Embracing Holiness: Our Call to Christ-likeness

Devotional

Day 1: Holiness is for Everyone

Holiness is not reserved for a select few; it is a calling for every believer who has been born again. It is a requirement for all who desire a life of love and obedience to Christ. Holiness is essentially Christ-likeness, characterized by perfect love—loving God and loving one's neighbor perfectly. Obedience to God springs from this love, and the more you love God, the more you will find yourself being obedient to Him. This is not an unattainable goal but an obtainable and necessary one. God provides the grace to become holy, and He has done the work for us. Jesus didn't just come to cover sin; He came to eradicate it from our lives. The Holy Spirit, who dwells within us, will guide us through every decision if we allow it. [01:09:04]

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: What specific steps can you take today to align your actions and thoughts with the holiness that God calls you to? How can you allow the Holy Spirit to guide you in this process?

Day 2: Our Identity in Christ

Paul always addressed believers as saints, holy people of God, and sanctified individuals. This is our identity in Christ. We are not just old sinners saved by grace; we are children of the Most High God. This changes our status and our citizenship. We are in this world but not of it. Therefore, we must live lives that reflect our new identity. Understanding our identity in Christ is crucial because it shapes how we live and interact with the world around us. When we see ourselves as God sees us, we are empowered to live out our faith boldly and authentically. [56:46]

Ephesians 2:19 (ESV): "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God."

Reflection: How does knowing your identity in Christ change the way you view yourself and your daily actions? What practical steps can you take to live out this identity more fully today?

Day 3: Sanctification is a Process

Sanctification begins at conversion and continues throughout our lives. It is how God transforms us into Christ-likeness. This process involves changing our desires, thoughts, interests, attitudes, and behavior. It is a daily walk of being sanctified by the washing and renewing of our minds. We must be grounded in God's truth to avoid the slow fade into compromise. Sanctification is not a one-time event but a continuous journey of growth and transformation. As we submit to God's will and allow the Holy Spirit to work in us, we become more like Christ in every aspect of our lives. [01:17:12]

2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you see the need for transformation? How can you actively participate in the process of sanctification today?

Day 4: Holiness is Attainable and Necessary

Holiness is not an unattainable goal but an obtainable and necessary one. God provides the grace to become holy, and He has done the work for us. Jesus didn't just come to cover sin; He came to eradicate it from our lives. The Holy Spirit, who dwells within us, will guide us through every decision if we allow it. Holiness is essential for seeing the Lord and living a life that is pleasing to Him. It requires us to be fully devoted, sold-out followers of Jesus Christ. This is a supernatural experience that equips us to live the holy life God has called us to. [01:06:07]

Hebrews 12:14 (ESV): "Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord."

Reflection: What are some practical ways you can strive for holiness in your daily life? How can you rely on God's grace and the guidance of the Holy Spirit to achieve this?

Day 5: Living a Life Set Apart

Holiness is about being set apart for God's purposes. It is about living a life that is pleasing to God and being a vessel of His love and grace. This requires us to be fully devoted, sold-out followers of Jesus Christ. It is a supernatural experience that equips us to live the holy life God has called us to. Being set apart means that our lives should reflect our new identity in Christ, and we should be distinct from the world in our actions, attitudes, and values. This is not just about avoiding sin but actively pursuing God's will and purpose for our lives. [01:34:12]

Romans 12:1-2 (ESV): "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Reflection: What does it mean for you to be set apart for God's purposes? How can you present yourself as a living sacrifice to God in your daily life?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Welcome, everyone. Today, we gather to honor those who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom, especially on this Memorial Day weekend. We remember the heroes who never took off their uniforms and are now resting in places like Arlington National Cemetery. Their sacrifice allows us to worship freely today. As we reflect on their bravery, let us also remember the words of Paul in Philippians 4, urging us to rejoice in the Lord always and to let our gentleness be evident to all because the Lord is near.

Now, let's dive into the heart of today's message: holiness and sanctification. Holiness is not just for pastors, teachers, or missionaries; it is for everyone who is born again. It is a requirement for all who hunger for a life of love and obedience to Christ. Holiness is Christ-likeness, perfect love, loving God, and loving one's neighbor perfectly. Obedience springs from love, and the more you love God, the more you will be obedient to Him.

