exalted Seated on the throne and the train of his robe. Filled the temple. Above him with seraphine Majestic beings with no equivalent to one another. Holy holy holy is the Lord Almighty. The whole earth is full of his glory. At the sound of a voice, says the doorposts and thresholds Shook, and the temple was filled with smoke. Words to me, I cried I am ruined, but I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the king, the Lord Almighty. Then one of the seraphim through to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongues from the Ulta with it. He touched my mouth and said, see this is touched your lips. Your guilt is taken away until sin atoned for Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, whom shall I send and who will go for us? And I said here, am I send me?

In the presence of the one. True God, even the seraphim cover, their faces and feet, such is the power of God's holiness, which clearly consumes that Focus. Even at the entrances into God's presents, the Dual pipes and thresholds, shake at the expression of God's holiness. Altered by the seraphim. The Purity and power of God's holiness is clearly Beyond expression in Earthly language. And God says be holy because I am Holy. It's no wonder the eyes are responses. He does wear to me. I cried, I am ruined. I am a man of unclean, lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the king, the Lord Almighty.

This revelation of God's holiness that comes from his presence cuz he's on his way to become fully aware of his own sinfulness. I would suggest that the emphasis on his lips, it's something to do with his words. In other words, what comes from the Overflow of his heart as Jesus says, in Matthew 15 11, what goes into? Someone's mouth, doesn't defile them. But what comes out of their mouth, that is all to files. Them also becomes aware of the impact of the spiritual environment, in which he lives on the contrast to the holy place of God's presence.

Isaiah 6 verses 6 to 7, someone that has been one of the seraphim 32 me with a live coal in his hand which he taken with tongues from the Ulta. With it, he touched my mouth and said, see this is touched your lips. Your guilt is taken away and you'll send a tone for At the point of I saw as awareness of his simplesite go doesn't leave him in a state of guilt and potentially condemnation, he does something about it. Now, since Jesus has died and risen again at the point where we become aware of all states of Symphonies, there is the opportunity to recognize that God has already done something about it. Noticed it wasn't God himself but a Serafin a servant being in his presence. Who did something about it using that which God had provided? We too can be. Seventh others and let them know but God has done something about it. Sometimes we might need that reminder ourselves that doing time and condemnation weren't help. We need to Humble ourselves to recognize the price that Jesus Paid is even greater than I'll send it covers even that whatever it says The sites then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, whom shall I send and who will go for us? I know I said here. Am I send me? I'd also like to point out that I feel a sin, didn't disqualify him from working for the Lord, from representing him, because it's the Lord who qualified him, it was the Lord's choice to appoint him. The qualified him and the Lord took care of the rest, but it was still out trying to say, yes,

The Apostle Payton had a similar experience as reported in the New Testament in the Book of Luke chapter 5. Jesus was standing by the lake going to stare at a crowd. Wants you to hear him teach. So we got into a boat which belonged to Simon and asked him to put out a letter. Go to read from Luke 5. Verse is 10:56. That's Luke 5 verses 4 to 11. When he was finished speaking he said to Simon put out into deep water and let down the nets for a cat. Simon on set master. We've worked hard all night and haven't Court anything but because you say so I will let down the Nets. When they had done say, they called such a large number of fish that the Nets began to break. So the signal that part, that's in the other birds to come and help and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon pizza sold as he fell on his knees and said, go away from me to Lord. I am a sinful man that he and all his companions were astonished at the catch. A fish that they had taken. So, with James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners. Then Jesus said to Simon. Don't Be Afraid from now on. You will fish for people. So they pulled that b, a Poncho left, everything and followed him. This is a familiar story, too many, let's not miss the point. The Lord wants to make today. Simon Pages. At the end of his shift, he's probably tired and wanting to go home. He was probably be disheartened. I said, quote nothing and this was their livelihood, that means of supporting their families. Nonetheless this didn't stop Simon from sharing Jesus basic. Courtesy when he all swimming to put out the boat

Simon was in a great position to listen to Jesus teaching. Something about it when Jesus a carpenter by trade as well as a rabbi told. Simon, a professional fisherman, to do something that didn't make sense. With respect to fishing, Simon did it and got some miraculous whole What was Jesus purpose? The Blessed Simon. Yes. Although he could have done it in many different ways for someone who Jesus could have said boat, fill up with money and it would have done. But the way Jesus chose to bless Simon mentioned, taking a step of Faith by acting on what Jesus said. before he committed to following Jesus and then seeing the miraculous abundant provision Is Jesus who created the money? It would have taken no face on Simon's part to receive it.

