ACT III
Holiness and Christian Living

As the world looks at Pentecostals, one of the greatest areas of question and misunderstanding is the area of holiness in the Christian life. In this session we will attempt to clarify and reinforce this very important area in the life of every Christian.

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts , we should live soberly, righteously, , and godly, in this present world” (Titus 2:11-12).

True or False : After salvation, a person can live any way he desires and still remain saved. (See Romans 11:17-23; Hebrews 10:35-39.)

The life of a Christian is a daily walk. We should experience God on a daily basis-this brings victory!

I. Seven Things Our Relationship with God Must Include

A. Prayer (Ephesians 6:18; Jude 20-21). Prayer enables us to receive God’s promises as well as spiritual direction and power.

B. Bible study (II Timothy 2:15; 3:14-17). To know truth, perform God’s will , and overcome temptation , a Christian must read,  study, meditate on, and learn God’s Word

C. Faithful church attendance and submission to godly leadership  (Hebrews 10:25; 13:17). For inspiration, direction,  fellowship, instruction, and worship, we need the church and  pastoral leadership.

D. Giving tithes and offerings(Malachi 3:8-12; Luke 6:38; I  Corinthians 9:7-14; II Corinthians 9:6-7). Tithing is giving  back to God ten percent of ” increase “. Offeringsare what we  give to God above tithing

Bonus: Notice that God has promised to bless those who are  fruitful in this area!

E. Worship (Psalm 100:1-5; 111:1; 150:6; John 4:24). Out of a  Christian heart should come worship to God. Worship can be  expressed in various ways:

1. Private devotions(Psalm 149:5; Mark 1:35).
2. Group worship(Psalm 111:1; Acts 4:24).
3. Clapping of hands(Psalm 47:1).
4. Singing and playing musical instruments(Psalm 33:2-3).
5. Lifting of hands(Psalm 141:2).
6. Dancing before the Lord Psalm 149:3; 150:4).

F. Fasting(Matthew 6:16-18; 17:21).

We fast to:
1.earn favors from God
2.punish our body
3.identify with Gandhi
4.none of the above

Fasting helps us to:

1. Discipline the carnal man

2. Focus on what is really important

3. Draw closer to the spiritual realm

G. Holiness of Life

“Follow peace with all men, and holinesswithout which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).

II.The Life of Holiness

A. The Call to Holiness

“But as he which hath calledyou is holy, so be ye holy in all  manner of conversation [behavior]; because it is written, Be  ye holy; for I am holy” (I Peter 1:15-16).

For Christians, holiness means conforming to God’s character

Thinking as He thinks

Lovingas He loves

Hating what He hates
“You cannot hate what you feast upon!”

And acting as Christ would act

B. The Purpose for Holiness

We must obey the command to be holy in order to

1. PleaseGod.
2. Communicate Christto others.
3. Benefit ourselves , both now and eternally

C. Three Areas of Sin

A life of holiness gives us victory over the three major areas  of sin:

“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh , the  lust of the eyes, and the prideof life , is not of the Father but is of the world” (I John 2:16).

Key Illustration:
Adam and Eve – The Fall of Man The fruit was:

1. good for food
2. pleasant to the eyes
3. become like God

TEMPTATIONS COMPARED
Luke 3

ADAM CHRIST I JOHN 2:16
Food stones to bread flesh
Eyes king of the world eyes
Wise throw yourself down pride

D. Inward and Outward

True or False: It isn’t really important how I act and appear  on the outside as long as I can say that I once received the  Holy Spirits

True or False; It isn’t really important what I think and feel  on the inside as long as I look and act like a Christian!

(See I Corinthians 6:19-20; II Corinthians 7:1; I  Thessalonians 5:23.)

We can see that it is necessary to possess holiness both  inwardly and outwardly1

E. The Motive for Holiness

Holiness does not earn salvation, but it is a result of  salvation. As we grow in love for our Savior, we identify with  His commands.

“If ye love me, keep_ my commandments (John 14:15; Psalm. 1:1-  3).

“Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will  keep my commandments : and my Father will come unto him, and  make our abodewith him” (John 14:23).

