Pursuit of Holiness: God's Desires Revealed

Have you heard about the man who was convinced he was dead?

Freedom: a Matter of Life and Death Galatians 5:19-26

Galatians 5:24-26 5:24 - Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Freedom, Death, and Life

What Does God Want? Eph. 1:4 - He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.

What Does God Want? Col. 1:22 - yet [Christ] has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before [the Father] holy and blameless and beyond reproach

What Does God Want? 1 Thess. 4:3 - For this is the will of God, your sanctification [holiness] 4:7 For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification [holiness].

What Does God Want? Heb. 12:14 - Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification [holiness] without which no one will see the Lord.

What Does God Want? Eph. 5:1 - Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;

What Does God Want? 1 Pet. 1:14-16 - As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, You shall be holy, for I am holy.

Herbert Lockyer, Sr. Professing Christians must be brought to realize that the preeminent desire and demand of God for us is that of the continual pursuit of holiness of life, and the reflection of His own holiness.

Yet We Are Free 5:1 - It was for freedom that Christ set us free 5:13 - For you were called to freedom, brethren

Freedom of Choice One aspect of your freedom is the freedom to choose Your choice is between the Spirit and the flesh as controlling principles

Freedom of Choice controlling principles ? a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior This is true; now act this way

Freedom and Death 5:24 - Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. In dying with Christ we killed the flesh (Rom. 6:1-7)

Freedom, Death, and Life Rom. 6:1-7 Your relationship with sin as a controlling principle is broken by dying with Christ

Freedom, Death, and Life Rom. 6:8-11 Your separation from God because of sin is replaced by a relationship with God through new life in Christ

Life Right with God, accepted by God, in relationship with God Blessing, favor, peace, fullness, fellowship, prosperity, health, honor, safety, security (ex. - Ps. 1)

Freedom, Death, and Life Rom. 6:12-14 Your relationship with sin as a controlling principle is replaced by a relationship with righteousness as a controlling principle

Freedom, Death, and Life Rom. 6:15-23 Your choice of controlling principles has tremendous consequences Sin brings death; Holiness brings fullness of life

Freedom, Death, and Life Rom. 7 The present struggle

Freedom, Death, and Life Rom. 8 Walk according to the Spirit Please God, life and peace Follow Spirit s lead / kill the flesh

Freedom, Death, and Life Rom. 12:1-2 Present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice Be transformed by the renewing of your mind

Freedom, Death, and Life Col. 3:1-17 Set your minds on thing above Put sin to death

So What? God wants us to be holy He has given us His Spirit to accomplish that He has given us His Word to guide us

So What? Focus on God s holiness Become convinced that you are dead to sin and the flesh and alive to God Surrender to God s righteousness / yield to God s Spirit

So What? Compare your actions and reactions to His (5:19-23; Eph. 4:31-32; 5:3-10) Accept God s disciple: He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness (Heb. 12:10)

So What? In the power of the Holy Spirit, at the prompting of the Holy Spirit, put to death the deeds of the body, and offer your body as a living sacrifice of holiness to please God