Embracing Holiness: Our Call to Distinct Living
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into the profound meaning of the word "holy" or "kadosh" in Hebrew. We began by exploring the principle of first use, tracing the word back to Genesis 2, where God sanctified the seventh day, setting it apart from the other days. This concept of being set apart is central to understanding holiness. Holiness involves being distinct, consecrated for a unique purpose, and morally pure. God is the epitome of holiness, majestic and without sin, which presents a challenge for us as humans because we cannot achieve this level of moral perfection on our own.
Isaiah's vision in Isaiah 6 highlights this dilemma. He recognizes his own uncleanliness in the presence of God's holiness. However, God provides a solution by sending a seraphim to purify Isaiah's lips with a burning coal, symbolizing the atonement of sin. This act foreshadows the gospel, where Jesus Christ takes on our sins and imparts His righteousness to us. By placing our faith in Jesus, we receive His holiness, making us acceptable before God.
We also examined 1 Peter 1, which calls us to be holy in all our conduct. This means living differently from the world and our former selves. Holiness involves a sober-minded approach to life, setting our hope fully on the grace of Jesus Christ, and not conforming to our past passions. It calls for practical changes in our daily lives, such as prioritizing others' needs, being generous, and living with a purpose that reflects God's values.
Finally, we discussed the concept of being consecrated for a mission. Just as Isaiah was set apart to deliver God's message, we too are called to share the gospel. This mission field could be our workplace, neighborhood, or any sphere of influence. We are all called to ministry, to live out and share the good news of Jesus Christ.
### Key Takeaways
1. Holiness as Being Set Apart: Holiness means being set apart for a unique purpose, as seen in Genesis 2 where God sanctified the seventh day. This concept extends to our lives, where we are called to be distinct in our actions and values, reflecting God's holiness in a world that often pursues immediate gratification and self-interest. [01:20]
2. The Dilemma of Human Sinfulness: Isaiah's vision in Isaiah 6 reveals the stark contrast between God's holiness and human sinfulness. Recognizing our own uncleanliness is the first step towards understanding our need for God's intervention. Just as God purified Isaiah, He offers us purification through Jesus Christ, who takes on our sins and imparts His righteousness to us. [04:40]
3. Living Differently: 1 Peter 1 calls us to be holy in all our conduct, which means living differently from the world and our former selves. This involves a sober-minded approach to life, setting our hope on Jesus Christ, and making practical changes that reflect God's values. It's about prioritizing others, being generous, and living with a purpose that aligns with God's will. [09:29]
4. Consecrated for a Mission: Just as Isaiah was set apart to deliver God's message, we too are consecrated for a mission. This mission field could be our workplace, neighborhood, or any sphere of influence. We are all called to ministry, to live out and share the good news of Jesus Christ. Our calling is to be on mission, sharing the greatest news in the world—that God loves us and desires a relationship with us. [14:17]
5. Practical Steps to Holiness: Living a holy life involves practical steps such as prayer, loving and caring for others, and sharing the gospel. It means being intentional about our actions and decisions, reflecting God's holiness in our daily lives. Whether it's through acts of generosity, mentoring, or simply living with integrity, we are called to be different and to make a positive impact in the world around us. [17:26]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:20] - Understanding Holiness
[03:02] - The Problem of Sinfulness
[04:40] - The Gospel Solution
[06:31] - Call to Faith in Jesus
[08:03] - Living Differently
[09:29] - Sober-Minded Living
[10:55] - Setting Our Hope on Jesus
[12:37] - Practical Examples of Holiness
[14:17] - Consecrated for a Mission
[15:51] - Isaiah's Difficult Mission
[17:26] - Our Call to Ministry
[18:55] - Story of a Mission Field
[20:13] - Final Encouragement and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 2:2-3 (ESV) - "And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation."
2. Isaiah 6:1-7 (ESV) - "In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!' And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said: 'Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!' Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: 'Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.'"
