Transformative Fellowship: Embracing Holiness Through God's Promises
Summary
In this sermon, we explore the profound concept of "coineia" or fellowship, specifically focusing on the relationship between coineia and holiness. Building on the previous discussion about coineia and sin, we delve into the necessity of separating ourselves from sin and instead embracing a deep, transformative fellowship with God's holiness. This journey begins with understanding the promises of God as outlined in 2 Peter 1:1-4, which assures us that through His divine power, we have been given everything we need for life and godliness. These promises are not just words but commitments from God to sanctify and purify us, enabling us to partake in His divine nature.
The sermon emphasizes that holiness is not a product of our own efforts or willpower but a result of God's sovereign power working within us. We are reminded that just as we did not save ourselves, we cannot sanctify ourselves through our own strength. Instead, we are called to rely on the promises of God, which are designed to empower us to live a Christlike life. This involves a shift in focus from our own abilities to the divine nature that God imparts to us through His promises.
The divine nature of God is characterized by seven spiritual qualities that we are encouraged to add to our faith: virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity. These attributes are interconnected and progressive, each building upon the other to form a complete picture of what it means to partake in the divine nature. By diligently pursuing these qualities, we experience a transformation that aligns us more closely with God's character.
Ultimately, the sermon calls us to a life of holiness that is not burdensome but liberating, as it is grounded in the promises and power of God. We are encouraged to look away from ourselves and our limitations and to trust in God's ability to fulfill His promises in us, leading us into a deeper, more intimate fellowship with Him.
Key Takeaways:
1. Holiness Through Divine Promises: Holiness is not achieved through our own efforts but through the promises of God, which empower us to partake in His divine nature. By focusing on these promises, we shift our reliance from self to God, allowing His power to transform us. [05:05]
2. The Role of Faith in Holiness: Our journey towards holiness begins with faith, a gift from God, which is the foundation upon which we build other spiritual qualities. This faith is not self-generated but obtained through the righteousness of God and Jesus Christ. [14:08]
3. The Seven Spiritual Qualities: To partake in the divine nature, we must diligently add to our faith seven qualities: virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity. These attributes are interconnected and essential for spiritual growth. [50:12]
4. The Danger of Self-Reliance: Relying on our own strength for sanctification leads to frustration and failure. Instead, we must trust in God's power and promises, which provide everything we need for life and godliness. [22:29]
5. The Great Escape from Worldliness: Salvation involves escaping the corruption of the world through lust. This escape is a past, completed work that sets the stage for us to partake in God's holiness and divine nature. [44:24]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to Coineia and Holiness
- [01:05] - Separating from Sin
- [02:09] - Revisiting the Promises of God
- [03:16] - Reading from 2 Peter 1
- [04:10] - The Power of God's Promises
- [05:23] - Empowered to Live a Christlike Life
- [06:54] - Partakers of the Divine Nature
- [08:21] - Experiencing God's Nature
- [10:10] - Holiness Through God's Power
- [12:18] - Salvation and Sanctification
- [14:08] - Obtaining Like Precious Faith
- [16:58] - The Righteousness of God
- [19:10] - Multiplication of Grace and Peace
- [21:25] - The Great Escape
- [26:38] - Exceeding Great and Precious Promises
- [34:11] - Pathway to Holiness Through Promises
- [39:33] - Sharing in God's Divine Nature
- [50:12] - Seven Spiritual Qualities
- [59:41] - Adding Virtue to Faith
- [01:10:47] - Brotherly Kindness and Charity
- [01:18:23] - Conclusion and Call to Holiness
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Coineia and Holiness
Bible Reading:
- 2 Peter 1:1-4
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Observation Questions:
1. What does 2 Peter 1:1-4 say about the promises of God and their role in our spiritual lives? How are these promises described? [03:55]
2. According to the sermon, what is the relationship between coineia and holiness? How does this relationship affect our daily Christian walk? [07:58]
3. What are the seven spiritual qualities mentioned in the sermon that we are encouraged to add to our faith? How are these qualities interconnected? [50:12]
4. How does the sermon describe the danger of self-reliance in the pursuit of holiness? What are the consequences of relying on our own strength? [22:29]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of coineia with God's holiness challenge the common understanding of personal holiness as a self-driven effort? [10:31]
2. In what ways do the promises of God empower believers to partake in His divine nature, according to the sermon? How does this empowerment manifest in a believer's life? [05:05]
3. The sermon mentions a "great escape" from worldliness. What does this escape entail, and how does it set the stage for partaking in God's holiness? [44:24]
4. How does the sermon suggest believers should shift their focus from self-reliance to reliance on God's promises? What practical steps are involved in this shift? [18:42]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you relied on your own strength to achieve holiness. What was the outcome, and how might relying on God's promises have changed the situation? [22:29]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of adding seven spiritual qualities to our faith. Which of these qualities do you find most challenging to cultivate, and why? [50:12]
3. Consider the concept of coineia with God's holiness. How can you actively pursue a deeper fellowship with God's divine nature in your daily life? [07:58]
4. The sermon warns against the danger of self-reliance. What are some practical ways you can remind yourself to depend on God's power rather than your own efforts? [10:31]
5. The "great escape" from worldliness is described as a past, completed work. How can you live in the reality of this escape and avoid being drawn back into worldly patterns? [44:24]
6. Identify one promise of God that you find particularly encouraging. How can you incorporate this promise into your prayer life and daily routine to strengthen your faith? [05:05]
7. The sermon calls for a shift in focus from self to God. What specific distractions or habits in your life need to change to facilitate this shift? How will you address them this week? [18:42]
Devotional
Day 1: Holiness Through Divine Promises
Holiness is not something we achieve through our own efforts or willpower; it is a gift that comes through the promises of God. These promises empower us to partake in His divine nature, shifting our reliance from ourselves to God. By focusing on these promises, we allow His power to transform us, leading us into a deeper fellowship with Him. This transformation is not burdensome but liberating, as it is grounded in the assurance that God will fulfill His commitments to sanctify and purify us. [05:05]
2 Peter 1:3-4 (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, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire."
