Kinds of Holiness [Ephesians 4:20 – 24]

Kinds of Holiness [Ephesians 4:20 – 24]

I.          Two kinds of holiness… “true” and “false.”

            A.         True holiness is essentially the same.

                        1.         It is the work of the Holy Spirit.

                                    a.         It is not “taught” or “trained.”

                                    b.         “He has ceased from his own works.” [B.T. Roberts]

“True holiness has nothing in it of human merit, it is always found in connection with deep humility” [BTR]

                        2.         Humility is manifested: “dresses plain.” [BTR]

“Nothing is worn for show or ornament…. He is unassuming, not claiming superiority over others.” [BTR]

                        3.         “An all-absorbing love for God and man.” [BTR]

                                    a.         God is loved… obeyed.

                                    b.         People are loved… served.

                        4.         “True holiness is obtained through faith in God, and is never separated                                         from an unwavering trust in Him.” [BTR]

            B.         False holiness:

                        1.         “Aristocratic, self-indulgent holiness.” [BTR]

                                    a.         Influence comes through externals: “costly houses of worship, with popular    preachers, choir singing… selling or renting the seats.” [BTR]

                                    b.         “endeavors to explain away the requirements of the Gospel to                                                   suit their tastes.” [BTR]

“This kind of holiness is not generally persecuted by the world.” [BTR]

                        2.         False holiness is “fanatical."

                                    a.         “It lays the greatest stress upon that for which it has the least                                                        reason and Scripture for its support.” [BTR]

                                    b.         Apparent self-denial turns to self-will.

                                    c.         “Sincerity” but self-willed… lacks submission.          

                                    d.         It does NOT know how to yield.

“It must have its own way in everything.” [BTR]

                        3.         “Covetous holiness.”

                                    a.         “It has sharp criticisms for every project that calls for an                                                   expenditure of money; but it is because it is unwilling to bear its                                                    part.” [BTR]

                                    b.         “It is mighty at tearing down – it never tries its hand at building                                                     up.” [BTR]

II.         How do we respond.

            A.         “Consecration”

                        1.         “Give yourself up for a habitation of the Holy Spirit.” [BTR]

                        2.         Roberts suggested the 10 Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount.

            B.         “Humility”

            C.         “Be in haste to obtain it.” [BTR]

                        1.         “Eternity is at hand… the death-bed may be too late.” [BTR]

                        2.         “Make every confession He prompts             you to make.” [BTR]

In with the good

Colossians 3:12 – 17

In with the good!

 

I.          High-caliber character. [v 12]

 

A.        “Compassion”

 

1.         This is a word picture, literally “spleen of mercy”

 

a.         Why “spleen?”  The Greeks believed the spleen was the seat of bad temper and the source of spite.  [Oxford]

 

b.         Direct contrast to “anger” [v 8]

 

2.         Jesus demonstrated compassion.

 

“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. [37] Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. [38] Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” [Matthew 9:36 – 38]

 

B.        “Kindness”

 

1.         How does one be kind?

 

a.         The word used here conveys the idea of “usefulness.”

 

b.         Kindness shows up in our actions as well as our attitudes about others.

 

2.         We see a direct contrast with “malice” [v 8]

 

C.        “Humility”

 

1.         Problem: “Humility is an impish virtue.  Let it have enough reigns and it will think of itself god-like, tighten it down and it will gloat over its holiness.  Humility is a gift and desire but so often it comes gift-wrapped in the arrogance of its practice.” [Calvin Miller]

 

2.         Essentially humility is the contrast to “slander” [v 8].

 

a.         We “slander” people, tear others down, to build ourselves up.

 

b.         “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.” [Romans 12:3]

 

D.        “Gentleness”

 

1.         Typically translated “meekness.”  One dictionary defined “gentle” as: mild or kind; not rough or violent.  2) not harsh or severe.  3) archaic noble or courteous. [Oxford]

 

2.         Contrast with “filthy language” [v 8].

 

E.         “Patience”

 

1.         The idea here is to be able to suffer/tolerate indignities, delay, or trouble.

 

[Ill.] Sign that says, “there are three virtues in life: patience, patience, and more patience.

 

2.         This is often contrary to our personalities.  Some are very judgmental with the ability to make quick judgements and are often unmovable.

 

II.        High-compliance conduct (Like Jesus).

 

A.        “Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” [v 13d]

 

1.         Parable: Matthew 18:23 – 35

 

a.         Nothing anyone can do to you will ever come close to the debt you owe God.

 

b.         Holding something against someone is ultimately an act of arrogance

 

2.         Promise and Warning: “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. [15] But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” [Matthew 6:14 – 15]

 

3.         A story: Luke 7:36 – 50

 

B.        “Love”

 

1.         What do you have if you practice virtue without love?

 

a.         In speech you get noise, in smarts there is only nonsense, when sacrificing the is no gain.

