Can I Be Holy?
Living A Life of Holiness
July 21, 2024
1 Samuel 6:20 (ESV)
20 Then the men of Beth-shemesh said, “Who is able to stand before the Lord, this holy God? And to whom shall he go up away from us?”
1. Central Idea of the Sermon
The central idea of the sermon is that God’s awe-inspiring holiness calls believers to pursue a holy life, empowered by the Holy Spirit, making holiness attainable through His divine enablement. Holiness is not based on human effort alone but is made possible through God’s grace and divine assistance.
2. Keywords Used in the Sermon
• Holiness
• Holy Spirit
• God’s Nature
• Obedience
• Sanctification
• Spiritual Maturity
• Divine Enablement
• Moral Purity
• Righteousness
• Transformation
3. Outline Objectives
The sermon outline aims to:
4. Six Bible References Used in the Sermon
5. Study Questions and Answers
True or False
1. Holiness is only attainable by a select few.
2. Holiness requires the empowering of the Holy Spirit.
Multiple Choice
3. According to 2 Timothy 1:9, we are called to a holy calling:
• A) Based on our good works
• B) According to His own purpose and grace
• C) Through our own strength
• D) Because we are perfect
4. Which scripture assures us that God will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear?
• A) Philippians 3:12
• B) Ephesians 4:24
• C) 1 Corinthians 10:13
• D) Galatians 5:22-23
Fill in the Blank
5. Romans 12:1-2 urges believers to present their bodies as a __________, holy and acceptable to God.
6. Galatians 5:22-23 describes the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love, joy, peace, and __________.
Short Essay Question
7. Reflect on the concept of holiness as presented in the sermon. Discuss how believers can practically strive for holiness in their daily lives, integrating biblical references and personal application. How does the empowering of the Holy Spirit facilitate this process, and what role does faith play in overcoming the challenges of temptation and imperfection?
Living A Life of Holiness
July 21, 2024
1 Samuel 6:20 (ESV)
20 Then the men of Beth-shemesh said, “Who is able to stand before the Lord, this holy God? And to whom shall he go up away from us?”
1. Central Idea of the Sermon
The central idea of the sermon is that God’s awe-inspiring holiness calls believers to pursue a holy life, empowered by the Holy Spirit, making holiness attainable through His divine enablement. Holiness is not based on human effort alone but is made possible through God’s grace and divine assistance.
2. Keywords Used in the Sermon
• Holiness
• Holy Spirit
• God’s Nature
• Obedience
• Sanctification
• Spiritual Maturity
• Divine Enablement
• Moral Purity
• Righteousness
• Transformation
3. Outline Objectives
The sermon outline aims to:
- Define God’s holiness and explain how it sets the standard for human holiness.
- Illustrate the process of sanctification using the sculptor analogy, showing how holiness is a gradual transformation.
- Highlight the believer’s call to holiness, emphasizing imitation of Christ and being set apart for God’s purposes.
- Show how holiness is empowered by the Holy Spirit, demonstrating that holiness is achievable only through divine power.
- Address common objections and challenges to holiness, such as imperfection and temptation.
- Encourage believers to pursue holiness in daily life through obedience, faith, and spiritual disciplines.
- Conclude with an exhortation to action, calling believers to dedicate themselves to a life of holiness.
4. Six Bible References Used in the Sermon
- 1 Samuel 6:20 – The reverence of the Israelites for God’s holiness.
- Leviticus 19:2 – “You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.”
- 1 Peter 1:15–16 – “Be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’”
- Romans 12:1–2 – Presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God.
- 2 Timothy 1:9 – We are called to a holy calling not by our works but by God’s grace.
- 1 Corinthians 10:13 – God provides a way of escape from temptation.
5. Study Questions and Answers
True or False
1. Holiness is only attainable by a select few.
2. Holiness requires the empowering of the Holy Spirit.
Multiple Choice
3. According to 2 Timothy 1:9, we are called to a holy calling:
• A) Based on our good works
• B) According to His own purpose and grace
• C) Through our own strength
• D) Because we are perfect
4. Which scripture assures us that God will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear?
• A) Philippians 3:12
• B) Ephesians 4:24
• C) 1 Corinthians 10:13
• D) Galatians 5:22-23
Fill in the Blank
5. Romans 12:1-2 urges believers to present their bodies as a __________, holy and acceptable to God.
6. Galatians 5:22-23 describes the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love, joy, peace, and __________.
Short Essay Question
7. Reflect on the concept of holiness as presented in the sermon. Discuss how believers can practically strive for holiness in their daily lives, integrating biblical references and personal application. How does the empowering of the Holy Spirit facilitate this process, and what role does faith play in overcoming the challenges of temptation and imperfection?
