Sermon Central
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The Seven Pillars Of Wisdom - 7: Holiness Series
Contributed by Dan Cormie on Dec 15, 2003 (message contributor)
Summary: Seventh in a series on the Wisdom found in Proverbs. The idea for this Series came from "Everyday Light" a daily devotional by Selwyn Hughes. Pillar #7 - Holiness.
7, December 2003
Dakota Community Church
The Seven Pillars of Wisdom
Week Seven: Holiness
Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars.
2 She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table.
3 She has sent out her maids, and she calls from the highest point of the city.
4 "Let all who are simple come in here!" she says to those who lack judgment.
5 "Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed.
6 Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.
- We are not told what the seven pillars are.
- I believe they are themes of truth that will lead to life.
The seventh “pillar” of wisdom is: Understanding the importance of personal holiness.
Proverbs teaches us that a life of wisdom is characterized by holiness.
Proverbs 5: 7-9
7 Now then, my sons listen to me; do not turn aside from what I say.
8 Keep to a path far from her; do not go near the door of her house,
9 lest you give your best strength to others and your years to one who is cruel
Proverbs 4: 10 - 14
10 Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many.
11 I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.
12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.
13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.
14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men.
First of all we need to understand what it means to be holy. If I asked everyone here to write on a piece of paper what they think holy conduct is we would probably get, as many different responses as there are individuals.
From Your Dictionary.com:
Holy
Belonging to, derived from, or associated with a divine power; sacred.
1. Regarded with or worthy of worship or veneration; revered: a holy book.
2. Living according to a strict or highly moral religious or spiritual system; saintly: a holy person.
3. Specified or set apart for a religious purpose: a holy place.
4. Solemnly undertaken; sacrosanct: a holy pledge.
5. Regarded as deserving special respect or reverence: The pursuit of peace is our holiest quest.
6. Informal Used as an intensive: raised holy hell over the mischief their children did.
Not entirely helpful in clearing up the murky water, so I went to “Vines Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words”
From the Greek Word – Hagiasmos – translated; holiness. It signifies:
(a.) Separation to God.
(b.) The resultant state, the conduct befitting those so separated.
So then Proverbs tells us that the wise separate themselves to God, recognizing that we are His:
1Corinthians 6: 19-20
19Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
And that our conduct or behavior is affected by that separation:
2Corinthians 7: 1
1Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
1. We are called to imitate a Holy God.
Proverbs 9: 10
10 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Psalm 99: 9
9 Exalt the LORD our God and worship at his holy mountain, for the LORD our God is holy.
Exodus 135: 11
11 "Who among the gods is like you, O LORD? Who is like you- majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?
4Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed."
There is no doubt that God is Perfect in Holiness, He is without fault.
The reason that we were not allowed into His presence until the Blood of Jesus cleansed us is not that He thinks sin is icky and doesn’t want it around Him. It is because we would cease to live in the awesome purity of His perfect Holiness.
1Peter 1: 14-15
14As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery! It is the ultimate act of worship.