3. 1 Peter 1:13-16 (ESV) - "Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 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.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Genesis 2:2-3 tell us about the significance of the seventh day and how it relates to the concept of holiness? [01:20]
2. In Isaiah 6:1-7, how does Isaiah react to his vision of God's holiness, and what action does God take in response to Isaiah's confession? [04:40]
3. According to 1 Peter 1:13-16, what are the key elements involved in living a holy life? [09:29]
4. How does the sermon describe the difference between living differently and achieving moral perfection? [08:03]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is the concept of being "set apart" so central to the biblical understanding of holiness, as seen in Genesis 2 and Isaiah 6? [01:20]
2. How does Isaiah's experience with the seraphim and the burning coal in Isaiah 6 symbolize the gospel message? [04:40]
3. What does it mean to be "sober-minded" and how does this contribute to living a holy life according to 1 Peter 1:13-16? [09:29]
4. How does the sermon explain the practical implications of being consecrated for a mission, and what does this mean for believers today? [14:17]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily life. In what ways can you set yourself apart to reflect God's holiness in your actions and values? [01:20]
2. Isaiah recognized his own uncleanliness in the presence of God's holiness. How can acknowledging your own shortcomings lead to a deeper reliance on Jesus for purification? [04:40]
3. 1 Peter 1:13-16 calls us to be holy in all our conduct. What practical steps can you take this week to live differently from the world and your former self? [09:29]
4. The sermon mentioned living with a purpose that reflects God's values. Identify one area in your life where you can prioritize others' needs over your own. How will you implement this change? [09:29]
5. Consider your current mission field, whether it's your workplace, neighborhood, or another sphere of influence. How can you actively share the gospel in this context? [14:17]
6. The sermon suggested practical examples of living differently, such as being generous or mentoring others. Choose one example and make a plan to incorporate it into your life this month. [12:37]
7. Reflect on the story shared in the sermon about the family choosing their mission field. How can you identify and engage with your own mission field more effectively? [18:55]
Devotional
Day 1: Holiness as Being Set Apart
Holiness means being set apart for a unique purpose, as seen in Genesis 2 where God sanctified the seventh day. This concept extends to our lives, where we are called to be distinct in our actions and values, reflecting God's holiness in a world that often pursues immediate gratification and self-interest. Holiness involves not just moral purity but also a dedication to God's purposes. It is about living a life that is different from the norm, one that stands out because it mirrors the character of God. This distinctiveness is not about isolation but about being a light in the world, showing others the way to God through our actions and values. [01:20]
Leviticus 20:26 (ESV): "You shall be holy to me, for I the Lord am holy and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be mine."
Reflection: In what specific ways can you set yourself apart in your daily life to reflect God's holiness? Think of one practical change you can make today.
Day 2: The Dilemma of Human Sinfulness
Isaiah's vision in Isaiah 6 reveals the stark contrast between God's holiness and human sinfulness. Recognizing our own uncleanliness is the first step towards understanding our need for God's intervention. Just as God purified Isaiah, He offers us purification through Jesus Christ, who takes on our sins and imparts His righteousness to us. This act of grace is not something we can earn; it is a gift that we receive by faith. Understanding this helps us to approach God with humility, acknowledging our need for His cleansing and transformation. [04:40]
Isaiah 6:5-7 (ESV): "And I said: 'Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!' Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: 'Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.'"
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt unworthy before God. How can you embrace the purification that Jesus offers and live in the freedom of His righteousness today?
Day 3: Living Differently
1 Peter 1 calls us to be holy in all our conduct, which means living differently from the world and our former selves. This involves a sober-minded approach to life, setting our hope on Jesus Christ, and making practical changes that reflect God's values. It's about prioritizing others, being generous, and living with a purpose that aligns with God's will. This transformation is not just internal but should be evident in our daily actions and decisions. By living differently, we become a testimony to the transformative power of God's grace. [09:29]
1 Peter 1:14-16 (ESV): "As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 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: Identify one area of your life where you are still conforming to your past passions. What practical steps can you take today to align this area with God's values?
