WALK IN HOLINESS

1. WALK • IN • HOLINESS 1 Peter 1:15-16

2. 1 Peter 1:15-16 15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

3. AS WE MOVE FROM THE ASCENSION OF JESUS CHRIST TO PENTECOST, WE WILL DISCOVER THE CHURCH HAS WALKED A LONG DISTANCE FROM APOSTOLIC ERA, (Acts 2:47) MEDIEVAL ERA, (Revelation 6:3-4) DARK AGES REFORMATION ERA CHURCH OF PILGRIM FATHERS CHURCH OF TODAY WHICH IS UNDERGOING MANY BITTER EXPERIENCES

4. PREAMBLE We live in a world that have been defiled by satanic manipulations in high places against God’s Children A world in which man has rejected the primitive godliness for a lustful and materialistic interest A world full of trials and woes and easily can fall prey to little temptations A world in which fear of uncertainty is holding strong grip on believers and suspicion on every side

5. A world where honesty and trust worthiness have been thrown into garbage bin In view of this, year 2011, God is preparing to Manifest His glory on earth. He is preparing His church on the road of Revival and Reformation towards moving from the Kingdom of Grace to the Kingdom of Glory. He is preparing His church so that at his return in triumph, we shall become glorious, faithful of all ages, the purchase of His blood, not having spot or wrinkle but Holy and unblemish.

6. For these divine objectives to be fulfilled, brothers and sisters, WALK IN HOLINESS How do you introduce? When we make our introductions in gatherings, we tend to miss an important component in Man. We don’t introduce our self as Holy … ASK: How many of you believe that Holiness is possible? Are you Holy now?

7. KEY READING: 1 Peter 1:15-16 15But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. Beloved, Holiness is a command. It is imperative because our maker is Holy. When someone buys a car, He is given some optional gadgets – power steering, air conditioner, air bag, etc. but without these options, the car can still move. Holiness is not an optional christian requirement but, it is a command, “be ye Holy”

8. Root Meaning: the word Holiness is a noun, its adjective is Holy, no verb but uses – sanctified. In Hebrew, the word – Holy “Kadosh” simply means “special, set-apart from the ordinary, elevated above the norm”. Many, believe that the opposite of Holiness is sinful or evil, but the opposite of Holiness is not sinful or evil, it is Ordinary or common. Therefore, when an object is not Holy, it becomes ordinary or common

9. Friends, our God has not called us to be common, he has called us to be special, a people set apart. He did not create us common or ordinary, but He created us as extraordinary beings. He wants us to live in Holiness which is the key of dwelling in God’s Glory. Friends, without Holiness, no man can see God.

10. Do you think, you are ordinary? Today God will make you extraordinary. Do you think you are common, only God can set you apart and make you special. In the times of Moses, God takes the ordinary and makes it Holy and extraordinary. For instance, the tabernacle He draws the plan Exodus 25:40 – “Look and follow the pattern which I showed you on the mountain”. A supernatural anointing draws the plan. He forms a supernatural skill. God chose a man named BezalelExodus 31:2-3 – “see I called a man named Bazalel, filled with the Spirit, wisdom, understanding and knowledge as workmanship”.

11. He purifies by blood. Hebrew 9:21-22 – “Moreover He sprinkled with blood both the tabernacles and all the vessels of the ministry. And almost all things are by the Law purged with blood. Without the blood, no remission of sin” He anoints with oil representing the Holy Spirit. Exodus 40:9 – “Take anointing oil and anoint the tabernacle and everything in it”. The glory overshadows and consecrates the tabernacle Exodus 40:34 - “Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle”.

12. From the above, a common thing becomes special when God: - Draws the plan - Provides a supernatural workman - Purifies with Blood - Anoints with oil HIS GLORY OVERSHADOWS

13. WHAT PEOPLE THINK! • When Holiness is mentioned, people fear to talk about it, some are afraid and scared • To some feeling Holy congeals the blood stream • To some, Holiness reminds them of a God who can’t be approached, very vindictive and one who kills • They see, the people who claim to live such lives as judgemental and atimes tagged “deputy Jesus”.

