Called to Be a Distinct People for God

God has always desired a people set apart for Himself, a people who love, worship, and serve Him. This desire is evident from the creation of Adam and Eve, who were meant to live in communion with God. However, sin entered the world, bringing lawlessness, darkness, and death, which God cannot tolerate. Therefore, He calls His people to come out and be separate from these things. This separation is not about isolation but about living distinctively in the world, as Jesus and His disciples did. They were in the world but not of it, bringing light to dark places without being tainted by them.

Separation from the world involves distancing ourselves from the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. These are the things that defile us and war against the Spirit. God desires us to be consecrated, set apart for His purposes, much like the priests and offerings in the Old Testament. This consecration involves both outward actions and inward purity. Samson's life illustrates the danger of being outwardly consecrated but inwardly defiled. Despite his supernatural strength, his lust and pride led to his downfall. Yet, even in his failure, God used him to deliver Israel, showing that the empowerment of God's Spirit does not equal the endorsement of human choices.

In the New Covenant, we are the temple of the living God, and He desires to dwell among us. This requires us to be separate from unbelief, lawlessness, and idolatry. Jesus came to cleanse us, to lay the axe at the root of the tree, addressing not just outward actions but the heart's condition. We must be vigilant, for the Spirit of the Lord can depart from us without our awareness if we do not maintain our consecration. Like Samson, we may find ourselves blinded and bound if we allow the lusts of the flesh to lull us to sleep.

Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us, and He calls us to be a holy nation, a royal priesthood. We are to be distinct, not just in appearance but in character, embodying love, peace, and joy. As the temple of God, we must be cleansed from earthly desires, allowing the Spirit to fill us with His presence. In doing so, we become a house of prayer, a place where God dwells and works through us to bring His light to the world.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God desires a people set apart for Himself, not isolated but distinct in their love and service to Him. This separation involves living in the world without being of it, as Jesus and His disciples demonstrated. [09:12]
• 2. Separation from the world means distancing ourselves from the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. These are the things that defile us and war against the Spirit. [10:36]
• 3. Samson's life illustrates the danger of being outwardly consecrated but inwardly defiled. Despite his supernatural strength, his lust and pride led to his downfall, showing that the empowerment of God's Spirit does not equal the endorsement of human choices. [28:23]
• 4. In the New Covenant, we are the temple of the living God, and He desires to dwell among us. This requires us to be separate from unbelief, lawlessness, and idolatry, maintaining our consecration both outwardly and inwardly. [18:26]
• 5. Jesus came to cleanse us, addressing not just outward actions but the heart's condition. We must be vigilant, for the Spirit of the Lord can depart from us without our awareness if we do not maintain our consecration. [53:21]
  ** [53:21]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [03:19] - The Problem of Last-Minute Preparation
• [04:16] - God's Desire for a Set Apart People
• [05:32] - The Call to Be Separate
• [07:22] - Separation vs. Isolation
• [09:12] - Jesus and the Disciples' Example
• [10:36] - The Lust of the Flesh, Eyes, and Pride
• [12:16] - Consecration in the Old Testament
• [14:01] - God's Conditions for His Presence
• [17:25] - The New Covenant Temple
• [18:26] - Being the Temple of the Living God
• [25:44] - Jesus' Teaching on Heart Condition
• [28:23] - Samson: A Lesson in Consecration
• [31:40] - Samson's Strength and Weakness
• [53:21] - The Danger of Spiritual Complacency
• [58:31] - Jesus Cleanses the Temple
• [62:13] - A Call to Be a House of Prayer

1. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
2. 1 John 2:15-17
3. Judges 16:22-30

1. What does 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 say about the relationship between believers and unbelievers? How does this relate to the concept of being "set apart"? [18:26]
2. In 1 John 2:15-17, what are the three things mentioned that are in the world? How do these relate to the sermon’s discussion on separation from the world? [10:36]
3. How does the story of Samson in Judges 16:22-30 illustrate the consequences of failing to maintain one's consecration? [49:38]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the difference between separation and isolation, and how did Jesus and His disciples exemplify this? [09:12]

1. How does the concept of being the "temple of the living God" in 2 Corinthians 6:16 influence a believer's daily life and choices? [18:26]
2. What does the sermon imply about the dangers of spiritual complacency, as illustrated by Samson's story? How can this be applied to modern believers? [53:21]
3. How does the sermon interpret the empowerment of God's Spirit in relation to human choices, particularly in the context of Samson's life? [28:23]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Jesus' cleansing of the temple is a metaphor for personal spiritual cleansing? [58:31]

1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you are "yoked" with unbelief or worldly desires? What steps can you take to separate yourself from these influences? [18:26]
2. Consider the concept of being "in the world but not of it." How can you engage with the world around you without compromising your faith? [09:12]
3. Samson's story warns against the dangers of being outwardly consecrated but inwardly defiled. Are there areas in your life where you might be putting on a show of faith without true inward transformation? [28:23]
4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of vigilance in maintaining one's consecration. What practical steps can you take to ensure that you remain spiritually vigilant and aware? [53:21]
5. Jesus calls us to be a "house of prayer." How can you cultivate a personal and communal prayer life that reflects this calling? [58:31]
6. Reflect on the sermon’s discussion of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Identify one specific area where you struggle and develop a plan to address it this week. [10:36]
7. How can you embody the characteristics of a "holy nation" and "royal priesthood" in your daily interactions with others? What changes might you need to make to better reflect these qualities? [04:16]