Day 4: Consecrated for a Mission
Just as Isaiah was set apart to deliver God's message, we too are consecrated for a mission. This mission field could be our workplace, neighborhood, or any sphere of influence. We are all called to ministry, to live out and share the good news of Jesus Christ. Our calling is to be on mission, sharing the greatest news in the world—that God loves us and desires a relationship with us. This mission is not limited to pastors or missionaries; every believer has a role to play in God's redemptive plan. [14:17]
Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV): "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Reflection: Think about your current sphere of influence. How can you intentionally share the love and message of Jesus with someone in that sphere today?
Day 5: Practical Steps to Holiness
Living a holy life involves practical steps such as prayer, loving and caring for others, and sharing the gospel. It means being intentional about our actions and decisions, reflecting God's holiness in our daily lives. Whether it's through acts of generosity, mentoring, or simply living with integrity, we are called to be different and to make a positive impact in the world around us. These practical steps are not just about avoiding sin but actively pursuing righteousness and godliness in every aspect of our lives. [17:26]
Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV): "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to reflect God's holiness in your actions? Consider how you can show compassion, kindness, or forgiveness to someone in your life.
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Folks, that's the gospel. That is the gospel in a nutshell. It's Isaiah saying I can't be holy enough I am a man of unclean lips and then God does something about it God sends a seraph an angel with a hot coal to touch his lips and to purify his lips and that's the gospel that's the gospel that's the gospel that's the gospel that's the gospel that's the gospel it's the same thing that God does for us where we cry out I am sinful I am unclean and what God did is he sent Jesus Christ to earth to be the perfect sacrifice for sin and he took all of our sin and all of our uncleanness and all of our unholiness if you will and he took it upon himself on the cross." [04:40] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "To be holy is to receive Jesus as savior to receive Jesus as savior and I want to say if you're here this morning and you've never placed your faith in Jesus Christ I encourage you to do that to take the same posture and to take the same posture and to take the same posture and to take the same posture that Isaiah took and he said I'm a man of unclean lips I'm a man of an unclean heart I'm a woman of an unclean heart I cannot be as holy as you are God and so therefore I receive Christ as my savior so that God when you look at me you don't see my sin but you see Jesus's perfect life in me." [06:31] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "To be holy is to live differently. We're going to talk about and the the context is going to help us to look at this we're going to look at this in the verses that come before about what it means to live differently but I do want to just pause and say we have to understand the differenties here between the first point and the second point. In other words, you cannot live differently enough to make you perfect in God's eyes, okay? So I'm putting these things together, and, but I want you to understand there's a difference, right? We can't look at this and say, oh, if I live differently, then I'll get to heaven. No, you won't. You'll still fall short." [08:03] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Be different. Live different. And then it says, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. So it's set your hope on the grace of Christ. To be set apart, to be different, to live different than the world, it means that we set our hope on Jesus Christ. The world sets its hope on a whole lot of other things. You can set your hope on money and hope that that delivers you. You can set your hope on your future or on your retirement days. You can set your hope on your health. You can set your hope on your marriage. You can set your hope on your kids and how they do and how they turn out in life. Right? And you put your hope on your future and how they turn out in life. And those things will always disappoint you." [10:55] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "You also are consecrated, set apart, to be on mission with God. But the good news is that you don't have a terrible message like Isaiah had to preach. That you are a messenger. You are set apart to share the greatest news in the world. That the God of the universe loves you, and desires to have a relationship with you. That's our message. And you are called to that." [15:51] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "So as we begin to understand the real meaning of this word holy part of what it means is this is set apart or this is consecrated for a different purpose so six days you work and one day you set apart for worship of the lord no work is allowed exodus chapter 15 verse 11 it's the third of this word kadosh of the word holy and it lends a lot to us it says this who is like you oh god among the gods excuse me who is like you oh lord among the gods who is like you majestic in holiness awesome and glorious deeds doing