Reflection: What specific promise of God can you focus on today to shift your reliance from your own strength to His divine power?
Day 2: The Role of Faith in Holiness
Our journey towards holiness begins with faith, which is a gift from God and the foundation upon which we build other spiritual qualities. This faith is not self-generated but obtained through the righteousness of God and Jesus Christ. It is through this faith that we are empowered to live a Christlike life, as it opens the door to the transformative work of God's promises in us. By nurturing this faith, we allow God's power to work within us, leading us to a life of holiness. [14:08]
Romans 1:17 (ESV): "For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, 'The righteous shall live by faith.'"
Reflection: How can you actively nurture your faith today to allow God's transformative power to work in your life?
Day 3: The Seven Spiritual Qualities
To partake in the divine nature, we are encouraged to diligently add to our faith seven spiritual qualities: virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity. These attributes are interconnected and progressive, each building upon the other to form a complete picture of what it means to partake in the divine nature. By pursuing these qualities, we experience a transformation that aligns us more closely with God's character, enabling us to live a life that reflects His holiness. [50:12]
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: Which of the seven spiritual qualities do you feel most challenged to develop, and what practical steps can you take today to cultivate it?
Day 4: The Danger of Self-Reliance
Relying on our own strength for sanctification leads to frustration and failure. Instead, we must trust in God's power and promises, which provide everything we need for life and godliness. By shifting our focus from our limitations to God's limitless power, we open ourselves to the transformative work of His promises, leading us to a life of holiness that is not burdensome but liberating. [22:29]
Jeremiah 17:5-7 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord: 'Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.'"
Reflection: In what area of your life are you relying on your own strength, and how can you begin to trust in God's power instead?
Day 5: The Great Escape from Worldliness
Salvation involves escaping the corruption of the world through lust, a past, completed work that sets the stage for us to partake in God's holiness and divine nature. This escape is not just a one-time event but an ongoing journey of transformation as we continue to rely on God's promises and power. By embracing this journey, we are empowered to live a life that reflects God's holiness, free from the bondage of worldly desires. [44:24]
1 John 2:15-17 (ESV): "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."
Reflection: What worldly desire do you need to escape from today, and how can you rely on God's promises to help you overcome it?
Quotes
We are partakers in the divine nature of God. We are to draw on the divine characteristics, listen, the holiness of God. Our message is coineia and holiness, personal purity of heart, mind, spirit, action, deed. The Christian being holy, you can actually have it. [00:10:10]
Holiness, the individual holy character of a Christian, of their talk, their conversation, was never meant to be them producing it. It was meant to be partaken of the divine nature of God. It was meant to be the power of God actually ministering it to you. [00:10:10]
Faith is not something that you create to believe in God or you create this faith in God that you know God is real or that you're born again. Oh no, faith comes as a gift from God. It is a sovereign act, it is a sovereign gift of God. [00:14:08]
According as his divine power hath given us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises, that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature. [00:03:16]
The promises of God here, they are very great. There's nothing greater. He also calls them precious. That means valuable, costly, esteemed. Peter likes the word precious. These are costly things, these are things you could never buy, you could never earn, you could never deserve. [00:44:24]
How do you get to share in the divine holiness of God, the character of God, the attributes of God? How do they become yours in coineia? Through the promises. Since the promises, hundreds, thousands of promises, are God's pathway to bring you in. [00:34:11]
The divine nature of God is characterized by seven spiritual qualities that we are encouraged to add to our faith: virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity. These attributes are interconnected and progressive, each building upon the other. [00:50:12]
If you want coineia, if you want the divine nature of God, then give diligence. You give the diligence, he gives the attribute. Oh, I've got to give diligence, I've got to create and add to faith. No, you give diligence, but he brings it. [00:54:24]
The word patience means to joyfully stay in your place, to stay in the position where you're put, to uphold under many troubles, great pressure, and a lot of opposition. It means you're under fire, but you keep your place. [01:01:47]
Godliness means likeness to God, god-likeness, reverence, loyalty. It says in 1 Timothy 4:7, "But refuse profane and old wife's fables and exercise thyself rather unto godliness." You need to exercise. [01:10:47]
Brotherly kindness, it's the Greek word Philadelphia. Add to godliness or godlikeness, reverence, loyalty, add brotherly kindness. Do you know why he says this? It's not the same. Godliness is not the same as brotherly kindness. [01:10:47]
Charity, the word charity, and I love it, is love in action. It's the word agape. It's a supernatural love, not a natural love. It's God's love. Now hear me again, God is love. This is being a coineia of the divine nature of the character of God. [01:10:47]
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