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. [2] If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. [3] If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.” [1 Corinthians 13:1 – 3]

 

b.         “Disorientation, fragmentation, and stagnation” [LAB]

 

2.         Love holds everything together.

 

III.       High-impact compass.

 

It is said we live life by the calendar (task) or the compass (direction)...  Problem is we think doing something is progress.  Fact is doing something without a plan/direction/purpose can exhaust us and become counter-productive.  What sort of compass does God give us?

 

A.        Peace.

 

1.         The word “rule” is a word that came from sports: “referee.”  Legally it meant an “arbitrator.”

 

2.         Things peace does not mean:

 

a.         Peace does not mean tolerating bad behavior.

 

b.         Peace does not mean eliminating differences.  Instead it means using differences in love and trust.

 

c.         Peace does not allow open conflict or mutual silence.

 

3.         How does peace work?

 

a.         When feelings and desires clash the tendency is to take “the path of least resistance” or the one with less pain.  THIS IS MENTAL ILLNESS NOT PEACE.

 

b.         Peace is something God gives:

 

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” [Philippians 4:7]

 

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” [John 14:27]

 

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” [Romans 5:1]

 

B.        God’s word. (“Word/message of Christ” v 16)

 

1.         The Bible is the only reliable life compass available.

 

2.         Walking in the ways of the Bible will lead us, eventually, to thankfulness.

 

C.        The name of Jesus.

 

1.         We are representatives of Jesus because what we do and say is in the name of Jesus.

 

a.         In America we do not understand group shame anymore... e.g. if a child behaved badly, it reflected poorly on the parents/family.

 

b.         It was motivation to not embarrass our family, group, or country.

 

[BTW, this is why terrorist do not distinguish between a military target and civilian target... if you are part of the whole you are guilty by extension.]

 

2.         “We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.” [2 Corinthians 5:20]

 

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What is humility?

2 Chronicles 7:14

What is Humility?

 

“If my people who are called by My name, will humble themselves…”

 

What does it mean to be humble?

 

Des the spirit with which one approaches God actually affect our prayers?

 

How do we humble ourselves in prayer?

 

MISCONCEPTIONS:

1.                  Humble means to debase ourselves, “I am a worm.”

2.                  Humble means to think lowly of yourself, “I can’t do this.” (When you know you can.)

3.                  Humble is connected to “self-esteem.”

 

·        Humility is how we view others, how we view God, and our heart attitude in response to God.

 

I.                   Humility is about how we view others.

 

A.     Moses in Number 12.

 

1.                  “Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth”  [Numbers 12:3]

2.                  Problem: “Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses…” [Numbers 12:1a]

 

a.                         Miriam and Aaron were his sister and brother.

b.                        They were his supporting cast, necessary people.  Aaron was the “High Priest” leading the people in the ritual ceremony and Miriam was a “prophetess” leading the people emotionally.

c.                         Moses did not defend himself, God did..

 

“The anger of the LORD burned against them, and he left them.  When the cloud lifted from above the Tent, there stood Miriam—leprous, like snow.” [Numbers 12:9 – 10a]

B.     New Testament mandate.

 

1.                  “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.” [Romans 12:3]

 

a.                         The idea of “do not think of yourself more highly than you ought” does not mean to run yourself down or play “poor-boy.”

b.                        “Sober judgment” means temperate and restrained.

c.                         The more “faith God has given you” the less you will want to seek honor and importance for yourself.  These things are not necessary.

 

2.                  “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” [Philippians 2:3]

 

a.                         “Selfish ambition or vain conceit” are excluded

b.                        The alternative is “humility” that would “consider others better than yourselves.”

 

·     A humble person is not one who feels shame for who they are… a humble person                        will not possess self-honor or self-adornment.

 

II.                Humility is about how we view God.

 

A.     We need an appropriate view of God.

 

1.                  “LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O LORD.” [Habakkuk 3:2a]

 

a.                         “Awe” means “an overwhelming feeling of reverence, admiration…” [www.dictionary.com]

b.                        God is the only one who is “awesome.”

 

 

2.                  “And sang the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb:  "Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the ages. Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed." [Revelation 15:3 – 4]

 

B.     Humility is NOT putting ourselves down, it is raising Christ up!

 

1.                  God is exalted.

2.                  God is given proper place.

3.                  God is trusted.

4.                  God is reverenced.

 

“This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.” [Isaiah 66:2]

 

 

III.             Humility is about our heart attitude in response to God.

 

A.     We must be sensitive to God.

 

1.                  That means we deal with sin and barriers immediately and take action.

2.                  Case study: King Saul and King David.

 

a.                         Saul: 1 Samuel 13:11 – 14.

b.                        David: 2 Samuel 12:13 and Psalm 51

 

3.                  New testament understanding

 

a.     “But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." James 4:6]

 

i.          “Oppose” is a military term, “to stand against in battle.”

ii.          We tend to blame others or demonic activity for opposition BUT maybe it is really God who is opposing us because of our pride.

 

b.     “Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”  [Matthew 18:4]

 

B.  Humility begins with yourself.  Try “eating crow” [C is for conviction, R is for repentance, O is for obedience, W is for work]     

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