Sermons

HOLINESS! WHAT’S THAT?

The biblical understanding of Holiness should not be hard to explain.

• Holiness does not refer to worship style.
• Holiness does not refer to the Pope in Rome.
• Holiness is not a subjective concept.
• Holiness does not change with culture.

1. An Inventory of Traits

A. We all have a personal inventory of traits.
B. Holiness is an “umbrella term” for a particular collection of characteristics.

2. The Personality of God

(Psalms 77:13) God, Your way is holy.

A. Holiness is an inventory of “perfect and pure” characteristics that describe God’s personality.
B. There is no holiness apart from God.

(Isaiah 5:16) The Holy God is distinguished by righteousness.

C. God is unique in His holiness.

(1 Samuel 2:2) There is no one holy like the Lord.

D. “Holy” is used as a prefix to God’s name more than any other title.

(Isaiah 6:3) “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of Hosts; His glory fills the whole earth.
(Revelation 4:8) Holy, holy, holy, Lord God, the Almighty, who was, who is, and who is coming.
(Isaiah 57:15) For the High and Exalted One who lives forever, whose name is Holy.
(Isaiah 43:15) God says, “I am the Lord, your Holy One…
(Exodus 15:11) Lord, who is like You among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness…
(Psalm 71:22) I will sing to You with a harp, Holy One of Israel…

3. The Propensity of Man

A. We all have a desire to be holy like our God.
B. It is our search to be like God that shapes who we become.

(Leviticus 11:44) “I am the Lord your God, so you must consecrate yourselves and be holy because I am holy.”
(Leviticus 19:2) “Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.”
(1 Peter 1:15) As the One who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct; for it is written, “Be holy, because I am holy.”

Holiness is an inventory of perfect and pure characteristics
that describes God’s personality.
God’s holiness is what separates Him from us
and renders us “unholy”.