Embracing Holiness: A Legacy of Faith and Obedience

Devotional

Day 1: Offering Our Rewards to Jesus

The pursuit of heavenly rewards is not about personal gain but about having something to offer Jesus in worship. This perspective shifts our focus from earthly recognition to eternal significance, reminding us that our ultimate goal is to glorify God. The desire for heavenly rewards is not about personal glory but about having something to lay at the feet of Jesus, acknowledging that all glory belongs to Him. This perspective challenges the notion that serving God for rewards is selfish; instead, it emphasizes the ultimate act of worship and humility in heaven. By focusing on the eternal, we align our lives with a higher purpose, seeking to glorify God in all that we do. [00:41]

Revelation 4:10-11 (ESV): "The twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 'Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.'"

Reflection: What earthly achievements or rewards are you holding onto that you need to offer to Jesus as an act of worship today?

Day 2: Embracing Holiness as a Distinct Lifestyle

Holiness is about being distinct and separate from the world, even if it means being perceived as different. This distinction is a reflection of our commitment to God and should be embraced as a badge of honor rather than a source of shame. Holiness is not merely about adhering to a set of rules but about embodying a lifestyle that reflects our commitment to God. It is about being distinct and separate from the world, even if it means being perceived as different or peculiar. This distinction is not a source of shame but a badge of honor, as it aligns us with the righteousness of God. [01:57]

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."

Reflection: In what ways can you embrace being distinct in your daily life, even if it means standing out or being misunderstood by others?

Day 3: Trusting in God's Wisdom Through Obedience

Understanding the "why" behind our beliefs is important, but sometimes God requires obedience without explanation. This obedience is a testament to our trust in God's wisdom and sovereignty, much like a child trusting a parent's instruction. While previous generations may have followed commands without question, today's generation seeks understanding. However, we must recognize that sometimes God requires obedience without explanation, much like a parent instructing a child. This obedience is a testament to our trust in God's wisdom and sovereignty. [05:25]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where God is asking for your obedience without providing a full explanation? How can you trust Him more in this area today?

Day 4: Honoring Our Spiritual Heritage

The story of the Rechabites illustrates the value of honoring the teachings of our elders. Their unwavering commitment to their forefather's instructions, despite lacking a direct command from God, resulted in a lasting blessing. The Rechabites adhered to the instructions of their forefather, Jonadab, and were blessed for their unwavering commitment. This narrative underscores the value of our spiritual heritage and the importance of passing it on to future generations. [14:18]

Jeremiah 35:18-19 (ESV): "But to the house of the Rechabites Jeremiah said, 'Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Because you have obeyed the command of Jonadab your father and kept all his precepts and done all that he commanded you, therefore thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Jonadab the son of Rechab shall never lack a man to stand before me.'"

Reflection: What spiritual teachings or traditions from your elders can you honor and pass on to the next generation?

Day 5: Living Out a Vibrant Faith for Future Generations

The generational impact of our faith is profound. We must actively live out our heritage, ensuring that our children inherit a vibrant, living faith. This requires more than just telling stories; it demands a commitment to embodying the principles of our faith. The transition from Joshua's generation, which experienced God's miracles firsthand, to subsequent generations that merely heard the stories, highlights the danger of losing the essence of our faith. It is crucial that we not only preserve our heritage but also actively live it out. [24:05]

Judges 2:10 (ESV): "And all that generation also were gathered to their fathers. And there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel."

Reflection: How can you actively live out your faith today in a way that inspires and influences the next generation to know and love God?

Sermon Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound significance of living a life of holiness and the importance of understanding both the scriptural and heritage aspects of our faith. The desire for heavenly rewards is not about personal glory but about having something to lay at the feet of Jesus, acknowledging that all glory belongs to Him. This perspective challenges the notion that serving God for rewards is selfish; instead, it emphasizes the ultimate act of worship and humility in heaven.

Holiness, as we discussed, is not merely about adhering to a set of rules but about embodying a lifestyle that reflects our commitment to God. It is about being distinct and separate from the world, even if it means being perceived as different or peculiar. This distinction is not a source of shame but a badge of honor, as it aligns us with the righteousness of God.

We also delved into the importance of understanding the "why" behind our beliefs and practices. While previous generations may have followed commands without question, today's generation seeks understanding. However, we must recognize that sometimes God requires obedience without explanation, much like a parent instructing a child. This obedience is a testament to our trust in God's wisdom and sovereignty.

