Holy What Part 2

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Holy, What?

Part 2

Acts 1:4-8; 2:1-12 NIV

Thesis - Holiness brings power and purity to our lives. 

Sanctification Objective - To cause people to be holy.

            (Read Acts 1:4-8; 2:1-12.) What?  What?  Have you ever done that, asked what twice in a row to get an answer?  If so you're well suited to what we're going to do right now.  We're going to ask the what question for the second time, in this series, to get an answer.           

Just before answering what for the second time I'd like to review the answer to the first what - Church, What does it mean to be holy?  To be holy means to be separated, dedicated and filled.  Good!

            Now today’s what question is, What does holiness bring to my life?  There are two primary things holiness brings to our lives.  The first is

I.  Power

            A.  The promise of the power

1.  John records Jesus’ promises to send the Helper (Comforter, Counselor) (14:26; 15:26; 16:7).

                                    a) Comforter comes from the Latin “fortis” meaning brave.

b) The Comforter fills men with spiritual courage and strength.  (He is the in-courage-er!)

                        2.  In Acts 1:8 we discover that the gift promised by the Heavenly                                         Father (1:4) was the Holy Spirit of power.

                        3.  The fulfillment of this promise was symbolized on that initial                                            Christian Pentecost by the sound of a mighty rushing wind (Acts                                         2:2).

            B.  The purpose of the power

                        1.  To evangelize (Acts 1:8; 2:4)

                                    a) The early Christians had an energy crisis (cf. Matthew 28:17).

                                                (1) It was the power to be witnesses.

(2) “The disciples received the Pentecostal power when they faced the Pentecostal task.”  -Halford Luccock       

                                    b) The power (ability) to speak in other languages was the                                                     power to witness.

                                                (1) They were enabled to declare declaring the wonders of                                                     God in 16 different languages (Acts 2:8-11).

                                                (2) “... that sinners be converted and Thy name glorified.”

                        2.  To be steadfast in doctrine (Acts 2:42a)

                        3.  To accept leadership (Acts 2:42)

                        4.  To be generous in social relationships (Acts 2:44, 45)

                        5.  To be spontaneous in worship (Acts 2:46)

                        6.  To practice self-discipline (Acts 2:46, 47a)                

7.  “The Spirit within is power.  He is the gift of power--power to be, power to do, power to suffer, power to save.”  -A. S. Keen,         Pentecostal Papers            

            C.  The proof of the power

                        1.  Fearful disciples turned forceful

a) “Peter smiled and stood, putting a hand on Mark’s shoulder.  “Tell me, young one: had you experienced what we have, would you fear any man?”  -Mark’ Story, Tim LaHaye, Jerry B. Jenkins

                                    b) Stephen

                                    c) Philip (“just a layman“)

                        2.  A contagious community (Acts 2:47) 

            In addition to power holiness brings

II.  Purity

            A.  The promise of purity

                        1.  Ezekial 36:25-27

                        2.  Malachi 3:2, 3

                        3.  Matthew 3:11, 12

4.  The fulfillment of this promise was symbolized on that initial Christian Pentecost by the appearance of tongues of fire (Acts 2:3).

            B.  The purpose of purity

                        1.  To cleanse the heart from the pollution of sin

                                    a) Sin is twofold.

(1) When sin is a noun it refers to our condition - Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.  Romans 6:12

(2) Sin in verb form refers to our actions – Stop sinning or something  worse may happen to you.  John 5:14c

(3) Come near to God and he will come near to you.  Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts you double-minded.  James 4:8         

b) In scripture purification sometimes means removal of the guilt and condemnation associated with acts of sin.

                                                (1) Those filled on the Day of Pentecost were already                                                                         Christians.

                                                            (a) They were following Jesus.

(b) I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world.  They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word.  John 17:6

(2) So the purification which they received on Pentecost (Acts 15:8, 9) was not of this kind.

c) The infilling of the Holy Spirit cleanses the center of mans being from the condition/nature of sin/self-will (also known as the carnal mind, Romans 8:7, 8).

(1) G. Campbell Morgan paraphrased Matthew 3:11, 12 this way: “He shall whelm you in the fire-whelming   of the Holy Ghost, that burns your sin out of you.”

(2) Sin as condition must be purified (cleansed) as it can't be forgiven.

(a) You can forgive a polluter but, you must cleanse, not forgive his pollution.

(b) You can forgive what a sick person does but, you must cure, not forgive, his sickness.

                        2.  To fit us to live for God

a) Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.  2 Corinthians 7:1

                                    b) 1 Peter 1:15, 16

                        3.  To fit us to see God

                                    a) Psalm 24:3, 4a

b) Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.  Matthew 5:8

                                    c) 1 John 3:2, 3

            C.  The proof of purity (Acts 15:8, 9)

                        1.  The believers at Jerusalem

                        2.  The believers at Caesarea

            Holiness brings power and purity to our lives.  If you need power and purity meet me at this altar for prayer!

Portsmouth, RI – 08/01/99

Jackson, MS – 01/26/03

Bangor, ME – 01/25/09

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