Restoring Holiness: The Church's Call to Obedience

Devotional

Day 1: God's Intent for the Church's Strength

The decline of churches and their transformation into other religious spaces is not a reflection of God's intent for the world. Instead, it highlights a spiritual crisis that demands attention. The weakening of both liberal and evangelical churches is not a divine plan but a call for introspection and action. The church is meant to be a beacon of hope and strength, not a fading light. This decline challenges believers to examine their faith and the role of the church in society. It is a reminder that the church's mission is to stand firm in its beliefs and to be a source of spiritual strength and guidance. [00:53]

"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. You have done foolishly in this, for from now on you will have wars." (2 Chronicles 16:9, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you contribute to strengthening your local church community and ensuring it remains a beacon of hope and faith?

Day 2: The Divine Demand for Holiness

Holiness is not a trivial pursuit but a divine demand that is essential for seeing the Lord. The church's failure to uphold holiness has led to a loss of its role as the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Many churches today dismiss the pursuit of holiness as legalism, but this disregard has resulted in a spiritual drift. Holiness is about aligning with God's standards and living a life that reflects His character. It is a call to be set apart and to live in a way that honors God. Without holiness, the church loses its influence and its ability to impact the world positively. [12:08]

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

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to pursue holiness in your personal life and within your church community?

Day 3: Seeking God's Approval Over Man's

In ministry, the focus should be on seeking God's approval rather than the approval of others. Many in ministry today fear people more than they fear God, leading to a church that prioritizes pleasing its congregation over pleasing God. This misplaced focus results in a church that compromises its values and mission. The Apostle Paul's words to Timothy emphasize the importance of handling the Word of God accurately and living lives approved by God. The church's mission is to be faithful to God's calling, even if it means standing against popular opinion. [17:20]

"For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." (Galatians 1:10, ESV)

Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you are more concerned with pleasing others than pleasing God? How can you shift your focus to seek God's approval first?

Day 4: Recognizing Jesus as the Messiah

Nathanael's encounter with Jesus under the fig tree illustrates the importance of recognizing Jesus as the Son of God and the King of Israel. This recognition is essential for true faith and understanding. Nathanael's immediate acknowledgment of Jesus as the Messiah is a testament to his faith and insight. Many in the church today lack this recognition, which is crucial for a deep and meaningful relationship with Christ. Recognizing Jesus as Lord is not just about acknowledging His divinity but also about submitting to His authority and following His teachings. [39:59]

"Nathanael answered him, 'Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!'" (John 1:49, ESV)

Reflection: How can you deepen your understanding and recognition of Jesus as the Messiah in your daily life and spiritual practices?

Day 5: The Foundation of Obedience to Christ

The wedding at Cana serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of obedience to Christ. Mary's words to the servants, "Whatever he says to you, do it," encapsulate the essence of true Christianity. Obedience to Christ is not optional; it is the foundation of our faith. This obedience is about trusting in Jesus' guidance and following His commands, even when it is challenging. As believers, we are called to commit to doing whatever Christ commands, trusting that His ways are higher than ours and that His plans are for our good. [54:20]

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1:22, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle with obedience to Christ? What practical steps can you take to align your actions with His commands today?

Sermon Summary

In today's reflection, I invite you to ponder whether it is truly God's intent for the world to grow increasingly evil and for the church to become weaker. Observing the transformation of churches into mosques, as seen in Wheaton, Illinois, raises questions about the state of Christianity today. The decline of both liberal and evangelical churches is evident, and we must ask ourselves why this is happening. Is it God's will, or is there another reason behind this decay?

The core issue lies in the church's loss of holiness and its failure to uphold God's standards. Holiness is not a trivial matter; it is a divine demand. Without holiness, no one will see the Lord. Yet, many churches today mock the pursuit of holiness, labeling it as legalism. This disregard for holiness has led to a church that is no longer the salt of the earth or the light of the world. The church's failure to uphold God's standards has resulted in a nation that is spiritually adrift.

The Apostle Paul's words to Timothy remind us of the importance of handling the Word of God accurately and living lives approved by God. Our task is not to seek the approval of others but to seek God's approval. Many in ministry today fear people more than they fear God, leading to a church that is more concerned with pleasing its congregation than with pleasing God.

