Summary: Even believers are confused about this important subject. True holiness and delight go hand in hand.

Holiness is an Essential (Message and Handout)

Don’t team up(be yoked) with those who are unbelievers. How can goodness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? 15 What harmony can there be between Christ and the Devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? 16 And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said: “I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 17 Therefore, come out from them and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. 18 And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” - 1 ¶ Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete purity because we fear God. 2 Cor 6:14-7:1 (NLT)

1-Some things we think are very important to our Christian life are actually minor.

2- Other things we might even think are “out of date” are essential.

3- Certainly, holiness is one of those things.

4- Holiness is purity, sanctification and righteousness.

5- There are two basic misconceptions concerning HOLINESS:

• One is the idea of sinless PERFECTION.

• The other involves the idea that holiness is unattainable so WHY TRY.

Several truths concerning holiness are clearly taught in the Bible.

1- God Is HOLY.

In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. 2 Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. 3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. 4 And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoe. Isa. 6:1-4 (KJV)

And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. Rev 4:8 (KJV)

1. This is an essence of God’s nature.

2. This Is His Major Attribute - Out Of His Holiness All Else Flows.

3. Angels can and do say much about God, but those in His presence are employed with His attribute of holinesss.

2- If You are Called a CHRISTIAN You Are Called To Be HOLY. (Text; 1 Thess. 4:1-8)

But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 1 Pet 1:15 (KJV)

1. Holiness Has ALWAYS Been The PLAN Of God.

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2 Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy. Lev. 19:2 (KJV)

2. Holiness is an absolute essential quality for believers.

3- Holiness Is Always The Purpose Of God’s DISCIPLINE.

Since we respect our earthly fathers who disciplined us, should we not all the more cheerfully submit to the discipline of our heavenly Father and live forever? 10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always right and good for us because it means we will share in his holiness. Heb. 12:9-10 (NLT)

1. Without a doubt God chastens or disciplines those who He loves.

2. Often people tell me they think God is disciplining them.

3. My answer is quit what you believe He is disciplining you for, if the pain stops, it was discipline.

4. God is not trying to get even with us. If He was we would none have a chance.

5. His desire is for us to be “image bearers” – to be like Him.

4- Holiness Is PREPARATION For The FUTURE. (O.J.T.)

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

11 ¶ Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 2 Pet. 3:10-12 (KJV)

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. 1 Jn. 3:1-3 (KJV)

1. Those who don’t like the idea of holiness wouldn’t like being with the LORD!

2. Heaven would be a very drab place for those who love the world more than they love God.

In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the pots in the LORD’S house shall be like the bowls before the altar. 21 Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the LORD of hosts: and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and seethe therein: and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts. Zech. 14:20-21 (KJV)

5- None of Us Will Ever See GOD Without Being HOLY.

Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Heb. 12:14 (KJV)

1. But holiness is so essential that not one person will ever see God without possessing it.

2. You might go to heaven without a lot of things. (examples)

Yea, but how?

The truth is that true holiness is unattainable except through the blood of Jesus.

True holiness is the work of the HOLY SPIRIT. -- LET Him work!

God alone made it possible for you to be in Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made Christ to be wisdom itself. He is the one who made us acceptable to God. He made us pure and holy, and he gave himself to purchase our freedom. 1 Cor. 1:30 (NLT)

And what God wants is for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all time. Heb. 10:10 (NLT)

Practical holiness is a work in PROGRESS. -- GET to work!

1 ¶ Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete purity because we fear God. 2 Cor 7:1 (NLT)

HANDOUT WITH BLANKS:

I have found that I can communicate with a wider audience by the use of “hand outs”.

My people love them.

They work even more effectively with quests.

They also allow me to use several different translations as well as explain doctrine.

People are able to receive more and take home more for my message.

Hope you find it useful.

If you find this helpful, please email me and let me know. (openarmsbaptist@attbi.com)

Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can goodness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? 15 What harmony can there be between Christ and the Devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? 16 And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said: “I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 17 Therefore, come out from them and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. 18 And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” - 1 ¶ Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete purity because we fear God. 2 Cor 6:14-7:1 (NLT)

There are two basic misconceptions concerning ____________________:

One is the idea of sinless ____________________.

The other involves the idea that holiness is unattainable so ________ _______.

Several truths concerning holiness are clearly taught in the Bible.

1- God Is ________. This Is His Major Attribute - Out Of His Holiness All Else Flows. (896 times in (KJV)

In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. 2 Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. 3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. 4 And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. Isa. 6:1-4 (KJV)

And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. Rev 4:8 (KJV)

2- If You are Called a ____________________You Are Called To Be __________. (Text; 1 Thess. 4:1-8)

But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 1 Pet 1:15 (KJV)

Holiness Has _______________Been The __________Of God.

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2 Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy. Lev. 19:2 (KJV)

3- Holiness Is Always The Purpose Of God’s ____________________.

Since we respect our earthly fathers who disciplined us, should we not all the more cheerfully submit to the discipline of our heavenly Father and live forever? 10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always right and good for us because it means we will share in his holiness. Heb. 12:9-10 (NLT)

4- Holiness Is ____________________For The ____________________.

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

11 ¶ Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 2 Pet. 3:10-12 (KJV)

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. 1 Jn. 3:1-3 (KJV)

Those who don’t like the idea of holiness wouldn’t like being with the _______________!

In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the pots in the LORD’S house shall be like the bowls before the altar. 21 Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the LORD of hosts: and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and seethe therein: and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts. Zech. 14:20-21 (KJV)

5- None of Us Will Ever See ____________________Without Being __________.

Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Heb. 12:14 (KJV)

Yea, but how? True holiness is unattainable except through the blood of Jesus.

True holiness is the work of the __________ __________. -- __________ Him work!

God alone made it possible for you to be in Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made Christ to be wisdom itself. He is the one who made us acceptable to God. He made us pure and holy, and he gave himself to purchase our freedom. 1 Cor. 1:30 (NLT)

And what God wants is for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all time. Heb. 10:10 (NLT)

Practical holiness is a work in ____________________. -- __________ to work!

1 ¶ Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete purity because we fear God. 2 Cor 7:1 (NLT)