The Christian and Boundaries
Lessons in Christian Living
July 21, 2024
Psalm 26:4 (ESV)
4 I do not sit with men of falsehood,
nor do I consort with hypocrites.
Central Idea:
As Christians, setting and maintaining healthy boundaries is essential for living a life that honors God, protects our spiritual health, and fosters healthy relationships.
Keywords:
• Boundaries
• Christian living
• Integrity
• Self-control
• Relationships
• Spiritual well-being
• Orderliness
• Communication
Outline Objectives:
1. Understand the Importance of Boundaries
• Boundaries help guard our hearts, keep us safe from sin, and ensure our lives reflect God’s character.
2. Identify and Establish Personal Boundaries
• Personal boundaries involve self-control, clear communication, and personal responsibility.
3. Maintain and Respect Boundaries in Relationships
• Maintaining boundaries requires honest communication, biblical conflict resolution, and striving for peace without compromising faith.
Six Bible References Used:
1. Psalm 26:4 – Importance of avoiding deceitful and hypocritical associations.
2. Proverbs 4:23 – Guarding the heart as everything flows from it.
3. Genesis 2:16-17 – God’s first boundary given to Adam and Eve.
4. 1 Corinthians 14:40 – Doing everything in an orderly manner.
5. Matthew 5:37 – Let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No” be “No.”
6. Romans 12:18 – Living at peace with everyone as far as possible.
Study Questions with Answers
True or False:
1. True or False: Setting personal boundaries is an act of self-control and is biblically supported.
2. True or False: Boundaries in relationships are unnecessary if we love others as Christ loves us.
Multiple Choice:
3. According to Psalm 26:4, what does the psalmist refuse to do?
• a) Sit with the deceitful
• b) Eat with sinners
• c) Walk with the proud
• d) Stand with the wicked
4. Which Bible verse states, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it”?
• a) Proverbs 4:23
• b) Genesis 2:16-17
• c) 1 Corinthians 14:40
• d) Matthew 5:37
Fill-in-the-Blank:
5. “Let what you say be simply ‘’ or ’’; anything more than this comes from evil.” (Matthew 5:37)
6. “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live ______ with all.” (Romans 12:18)
Short Essay:
7. Reflect on a situation where you struggled to maintain a boundary. How did it affect you and your relationships? What biblical principles can you apply to improve your boundary-setting in the future?
Lessons in Christian Living
July 21, 2024
Psalm 26:4 (ESV)
4 I do not sit with men of falsehood,
nor do I consort with hypocrites.
Central Idea:
As Christians, setting and maintaining healthy boundaries is essential for living a life that honors God, protects our spiritual health, and fosters healthy relationships.
Keywords:
• Boundaries
• Christian living
• Integrity
• Self-control
• Relationships
• Spiritual well-being
• Orderliness
• Communication
Outline Objectives:
1. Understand the Importance of Boundaries
• Boundaries help guard our hearts, keep us safe from sin, and ensure our lives reflect God’s character.
2. Identify and Establish Personal Boundaries
• Personal boundaries involve self-control, clear communication, and personal responsibility.
3. Maintain and Respect Boundaries in Relationships
• Maintaining boundaries requires honest communication, biblical conflict resolution, and striving for peace without compromising faith.
Six Bible References Used:
1. Psalm 26:4 – Importance of avoiding deceitful and hypocritical associations.
2. Proverbs 4:23 – Guarding the heart as everything flows from it.
3. Genesis 2:16-17 – God’s first boundary given to Adam and Eve.
4. 1 Corinthians 14:40 – Doing everything in an orderly manner.
5. Matthew 5:37 – Let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No” be “No.”
6. Romans 12:18 – Living at peace with everyone as far as possible.
Study Questions with Answers
True or False:
1. True or False: Setting personal boundaries is an act of self-control and is biblically supported.
2. True or False: Boundaries in relationships are unnecessary if we love others as Christ loves us.
Multiple Choice:
3. According to Psalm 26:4, what does the psalmist refuse to do?
• a) Sit with the deceitful
• b) Eat with sinners
• c) Walk with the proud
• d) Stand with the wicked
4. Which Bible verse states, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it”?
• a) Proverbs 4:23
• b) Genesis 2:16-17
• c) 1 Corinthians 14:40
• d) Matthew 5:37
Fill-in-the-Blank:
5. “Let what you say be simply ‘’ or ’’; anything more than this comes from evil.” (Matthew 5:37)
6. “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live ______ with all.” (Romans 12:18)
Short Essay:
7. Reflect on a situation where you struggled to maintain a boundary. How did it affect you and your relationships? What biblical principles can you apply to improve your boundary-setting in the future?