The story of the Rechabites in Jeremiah 35 served as a powerful illustration of honoring the teachings of our elders. Despite not having a direct command from God, the Rechabites adhered to the instructions of their forefather, Jonadab, and were blessed for their unwavering commitment. This narrative underscores the value of our spiritual heritage and the importance of passing it on to future generations.

Finally, we examined the generational impact of our faith. The transition from Joshua's generation, which experienced God's miracles firsthand, to subsequent generations that merely heard the stories, highlights the danger of losing the essence of our faith. It is crucial that we not only preserve our heritage but also actively live it out, ensuring that our children inherit a vibrant, living faith.

Key Takeaways

1. The pursuit of heavenly rewards is not about personal gain but about having something to offer Jesus in worship. This perspective shifts our focus from earthly recognition to eternal significance, reminding us that our ultimate goal is to glorify God. [00:41]
2. Holiness is about being distinct and separate from the world, even if it means being perceived as different. This distinction is a reflection of our commitment to God and should be embraced as a badge of honor rather than a source of shame. [01:57]
3. Understanding the "why" behind our beliefs is important, but sometimes God requires obedience without explanation. This obedience is a testament to our trust in God's wisdom and sovereignty, much like a child trusting a parent's instruction. [05:25]
4. The story of the Rechabites illustrates the value of honoring the teachings of our elders. Their unwavering commitment to their forefather's instructions, despite lacking a direct command from God, resulted in a lasting blessing. [14:18]
5. The generational impact of our faith is profound. We must actively live out our heritage, ensuring that our children inherit a vibrant, living faith. This requires more than just telling stories; it demands a commitment to embodying the principles of our faith. [24:05]
** [24:05]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:12] - The Desire for Heavenly Rewards
[00:58] - The Importance of Holiness
[02:14] - Living a Holy and Godly Life
[03:17] - Understanding Scripture and Heritage
[04:20] - Obedience Without Explanation
[06:01] - Honoring Our Elders
[07:02] - The Role of Heritage in Holiness
[10:11] - The Story of the Rechabites
[13:31] - God's Blessing on the Rechabites
[15:35] - The Generational Impact of Faith
[20:23] - The Danger of Losing Our Heritage
[24:05] - The Three Generations of Israel
[30:07] - The Importance of Commitment
[35:46] - The Residual Anointing of Previous Generations
[41:31] - The Role of Parents in Passing on Faith
[46:00] - Closing Prayer and Commitment

Sermon Clips

I want to have a crown so that when we get to heaven and we see the only one who sits on the throne I want to have a reward I want to have a crown or a trophy or something that God gave me for my good works then I can take it up I'm not going to set it in a glass case in my mansion I'm gonna throw it with a clatter on the pavement of heaven and say Jesus the only reason I'm here is because he so you're right I want to have some rewards you're right I want to get a crown I want to be able to cast it I hope I have 50 crown that I can just throw them at his feet and say to you only belongs the globe yeah you're right I want to have some rewards [00:08:19]

Holiness is about Scripture but it's also about heritage holiness is also about our apostolic heritage and the elders they lived in a generation when they could just say do it people did it yes sir pastored that generation isn't here anymore everybody today wants to know why and so we've gathered and pastor has asked me to come and I'm standing here beside him as it were to affirm his voice in this congregation and it's important that we teach scriptural principles the why but can I just tell you something about this generation while we're trying to say this is why we do it and we're not just telling people what we do we also explain why can I tell you that this ungodly generation they don't care what and they don't care why they don't care about either one of those things [03:33:55]

Sometimes God doesn't explain why very well sometimes God just tells us to do it and he doesn't give us a why and then you've got to figure out am I gonna be submitted to the Word of God or am I gonna argue with God did your dad ever say to you because I said so that's why anybody maybe wasn't your dad it was your mother but your parents said because I said so do you understand God's our Heavenly Father and sometimes for our own good God says because I said so that's your why I didn't give you 10 chapters in 85 verses I just asked you to do it in honor to meeting and that's your why why because I said so he's our Heavenly Father [04:54:24]

The story of the Rechabites illustrates the value of honoring the teachings of our elders. Their unwavering commitment to their forefather's instructions, despite lacking a direct command from God, resulted in a lasting blessing. God was so impressed with the dedication of the Rechabites to the example of their elders that he blessed them forever. The children of Jonadab gave their father the kind of loyalty that God was wanting from his children, the people of Israel, but they weren't giving God loyalty. God was so impressed that these kids and grandkids and great-grandkids were so loyal to the example of their elders when even Israel wasn't loyal to God their father he was so impressed that he said I'm going to bless your children simply because they obey the commandment of their elder [10:48:73]