The story of Nathanael in the Gospel of John illustrates the importance of recognizing Jesus as the Son of God and the King of Israel. Nathanael's encounter with Jesus under the fig tree reveals the depth of his faith and understanding. He immediately recognizes Jesus as the Messiah, a recognition that many in the church today lack.

Finally, the wedding at Cana serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of obedience to Christ. Mary's words to the servants, "Whatever he says to you, do it," encapsulate the essence of true Christianity. Obedience to Christ is not optional; it is the foundation of our faith. As we consider the future of our church, let us resolve to follow Mary's example and commit to doing whatever Christ commands.

Key Takeaways

1. God's Intent and the Church's Decline: It is not God's intent for the world to grow more evil and for the church to weaken. The transformation of churches into mosques and the decline of both liberal and evangelical churches highlight a spiritual crisis that demands our attention. [00:53]
2. The Importance of Holiness: Holiness is a divine demand, not a trivial matter. Without holiness, no one will see the Lord. The church's failure to uphold holiness has led to a loss of its role as the salt of the earth and the light of the world. [12:08]
3. Seeking God's Approval: Our task is to seek God's approval, not the approval of others. Many in ministry today fear people more than they fear God, leading to a church that prioritizes pleasing its congregation over pleasing God. [17:20]
4. Recognizing Jesus as Lord: Nathanael's encounter with Jesus under the fig tree illustrates the importance of recognizing Jesus as the Son of God and the King of Israel. This recognition is essential for true faith. [39:59]
5. Obedience to Christ: The wedding at Cana serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience to Christ. Mary's words, "Whatever he says to you, do it," encapsulate the essence of true Christianity. Obedience is the foundation of our faith. [54:20]
** [54:20]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:18] - Questioning God's Intent
[01:26] - The Decline of Churches
[03:19] - The State of Today's Church
[04:41] - Changes Over 70 Years
[06:37] - Sin in the Church
[08:14] - Why the Church is Failing
[09:26] - Paul's Letters to Timothy
[12:08] - The Demand for Holiness
[14:00] - Christ's Purpose
[16:15] - Handling the Word of God
[19:06] - The Church's Influence on the Nation
[22:01] - The Firm Foundation of God
[24:10] - Vessels of Honor
[27:56] - The Snare of Satan
[29:06] - The Gospel of John
[32:38] - Nathanael's Encounter with Jesus
[39:59] - Recognizing Jesus as Lord
[47:34] - The Wedding at Cana
[54:20] - Obedience to Christ

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

2 Timothy 2:15-19
John 1:44-49
John 2:1-5

---

Observation Questions:

What does Paul instruct Timothy to do in 2 Timothy 2:15, and why is this important for the church today? [15:40]
In John 1:46, Nathanael expresses skepticism about Jesus. How does his perspective change after meeting Jesus, and what does this reveal about his character? [39:59]
During the wedding at Cana, what specific instruction does Mary give to the servants, and why is this significant in the context of obedience? [54:20]
According to the sermon, what is the current state of both liberal and evangelical churches, and what reasons are given for this condition? [05:10]

---

Interpretation Questions:

How does the concept of holiness, as discussed in 2 Timothy 2:15-19, challenge the modern church's approach to sin and righteousness? [12:08]
Nathanael's recognition of Jesus as the Son of God and King of Israel is immediate and profound. What does this encounter teach about the nature of true faith and recognition of Jesus' identity? [39:59]
The sermon suggests that many in ministry today fear people more than God. How does this fear impact the church's mission and integrity? [17:20]
Reflecting on the wedding at Cana, how does Mary's instruction to "do whatever he tells you" encapsulate the essence of true Christian obedience? [54:20]

---

Application Questions:

