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Holiness of God (Part 3)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod is holy, embodying a transcendent and unrivaled purity that sets Him apart from all creation. His holiness is not merely one attribute among many but the very essence that defines and elevates every aspect of His being, making His love a holy love, His mercy a holy mercy, and His justice a holy justice. This holiness is so absolute that it is described as "holy, holy, holy," a unique repetition in Scripture emphasizing His unparalleled otherness. When confronted with this holiness, individuals like Isaiah and Peter were overwhelmed, feeling exposed and undone before the ultimate standard of cleanliness, revealing the vast distance between humanity and the Holy One of Israel. Holiness, at its core, means to be cut apart, to be separate and different, carrying strong implications of purity in character and morality. Applied to God, it signifies a complete freedom from any stain, a superiority that places Him infinitely above and beyond us in every quality. This transcendent separation makes Him almost foreign to us, challenging our understanding and often leading to misconceptions, as seen in idolatry where people imagine God to be like themselves, failing to grasp His true holy nature. God's holiness also governs His actions, ensuring that He operates according to principle, not whim or uncontrolled emotion, judging without prejudice and always with a holy balance of love, justice, and wisdom. This is evident in His swift and uncompromising judgments, such as the execution of Nadab and Abihu for offering strange fire, or Uzzah for touching the Ark, demonstrating that His holiness demands purity and obedience, even in seemingly minor matters. These acts, though harsh to human perception, reflect His holy justice and forbearance, as He continues to show mercy to us despite our failings, sanctifying us for His purpose. Only God can make something holy, lifting it from the commonplace to the special through His sanctification, as seen when He declared the ground before Moses as holy due to His presence. This principle extends to us, as we are called to be holy brethren, separated by God for His use, and expected to treat each other with deference and purity, reflecting our sanctified state regardless of our current heart or conduct. True holiness, however, must be perfected through a relationship with God, facilitated by His Spirit, which enables us to overcome sin's deceit and align with His truth, transforming us to reflect His divine likeness in all behavior. Holiness is the beauty of God's nature, the rule of all His actions, and the goal we are bidden to pursue in all manner of conduct. It is through God's Spirit, fellowship with Him, faith, humility, and obedience that we progress in this sanctification process, moving from the glory of man to the glory of God, striving to remove sin and embrace the truth of His Word, which cleanses and confronts us with His holy character.
Holiness of God (Part 4)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod is holy, embodying transcendent purity that signifies His beyondness, otherness, and aboveness. He is great beyond our comprehension, exceeding every superlative we can apply to Him. The word holy sums up everything we can know and say about God, indicating the totality of His excellence. The more we understand about Him, the greater the difference we see between Him and us, fostering humility. His power is evident in the vastness of creation, from the sun's immense heat to the brilliance of stars like Sirius and Polaris, all mere traces of His majesty and glory. He is the source of all greatness and splendor in the universe, with power emanating from within Him. God's holiness is reflected in His unchanging nature, unlike the decaying and changing world around us. He is constant, reliable, and trustworthy, promising never to leave or forsake us. His words endure forever, enforced by His eternal presence. His steadfast love is as certain as death, overturning it through resurrection and restoration of life. His thoughts and understanding are infinitely higher than ours, transcending in creative power and every attribute, including goodness, mercy, justice, and kindness. God's holiness is absolute, represented by radiant glory that no one can stand before without consequence. Sin cannot exist in His presence, requiring us to put aside sinful ways to have a relationship with Him. He calls us to be holy as He is holy, a command that can seem overwhelming yet is rooted in His design for us to reflect His image. He created us to embody His goodness, reliability, truthfulness, love, justice, and beauty in a human fashion, striving for holiness in every aspect of thinking, speaking, acting, working, loving, and attitudes. Without holiness, no one will see the Lord, making it a fundamental requirement for entering His Kingdom. The path to holiness is not easy or always clear, marked by steady progression in righteousness through trials and difficult choices. Yet, God ensures that no trial is beyond our capacity, tailoring each path to be attainable for every individual. Holiness involves relationships, most crucially with God, established through Jesus Christ. This close fellowship, nurtured by prayer and obedience, allows His holiness to be communicated to us, reflected in how we live. God's purpose in revealing His holiness is not to crush us but to provide an image of what we are to become, transforming us from glory to glory through His grace. His grace, beginning with His call and continuing through repentance, justification, and sanctification, supplies what is needed to reach holiness. This process, empowered by the Holy Spirit, produces the fruits of His Spirit within us, moving toward glorification when we will shine with His radiant beauty. God's grace is not limited to forgiveness but includes all necessary gifts, tailored to each person's circumstances, enabling us to fulfill our function within His body. This cooperative effort requires our will and effort alongside His, balancing our responsibility with His overwhelming provision in the journey to holiness.
Holiness (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughHoly things are set apart from the rest, consecrated, sanctified, and transcendentally separate. God wants to transform us into that very image.
The Holiness Code
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughA portion of Leviticus, dubbed 'the holiness code,' describes how God lives. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus expanded the application of the holiness code.
The Wall, Our Work
Sermonette by Christian D. HunterLike the nation of Judah under Nehemiah, we are building a spiritual wall of holiness, requiring a day-by-day effort to keep the world out and protect our families.
Do You Really Want Just Any Eternal Life?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe have a natural desire for eternal life, but living endlessly would not be a blessing if our circumstances were miserable. Eternal life means quality of life.