Introduction

* <Lev 11:44>: Be holy, for I am holy

* <Heb 12:14>: Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

* <1 Peter 1:15-16>: But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

* <1 Peter 2:9>: But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

* <Isa 6:3>: …Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.

Verses to read: <Exodus 3:4-6,10,13-14> NIV

The Pursuit of Holiness

1) What is holiness?

* Secondary Meaning: To be pure and do right

<Gen 6:9>: Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God

* Primary Meaning: To be separated, consecrated, made different

<Lev 11:44>: I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy.

2) Our Holy God

* He is transcendent and magnificent, infinitely different and more superior in all sense, compared to all other beings.

3) Our Holy Life

* We must not just seek to do right, but we must be consecrated (in Christ).

* Holy Living is to have every part of our lives consecrated by Him.

4) The Holy Sacraments

When the Holiness of God meets the secular and impenitent World

Verses to read: <2 Peter 2:5-9> 

It is so easy for God to crush his enemies, just as it is easy for us to tread upon and crush a worm. In fact, the bow of God’s wrath is bent, and the arrow made ready on the string, and aimed at his heart. But what is stopping God is not anything but God himself who is restraining his own wrath. – Paraphrased from Jonathan Edwards

1) God’s holiness is calling out for a preacher of righteousness.

* <Jn 15:26-27>: … the spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, HE will testify about me. And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning. 

2) God’s holiness will provoke a distress in us.

* <2 Peter 2:9>: … the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment. 

* <Eph 5:15-16> Let us live not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

Reflection
Are we distressed living in this world, as how Lot was? If yes, what is about this world now is causing a distress to you? 

Why do you think Noah kept on preaching for 120 years, yet despite so no one believes? Would you do it if it was you?