Empowered to Live Holy
Opening Scripture
1 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, I am the LORD your God. 3 You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived, and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, to which I am bringing you. You shall not walk in their statutes. 4 You shall follow my rules and keep my statutes and walk in them. I am the LORD your God. 5 You shall therefore keep my statutes and my rules; if a person does them, he shall live by them: I am the LORD. - Leviticus 18:1-5
"Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy. - Leviticus 19:2
Keep my statutes and do them; I am the LORD who sanctifies you. - Leviticus 20:8
You shall be holy to me, for I the LORD am holy and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be mine. - Leviticus 20:26
The Call to Holiness
God calls us to be holy as He is holy
From a human standpoint, this seems impossible to do
We may feel stuck in a cycle of sin and struggle to break free
We may wrestle with cultural pressures that make holiness seem old-fashioned or extreme.
Why Do We Need This Sermon Today?
There’s a war against us to prevent us from living a holy life
The world normalizes sin and makes holiness seem extreme or unnecessary.
Culture makes sin appear attractive and holiness burdensome.
So we feel out of place when they try to live differently.
Sin offers temporary pleasure, making it hard to let go.
Attached with sin is Guilt and shame, causing people to believe we can’t be holy.
So we question if holiness is worth the sacrifice when sin feels easier.
Sin separates us from God and leads to spiritual dullness
So we feel distant from God, even though they may attend church regularly.
The main problem is the struggle to live a holy life in a world that constantly pulls us away from God.
The Bible gives us a clear path to holiness, not as a set of rules, but as a way to relationship with God and experiencing His presence, power, and purpose in our lives.
What is Holiness?
Holiness, at its core, is both a consecration to God and a separation from the world.
To be holy means to be set apart for God’s purposes, devoted to Him in every area of life.
Holiness is not just about avoiding sin but about actively belonging to God—living in a way that reflects His character.
The Bible repeatedly calls God’s people to holiness, not as an unattai nable burden, but as a response to His grace and a means of experiencing His presence.
As a believer and follower of Christ, understand holiness is fulfilled in Christ.
Believers are made holy through Jesus (Hebrews 10:10), but we are also called to live out that holiness daily
God’s Call to Holy Living
God's Unchanging Command for Holiness
1 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, I am the LORD your God. 3 You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived, and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, to which I am bringing you. You shall not walk in their statutes. 4 You shall follow my rules and keep my statutes and walk in them. I am the LORD your God. 5 You shall therefore keep my statutes and my rules; if a person does them, he shall live by them: I am the LORD. - Leviticus 18:1-5
14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." - I Peter 1:14-16
God commanded Israel not to live as they did in Egypt or imitate the nations around them—they were to live differently.
Peter teaches the same principle: Once we are saved, we are not to live in our former ways.
Holiness has always been God’s standard. It’s not about legalism—it’s about devotion.
When God calls us to holiness, He is calling us to a life that is different from the world, fully aligned with Him.
The Call to Holy Living: Body and Spirit
Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. - II Corinthians 7:1
This verse bridges Old Testament holiness with New Testament holiness, showing that holiness affects both body and spirit.
Two Aspects of Holiness
Holiness in the Body (What We Do)
Our actions, habits, and choices should reflect our devotion to God.
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. - Romans 12:1
Practical examples:
Avoiding sinful behaviors that corrupt the body (sexual sin, substance abuse, dishonesty).
Using our bodies for worship, service, and purity.
Holiness in the Body (What We Do)
Our actions, habits, and choices should reflect our devotion to God.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. - Romans 12:1
Practical examples:
Guarding our thoughts, desires, and attitudes.
Living with a heart fully surrendered to God.
Living a holy life means dedicating every part of ourselves to God, allowing Him to shape our actions, thoughts, and desires.
Holiness isn’t just about what we avoid—it’s about what we pursue.
How to Live a Holy Life
Separate Yourself from Sinful Influences
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? - II Corinthians 6:14
Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, - II Corinthians 6:17
What This Means:
We can’t grow in holiness if we continually expose ourselves to sinful environments, relationships, and habits.
Holiness requires discernment—choosing to step away from things that lead us into compromise.
Practical Action:
Identify what influences in your life pull you away from God.
Set boundaries with media, entertainment, and relationships that lead to sin.
Pursue Righteousness in Community
24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. - Hebrews 10:24-25
What This Means:
Holiness isn’t meant to be pursued in isolation—we grow best when we surround ourselves with godly people.
Even Jesus didn’t do things by Himself
Accountability and encouragement help us stay on the path of holiness.
Practical Action:
Surround yourself with Christ-centered relationships.
Join a small group or discipleship relationship for accountability.
Seek out mentors and leaders who model holiness.
Walk by the Spirit, Not the Flesh
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. - Galatians 5:16
What This Means:
Holiness is not achieved by human effort alone—we need the Holy Spirit’s power to overcome sin.
When we walk in the Spirit, He changes our desires and empowers us to live righteously.
Practical Action:
Develop a lifestyle of prayer and dependence on the Holy Spirit.
When facing temptation, ask the Spirit for strength instead of relying on willpower alone.
Final Thoughts
Holiness is not just about avoiding sin—it’s about being conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29).
When we follow God’s plan for holiness, our lives begin to look like Jesus.
Holiness is not just about what we don’t do—it’s about who we pursue.
The more we separate ourselves from sin and dedicate ourselves to God, the more we become like Jesus.
And when we become like Him, we experience life as it was meant to be lived—in closeness with God, in the power of His Spirit, and in the joy of His presence.