Sermon Tone Analysis

Base Scripture

Read OT -

Read NT -

Illustration

The Look of Being Holy

Tell of an illustration of healthy looking tree.

Many trees appear to be healthy when we see them in summer.

But, in the winter, after their leaves have all fallen off, we sometimes find that hidden underneath the lush green of the summer foliage was a parasitic plant called mistletoe, which had been slowly sucking away some of the tree’s vitality.

Many trees appear to be healthy when we see them in summer.

But, in the winter, after their leaves have all fallen off, we sometimes find that hidden underneath the lush green of the summer foliage was a parasitic plant called mistletoe, which had been slowly sucking away some of the tree’s vitality.

We as Christians sometimes have hidden sins, which—like the mistletoe—slowly suck away our spiritual vitality.

Although not always evident in times of outward spiritual health and fruitfulness, we must always examine ourselves for those small, often unseen, parasites of sinful habits that will sap our vitality.

We as Christians sometimes have hidden sins, which—like the mistletoe—slowly suck away our spiritual vitality.

Although not always evident in times of outward spiritual health and fruitfulness, we must always examine ourselves for those small, often unseen, parasites of sinful habits that will sap our vitality.

Many trees appear to be healthy when we see them in summer.

But, in the winter, after their leaves have all fallen off, we sometimes find that hidden underneath the lush green of the summer foliage was a parasitic plant called mistletoe, which had been slowly sucking away some of the tree’s vitality.

We as Christians sometimes have hidden sins, which—like the mistletoe—slowly suck away our spiritual vitality.

Michael P. Green, 1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2000), 187–188.

During the summer time, we may look at a tree full of green lush leaves.

Living a double life.

Some Christians seem to at times live a double life.

At one moment, some Christians say they love God and seek to please Him that calls.

The next moment, that very same Christian may profess or perform a different doctrine of life.

We can have the fungus filled life that

Some Christians tend to entertain a parasitic influences that will root itself within and rot Christians from the inside - out.

But we are called to a higher standard in God.

God commands us to “Be holy”, and God provides instructions in what ”Be holy” means, so we are all without excuse before His presence.

What Does It Mean To “Be Holy”?

Have A Relationship With God

Being holy starts with a relationship.

Being holy involves building a relationship with God.

This relationship ought to lead to a relational commitment to God.

Relationship: to cling to someone.

When you have a relationship with someone, you cling to them in respect to that relationship.

A husband clings to his wife.

A mother/father cling to their children.

A brother/sister cling together (blood is thicker than water).

Friends cling together for support.

Read scripture about clinging: .

A relationship (a sense of clinging together) builds up a commitment between one with another.

This doesn’t happen over night but through a process of consistency.

When God sent Moses to Egypt, the Israelites nor Moses fully believed God.

The Israelites questioned Moses and Aaron, and Moses questioned God.

Exodus 5:20-

John the Baptist questioned Jesus Christ.

John the Baptist sent his disciples to Jesus to search out if Jesus was truly the Messiah.

The process of building a relationship.

Jesus had to build a trusting a relationship with the disciples that John the Baptist sent to Jesus.

Those disciples personally witnessed by ears and eyes, all that Jesus did.

God builds relationships through consistency.

God had to build a trusting relationship with Moses and the Israelites.

This building of the relationships was done through consistency.

Consistency leads to commitment.

Christians should maintain high level of commitment to the holy God.

There is no other way of being holy without committing to God who is holy.

The nature of God is holiness.

Keep God’s Statutes

Love Your Neighbor

Why Does God Require For Us To Be Holy?

How Can We “Be Holy”?