wonders and so it points to this and says god is all together separate god is all together pure and holy and perfect and more like god has no flaws he is sinless and so this is what we're going to do we're going to do this we're going to do this we're going to do this that is a part of holy as well as this kind of moral perfection and it says that god is majestic in his holiness there is none like god there is no one who is perfect like god in his sinlessness if you've been paying attention that presents a problem for us because god says be holy as i am holy well i can't do that i cannot be as morally pure as perfect as god is that leaves us with a problem." [03:02] (94 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Therefore, preparing your minds for action and being sober-minded. So we'll stop right there. So it says that as we live, prepare minds for actions, it's going to say, be holy. We want to live sober-minded. In other words, the world lives in an immediate gratification sort of mindset. Like, hey, this feels good. I'm going to do it. That feels good. I'm going to do it. But this sober mind says, consider the way that you live. Before you jump into something, think about what are the short-term consequences? What are the long-term consequences? What are the short-term consequences? What are the short-term consequences? What are the long-term consequences? What are the short-term benefits? What are the long-term benefits? That is being sober-minded. It's thinking not about what do I want, it's thinking about what does God want." [09:29] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "What if instead of taking a family vacation every year, every couple years, you did a family mission trip? What if instead of trying to get ahead in your job, that you went to work to help other people get ahead in their job? What if instead of complaining, you solved problems and encouraged other people? What instead of, what, what if instead of just caring for your own kids, that you took an interest in foster kids, and kids that need to be adopted? What if instead of getting really good at your sport, or your hobby, whether it be pickleball, or tennis, or golf, or basket weaving, what if instead of getting really good at that, you gave a night of your week to tutor kids, or to mentor somebody? That is living differently. And as you look at your life, is your life different than the people around you? That's what it means to be holy, to be set apart, to be different." [12:37] (59 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "You also are called to have ministry, to be in ministry, to be on mission. And your place that God is calling you, it may be the office that you work at. Maybe the restaurant that you worked at, that you work at. Maybe the small business that you work at. Maybe the clients that you interact with. It may be the school that you teach. But God has called you to a ministry because you are holy, set apart, consecrated. And your call is every bit as serious as my call. Do you understand that? That you are consecrated for a mission that God has you on. And to live into that mission. And it starts, and if you're like, gosh, that's kind of a big deal. I don't know where I'd start. Man, it starts with prayer. That you're praying for the people around you. And you're loving them, and caring for them in practical ways. And then you're inviting them to hear about Jesus. Maybe you share your story. Maybe you invite them to church. Maybe you share a sermon with them. Maybe you share a podcast, or a book, or an article, whatever it is. But you're looking for that opportunity to share." [17:26] (81 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "I heard a message probably 30 years ago. And a guy told a story, and I still remember this message, the end of this story that he told. And I just want to recount it. It's not my story. It's his. So this guy, he was moving to a new town. And so they went there. They found a house that they liked. And they said, hey, let's go to the house on a Sunday morning and just see what the neighborhood is like. And so they went to the house in this neighborhood on a Sunday morning. And they just parked their car and just kind of watched what was going on. And everybody in that neighborhood was leaving for church, putting on their Sunday clothes, putting the family in the van, heading out to church. And he said to his wife, he said, I don't think this is where God is calling us. These people are all going to church already. It's best we didn't see it from a Sunday morning. So then they found another house in a different neighborhood. And they did the same thing. And they sat in their car, and they watched. And in that neighborhood, people were playing basketball with their kids. People were mowing the lawn. People were taking their dogs for walks. And there weren't many cars in this neighborhood that left to go to church. And he said, that's our mission field. That's where we're going to move. And I share that not because I'm saying you need to sell your house and move to a neighborhood where people don't go to church. Although if that's what God's calling you to do, by all means, go for it. But the fact is, that family, that he is like, we are set apart for a mission field. And the same is true for you. God has set you apart to share the gospel." [18:55] (100 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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