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The Holiness of God

The Holiness of God. “And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them: “You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.”’” (Leviticus 19:1-2).

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The Holiness of God

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  1. The Holiness of God “And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them: “You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.”’” (Leviticus 19:1-2)

  2. The Basis of God’s Appeal to Holy Living“Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’” (1 Peter 1:13-16) • We are to be holy because God is holy • Not an arbitrary, or capricious requirement • Holiness is to be defined by the nature of God, not the customs of men • Holiness should be present in every aspect of the Christian’s conduct

  3. Defining the Term “Holy” • qadowsh (Hebrew) – “pure, clean, free from defilement of crimes, idolatry, and other unclean and profane things.” (Gesenius, pg. 722) • God is pure, clean, and free from any defilement. Characteristically, He is holy • James 1:13 • He is perfect in his Holiness!

  4. James 1:13 “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.”

  5. God’s Holiness Demands Man’s Holiness • Book of Leviticus, where it is stated, “You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am Holy”, details laws for Israel regarding purity • Clean and Unclean foods (11:1-23) • Biological functions (12:1-8) • Disease (chapters 13 through 16) • Sexual Morality (chapter 18) • Sabbath keeping (19:1-3) • Idolatry (19:4) • Stealing, Lying, Hatred, Injustice, etc. (19)

  6. Leviticus 19:35-37 “You shall do no injustice in judgment, in measurement of length, weight, or volume. You shall have honest scales, honest weights, an honest ephah, and an honest hin: I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt. Therefore you shall observe all My statutes and all My judgments, and perform them: I am the LORD.”

  7. God is Holy! It is His nature, His character. He is perfect in His Holiness… Because God is holy, We must also be holy! “Because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’” (1 Peter 1:16).

  8. The Sanctification of Man We live in an unclean, unholy society We are called to be sanctified (separate) as the people of God 2 Corinthians 6:17-18

  9. 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 “Therefore ‘Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.’ 18 ‘I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the LORD Almighty.’”

  10. SanctificationA thorough understanding of sanctification, and an acceptance of the obligations it entails for us will go a long way to solving many of the problems that are found among God's people today! • First, the blessing of sanctification Christians enjoy outstrips that found in the old covenant • Hebrews 9:13-14

  11. Hebrews 9:13-14 “For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”

  12. SanctificationA thorough understanding of sanctification, and an acceptance of the obligations it entails for us will go a long way to solving many of the problems that are found among God's people today! • First, the blessing of sanctification Christians enjoy outstrips that found in the old covenant • Hebrews 9:13-14 • Additionally, that greater blessing bestows on the Christian a greater responsibility! • Hebrews 2:1-4

  13. Hebrews 2:1-4 “Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?

  14. SanctificationDefinitions • Sanctify (hagiazo) • To render or declare sacred or holy, consecrate... (2) to separate from things profane and dedicate to God to consecrate (Thayer) • Sanctification (hagiasmos) • “...is used of (a) separation to God... (b) the course of life befitting those so separated…” (Vine)

  15. SanctificationSanctification should be viewed in two ways… • An absolute sense, as a completed activity. A Christian is sanctified, or set apart from the world when he is baptized. He becomes a saint. In this sense it refers to his relationship with God • A relative sense, as a process that continues with a view to service. In effect, because a Christian has been set apart from the world as holy, his life must be an example of sanctification (cf. 2 Cor. 7:1)

  16. 2 Corinthians 7:1 “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”

  17. Sanctification in the Old TestamentThings sanctified (set apart as holy) by God • Lord’s word, Angels, Heaven, mountains and cities where God appeared, etc. • Certain Israelites: Priests, prophets, kings, Nazarites, the firstborn of man and beast • The sanctuary of God (tabernacle, and later, temple), perhaps the most visible symbol of holiness • Nation of Israel (as God’s chosen people) (cf. Exodus 19:5-6)

