Embracing Holiness: Being Set Apart for God
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, we delved into the profound name of God, Jehovah Mekadesh, which means "the Lord who sanctifies." This name is first found in Leviticus 20:7-8, where God commands His people to consecrate themselves and be holy because He is holy. The concept of sanctification is central to our relationship with God, as it signifies being set apart for His purposes. We explored how Israel, a redeemed people, were called to maintain their distinctiveness in a pagan land by adhering to God's statutes and not conforming to worldly standards. This call to holiness is equally relevant to us today.
Holiness is not about outward appearances, church roles, or invincibility to temptation. Instead, it is about being set apart for God's purposes, reflecting His character, and participating in His divine nature. We discussed the importance of practicing and participating in God's nature through actions like striving for moral purity, cultivating love and mercy, developing self-control, seeking joy and peace, remaining steadfast in faith, and following Jesus' example of humility.
God's holiness demands our separation from sin and our dedication to His service. This separation is not just about avoiding sin but also about being active instruments of righteousness in our daily lives. We are called to practice and participate in God's nature, which involves a continuous effort to align ourselves with His character and attributes.
To grow in holiness, we must prepare our minds for action, fix our hope on Christ's return, obey God in all areas, develop an appetite for His Word, avoid sin purposefully, and cultivate a deep prayer life. Holiness is a journey, a daily pursuit of reflecting God's character in all aspects of life. Let us pray for God's sanctification, asking Him to set us apart for His service and to use us as vessels for His work.
### Key Takeaways
1. Holiness is About Being Set Apart for God's Purposes: Holiness is not about outward appearances or church roles but about being consecrated to God and reflecting His character. It involves a deep, internal transformation that aligns us with God's nature and sets us apart for His purposes. [35:18]
2. God's Holiness Demands Our Separation from Sin: The holiness of God compels us to separate from sin. This separation is not just about avoiding sinful actions but about participating in God's nature, which requires a continuous effort to align ourselves with His character and attributes. [38:48]
3. Practicing and Participating in God's Nature: To live a holy life, we must practice and participate in God's nature. This involves striving for moral purity, cultivating love and mercy, developing self-control, seeking joy and peace, remaining steadfast in faith, and following Jesus' example of humility. [41:34]
4. Holiness Requires a Balanced Diet of Personal and Corporate Bible Study: We cannot live holy lives apart from the Bible and its teachings. Both personal and corporate Bible study are essential for providing the checks and balances necessary to allow the Spirit to speak clearly. [52:10]
5. Cultivating a Deep Prayer Life: Intimacy with God fuels holiness. A deep prayer life is essential for seeking God's guidance, strength, and wisdom. As we grow in our relationship with God, calling upon Jehovah Mekadesh in prayer becomes one of the most precious aspects of our spiritual journey. [53:58]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[06:28] - Corporate Prayer
[24:45] - Summer Activities and Service
[25:41] - Introduction to Jehovah Mekadesh
[26:41] - Names of God Series Recap
[28:14] - Relevance of Holiness Today
[29:27] - Understanding Sanctification
[30:46] - God's Essential Attribute: Holiness
[33:33] - The Triadic Declaration of Holiness
[35:18] - Misconceptions About Holiness
[38:48] - Separation from Sin
[41:34] - Practicing and Participating in God's Nature
[45:03] - 2 Peter 1:3-11
[46:49] - Separation for Service
[48:33] - Examples of Sanctification in Scripture
[50:16] - Growing in Holiness
[52:10] - Importance of Bible Study
[53:58] - Cultivating a Deep Prayer Life
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Leviticus 20:7-8 (ESV) - "Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, for I am the Lord your God. Keep my statutes and do them; I am the Lord who sanctifies you."
