Reclaiming Holiness: The Call to Spiritual Awakening

 

Summary

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, I greet you all with joy and gratitude for the opportunity to gather and reflect on the profound theme of spiritual awakening and personal holiness. As we convene at the 2018 Ligonier Ministries National Conference, we are reminded that true spiritual awakening cannot occur without a reformation—a return to the foundational truths of the gospel as articulated during the Reformation. Our gathering is a testament to the enduring faithfulness that stretches from the Apostles to the present day, and it is a call to reclaim the gospel with vigor and clarity.

The heart of our reflection is the holiness of God, the most emphatic declaration in Scripture. This holiness is not merely an attribute but the essence of God's nature, setting Him apart as transcendent and separate from His creation. As R.C. Sproul emphasized, God is "holy, holy, holy," a truth that demands our attention and shapes our understanding of theology and life. This holiness calls us to a life of personal holiness, a reflection of God's purity and separateness in our conduct and character.

In 1 Peter 1:13-25, we are exhorted to prepare our minds for action, to be sober-minded, and to set our hope fully on the grace revealed in Jesus Christ. As elect exiles, we are called to live as obedient children, not conforming to the passions of our former ignorance but being holy in all our conduct. This holiness is not an option but a visible evidence of being born again, a tangible manifestation of obedience to Christ, and an indelible product of the ordinary means of grace.

Our personal holiness serves as an undeniable sign to the world of the power of the gospel. It perplexes the world, which cannot comprehend the transformation that occurs in us apart from Christ. As we live out this holiness, we become a testament to the gospel's truth and power, a living witness to the world that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Key Takeaways:

- Holiness as God's Essence: The holiness of God is the most emphatic declaration in Scripture, setting Him apart as transcendent and separate from His creation. This truth demands our attention and shapes our understanding of theology and life. Our call to holiness is a reflection of God's purity and separateness in our conduct and character. [09:30]

- Personal Holiness as Evidence: Personal holiness is the visible evidence of being born again. It is a tangible manifestation of obedience to Christ and an indelible product of the ordinary means of grace. Our holiness serves as a testament to the gospel's truth and power, perplexing the world that cannot comprehend the transformation apart from Christ. [44:35]

- The Role of the Mind in Holiness: Preparing our minds for action and being sober-minded are essential for living a holy life. Thinking precedes action, and we are called to be thinking Christians, engaging in intellectual discipleship that leads to obedience to Christ. This intellectual engagement is a prerequisite for living out our faith. [21:57]

- Holiness as a Sign to the World: Our personal holiness is an undeniable sign to the world of the power of the gospel. A sanctified people become a tremendous perplexity to the world, as our transformation can only be explained by Christ. This witness challenges the world to see the gospel's truth and power in our lives. [46:38]

- The Authority of Scripture: The authority of Scripture is foundational to our understanding of holiness. It is written, and it is final. The Word of God is the means by which we are conformed to the image of Christ, and it is through Scripture that we understand our call to holiness and obedience. [42:05]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:16] - Introduction to Spiritual Awakening
- [00:54] - Reformation and the Gospel
- [01:23] - The Joy of Faithful Institutions
- [02:26] - The Search for Ancient Paths
- [03:15] - Fellowship and Friendship in Ministry
- [04:08] - The Importance of Thinking Biblically
- [05:06] - Awakening and Personal Holiness
- [06:03] - The Holiness of God
- [07:42] - R.C. Sproul's Influence
- [09:02] - Mysterium Tremendum
- [10:19] - God's Transcendental Separateness
- [11:14] - Holy Things and Holy Ones
- [12:21] - Transcendental Purity
- [13:21] - Elect Exiles and Heavenly Citizenship
- [14:41] - The Call to Holiness
- [16:10] - The Role of the Mind in Holiness
- [18:45] - Obedience and Sanctification
- [20:27] - The Perplexity of Holiness to the World
- [22:50] - The Importance of Scripture
- [24:09] - The "Therefore" in Scripture
- [28:22] - Eschatological Focus
- [31:01] - The Call to Be Holy
- [32:23] - Context of Leviticus
- [35:46] - Holiness in the New Testament
- [39:33] - Faith and Hope in God
- [42:05] - The Authority of Scripture
- [44:35] - Personal Holiness as Evidence
- [46:38] - Holiness as a Sign to the World
- [49:13] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1 Peter 1:13-25