We are called to be holy because God is holy. This calling is not an unattainable goal but an obtainable and necessary one. God provides the grace to become holy, and He has done the work for us. Jesus didn't just come to cover sin; He came to eradicate it from our lives. The Holy Spirit, who dwells within us, will guide us through every decision if we allow it.

Paul, in his letters, always addressed believers as saints, holy people of God, and sanctified individuals. This is our identity in Christ. We are not just old sinners saved by grace; we are children of the Most High God. This changes our status and our citizenship. We are in this world but not of it. Therefore, we must live lives that reflect our new identity.

Sanctification is a process that begins at conversion and continues throughout our lives. It is how God transforms us into Christ-likeness. This process involves changing our desires, thoughts, interests, attitudes, and behavior. It is a daily walk of being sanctified by the washing and renewing of our minds. We must be grounded in God's truth to avoid the slow fade into compromise.

Holiness is not just about avoiding sin; it is about being set apart for God's purposes. It is about living a life that is pleasing to God and being a vessel of His love and grace. This requires us to be fully devoted, sold-out followers of Jesus Christ. It is a supernatural experience that equips us to live the holy life God has called us to.

As we conclude, I invite everyone to come to the altar and pray for sanctification. Let us ask God to sanctify every aspect of our lives—our thoughts, actions, habits, and words. Let us seek to be holy as He is holy, knowing that without holiness, no one will see the Lord. May we walk in the fullness of His grace and love, being transformed into His likeness day by day.

###

Key Takeaways

1. likeness, perfect love, loving God, and loving one's neighbor perfectly. Obedience springs from love, and the more you love God, the more you will be obedient to Him. [01:09:04]
2. Our Identity in Christ: Paul always addressed believers as saints, holy people of God, and sanctified individuals. This is our identity in Christ. We are not just old sinners saved by grace; we are children of the Most High God. This changes our status and our citizenship. We are in this world but not of it. Therefore, we must live lives that reflect our new identity.

3. Sanctification is a Process: Sanctification begins at conversion and continues throughout our lives. It is how God transforms us into Christ-likeness. This process involves changing our desires, thoughts, interests, attitudes, and behavior. It is a daily walk of being sanctified by the washing and renewing of our minds. We must be grounded in God's truth to avoid the slow fade into compromise.

4. Holiness is Attainable and Necessary: Holiness is not an unattainable goal but an obtainable and necessary one. God provides the grace to become holy, and He has done the work for us. Jesus didn't just come to cover sin; He came to eradicate it from our lives. The Holy Spirit, who dwells within us, will guide us through every decision if we allow it.

5. Living a Life Set Apart: Holiness is about being set apart for God's purposes. It is about living a life that is pleasing to God and being a vessel of His love and grace. This requires us to be fully devoted, sold-out followers of Jesus Christ. It is a supernatural experience that equips us to live the holy life God has called us to.

