Connect Church
Discussion Guide

Awe of God: Becoming Holy

Michael Neale
|
May 19, 2024

Main Idea

The main idea of Pastor Michael Neale's sermon was to understand and embrace the concept of holiness in our lives. He explained that holiness means being set apart and dedicated to God, not about achieving perfection. By exploring scriptures like 1 Peter 1:13-16 and Leviticus 11:44-45, he showed that we are called to be holy because God is holy. Pastor Michael differentiated between positional holiness, which is our standing before God through Jesus, and practical holiness, which is how we live out our faith daily. He emphasized that becoming holy involves a transformation led by the Holy Spirit, impacting our thoughts, actions, and overall way of life. The call to holiness is a call to reflect God's character in all we do.

Scripture References

1 Peter 1:13-16, Leviticus 11:44-45, Exodus 3:1-6, Ephesians 1:3-5, Colossians 2, 2 Timothy 2:20-26, Psalm 115:1-8, 2 Corinthians 3:16-18

What does holiness mean to you, and how does it differ from perfection?

Holiness is not dull, but rather irresistible when we truly encounter the real thing.

How can we practice positional holiness in our daily lives?

Discussion Questions:

In what ways can practical holiness transform our behavior and interactions?

What areas of your life do you feel called to 'take off your shoes' and approach with greater reverence?

How can we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us in becoming more like Christ in our daily actions?

We become what we behold, so let us fix our eyes on God and become more like Him.

Summary

Pastor Michael Neale's sermon, 'Awe of God: Becoming Holy,' explored the profound concept of holiness. He began by discussing the awe-inspiring nature of God, emphasizing that holiness means being set apart and distinct. Drawing from 1 Peter 1:13-16 and Leviticus 11:44-45, he highlighted that God calls us to be holy because He is holy. Pastor Michael explained that holiness is not about perfection but about being distinct and devoted to God. He also spoke about positional holiness, achieved through Jesus, and practical holiness, which involves living out our faith. He concluded by urging us to reflect on areas of our lives where we need to 'take off our shoes' and approach God with reverence, allowing His Spirit to transform us from the inside out.

Call to Action

Some next steps to take this week:

Let us remember that God is holy and that we are called to be holy as well. We can do this by setting our minds on the things of the Spirit and living into our identity as sons and daughters of God.

As we strive to become holy, let us also remember that it is the work of the Spirit within us. We must continually surrender to God and allow Him to transform us from the inside out.

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