GOD IS…..
HOLY!
GOD IS…..HOLY!
November 20, 2016
Sermon in a sentence: We must be holy, because God is holy.
Congregational reading: Psalm 99
Scriptures:(all NKJV) Lev. 11:44a, 45b;1 Pet. 1:15-16; Psalm 99.
Psalm 99 NKJV The LORD reigns; let the peoples tremble! He dwells between the cherubim; let the earth be moved 2 The LORD is great in Zion, and He is high above all the peoples. 3Let them praise Your great and awesome name—He is holy. 4 The King’s strength also loves justice; You have established equity; You have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob. 5 Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at His footstool—He is holy. 6 Moses and Aaron were among His priests, and Samuel was among those who called upon His name; they called upon the LORD, and He answered them. 7 He spoke to them in the cloudy pillar; they kept His testimonies and the ordinance He gave them. 8 You answered them, O LORD our God; You were to them God-Who-Forgives, though You took vengeance on their deeds. 9Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at His holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy.
No one can say exactly where the word ‘holy’ came from, but it was certainly not a new concept introduced to the world through OT Judaism.[1] From very early in human history, there was an understanding that certain places, people and things were holy unto God. ‘Holiness’ spoke of ‘separation’ and ‘cutting off’, which, in the Judeo/Christian context meant separation unto Yahweh or Yeshua, and being cut off from places people and things that were considered ‘common’, ‘unclean’, or ‘profane’.
The word ‘holy’ began to be used in the book of Exodus, beginning with the description of the ground where Moses stood when God revealed His name as “I AM WHO I AM” (3:5).
Then God informed Israel that He had designated them to be a “kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (19:6).
The Sabbath day was designated as holy (20:8). God intends for us to rest one day per week – a holy observance!
As God instituted tabernacle worship, He stated that it was a holy place (26:33) and included a ‘Most Holy place’, behind the veil, where the Ark of His presence was placed (26:34).
Aaron’s garments were holy (28:2,4) and the altar of sacrifice was holy (29:37). Even the anointing oil was holy (30:35). In fact, every utensil, sacrificial animal or priest; anything to do with the tabernacle, was holy. And the crown Aaron wore was inscribed with the words: “HOLINESS TO THE LORD” (39:30).
The word ‘holy’ appears 77 times in the book of Leviticus, describing acceptable worship to God and acceptable actions of His representatives, the priests.
For us as the 21st century church, the point is just as clear as it was to the Israelite priests: we must be holy. Moses highlighted this point in the OT and Peter repeated it in the new:
Lev. 11:44a, 45b I am the LORD your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy. 45bYou shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.
1 Pet. 1:15-16 … “Be holy, for I am holy.”
So, what is the practical application of this commandment for each of us as individuals?
First, we must seek to understand God’s statement: “I am holy.”
The root concept of holiness is separation. God has set Himself apart from all sin and evil and lives in a state of moral, ethical and spiritual perfection. And because God is holy, and commands us to be holy, we mustobey His word, uphold His divine standard and be holy. Here are some examples:
The holy God separates Himself from lying. He speaks truth and embodies truth.
Ps. 119:160 The entirety of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.
John 14:6a Jesus said to him [Thomas], “I am the way, the truth, and the life.
Then the Word speaks to us:
Ps. 51:6 Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.
Prov. 12:22 “Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who deal truthfully are His delight.”
As followers of Christ, our holiness must include truthfulness.
The holy God separates Himself from pride. He is the epitome of humility.
Phil. 2:5-8 “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”
As followers of Christ, our holiness must include Christ-like humility.
The holy God separates Himself from immoral and unethical acts. He is the perfection of purity.
Thus, Abraham made his case before God on behalf of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah:
Gen. 18:25 Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?”
And shall not the people of the Judge of all the earth do right?
Matt. 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
1 John 3:3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He ispure.
As followers of Christ, our holiness must include purity in our interpersonal relationships, purity of thought and purity of action.
The holy God separates Himself from idolatry. It is understood that the true God cannot serve false gods!
Ex. 20:3 “You shall have no other gods before Me.”
Holiness demands separation from any and all other potential gods, whether they are idols, other people, or even self. Our worship of God must be untainted by any thought or action that demonstrates allegiance to any other god.
Romans 1:20-25 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
The holy God separates Himself from darkness.
1 John 1:5 … God is light and in Him isno darkness at all.
Eph. 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.
If we are engaged in something that cannot endure the scrutiny of light, it is most likely unholy. Secrecy is one of Satan’s greatest weapons and if our deeds must remain secret and hidden, we are in a very dangerous place.
The holy God separates Himself from hatred. God is love.
1 John 4:7-8 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, forGod is love.
1 Pet 1:22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart….
Christian living encompasses holy love for all people.
These six points make it exceedingly obvious that God is serious about us living holy lives as a reflection of His holiness. It is our privilege and honour to live in this way.
1
[1] See article “Holiness” in A Dictionary of the Bible, Vol. 2, James Hastings, ed., Hendrickson, Peabody, Mass., 1988, pg. 394-401.