### [69:04]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[15:11] - Memorial Day Reflection
[39:45] - Introduction to Holiness
[41:15] - Practical Holiness
[42:51] - The Importance of Being Grounded
[45:36] - The Third Prong of Holiness
[50:08] - God's Redemption Plan
[51:34] - Accountability Before God
[52:58] - Renewing Your Mind
[53:40] - Understanding Our Identity
[54:37] - The Slow Fade of Compromise
[55:25] - Paul's Letters to the Saints
[56:06] - Our Identity in Christ
[56:46] - The Work of Jesus
[57:30] - Constant Reminders of Our Identity
[58:08] - Changed Classification
[59:28] - The Requirement of Holiness
[60:05] - The Danger of Compromise
[61:30] - The Call to Holiness
[62:04] - Being Perfected by the Master Potter
[62:51] - Redemption and Restoration
[63:31] - Mindset of a Saint
[64:12] - Desire for Holiness
[64:53] - The Seriousness of God's Grace
[65:31] - God's Provision for Holiness
[66:07] - Called to Holiness
[66:44] - Preparing for Action
[67:16] - Shaping Our Lives
[67:50] - The Work of Sanctification
[68:35] - Holiness for All
[69:04] - Holiness is for Everyone
[70:22] - Definition of Holiness
[71:26] - Obedience Springs from Love
[72:17] - Evaluating Our Love
[73:12] - The Goal of Holiness
[73:55] - True Love
[74:34] - Virtues of Holiness
[75:33] - Sanctification Explained
[76:21] - The Process of Sanctification
[77:12] - Transformation into Christ-likeness
[78:03] - The Necessity of Holiness
[79:14] - Daily Sanctification
[80:01] - The Danger of Part-time Christianity
[80:34] - The Price of Holiness
[81:17] - The Necessary Response
[82:31] - No Trespassing Signs
[83:11] - True Sanctification
[84:02] - Surrendering All to Christ
[85:51] - The Slow Fade of Compromise
[86:32] - God Wants Everything
[87:09] - Tired of Part-time Christianity?
[88:20] - Prerequisites of Sanctification
[88:58] - Power Over Sin
[89:36] - Relationship with God
[90:12] - Perfect Love vs. Perfect Performance
[90:40] - The Glitch in the Giddy-up
[91:13] - The Possibility of Not Sinning
[91:53] - Ready to be Grounded?
[92:28] - The Calling of God
[93:06] - More Victory in Your Life
[94:12] - The Sanctified Life
[94:50] - The Mandate of Holiness
[95:35] - Receiving Sanctification
[96:09] - Entire Sanctification
[96:40] - Consistency in Holiness
[97:15] - Invitation to the Altar
[98:11] - The Call to Sanctification
[98:46] - Making God the Center
[102:00] - Dismissal and Marching Orders
[103:25] - Living by the Spirit
[104:07] - Final Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Philippians 4:4-7 (NIV) — > Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

2. 1 Peter 1:13-16 (NIV)
> Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

3. Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)
> Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Observation Questions

According to Philippians 4:4-7, what are the steps Paul outlines for experiencing the peace of God?
In 1 Peter 1:13-16, what does Peter say we should do to prepare for the grace to be brought to us when Jesus Christ is revealed?
What does Romans 12:1-2 say about how we should present our bodies and what transformation should occur in our minds?
In the sermon, what analogy is used to describe the importance of being grounded in holiness? ([42:01])

Interpretation Questions

How does the instruction to "rejoice in the Lord always" in Philippians 4:4-7 relate to the concept of holiness discussed in the sermon? ([16:35])
What does it mean to be "holy in all you do" as stated in 1 Peter 1:15, and how does this align with the sermon’s message about living a life set apart for God's purposes? ([01:06:07])
Romans 12:1-2 talks about being transformed by the renewing of your mind. How does this transformation process relate to the sermon’s discussion on sanctification? ([52:58])
The sermon mentions that holiness is not just about avoiding sin but being set apart for God's purposes. How does this idea expand your understanding of what it means to live a holy life? ([47:12])

Application Questions

Philippians 4:6 advises not to be anxious but to present your requests to God. What are some anxieties you need to bring to God in prayer this week? How can you practice this in your daily life? ([18:01])
Reflect on 1 Peter 1:13-16. What are some "evil desires" from your past that you need to avoid conforming to? How can you actively pursue holiness in these areas? ([01:06:07])
Romans 12:1-2 calls us to offer our bodies as living sacrifices. What specific actions can you take this week to present yourself as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God? ([52:58])
The sermon emphasizes the importance of being grounded in God's truth to avoid compromise. What are some practical steps you can take to ground yourself more deeply in God's Word? ([42:51])
The pastor mentioned that holiness is for everyone who is born again. How can you encourage someone in your life to pursue holiness? What specific support can you offer them? ([01:09:04])
The sermon discussed the slow fade into compromise. Are there areas in your life where you have started to compromise? What steps can you take to realign with God's standards? ([54:37])
The pastor invited everyone to pray for sanctification. What specific areas of your life do you need to ask God to sanctify? How will you commit to seeking His transformation daily? ([01:37:15])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "You know what, though? I asked him. I said, what day are you going to be off? He said, the day I see him. I said, I pray you don't see him then. Because you can lose what it's taken you years to build. And all of a sudden now you're going to lose your integrity with so many others that you've led in the right direction. Now you're going to lead them in the wrong direction. You don't have the... Listen to me. Listen to me. Listen to me. Listen You don't have the right to say you're part. You don't have the right to say you're part-time because you've been bought with a price. You've been bought with a price, and it wasn't part-time price." [01:20:34](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

