The Pursuit of Holiness – Holiness in Spirit

A Structural view of Holiness Holiness is a three legged stool 2 Corinthians 7:1 ESV – 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. 1 Corinthians 9:27 ESV – Body But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. Philippians 2:13 ESV – Soul for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Lesson Summary Holiness is manifest in our lives through each facet of our being (Spirit, Soul and Body). GOD continues to transform us into the image of His Son, Jesus, through the process of sanctification (John 17:17; Romans 8:29; Ephesians 5:26 ESV). A Culinary View of Holiness What’s wrong with this? In your refrigerator there is an uncovered bowl of chopped onions, garlic and ginger along side a uncovered bowl of whipped cream. The strong scent and flavor of the garlic, ginger and onion result in an undesired infusion of flavor into the cream. The cream is corrupted! This is similar to how we can be come corrupted by this world if we are not insulated (protected) by the WORD and Spirit of GOD. How about this scenario? Take those same bowls of onion, garlic and ginger. Add some soy sauce, vinegar, honey, sesame oil and some chicken… a little while later and you have some tasty chicken to cook. By design the strong aromatic flavors of the garlic, ginger, onion and other flavors were infused into the chicken to make it far more appealing then it was previously. In the process of making us holy GOD infuses us with his desires, plans and purposes. Philippians 4:7-9 ESV – Contain and Marinate And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Lesson Summary In order for holiness to have its effect in our lives; we must be contained....
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Old Testament Survey: The History Books (Part 1 of 3)

JOSHUA (“Jehovah/the Lord Saves/Is Salvation”) Author: Joshua (except the very end of Chapter 24, which have been attributed to high priest Eleazar and son Phinehas). “Jesus” is the Greek form of this name. Date of Authorship: ca. 1370 BC. Setting: “The Promised Land,” particularly the River Jordan, Jericho, and Ai Key Figures: Joshua, Caleb Rahab Eleazar, Phinehas Thematic Breakdown: * Claiming the Promise (Joshua 1-12) Key Verse: Joshua 1:5-9 Crossing Jordan (Joshua 3-5) Jericho and Ai (Joshua 2, 6-8) Other Conquests (Joshua 9-12) Living the Promise (Joshua 13-24) Key Verse: Joshua 14:7-12 JUDGES Author: Samuel? Date of Authorship: Sometime before ca. 1080 BC. Setting: Canaan; ca. 1375-1075 BC. Key Figures: Othniel, Ehud, Deborah (and Barak), Gideon, Abimelech, Jephthah, Samson, Delilah Thematic Breakdown: * Face of Failure (Judges 1-3:6) Key Verse: Judges 2:12-17 * Calls for Deliverance (Judges 3:7-16) Key Verse: Judges 3:9 Othniel (“Lion of God”) (Judges 3:7-11) Ehud (“I will give thanks”) (Judges 3:12-30) Shamgar (“Sword”) (Judges 3:31) Deborah (“Bee”) (Judges 4-5) Gideon (“Hewer”) (Judges 6-8) Tola (“Worm”) (Judges 10:1-2) Jair (“He Enlightens”) (Judges 10:3-5) Jephthah (“He Opens”) (Judges 11) Ibzan (“Their Whiteness”) (Judges 12:8-11) Elon (“Mighty,” “Terebinth”) Samson (“Like the Sun”) (Judges 13-16) *  Further Failure (Judges 17-21) Key Verse: (Judges 21:25 (see also Judges 17:6) RUTH (“Friendship”) Author: Unknown Date of Authorship: Likely sometime after 11th century BC Setting: Moab; Judah Key Figures: Naomi, Ruth, Boaz Thematic Breakdown: * Family Re-Defined (Ruth 1) Key Verse: Ruth 1:16-17 * Revival through Redemption (Ruth...
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Old Testament Survey: The Pentateuch