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Observation Questions:

1. What does 1 Peter 1:13-25 say about the role of the mind in living a holy life? How does this relate to the concept of being sober-minded? [20:56]

2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the phrase "holy, holy, holy" in understanding God's nature? [08:11]

3. How does the sermon describe the relationship between personal holiness and the world’s perception of the gospel? [46:38]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the authority of Scripture in shaping our understanding of holiness? [42:05]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of being "elect exiles" in 1 Peter 1:13-25 shape a believer's identity and purpose in the world? [14:41]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that personal holiness serves as evidence of being born again? How does this align with the teachings in 1 Peter? [44:35]

3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of preparing our minds for action. How does this intellectual engagement relate to living out one's faith practically? [21:57]

4. How does the sermon interpret the call to holiness in Leviticus as it applies to Christians today, according to 1 Peter 1:16? [35:46]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your daily routine. How can you prepare your mind for action and be sober-minded in your spiritual walk this week? [20:56]

2. Consider a situation where your personal holiness might perplex those around you. How can you use this as an opportunity to witness the power of the gospel? [46:38]

3. The sermon highlights the authority of Scripture. What steps can you take to ensure that your understanding of holiness is rooted in biblical truth? [42:05]

4. Think about a time when you felt like an "elect exile" in your community or workplace. How can this perspective help you live out your faith more boldly? [14:41]

5. Identify one area in your life where you struggle with obedience to Christ. What practical steps can you take to align this area with the call to holiness? [45:04]

6. The sermon mentions the importance of intellectual discipleship. How can you engage more deeply with Scripture to enhance your spiritual growth? [21:57]

7. Reflect on the phrase "You shall be holy, for I am holy." What does this mean for your personal conduct, and how can you strive to embody this in your daily interactions? [31:01]

Devotional

Day 1: God's Holiness as the Foundation of Our Faith
The holiness of God is the most emphatic declaration in Scripture, setting Him apart as transcendent and separate from His creation. This truth demands our attention and shapes our understanding of theology and life. Our call to holiness is a reflection of God's purity and separateness in our conduct and character. The holiness of God is not just an attribute but the essence of His nature, and it is this holiness that calls us to a life of personal holiness. As we strive to reflect God's purity, we are reminded that our conduct and character should mirror His separateness and transcendence. [09:30]

Isaiah 6:3-5 (ESV): "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!'"

Reflection: In what ways can you actively reflect God's holiness in your daily interactions and decisions today?


Day 2: Personal Holiness as a Testament to the Gospel
Personal holiness is the visible evidence of being born again. It is a tangible manifestation of obedience to Christ and an indelible product of the ordinary means of grace. Our holiness serves as a testament to the gospel's truth and power, perplexing the world that cannot comprehend the transformation apart from Christ. As we live out this holiness, we become a testament to the gospel's truth and power, a living witness to the world that Jesus Christ is Lord. [44:35]

1 Peter 2:11-12 (ESV): "Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."

Reflection: How can your actions today serve as a testament to the transformative power of the gospel in your life?


Day 3: The Mind's Role in Pursuing Holiness
Preparing our minds for action and being sober-minded are essential for living a holy life. Thinking precedes action, and we are called to be thinking Christians, engaging in intellectual discipleship that leads to obedience to Christ. This intellectual engagement is a prerequisite for living out our faith. By preparing our minds for action and being sober-minded, we align our thoughts with God's will, enabling us to live a life that reflects His holiness. [21:57]

Romans 12:2 (ESV): "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 specific steps can you take today to renew your mind and align your thoughts with God's will?


