Sermon: Be Holy

Sermon Date: 2/16/ 2025

Bible Verses: Leviticus 19:2, Matthew 5:48, 1 Peter 1:15-16

Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new-beginning

Introduction:

The word holy is often used in church, but what does it really mean? Many people associate holiness with strict rules or moral perfection, but the biblical meaning goes much deeper. Holiness is about being set apart for God, pure in character, and reflecting His nature.

God commands His people to be holy because He is holy (Leviticus 19:2). Jesus calls us to be perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect (Matthew 5:48). The New Testament teaches that holiness is not just about following rules but about living a transformed life through Christ (Romans 12:1-2).

Today, we will explore what holiness means, what it looked like in the Old Testament, how Jesus fulfills holiness, and how we are called to live holy lives as believers.

1. What Does "Holy" Mean?

The word holy in Hebrew (qadosh) and Greek (hagios) means set apart, sacred, pure, and morally blameless.

Four Key Aspects of Holiness:

1. Separate – God is separate from sin and calls His people to be different from the world. Leviticus 20:26 “ And you shall be holy to Me, for I the Lord am holy, and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be Mine.”
2. Set Apart – Holiness is about belonging to God, being devoted to Him. Deuteronomy 7:6 “For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.
3. Pure – Holiness involves moral purity and righteousness. Psalm 24:3-4 “Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully.”
4. Perfect – True holiness reflects God's perfect nature. Matthew 5:48 “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

Holiness is not just about avoiding sin but about being fully dedicated to God in every area of life.

1. Holiness in the Old Testament (The Law)

Scripture: Leviticus 19:2, Exodus 19:6, Isaiah 6:1-5

• In the Old Testament, holiness was central to Israel’s identity.
• God is holy, and He calls His people to be holy. Leviticus 19:2  “Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.
• Holiness in the Law was about obedience, separation, and purity:
  • Moral Laws – Honesty, justice, sexual purity (Leviticus 18-20).
  • Ceremonial Laws – Clean and unclean animals, rituals, sacrifices (Leviticus 11-15).
  • Priestly Holiness – The priests had to be extra set apart to serve in the temple (Exodus 28).
• Isaiah’s Vision of God’s Holiness (Isaiah 6:1-5):
  • Isaiah saw God’s glory and holiness in the temple.
  • He immediately realized his own sinfulness and unworthiness.

Key Lesson: The Law showed that God is perfectly holy, and sinful people fall short. Romans 3:23  “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

III. Holiness in Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:48 and More)

Scripture: Matthew 5:48, John 17:17-19, Hebrews 7:26

• Jesus is the perfect example of holiness. He is the Son of God, sinless and set apart for God's mission. Hebrews 7:26 “For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens.”
• Matthew 5:48 – "Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
  • This is not about being sinless in our own strength.
  • It means living in complete devotion to God, just as Jesus did.
• Jesus prays for our holiness (John 17:17-19) – "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.”
  • Jesus sets believers apart through His word and truth.
• Jesus fulfilled holiness for us:
  • He perfectly obeyed the Law. Matthew 5:17 – “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.”
  • He made us holy through His sacrifice. Hebrews 10:10 – “By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”

Key Lesson: We cannot be holy on our own, but through Jesus, we are made holy and empowered to live differently.

1. Holiness in the Church (Romans, 1 Corinthians, 1 Peter)

Holiness is not just an individual pursuit—it is the calling of the entire church.

1. Holiness in Romans

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2
"Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God… Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."

• Holiness means offering our whole lives to God.
• It requires a renewed mind and heart, not just outward obedience.

2. Holiness in 1 Corinthians

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
"Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit… Therefore, glorify God in your body."

• As believers, we are God’s temple, and His Spirit dwells in us.
• We must live differently—avoiding sin and honoring God in our bodies.

3. Holiness in 1 Peter

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:15-16
"But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, 'Be holy, for I am holy.'"

• Holiness is not optional—it is a command.
• It affects every part of our lives: our thoughts, words, and actions.
• We are set apart for God's purposes, just as Israel was.

Key Lesson: Holiness is not just about avoiding sin but about living fully for God in thought, speech, actions, and relationships.

1. How Can We Pursue Holiness Today?

1. Depend on Christ’s Righteousness – We are made holy through Jesus, not by our works. 2 Corinthians 5:21 – “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
2. Obey God’s Word – True holiness comes from following God’s commands. John 14:15 – “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”
3. Be Filled with the Holy Spirit – The Spirit empowers us to live holy lives. Galatians 5:16 – “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”
4. Separate from Sin – We must actively turn away from sin (2 Corinthians 6:17).
5. Live as a Light to the World – Holiness is about reflecting God’s character to those around us (Matthew 5:14-16).

Conclusion: A Call to Holiness

Holiness is not just for pastors, missionaries, or "super-Christians"—it is the calling of every believer.

• Old Testament: God’s holiness revealed in the Law.
• Jesus: The perfect example of holiness.
• The Church: Called to live holy lives through Christ.

Final Challenge:
Are we living set apart for God? Are we pursuing purity, obedience, and Christlike character?