GENESIS (Greek: “ORIGIN,” “BEGINNINGS”/Hebrew: “ IN THE BEGINNING” (BERĀ·SHĒTH) Author: Moses Date of Authorship: 1450-1410 BC. Setting: Creation of the universe, Death of Joseph; Moment of Creation, ca. 1700 BC Key Figures: Adam and Eve, Satan Cain and Abel Noah and Family Abraham & Sarah, Isaac & Rebecca, Jacob and Joseph Thematic Breakdown: * Creation (Genesis 1-2) Key Verses: Genesis 1:1 , 1:30 * The Fall (Genesis 3-5) Key Verse: Genesis 3:3-4 * The Flood (Genesis 6-11) Key Verse: Genesis. 6:5-8 * The Call (Genesis 12-50) Key Verse: Genesis 12:1-3 EXODUS (Greek: “GOING OUT”) Author: Moses Date of Authorship: 1450-1410 BC Setting: Egypt, Desert; ca. 1700-1500 BC. Key Figures: Moses and Aaron Pharaoh II Thematic Breakdown: * The Call Out (Exodus 1-13) Key Verse: Exodus 3:7-10 * The Wait (Exodus 14-18) Key Verse: Exodus 14:11-12 * The Call In (Exodus 19-32) Key Verse: Exodus 19:4-7 LEVITICUS (GREEK: “RELATING TO THE LEVITES”/HEBREW: “AND HE CALLED” (WAYIQRA) Author: Moses Date of Authorship: 1450-1410 BC Setting: Sinai desert, areas surrounding Canaan; ca. 1500 BC. Key Figures: Moses Thematic Breakdown: * Call to Holiness Key Verse: Leviticus 19:1-2 Call to Holy Worship (Leviticus 1-17) Call to Holy Living (Leviticus 18-27) NUMBERS (GREEK: “NUMBERS”/HEBREW: “IN THE DESERT [OF]” (BəMIDBAR) Author: Moses Date of Authorship: 1450-1410 BC Setting: Sinai desert; ca. 1500/1490-1460/50 BC. Key Figures: Moses, Aaron, Miriam, Eleazar Joshua, Caleb Thematic Breakdown: * Call to Order (Numbers 1-10) Key Verse: Numbers 2:34 * Trust Broken and Promise Delayed (Numbers 11-21) Key Verse: Numbers 14:31-34 * Recall to Order (Numbers 22-36) Key Verse: Numbers 26:3-4 DEUTERONOMY (GREEK: “SECOND LAW”/HEBREW: “SPOKEN WORDS” (DEVARIM) Author: Moses (Likely Deuteronomy 1-32); Probably Joshua (Deuteronomy 33-34) Date of Authorship: 1407/6 BC Setting: East of the Jordan River; ca. 1407 BC, days before entering Canaan Key Figures: Moses, Joshua Thematic Breakdown: * Call Again (Deuteronomy 1-29) Key Verse: Deuteronomy 6:4-9 * Call to Return (Deuteronomy 30) Key Verse: Deuteronomy 30:15-18 * A New Season (Deuteronomy 31-34) Key Verse: Deuteronomy...
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LESSON: How do I join where God is already at work?

This entry is part 1 of 4 in the series Experiencing GODSCRIPTURE: Jeremiah 1: 11Again the LORD spoke his word to me and asked, “Jeremiah, what do you see?” I answered, “I see a branch of an almond tree.” 12Then the LORD said to me, “Right. I am watching to make sure that my words come true.” 13Again the LORD spoke his word to me and asked, “What do you see?” I answered, “I see a boiling pot, and its top is tilted away from the north.” 14Then the LORD said to me, “Disaster will be poured out from the north on all those who live in the land. (God’s Word Translation) How does a person join where God is already at work? 1. Observation. Deals with facts 2. Revelation. Deals with Truth (John 8:31- 32) 3. Invitation. Deals with Decision (John 14:15) 4. Activation. Deals with Faith (James 2:26) 5. Glorification. Deals with Fruit (GoOD Results) John 15:8; Ephesians 1:6 What do you see Jeremiah? Observation: “I see a branch of an almond tree!” Revelation: “God is watching to make sure that His words come true.” What do you see Jeremiah? Observation: “I see a boiling pot, and its top is tilted away from the north.” Revelation: “Disaster will be poured out from the north on all those who live in the land…” Invitation: Jeremiah 1: 17 “Get up and prepare for action. Go out and tell them everything I tell you to say. Do not be afraid of them, or I will make you look foolish in front of them. 18 For see, today I have made you strong like a fortified city that cannot be captured, like an iron pillar or a bronze wall. You will stand against the whole land— the kings, officials, priests, and people of Judah. 19 They will fight you, but they will fail. For I am with you, and I will take care of you. I, the LORD, have spoken!” (NLT) Activation: Jeremiah 2: 1 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 “Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem: ‘This is what the LORD says…’ ” (TNIV) Case Study: Moses (Exodus Chapter 3 and 4) Observation? Revelation? Invitation? Activation?...
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Experiencing GOD – chapter 6

This entry is part 2 of 4 in the series Experiencing GODGOD Is At Work Around You Stop, Look and Listen! Recently a friend told me that after they moved to the suburbs, their children complained that they could not sleep because of the noise. Each night they were hearing the sound of crickets and other nocturnal creatures. In their previous home the children were used to hearing the sound of the inner city; cars, buses and music blaring. The crickets were probably there too, but could not be heard over the other noise. Similarly as a teen I used to marvel at how much I could see in the night sky over Martha’s Vineyard. There were thousands of stars and shooting stars in every glance. Those same stars were over my home in New York too, but I could not see them because of the visual noise created by the city lights. Unfortunately, we often can not see GOD at work around us because our own activity makes too much noise. If we would take time to be still and sit quietly before Him, we would see Him at work and would hear His invitation to join him. Next time that you are at school, work, in your community or with your family pause for a moment so you can see where GOD is at work. Then listen for His invitation and join...
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