Reflect on your personal pursuit of holiness. Are there areas in your life where you have compromised God's standards? How can you realign your life to seek holiness more earnestly? [12:08]
Nathanael's encounter with Jesus led to a profound recognition of His divinity. Have you had a moment in your life where you recognized Jesus' lordship in a new way? How did it change your faith journey? [39:59]
The sermon highlights the importance of seeking God's approval over people's. In what areas of your life do you find yourself seeking the approval of others, and how can you shift your focus to prioritize God's approval? [17:20]
Consider the current state of the church as described in the sermon. What role can you play in addressing the spiritual crisis and helping your church become a beacon of holiness and truth? [05:10]
Mary's instruction at the wedding at Cana emphasizes obedience to Christ. Is there a specific command of Christ that you struggle to obey? What steps can you take to follow His command more faithfully? [54:20]
The sermon discusses the transformation of churches into mosques as a sign of spiritual decline. How can your church community work to strengthen its witness and prevent such a decline? [00:53]
Reflect on the idea that Christ came to save us from our sins, not just from hell. How does this understanding impact your daily walk with Christ and your approach to sin? [14:00]

Sermon Clips

"Do you think it's God's intent that the world get more and more evil and the church gets weaker and weaker? Do you think it's God's intent that churches like this should be turned into Muslim mosques? That's what's happening. We live as has been said in Wheaton, and on our way home today, as is always the case, we'll go by what was built as a church but is now a Muslim mosque." [00:35:49]

"Holiness is regarded now by the bulk of the church as completely inconsequential, not at all in keeping with the plan and purpose of God, and any old duffer like myself unwise enough to speak upon the subject is told he's a legalist. Now I don't intend to wrangle with you, but I don't hesitate to remind you that we don't describe God as great-great-great or wise-wise-wise, but as holy, holy, holy." [11:19:50]

"Without holiness, no man shall see the Lord. So the great burden of the church, you would suppose, is how do we become holy? But no, we live at a time that mocks old men who still speak about holiness and call them ridiculous idiots and legalists. Now let us understand in this word of instruction to Timothy, it says remind them of these things and solemnly charge them in the presence of God." [12:33:40]

"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth. Now listen, we have millions of men and women who call themselves Christians who pretend to be handling accurately the Word of God, who are mocking holiness as ridiculous." [15:40:58]

"Our task is not to get the approval of your church or your pastor but of God himself, and there are vast numbers of men in ministry who've got the approval of their church but they don't have the approval of God. I know hundreds and hundreds of pastors who are much more afraid of people than they are of God." [17:02:53]

"Nathanael answered him, Rabbi, you are the son of God, you are the king of Israel. Now that's a mighty important matter. You are the son of God, you are the king of Israel. I mean a lot of people who call themselves Christians that can't join Nathanael, they're not sure that Christ is God." [40:10:49]

"Whatever he says to you, do it. Now you see those are not words that are idly spoken by a silly woman. These are words spoken by a woman who knows who her son is. You understand that, don't you? When she said to the servants, whatever he says to you, do it, she spoke as a mother who knew who her son was." [54:27:53]

"Now that's Christianity. Anything short of that is fraudulent, and although it may be thought I'm in no position to tell you this, ever since brother Scott invited me to come today and informed me that you were considering a merger, I was thinking about what would happen with a new beginning where the resolve that the church was everything he says to you, do it." [01:08:22]

"I am convinced that our nation is dying because the church is no longer the salt of the earth or the light of the world, and it's a terrible thing but very accurate to say thousands and thousands and thousands of people are leaving the churches because they've got the understanding that it is better not to waste their time going to listen to the ridiculous stuff that's being taught and preached." [19:28:29]

"Now in a large house, there are not only gold and silver vessels but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor. Therefore, if a man cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the master, prepared for every good work." [23:47:20]

"Now look, your task is not to get the approval of your church or your pastor but of God himself, and there are vast numbers of men in ministry who've got the approval of their church but they don't have the approval of God. I know hundreds and hundreds of pastors who are much more afraid of people than they are of God." [17:02:53]

"Now that's Christianity. Anything short of that is fraudulent, and although it may be thought I'm in no position to tell you this, ever since brother Scott invited me to come today and informed me that you were considering a merger, I was thinking about what would happen with a new beginning where the resolve that the church was everything he says to you, do it." [01:08:22]

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?

Restoring Holiness: The Church's Call to Obedience

Devotional

Day 1: God's Intent for the Church's Strength

Day 2: The Divine Demand for Holiness

Day 3: Seeking God's Approval Over Man's

Day 4: Recognizing Jesus as the Messiah

Day 5: The Foundation of Obedience to Christ

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Restoring Holiness: The Church's Call to Obedience

Share