READ | SERMON NOTES
Summary | In 1 Peter 1:15-16, the word “holy” appears 4 times. A Google search on “holy” shows that people associate this word with religious people, monks in robes who retreat from the world or saintly people like Mother Theresa. Lev. 20:26 explains what true holiness is. God tells us: “You are to be holy to me because I, the Lord, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own.”
What does a holy disciple look like? A holy disciple is one who:
1. Loves God with perfect love – a love that rejoices and praises and is dedicated wholly to God. We are to be pure in intention, though we may not be perfect in performance. In holiness, we transfer our allegiance from carnal to spiritual desires. When we are captivated by God’s love, there is no space for sin. Any sin we do commit should be unintentional.
2. Is always growing in Christ – when the Bible mentions “perfection”, “maturity”, “holiness”, it refers to a process. Only God is absolutely perfect and sinless. In contrast to God’s absolute perfection, our perfection is relative and dynamic. The Greek word “τέλειος” (teleios) which is translated as perfect, implies something ideal/perfect for its intended purpose. Thus, the Christian perfection of love leads to greater degrees of holiness. We continually grow in holiness. We are not free from mistakes or temptations. However, we who are born of God cannot continue sinning (1 John 3:9). As we repent from sin, we persist to abide in God and grow in Christ.
3. Serves Christ graciously – our Lord reminds us in Matt 5:43-45 that love of others is the hallmark of holiness, for without love, we become self-righteous. In service, we are not to look down at or offend others. Instead, our holiness should show through our conversations and service to others.
How are we to grow in holiness? 1 Pet 1:13 shows us three aspects.
1. Discipline – “preparing your minds for action” requires us to discipline ourselves for growth through faith environments. Do not be flabby in our faith through an unexamined life. Start with the following: (a) do a Spiritual Health Check which is found in our church website (www.wesleymc.org/spi-health-check); (b) read your report which identifies areas of growth, and (c) develop an action plan to grow in areas of weakness. Let us strive for holiness (Heb. 12:14) and avoid drifting away on our Christian journey.
2. Discern – “sober-minded” in discerning God’s will. We are to be alert and reflect from God’s viewpoint. We can choose to obey and to serve, but significant circumstances and spiritual relationships are outside of our control. Discern God’s will when faced with challenges.
3. Depend on God’s grace – “set your hope” on Him, for without the Holy Spirit, holiness will be impossible. When we feel frustrated and exhausted, hear His voice say, “Do not give up, Look up!”
Holiness is a choice. Let us not just do what God wants but desire what He delights in.
(Sermon Notes by Angela Goh)
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
1. How would you define holiness? Is there someone whom you know personally whom you would describe as holy? What attributes would you observe in such a person?
2. What does it mean to prepare our minds for action and to be sober-minded (1 Pet 1:13)? How would you be sober in spirit?
3. How would you describe someone who is spiritual unalert?
4. Where are you fixing your hope? How would a close friend or family member say where you set your hope on?
5. What you would usually do to set your hope on God especially in difficult moments? eg a particular scripture verse/prayer/worship song
6. How do significant circumstances and spiritual relationships help a Christian to grow in holiness?
7. If you have taken your spiritual health check results, and if you are comfortable sharing, allow yourself to be held accountable by sharing:
- Based on your results, which is an area(s) of growth that you would like to work on this year?
- What actions are you planning to commit to, so as to grow as a disciple of Christ?