When Jesus is in your boat, don't expect business as usual.

Then we come to the main point here for today. Luke 5 verse 8, when Simon Peter saw this here fella cheese his knees and said, go away from me. I am a sinful, man. Nights at the impact on Simon Peter at the miraculous. It was nothing wrong with Jesus teaching. It was Jesus. I thought there was something about the miraculous, the brought the revelation of Holiness that created Simon peaches awareness of the true state of his spiritual self. and with it came the revelation of who Jesus was It went from Mazda in Fast, Five to load in verse 8. And let's look at Jesus response to Simon Pace in fast, 10. Then Jesus said to Simon. Don't Be Afraid from now on. You will fish for people. They pulled that bites, a puncture left, everything and followed him. That's Grace, isn't it? Don't be afraid. He addressed some is Pete Simon. Peaches. Emotional need before proclaiming the cool on his life. This is similar to what happened to as I wasn't it. With the revelation of Holiness came man's revelation of his sinfulness. Then came God's mercy to address, then came the coal.

James Hudson, Taylor story was similar in some respects, like I said his spiritual growth, wasn't it straight line of progression even off to his genuine dedication to the Lord. To quote, somehow the same to gap between the power of the Lord Jesus to save to the uttermost and the needs of everyday life. The good tea long today, he did not and the evil. He hate it too. Often have the most Ray, something I suspect that we can all relate to the opposed to pulse at the same thing in Romans 7. But it goes on Hudson Taylor had not yet learned to cry. Thanks be to God the law of the spirit of life in Christ. Jesus has Set Me Free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8 verse 2

At such times to cool stays open to the troubled soul. One is to abandon the ideal. I'm gradually sink down to a low level Christian Life, in which there is neither Joy. No power. The other is just to go on with the Lord and because of his exceedingly, great and precious promises claim complete deliverance. Not only from the get-go but also from the mall straight as Sin. Nothing could satisfy Hudson Taylor now but I'm broken fellowship with God. He pushed on. The specific Revelation that hits home and helps us keep going maybe different for each of us. As I have new. Father knows knows. His passing me and treats us as individuals But this is one promise, this is valid for his ol. It's in James 4, verse 8, James 4, verse 8, come near to God, and he will come there to, you come near to God, and he will come there to you, wash your hands, you Sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. The Amplified Bible is helpful here. It says come close to God with a contrite heart and he will come close to you. The invitations come close to God remains open to his old now. This is how we do it with a contrite heart, genuinely repentant and the promises that he will come close to us. Washing our hands is about repentance and cleansing from sin. We do things without hands but it's good and wrong. So wash your hands with the wrong that we do it. Some by repentance and receiving forgiveness by faith. Being double-minded pollutes. Our hearts at The Message Bible put set, quit dabbling in sin purifier in a life. The lord gave me a word for someone not today. I don't know whether you hit someone here in the room, someone watching online or someone who's going to the turnoff to its the podcast. But it says you've been trapped in habitual sin for some time now and whilst, you know, is wrong, you've not been truly committed to making any changes. Today, I invite you to make that commitment to me. It's obviously not something to be taken lightly, but if you do, I will cut you free from the stronghold of addiction. Will that you will still need to go through the process of changing? You thought habits your presence of thought? You may need external help with this. Don't be proud and try to do it alone. Accepting help from others is a process that changes people to in a positive way. If you accept my invitation, then asked me to show you where to get the help and trust me to provide

go back to Hudson, Taylor's biography. What was it? That kept him from the life, which he longed? What was the secret of his freaking fania on backsliding and hard? Was that something not fully surrendered? Some disability insurance for unfaithfulness tonight. 70 prayed that God would show him the hindrance, whatever it might be and enable him to put it away. He had come to an end of self to a place where only God could deliver. Like Jacob in Genesis 32 26, he felt compelled to cry out. I will not let you go, unless you bless me. I'm going to leave it there because I'd like to have to spend a few minutes and pray. I loving heavenly father has called us to be holy as he is. Holy But I'm not sure, I'm sure I'm not the only one who sometimes finds themselves doing or saying or thinking what they don't want today because I know it's wrong. I'm not doing what they know is, right? An honoring to the Lord. So let's pray. Cool. What about the showroom says I have stuff. Father God, thank you for the honor and privilege that you call us to be holy because you are holy. We know it's going to cost us and yet we know it's worth it to become like yay. Please show us whether something not fully surrounded, some disappearance or unfaithfulness tonight and help us her dress it on the sleigh with you. It's, we all sit in Jesus name, knowing that you've heard us cuz you promise to always do say thank you, Lord, all men.