How to walk in true holiness

30 July 2023, Sunday

Pastor Lawrence

 

Luke 12:32 NKJV, Jesus said, “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom." 

Kingdom: Love, peace, joy, righteousness in Holy Ghost.

I have peace with God.  The peace that God gave me, the peace that I can never change coz all my sins are forgiven.  Trice Holy God.  

Joy is not found in the circumstances of my life, joy is found in Jesus Christ.  Jesus Christ is my joy and rejoicing of my heart.

 

Matthew 25:35-40 NKJV 

35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 

36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 

38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 

39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 

40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’"

 

What people really need is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Preach the gospel

 

Luke 4:18:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,Because He has anointed MeTo preach the gospel to the poor;He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,To proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind,To set at liberty those who are oppressed;

 

Isaiah 61:1-2a

1 “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,Because the Lord has anointed MeTo preach good tidings to the poor;He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,To proclaim liberty to the captives,And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,"

 

In accordance with scripture, the poor need to hear the gospel.  First and thought most priority.  Power of God in salvation.

 

Romans 1:16-17 The Just Live by Faith

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 

17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

 

Righteous of God being revealed.  Righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ.  I am saved, I believe in Jesus and Him alone,

 

There is a special blessing when I help the poor.  Unique blessings when I help the poor, Psalms 41:1-3

1 Blessed is he who considers the poor;The Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.

2 The Lord will preserve him and keep him alive,And he will be blessed on the earth;You will not deliver him to the will of his enemies.

3 The Lord will strengthen him on his bed of illness;You will sustain him on his sickbed.

 

Give my resource to them, God will bless me.  I will never be shortchanged.  I am always blessed,  I do unto them, means I do it unto the Lord,

 

Go to Church is a priority.  Give full attention.

 

Romans 10:17

"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

 

Why hearing and hearing, not having heard once, hear it continually

Context of Romans 10:17 => Referring to the Gospel, rhema

2 greek words "hear" => logos and rhema

Rhema=> the voice of God

Logos=> for work

 

Romans 10:14-15

14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 

15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:

“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”

 

Acts 14:3

"Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands."

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God will bear witness to the word of His grace  (gospel) by granting signs and wonders.

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Acts 14:8-10

8 And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who had never walked.

9 This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed,

10 said with a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet!” And he leaped and walked.

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While listening to Pastor Prince's sermons, expect God to bear witness to the word of His grace.

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Struggle in Romans 7

Struggle in flesh and Spirit

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Galatians 5:16-17

16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 

17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.

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As a child of God, live a life to glorify Lord.

Paul talks about inner struggle.

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Adam sin, we live in fallen world.  Can't have confident in flesh.  People are capable in sinning in evil work.

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God will keep me.

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Romans 7:15-25 Believers' experience

15 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. 

16 If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. 

17 But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 

18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 

19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 

20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.

21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. 

22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 

23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 

24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 

25 I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!

So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.

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Paul saying in Romans 7:15-25 that principle of sin dwell in him

flesh=> zero

know=> part of me, sin dwell in me

I come to conclusion in my life (Revelation of Holy Spirit) => "O wretched man that I am" 

I don't have to struggle this.

God is merciful to the church.

I lose hope in myself, I look to my Savior, Jesus Christ.

I will experience struggle as Christian, through Jesus Christ, my Lord, my answer and my victory, found in Jesus Christ.

There is always failure when Jesus is not involve.

Key=> is through Jesus, with Jesus and through Jesus, I have victory.

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It doesn't end with Romans 7

Romans 8:1 

ESV: "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

NKJV: "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit."

KJV: "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."

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ESV NU (Nestle United Bible Society) critical text

NKJV TR (texts receptus) receiver text​

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Not base on how I walk, base on me being in Christ.

Romans 8:1 is the door to life of victory, door to life of Spirit and my triumph

There is hope in Romans 8:1

If I do fail, God does not condemn me.  He justify by faith in Christ alone.

 

end of Romans, Romans 8:38-39

38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 

39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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I am born-again, I am eternally saved.

Life of absolute victory.

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Romans 7 => Everything do on your own

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Trust the Lord, moment by moment dependence on the Lord every single day.  Speaks of humanity.

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James 4:6 

"God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble.”

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'I can't do it', I got to depend on the Lord.  Lord wants me to depend on Him.  Always depend on Him.

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Sin have its consequences, it will absolutely destroy.

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'Don't raise to judge, kneel down to pray.'

