SET APART FOR HOLY USE

Matthew 22:1-8, 9-13, 16-21; 2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1; 2 Timothy 2:14-22; 2 Peter 2:

Biblical Concept of Holiness

· Hagios 2 Peter 1:18 (Righteousness, holy, pious)

· Qodesh Exodus 15:11 (Set apart for special purpose)

· Qadosh Exodus 3:5 (Apartness/Sacredness)

o Israel

o Furnishings in the tabernacle

o People of God

· Opposite of sacred is secular/material/profane/carnal/vain/ordinary

o Priest, nation, angels, prophets

Holiness as an essential attribute of God

· His very Being (Exodus 15:11)

· His character of moral perfection reflected in His people (Exodus 15:13, Psalm 89:35)

· It is God Himself who leads His people into his holy presence

· Biblically only God is Holy; any other person derives its holiness from God when the person or item is consecrated to God

Wrong Concept of Holiness

· Pharisaic prohibitions

· Adherence to a strict dress code

· Artificial Mannerisms

· Temperance in morality

What does it mean to say that one is holy?

A person set apart/consecrated for a sacred use

· A call to separateness

· A call to uniqueness

· A call to distinction/exception

· A call to purity

· Not just a call to separate from sin, but to cling to God (1 Timothy 6:11)

Why are we called to be holy?

· Because God is holy (Leviticus 19:1-2; 11:44, 1 Peter 1:14-16)

· Without holiness we cannot see God (Hebrews 12:14)

· Because the Holy Spirit of God is in us.

o Samson and the Holy Spirit (Judges

o Belshazzar and the holy vessels (Daniel 5:1-8)

How do we demonstrate God’s nature of Holiness in us?

· Romans 6:14

· 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8

· Ephesians 4:22-24

· 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 2 Corinthians 6:16-19

If holiness is such a basic concept in Christian lifestyles, why do we struggle with it?

· Self-centered attitude towards Sin

o Our sin grieves the heart of God

o Compare attitudes of Saul, Balaam, Pharaoh vs David and prodigal son

· Lack of personal responsibility

o Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar

o Give to God what belongs to God

o If God has His Spirit on you, you are His

· Deceitfulness of Sin (Hebrews 3:13)

o Call SIN for what it is

o Categorization of sins

o Tolerance of certain sins

· Frequent Exposure to agents of sin

o Samson & Delilah (Judges 16:15-17)

o Lot & Sodom/Gomorrah (2 Peter 2:8-9)

o The rule of the wicked (Psalm 125:3)

o Balaam & Balak

So what should we do?

· Come out from among them

· Don’t use your body members as agents of sin

· Consecrate yourself