2. 1 Peter 1:15-16 (ESV) - "But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"
3. 2 Peter 1:3-11 (ESV) - "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence..."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does the name Jehovah Mekadesh mean, and where is it first found in the Bible? ([29:27])
2. According to the sermon, what are some misconceptions about holiness? ([35:18])
3. What are the two key actions mentioned in the sermon that help us participate in God's nature? ([39:53])
4. How does 2 Peter 1:3-11 describe the process of participating in the divine nature?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that God’s essential attribute is holiness, and how does this attribute impact His other characteristics? ([32:42])
2. How does the concept of being "set apart" for God's purposes challenge common misconceptions about holiness? ([35:18])
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that holiness involves both separation from sin and active participation in righteousness? ([38:48])
4. How does the practice of personal and corporate Bible study contribute to our growth in holiness according to the sermon? ([52:10])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily life: In what specific ways can you strive for moral purity and consecration to God’s purposes? ([41:34])
2. Think about a recent situation where you faced temptation. How did you respond, and how can you better resist temptation in the future? ([37:30])
3. Identify one area in your life where you need to develop more self-control. What practical steps can you take to invite the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts, words, and actions in this area? ([43:27])
4. How can you cultivate a deeper prayer life to seek God's guidance, strength, and wisdom? Share one specific change you can make to your prayer routine this week. ([53:58])
5. Consider your involvement in personal and corporate Bible study. How can you improve your engagement in both to ensure a balanced spiritual diet? ([52:10])
6. Reflect on your current relationships and community activities. How can you be an instrument of righteousness in these areas? ([48:33])
7. What specific distractions in your life are preventing you from focusing on Jesus and growing in holiness? How can you minimize these distractions this week? ([50:16])
Devotional
Day 1: Set Apart for God's Purposes
Holiness is not about outward appearances or church roles but about being consecrated to God and reflecting His character. It involves a deep, internal transformation that aligns us with God's nature and sets us apart for His purposes. This means that our actions, thoughts, and intentions should be directed towards fulfilling God's will in our lives. We are called to be distinct in a world that often contradicts God's values, and this distinctiveness is rooted in our relationship with Him.
Holiness is a journey of becoming more like God, not through our own strength but through His sanctifying work in us. As we grow in our understanding of God's character, we begin to reflect His love, mercy, and righteousness in our daily lives. This transformation is a continuous process that requires our active participation and willingness to be molded by God. [35:18]
1 Peter 1:15-16 (ESV): "But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"
Reflection: In what specific ways can you consecrate yourself to God today, setting yourself apart for His purposes in your daily activities and interactions?
Day 2: Separation from Sin
The holiness of God compels us to separate from sin. This separation is not just about avoiding sinful actions but about participating in God's nature, which requires a continuous effort to align ourselves with His character and attributes. Sin creates a barrier between us and God, hindering our ability to fully experience His presence and work in our lives. Therefore, we must be vigilant in identifying and turning away from anything that leads us away from God.
Separation from sin involves more than just avoiding wrong actions; it requires a proactive pursuit of righteousness. This means actively seeking to embody the qualities of God, such as love, mercy, and justice, in our daily lives. By doing so, we not only distance ourselves from sin but also draw closer to God, allowing His holiness to transform us from the inside out. [38:48]
2 Corinthians 7:1 (ESV): "Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God."
Reflection: What are some specific sins or habits that you need to separate from in order to align more closely with God's character? How can you take steps to actively pursue righteousness today?
Day 3: Practicing and Participating in God's Nature
To live a holy life, we must practice and participate in God's nature. This involves striving for moral purity, cultivating love and mercy, developing self-control, seeking joy and peace, remaining steadfast in faith, and following Jesus' example of humility. Holiness is not a passive state but an active pursuit of embodying God's attributes in our daily lives. By doing so, we become living testimonies of God's transformative power.
Participating in God's nature means that we are not merely observers of His holiness but active participants in His divine work. This requires intentionality and discipline as we seek to reflect God's character in all that we do. It is through this active participation that we grow in our relationship with God and become more effective instruments of His love and grace in the world. [41:34]
2 Peter 1:5-7 (ESV): "For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love."
Reflection: Which attribute of God's nature do you find most challenging to practice in your daily life? How can you make a conscious effort to cultivate this attribute today?
Day 4: Importance of Bible Study
We cannot live holy lives apart from the Bible and its teachings. Both personal and corporate Bible study are essential for providing the checks and balances necessary to allow the Spirit to speak clearly. The Bible is our primary source of understanding God's character and His will for our lives. Through regular study, we gain the wisdom and guidance needed to navigate the complexities of life in a way that honors God.