Pray for everyone

Pray for myself, God will open my eyes to see Jesus, that I live a life to glorify Him.

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1 Corinthians 10:6-11

6 Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. 

7 And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” 

8 Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; 

9 nor let us [a]tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; 

10 nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 

11 Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

 

how Israel committed sin, 23,000 died.  An example for us, we might not last after evil things that they did => sin destroy.

Do not take holiness and righteous likely.  God wants me bless, God wants my family bless, God wants my marriage bless.

Sin is not worth it.

Only Spirit can cause me to bear fruit.  The fruit of the Spirit => only Spirit can cause me to bear fruits.

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1 Corinthians 1:30

"But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—"

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Holiness is easiest because it is not me.

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Holy, blameless, above reproach

Colossians 1:22 "in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight—"

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I am Holy beloved of God.  I need to grow and live out practical side of myself of holiness,

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Progressive sanctification

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"Now, I understand there are ministers who are genuinely worried that when the truth of the gospel is told like that, people will take advantage of their total forgiveness in Christ and lead godless lives. They are worried that such teaching places no emphasis on sanctification or the desire to live holy, God-glorifying lives. This is a misconception, because true grace does teach progressive sanctification.

Let me state clearly that while believer has been justified and made righteous by the blood of Jesus, it is also true that sanctification is ongoing in his growth as a Christian.  This is why the author of the book of Hebrews says that we are "being sanctified" even though we have been "perfected forever" by Christ's one act of obedience at the cross ( see Hebrews 10:14 "For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.")

As believers, we cannot become more righteous, but we can become more sanctified or holy in terms of how we live our lives.

Justification by faith happened instantaneously. The moment we received Jesus, we were forgiven, cleansed, perfected in righteousness, and saved.

We were also sanctified in Christ (see Hebrews 10:10 "By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.")

However, it is important to understand that the revelation and outworking of our sanctification in Christ is progressive.

This means that the more we grow in our relationship with the Lord Jesus, the more holy we will become in every area of our

lives."

~Joseph Prince, Beware of the Dangers of Counterfeit Grace

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Justification by faith.

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New Testament warning: 1 Corinthians 10:12 "Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall."

No-one can stand alone without Christ.

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Romans 8:12-17

12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 

13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 

14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 

15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba Father.” 

16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 

17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

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Live by faith.

can't lose salvation but experience death.

Doing it by Spirit not by myself (constant trust).  Always ask Lord "Lord, help me today in this area."

Living a life led by Spirit 

Spirit (God) leads me (like a loving Father).

I am beloved child of Most High God, so dear to Him.  As His child, I am His beloved child.

Is Family relationship.  God leads me as loving Father.  There is correction but there is love.

When I hear, "daughter, I love you." => That's God.

When I hear, call yourself a christian, that is devil.

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Understand the loves of Father.  God loves me.

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I John 2:15-16

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 

16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.

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The love of Father.  I lost the taste of the world when I know my Father loves me.  Father loves me.  Love of God is the key.

Say Yes to Jesus will cause me no to sin.

Say Yes to Jesus and His love, grace everyday and every moment. 

Don't focus on saying no to sin.

Transformation inside out.

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Don't you know that the inside of the cup is clean, the outside of the cup is also clean. Matthew 23:26 NIV "First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean."

Outside clean because inside clean first (in Holy Spirit)

I am Holy, blameless above reproach.  Sanctified once and for all.

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In Christ I am spotless, without blemish, without wrinkle.  Ephesians 5:27 "that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish."

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I am aware that I am dazzling white.

Awake to righteousness and do not sin.  Live is fulfilment of the law.

 

2 Commandments 2 law (Mosaic law)

Mark 12:30 "And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment."

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1 John 4:19 "We love Him because He first loved us."

I can't remove the "because".  Live in a place of new identity.

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Ephesians 4:22-24 

22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 

23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 

24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

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Colossians 3:8-10

8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 

9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 

10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,

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Put off the old man, put on the new man.

Remember => I am no longer sinner, I am child of Most High God.  I am beloved, Holy.  I am the righteousness of God in Christ.

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2 Corinthians 5:17

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."

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John 16:7-11

7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.

 8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 

9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 

10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 

11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

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Holy Spirit convicts me that I am the righteousness of God in Christ => Understand this, so that if I fall, it won't destroy me.  I will receive His grace.

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Holy Spirit leading me, I need to know what Holy Spirit is doing.

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All depends on me depending on the Lord everyday!

Remember His love for me everyday!

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Thank you Jesus! Amen!

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