Day 4: Holiness as a Witness to the World
Our personal holiness is an undeniable sign to the world of the power of the gospel. A sanctified people become a tremendous perplexity to the world, as our transformation can only be explained by Christ. This witness challenges the world to see the gospel's truth and power in our lives. As we live out this holiness, we become a testament to the gospel's truth and power, a living witness to the world that Jesus Christ is Lord. [46:38]

Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV): "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Reflection: How can you let your light shine today in a way that points others to the truth and power of the gospel?


Day 5: Scripture as the Authority for Holiness
The authority of Scripture is foundational to our understanding of holiness. It is written, and it is final. The Word of God is the means by which we are conformed to the image of Christ, and it is through Scripture that we understand our call to holiness and obedience. By grounding ourselves in Scripture, we align our lives with God's will and are empowered to live out our faith with conviction and purpose. [42:05]

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV): "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."

Reflection: What specific passage of Scripture can you meditate on today to deepen your understanding of holiness and obedience to God?

Quotes


The single most important and emphatic declaration in holy Scripture, you know this already, is the holiness of God. This is the single most emphatic declaration in Scripture. I think most of us who are here can remember where and when we read R.C.'s book, The Holiness of God. [00:05:42]

R.C. wrote: "Only once in sacred Scripture is an attribute of God elevated to the third degree. Only once is a characteristic of God mentioned three times in succession. The Bible says that God is holy, holy, holy. Not that he is merely holy or even holy, holy. He is holy, holy, holy. [00:07:57]

The primary meaning of the holiness of God is the fact that God is separate. Separate, separate in every way imaginable, infinitely separate, eternally separate, separate from His creation. The confusion of the Creator and the creation is one of the fundamental heresies, the perennial heresies throughout every form of idolatry. [00:09:42]

The Old Testament famously speaks of holy things, those things which are holy unto the Lord, those things that are associated with God and with His worship. Just think about the holy things in the tabernacle and as he wrote, "The things that are holy are things that are apart, separated from the rest. [00:11:10]

The turn to personal holiness in this text is profound, and it is quick. A part of what it means to be the elect exiles, Christ's people wherever and whenever we are found, is to demonstrate sanctification in the Spirit and personal holiness that is the hallmark of the church, and as we shall see, is a great perplexity to the world. [00:20:27]

Thinking precedes action, and we are called to be thinking Christians, not just as a matter of some kind of intellectual exercise, but as a matter of what it means to be sanctified in the Spirit. Preparing your minds for action and being sober-minded, there is a proper intellectual sobriety to the Christian. [00:22:02]

We, in order to be Christ's people, demonstrated as Christ's people, obedient as Christ's people, in order to be the sign of contradiction we must be to the world, then we must be a people who think in obedience to Christ in order that we may live in obedience to Christ. [00:22:21]

The Holy Spirit and the ordinary means of grace says that it's through the preaching and teaching of the Word of God that we are conformed to the image of Christ, and it requires intellectual engagement. It requires intellectual discipleship. The obedience of the mind is required for the obedience of the body. [00:23:04]

Notice the citation here from Leviticus chapter 11 verses 41 to 45, "You shall be holy for I am holy." One of the most important things we need to do in reading Scripture is to return and look back to the context in which this is said. What's the quotation? Where's it from? [00:32:23]

The passage continues, and there's so much in it that resists any one sermon and summarization, "and you call him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds. Conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile." You know, I'm sure you've heard, as I heard as a boy and I hear even now, and I read in certain popular Christian literature, "fear here doesn't mean fear." [00:36:46]

Personal holiness is the visible evidence of being born again, and the Bible points us to look for that visible evidence in others, but particularly in ourselves. When we make our calling and election sure, we must be looking not only to the assured promises of Christ. [00:44:35]

A sanctified people becomes a tremendous perplexity to the world. Christians not conformed to the world but transformed by the renewing of our minds, Christians who are no longer conformed to the passions of our former ignorance but are rather alive in Christ, Christians who by the ordinary means of grace are being conformed to Christ's image and are visibly, tangibly, manifestly obedient to Christ, we become a great problem to the world because the world cannot explain how this could possibly happen without Christ. [00:46:38]

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Transcript
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