14. 1. Do you claim Holiness or manifest holier than thou attitude? Job 9:20 – “If I justify myself my own mouth shall condemn me. If I say I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse” NOTE: no one makes himself Holy but only God. True sanctification of heart dictates our short comings. Isaiah 6:5 – “Woe is me, for I am a man of unclean lips and I dwell in the midst of people of unclean lips”.

15. 2. Do you think that Holiness is being good, righteousness and moral. That is not what makes man Holy, The burning bush was not Holy until God’s Glory overshadows it. The Mount Sinai was not a righteous zone until the glory of the Lord came.

16. Do you think no one can be Holy? Only God can be Holy. You are sceptical about this fact? Friends, it is a command, “BE YE HOLY” Holiness provides the following: Grant us privilege to see God. Hebrew 12:14 – “Follow peace with all men, and Holiness without which no man shall see the Lord”. It is a House, Psalm 93:5 – Thy testimonies are very sure, holiness becomes thine house, O Lord for ever.

17. Draws men close to God: Luke 1:75 – “In Holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life”. It is a call: I Thess. 4:7 – “For God has not called us unto uncleanness but unto Holiness”. It marks the Saints at the 2nd Coming of Christ. Revelation 22:11 – “He that is unjust let him be unjust still, and he that is filthy let him be filthy still, him that is righteous let him be righteous still and he that is Holy let him be Holy still” At the second coming of Jesus Christ, where do you stand? On the side of truth or error? There is no neutral ground.

18. Holiness is not static but dynamic. Once saved is not saved. It is a Christian walk on two legs towards eternity. Spirituality deals on inward relationship with Christ HOLINESS Ethics deals with christian lifestyles -Our commitment and standard with Christ.

19. Matthew 5:48 – “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your father which is in Heaven is perfect”. Finally, God’s people - Holiness is a school. When you go to the school, What makes a good school include; Good Teacher Good textbook Good Standard Role models

20. In Holiness School, Holy Trinity becomes our Teacher Holy Bible becomes our Textbook Holy Law becomes Standard Jesus Christ becomes Role Model Do you want to be Holy today? Honour the things that God calls Holy. God has connected these things with special covenant principles. Give special attention to them,

21. - Honour the Holy money: Lev. 27:30-32: A tithe (One tenth) of everything belongs to the Lord it is Holy to the Lord. Mal 3:9-11: Attracts supernatural provision - Honour Holy time: God has placed(1/7th) of your time as Holy the Sabbath. Remember the sabbath to keep it Holy. Isaiah 58:13-14 – You will be supernaturally blessed Honour Holy Temple, Honour Holy supper

22. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification the ye should abstain from fornication. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness but unto holiness. Holiness is not rapture: it is an entire surrender to the of the will to God; it is doing the will of our heavenly father, it is trusting God in trial, in darkness as well as in the light; it is walking by faith and not by sight; it is relying on God with unquestioning confidence, and resting in His love. {AAA 5}

23. TRUE HOLINESS True holiness is wholeness in the service of God. This is the condition of true Christian living. Christ asks for an unreserved consecration, for undivided service. He demands the heart, the mind, the soul, the strength, Self is not to be cherished. He who lives to himself is not a christian. {COL 48.4}

24. THE SECRET OF HOLINESS. No man receives holiness as a birthright, or as a gift from any other human being, Holiness is the gift of God through Christ. Those who receive the Saviour become sons of God. They are His spiritual children, born again, renewed in righteousness and true holiness, Their minds are changed. With clearer vision they behind eternal realities. They are adopted into God's family, and they become conformed to His likeness, changed by His Spirit from glory to glory. From cherishing supreme love for self, they come to cherish supreme love for God and for Christ. [6BC 1117.13].

25. Today, I invite you to the holiness service of eating at the Lord’s table. Be blessed