A balanced diet of personal and corporate Bible study ensures that we are not only growing individually but also within the community of believers. This communal aspect of Bible study allows us to learn from one another, hold each other accountable, and encourage one another in our pursuit of holiness. By immersing ourselves in God's Word, we equip ourselves to live lives that are set apart for His purposes. [52:10]
Colossians 3:16 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."
Reflection: How can you incorporate both personal and corporate Bible study into your weekly routine to ensure a balanced spiritual diet? What steps can you take to make Bible study a more integral part of your life?
Day 5: Cultivating a Deep Prayer Life
Intimacy with God fuels holiness. A deep prayer life is essential for seeking God's guidance, strength, and wisdom. As we grow in our relationship with God, calling upon Jehovah Mekadesh in prayer becomes one of the most precious aspects of our spiritual journey. Prayer is not just about presenting our requests to God but about communing with Him, listening to His voice, and aligning our hearts with His will.
Cultivating a deep prayer life requires intentionality and consistency. It involves setting aside dedicated time to be in God's presence, pouring out our hearts to Him, and allowing Him to speak to us. Through prayer, we draw closer to God, experience His transformative power, and become more attuned to His purposes for our lives. [53:58]
Ephesians 6:18 (ESV): "Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints."
Reflection: What steps can you take to deepen your prayer life and cultivate greater intimacy with God? How can you make prayer a more consistent and meaningful part of your daily routine?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We get to sing, we get to cry, we get to pray for, we get to pray with. We get to laugh, we get to bring our burdens. And so we're thankful for that. We pray that we would not lose sight of the importance of each of those things." [06:28] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "So far we have learned about Elohim, the Creator who is almighty over all the earth. We then learned that He is Adonai, the Lord and Master of all, and that we are to live in joyful submission to Him. In the name El Elyon, we discovered the wonderful truth that God, as the possessor of heaven and earth, can meet our every need." [26:41] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Holiness isn't defined by church roles or positions. We assume that pastors, leaders, elders, bishops, that they are holier than others. Simply not true. Holiness isn't tied to titles or positions. All believers, all believers, everyone say, all believers, all believers, are called to holiness. They are called to be holy, regardless of their roles in the church." [36:22] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Holiness isn't invincibility to temptation. I'll say it again. Holiness is not invincibility to temptation. I am like you, and you are like me, and I wish, I so badly wish, that a part of my acceptance of salvation meant that I could no longer ever, for the rest of my life, be tempted. Because if it wasn't for that, then I know that I could make it. But we know that that's not true." [37:30] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Holiness is a lifelong journey, a journey, a pursuit. Of reflecting God's character in our lives. And so, what does this mean? What does this mean for us? How should we respond to God, who is Jehovah-Mechadish? Well, the first thing is, the holiness of God compels, requires, demands our separation from sin." [38:48] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "The name Jehovah-Mechadesh, which means the God who sanctifies, or the God who makes holy, who sets apart as holy, is first found in Leviticus chapter 20. 27 and 8. It says this, Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, for I am the Lord your God. Keep my statutes and do them. I am the Lord who sanctifies you." [29:27] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Sanctified holiness means that we must come to participate in the nature of God Himself. Earlier, in a few chapters before Leviticus 20, in chapter 18, 2 through 5, it says this, I am the Lord your God. You shall not do what is done in the land of Egypt where you lived, nor are you to do what is done in the land of Canaan where I am bringing you to. You shall not walk in their statutes." [38:48] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "When God reveals that He is Jehovah Mekadish, the God who sanctifies, He declares that the people He has redeemed will separate themselves from sin because they bear His nature. To live according to the standards of the world would profane His holy name." [39:53] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Practicing the divine nature involves aligning ourselves with God's character and His attributes. Practicing, sorry, participating in the divine nature involves aligning ourselves with God's character and attributes. Look at the second Peter 1, 3, says, by His divine power, the Lord has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of the One who called us by His own honor and glory." [41:34] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Holiness is both a personal and a corporate issue. Next, we need to avoid sin purposefully. If you write notes, write it just like that. Avoid sin space purposefully. Flee from sin. Abstain from immorality. We need to live obediently and humbly. And then lastly, this needs to be a part of our prayer life. Prayer and intimacy. I'm going to use the word again. Cultivate a deep prayer life. Seek God's guidance, strength, and wisdom. Intimacy with God fuels holiness." [52:10] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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