Holiness

Austin Feuerstein

February 2, 2025

Main Idea

The main idea of the sermon was that holiness is not about being unlike the world, but about being god-like. Pastor pointed out that our attempts to be holy often fall short because they are based on human efforts and perspectives. He stressed that Jesus changes our 'therefore,' the reason behind our actions, and when Jesus is our 'therefore,' we view holiness through Him. This perspective allows us to live from a place of holiness, understanding that it is not about condemnation but about transformation and embodying the purity of Christ in our daily conduct.

Scripture References

1 Peter 1:15-16, John 7:38, 1 Peter 1:13, Romans 2:4

1. What does holiness mean to you and how do you see it reflected in your daily life?

2. How can we avoid the trap of trying to achieve holiness through human efforts?

Discussion Questions:

3. In what ways has your 'therefore' been shaped by experiences other than Jesus?

4. How can we prepare our minds for action and be sober-minded in our pursuit of holiness?

5. What distractions do you need to remove to fully focus on the grace and kindness of God?

Summary

In the sermon on 'Holiness,' Pastor discussed the concept of holiness as being pure and set apart in every aspect of our lives, just as God is pure. He highlighted the struggle between the standard of holiness and our reality, acknowledging that past attempts to achieve holiness through human means have failed. Pastor explained that in the Old Testament, purity was achieved through sacrifice, but it wasn't until Jesus that true purity could be transferred to us through His touch. He emphasized that as followers of Jesus, we operate from holiness, not for it, and that our identity in Christ should be the basis for our 'therefore,' shaping our view of holiness.