F. Christian Liberty

The life of a Christian is one of liberty_. Holiness sets us  free from the bondage of the carnal man as we begin to apply  God’s Word and God’s principlesto our lives.

It is important to note that the Bible gives several  guidelines in this area:

1.Do allto God’s glory (I Corinthians 10:31; Colossians  3:17).

2. Avoid anything spiritually detrimental or a ” weight” (I  Corinthians 6:12; 10:23; Hebrews 12:1).

3. Avoid anything that will gain dominance (I Corinthians  6:12).

4. Avoid harm_to others(Romans 14:13-21; I Corinthians 8:9-  13; 10:32-33)

G. The Application of Holiness

Let’s look at some important areas in which biblical principles of holiness apply.

1. Attitudes(Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 4:23-32). Actions are manifestations of our attitude  Holiness begins with our inner man-our attitude 1

2. Thoughts (Matthew 15:18-20; II Corinthians 10:5;  Philippians 4:8). Thoughts are powerful! We must, by the Spirit, control our  thoughts, or they will control us.

3. The tongue(James 1:26; 3:1-2; 4:11; 5:12). As Christians we must beware of and respectthe power of the
Tongue.

While there is much power for good , the power to tear  down and bud is also a reality (Proverbs 18:21).

4. The eve (Psalm 101:2-3; 119:37; Matthew 6:22-23). The eye  is the gate to the soil . We open or close ourselves to  both good and evil . by what we allow ourselves to see ,  or not to see

5. Appearance (adornment, dress, and hair) (Deuteronomy 22:5;  I Corinthians 11:1-16; 1 Timothy 2:810; I Peter 3:1-5).

Our appearance is a reflection of the inner self, both to  God and to others. A godly appearance is a reflection of a  genuine experience with a holy God.

Bonus: The more we are transformed by the power of Christ,  the less we will be conformed to this world.

An ungodly appearance promotes

• the lust of the flesh,
• the lust of the eye, and
• the pride of life
• and is not a reflection of the life-changing power that
God’s Spirit brings.

The principles taught in the foregoing passages of
Scripture are:
a. modesty
b. rejection of ornamentation
c. separation from worldly connections
d. distinction between male and female
e. moderation in cost

“Therefore if any be in Christ, he is a new creature: old  things are passed away; behold, all things are become  new” (II Corinthians 5:17).

Sometimes because of peer pressure, when a person becomes  a Christian, identity with the world (as it relates to  appearance) is difficult to break. But the Bible says we  have changed from the old life to the new I Therefore, we  need to break from the oldand identify with the new , as  revealed by the Bible.

6. Taking care of our body (I Corinthians 3:16-17; 6:12; 19-20). Our body is the temple of God . Therefore we should abstain  from anything that would bring destruction to or defile our  body.

7. Sanctity of marriage (I Corinthians 6:9-10; Colossians 3:5; Hebrews 13:4). God created sex fora

a. a trap for teenagers
b. a cheap thrill
c. an expression of love in marriage d.reproduction
e. b and a
f. c and e
g. c and d
h. none of the above

8. Sanctity of human life (Exodus 30:13; Matthew 5:39, 44). All  humans are created in God’s image. As Christians, we should  not have a part in the taking of a human life, including  children in the womb.

9. Honesty(Mark 10:19).
True or False: It is only possible to be dishonest in word.

10. Fellowship (Matthew 18:15-18; I Corinthians 5:9-6:8; 15:33;
II Corinthians 6:14.)

There must be a distinction in our relationship between  Christians and non-Christians. The desire and pleasures of  the non-Christian do not identify with those of the  Christian.

11. Worldlyactivities (I Thessalonians 5:22; Titus 3:3; I John
2:15).

Christians must maturely regulate their music, amusement,  sports, and games, making sure that their activities are  pleasing to God. Everything needs to pass the test of  Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are  true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are  just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are  lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any  virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
G. Conclusion

“But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision  for the flesh, to fulfill the luststhereof’ (Romans 13:14).

The sum purpose of holiness is to be Christ-like in our lives- abstaining from what grieves the Spirit and embracing what  pleases the Lord. The result is a powerful, joy-filled relationship with God!