Holiness

Everton Park - 25th October 2015 am

Unlocking God's Word
#6 - Holiness - Being Different

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
1 Peter 1:13-21

• The standard is the character of God - Lev 19:2

• The root of the word "hagios" = a fundamental idea of 'separation', and so to speak, 'consecration' and 'devotion to the service of deity'. What is set apart from the world and to God should separate itself from the world's defilements.

• Related to 'sanctification' = cleansing, purifying, setting apart

• 1 Pet 1 - Because we have been saved by Christ we have an eternal inheritance to look forward to.

• The commands to be different:

  • "Therefore gird up the loins of your mind..."
  • "rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ"
  • "(don't) conform ... yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance"
  • "be holy in all your conduct, because:
    • As He who called you is holy, (so) you also (must) be holy : Christ is our example
    • it is written "be holy, for I am holy" : God has commanded it
  • conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear

• The teaching about being different:

  • We have been redeemed by something much more precious than silver or gold - the blood of Christ, the lamb of God
  • Christ's sacrifice for sinners was foreordained before the foundation of the world
  • The eternal plan decided on by the Father and Son was directed at ensuring that our faith and hope are in God.