  18. Sanctification in the Old TestamentThere is a very clear distinction in the OT between things clean (sanctified), and unclean • Clean and unclean animals (cf. Leviticus 11) • Touching a dead body, leprosy, giving birth, etc. (Leviticus 12-15) • Sowing two different kinds of seed in the same soil; yoking together different kind of animals • These things were serious matters under the Old law! (Sacrifices had to be made for violations)

  19. Sanctification in the Old TestamentAnother Type of Uncleanness, SIN! • An Israelite became unclean when he sinned against his God (Psalm 106:39; Isaiah 64:6)

  20. Psalm 106:39 “Thus they were defiled by their own works, And played the harlot by their own deeds.”

  21. Isaiah 64:6 “But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.”

  22. Sanctification in the Old TestamentAnother Type of Uncleanness, SIN! • An Israelite became unclean when he sinned against his God (Psalm 106:39; Isaiah 64:6) • Unholy conditions required Sanctification! (Leviticus 5:1-6)

  23. Sanctification in the Old TestamentAnother Type of Uncleanness, SIN! • An Israelite became unclean when he sinned against his God (Psalm 106:39; Isaiah 64:6) • Unholy conditions required Sanctification! (Leviticus 5:1-6) • The Message: God’s People Must Be Holy Before Him!

  24. Sanctification in the New Testament • The Old Testament serves as a teacher for us as we examine the concept of holiness in our new covenant with God • As Christians we are saints (sanctified) • 1 Corinthians 1:2 • (Note: He called them saints even though they were failing in their Christian walk)

  25. 1 Corinthians 1:2-3 “To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

  26. Sanctification in the New Testament • The Old Testament serves as a teacher for us as we examine the concept of holiness in our new covenant with God • As Christians we are saints (sanctified) • 1 Corinthians 1:2 • (Note: He called them saints even though they were failing in their Christian walk) • In fact, the admonitions were because they had been called to holiness, and they were failing in that task! • Christians are a special people! (1 Peter 2:9)

  27. 1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

  28. Sanctification in the New TestamentThe definition of Holiness is more narrowly defined in the New Testament • The sphere of holiness in the New Testament has reference to morality, and obedience to the doctrine of Christ... not the ritualistic purity and impurity of the old • Matthew 15:10-20

  29. Matthew 15:10-20 “When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, ‘Hear and understand: 11 Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.’ 12 Then His disciples came and said to Him, ‘Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?’ 13 But He answered and said, ‘Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. 14 Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.’ 15 Then Peter answered and said to Him, ‘Explain this parable to us.’ 16 So Jesus said, ‘Are you also still without understanding?’ …

  30. Matthew 15:10-20 cont. … ‘Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? 18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. 20 These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.’”

  31. Sanctification in the New TestamentSanctification under the New Testamentis of a higher order • Hebrews 9:13-14

  32. Hebrews 9:13-14 “For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”

  33. Sanctification in the New TestamentSanctification under the New Testamentis of a higher order • Hebrews 9:13-14 • Therefore the demand for holy living is also of a higher order • 1 Peter 1:14-16; Ephesians 1:4; Romans 8:1; 1 Timothy 2:8; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Romans 6:19

  34. 1 Peter 1:14-16 “As obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’”

  35. Ephesians 1:4 “Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.”

  36. Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”

  37. 1 Timothy 2:8 “I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.”

  38. 2 Corinthians 7:1 “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”

  39. Romans 6:19 “I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.”

  40. SanctificationThe Application • Morality • Social Drinking • Immoral Dress • Mixed Swimming • Dancing • Gambling • Man/Woman Relationships

  41. SanctificationThe Application • Reverence in Worship • Tardiness • Inattention at Bible study and worship • Dress • Decorum during the Lord’s Supper • I recognize that these are outward, some may say superficial. However, they indicate what is within, and they are important both to God and his people

  42. SanctificationThe Application • Doctrinal Purity • Marriage, Divorce & Remarriage • Unity-In-Diversity (Romans 14; Gospel/Doctrine Distinction) • “Days” of Genesis 1 • Deity/Humanity of Jesus • Etc., etc., ad nauseum

  43. The Sanctification of Man The Bible’s Message to Man… “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:23). “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).

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