The generational impact of our faith is profound. We must actively live out our heritage, ensuring that our children inherit a vibrant, living faith. This requires more than just telling stories; it demands a commitment to embodying the principles of our faith. The example of the Rechabites teaches us we never become so educated or so sophisticated or so high-tech that holiness principles cease to be relevant even when we don't have a specific thus saith the Lord let me say it very plainly you will never go wrong in honoring the teaching of your elders because while holiness is about Scripture it is also about heritage and what a beautiful heritage we have in the Apostolic movement and what a beautiful heritage we have in this great church [16:31:93]

Holiness is about your life it is it's important that you live a holy godly life holiness is about your life but it's also about something else it's about your legacy it's about what you instill in your children it's about your example to every young Christian in this church see our heritage is what we receive from the previous generation but our legacy is what we pass on to the next generation this is a church that is filled with young people and children and we thank God for it and because of the onslaught of worldliness and carnality in our day perhaps no legacy or heritage no heritage is more important to receive than holiness and no legacy is more important to leave behind that holiness [18:20:52]

The transition from Joshua's generation, which experienced God's miracles firsthand, to subsequent generations that merely heard the stories, highlights the danger of losing the essence of our faith. It is crucial that we not only preserve our heritage but also actively live it out, ensuring that our children inherit a vibrant, living faith. The problem with the second generation of any movement or any Church is that it's all too easy to just tell of our history but not live the same level of commitment it's not enough to tell the stories of the past is it's not enough to point people back to our heritage see the problem with this generation is that they valued their parents but they didn't have the values of their parents [26:29:30]

The danger in the second generation is that because they didn't value what their parents had possessed they stopped fighting the enemy too soon and their promised land they got some of it but they didn't get all of it if you're a parent here today and you kind of inherited this Pentecostal thing from your parents you'd be very careful in how you raise your kids don't just raise them to honor holiness principles because pastor teaches it you make sure your children know we do this as unto the Lord the worst answer in the world is to say to your kids well we need to do that because pastor expects it we need to do that because the church teaches that what allows the answer that is we do this because the Bible teaches it we do this because it pleases God [28:48:60]

The previous generation is supposed to have a major impact for God on the succeeding generation if you go back in the old testament to the closing chapters of the book of joshua you'll see a nation that's enjoying the rich blessing of god you'll see a nation in their promised land and you turn one page from joshua to judges and now you see a nation suffering from civil war and invasion and slavery and poverty and you have to ask the question what in the world happened then you go one page and you go from blessing and prosperity and anointing of power and now it's division and strife and war and invasion and enemies everywhere what happened I can tell you in one verse it is the last verse of the book of Judges in those days there was no king in Israel every man did that which was right in his own eyes [29:36:95]

There is a residual anointing it comes from the holiness and the sacrifice and the godliness of the previous generation but you make no mistake that anointing will last for about one more generation do you think we're doing okay I don't believe everything pastor teaches I don't live all these standards that you've been talking about pastor Raymond I don't but I seem to be doing okay I feel God when I come to church my family seems to be blessed whatever you have no idea that you may very well be existing off an anointing that is borrowed from the previous generation and we learned from them how to have a good church and we learn from them how to preach good sermons and we learn from them how to pray and how to worship if we don't have the same commitment level that they did we are not going to see what God wants for our generation [34:00:37]

The greatest contribution you make to the kingdom of God might be sleeping in a crib right now or they might be going to grade school right now they might be learning how to read and write right now your children are an important part of the holiness that God has called this church - he doesn't want us to just survive he wants us to lift up and raise up and build up a powerful generation of young apostolic and we are not going to do that by just having services as usual and just having events as usual and just kind of making sure they get the youth camp once in a while we're gonna do that by becoming the people God has called us to be I want to make sure that we close the gap between the elders and this generation [41:49:11]

Holiness isn't lived in this sanctuary holiness isn't live while you're here in church service holiness has lived every day in your life when you get up in the morning when your kids want to go there with those friends and you say no because that's not who we are and there's dangers there when your kids are interacting with media and you have the good sense that God gave you please make sure you know what your children are doing online please make sure and you have the good sense to get your kids to church and teach them that nothing interferes with our commitment to God or to our church thank you for doing that because you're making sure that you're in the first chair and you're not gonna let your children be born in the third chair because you disconnected from this apostolic heritage [45:00:19]

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