Philippians 2:19-24
This sermon is an urgent call to Christian love!
The clip following the sermon is from a message called "Something is wrong" by itinerate preacher Richard Owen Roberts of International Awakening Ministries.
1 Peter 1:13-16
J. C. Ryle was the 1st Anglican Bishop of Liverpool. In his classic book titled, “Holiness”, he wrote the words. “He who supposes that Jesus Christ only lived and died and rose again in order to provide justification and forgiveness of sins for His people, has yet much to learn. Whether he knows it or not, he is dishonouring our blessed Lord, and making Him only a half Saviour. The Lord Jesus has undertaken everything that His people’s souls require; not only to deliver them from the guilt of their sins by His atoning death, but from the dominion of their sins, by placing in their hearts the Holy Spirit; not only to justify them, but also to sanctify them”.
In this second and final sermon part, we examine the command to holiness and the means to holiness. As we move from the classroom of theory onto the field of experience, may the Lord bless you!
Exodus 39:30-31
Whenever the topic of holiness is brought up in the company of Christians, it is guaranteed to provoke one of two responses, either uneasiness or delight! Now granted, those feelings of uneasiness may be down to the fact that a professing believer is not living as they ought; maybe they are living in secret sin and know that by preaching such a topic as holiness, they will be disturbed. Then, there are those who love Jesus dearly, but have been scarred by those who preached to them a form of holiness “so-called” which was nothing more than evangelical legalism!
As we approach this sacred subject, rather than jump straight into the practical, I want to begin with the concept! So many err in their understanding of holiness because they fail to comprehend what holiness even is. Let us then first understand what holiness is.
Luke 15:1-2
If one was to stop you and to ask, “What is God like?”, I wonder what answer you’d give? What attribute would come first to mind? Would it be God’s holiness or omnipotence? His omniscience or His omnipresence? You ask me, “What is God like?”. What attribute comes first to mind when thinking about His person? I return my answer at once; GOD IS LOVE! Without question, this is His crowning attribute without which we would all be damned forever.
In this sermon, we look at the heart of God our heavenly Father. May the Lord bless and encourage you.
Romans 8:14
There’s one feature of the Holy Spirit’s leading that I’ve learned from experience, one that is widely attested to in the Sacred record, and that is the spontaneity of His leading!!! When the Holy Spirit speaks to His people and desires to lead them, it will always require faith to respond!! In the moment of suddenness, we are given a window of time to obey. #1. We must recognise the voice of the Holy Spirit, #2. We must be willing to sacrifice, #3. We must step out in faith!!
Psalm 32:1-5
If we are to move forward in our walk with Jesus in the year ahead, we must learn to deal honestly with God as His Spirit comes in searching power to discover the true nature of our hearts. William Gurnall that old Puritan put it well when he said, “Sincerity is that property to which pardoning mercy is annexed. True, indeed, it is that Christ covers all our sins and failings; but it is only the sincere soul over which he will cast his skirt”. C.H. Spurgeon said, “The lesson from the whole is this: be honest. Sinner, may God make you honest. Do not deceive yourself. Make a clean breast of it before God. Have an honest religion, or have none at all. Have a religion of the heart, or else have none. Put aside the mere vestment and garment of piety, and let your soul be right within. Be honest”.
This sermon calls for a frank and full confession so that we might receive full forgiveness!