2. "Look at your neighbor and tell them this gift is available to you. Look, look, look. Put on a better smile than you got right now and tell them today could be your day. It's available. He's available. So holiness is not reserved just for the pastor, not just for teachers, not just for missionaries, not just for retired folk. See, what I'm praying, y'all gonna find out how my prayer life, I don't mind revealing some of it to you. I'm praying for an outpouring, a major outpouring, not just in this sanctuary, but I'm praying for it on Wednesday nights in our youth classes. I'm praying for it with our children's classes that they're gonna come up sanctified." [01:08:35](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

3. "It is my will. It is my will that you would be sanctified. That's the word of the Lord today over you. It is God's desire and God's will that we stop making excuses and we start walking in freedom that is delivered into our lives through holiness. Come on. Just ask Him to be the center of your life. Ask Him to be the center of everything. Lord, crucify any and everything in me that's not of you. Sanctify me today. Come on. Open your mouth and declare that. Speak words of truth today. Sanctify me today, God. unto holiness, God. Sanctify my friendships. Nothing is more important than God right now. Come on, ask Him to be the center of your life right now." [01:38:46]( | | )

4. "And because you're not of it, you don't bow down and give way to the things of this world. It no longer has power over you. It no longer has control over you because you're not of this world. You are of the kingdom of God. You're a child of God. Listen to me, listen to me. I'm loving you hard today, I know. But listen to me. You're not called to a life of sin, but a life of holiness. In fact, you're more than called to it. It is required of you. Because without holiness, no man shall see the Lord." [59:28](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "Paul never introduced himself as, I am Paul, a sinner of Jesus Christ. He said, Paul, I'm apostle of Jesus Christ. And then you need to look at all the letters that Paul addressed the people because Paul didn't address it to sinners. He addressed it to saints. He addressed it to holy people of God. He addressed it. He addressed it to sanctified people that are set apart. And not only did he do that, but then we find also that Peter does the same thing and Jude does likewise. And he said to God's chosen and holy people." [56:06](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

2. "Holiness is for everyone who is born again. It is a requirement. The housewife, the businessman, the factory worker, adults and children alike. Holiness is for all who hunger for a life of love and obedience to Christ. So just say this, say this with me, throw your hands up with me right now, let's get it in our spirit. Holiness is for me. Holiness is for you. Holiness is for everyone who is born again in Jesus name. Amen." [01:09:04](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

3. "Sanctification describes everything God does in us to make us more like Jesus. This work begins, listen to me. Listen to me. The work begins at conversion. God begins working on you at conversion. There's a progress that we grow in this grace. It is one that leads us to the point of experiential, what many would call, entire sanctification, which is a word we've got to work with right there. But it continues on until we... In other words, God starts sanctifying you the moment you're saved. But hear me. That is only to draw you into the deeper end of the pool, where the water is refreshing." [01:15:33](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

4. "And because you're not of it, you don't bow down and give way to the things of this world. It no longer has power over you. It no longer has control over you because you're not of this world. You are of the kingdom of God. You're a child of God. Listen to me, listen to me. I'm loving you hard today, I know. But listen to me. You're not called to a life of sin, but a life of holiness. In fact, you're more than called to it. It is required of you. Because without holiness, no man shall see the Lord." [59:28](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

5. "Sanctification is how God transforms us into Christ-likeness. Watch this. At the pace of our willingness to submit to him. Did you hear me? In other words, he's ready. It's available, but only at the level you're willing to submit to right now. And as he works in our life, he draws us deeper. He draws us deeper. He draws us deeper. The hope that we will want more and more of him and less of us." [01:17:12](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

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