HOW TO HAVE A HOLY LIFESTYLE
TEXT: Exodus 8:20
Introduction: God chose Israel to be His own special people under the Old Covenant and called on them to be holy. In like manner, Christians are God’s special people under the New Covenant, and He calls on us to be holy too.
But what can we do to help us develop holiness in our attitudes and actions? When Israel was in Egyptian bondage, God sent Moses to deliver them by telling Pharaoh to let them go. Read TEXT. Now, admittedly this passage isn’t talking about the subject of holiness.
However, in God’s instructions to Moses, we can see some good advice about TITLE.
I. It takes discipline--“Rise early in the morning”
A. Moses needed sufficient discipline to be ready for his task—and we need discipline too: 1 Cor. 9:24-27
B. One important reason is so that we don’t waste a lot of time: Eph. 5:14-17
C. How do we obtain this discipline?—by adding to our faith: 2 Pet. 1:5-11
II. It takes accepting our duty--“Stand before Pharaoh”
A. Moses had a duty to go to Pharaoh, and he did it—another example of doing one’s duty: Gen. 22:1-12
B. Holiness is manifest in not only what we think but what we do: 2 Cor. 6:14-18, 7:1
C. This is what Peter has in mind: 1 Pet. 1:13-17
III. It takes speaking--“Then say to him”–it is as important to be holy in word as in thought or deed
A. God is concerned about the words we use: Matt. 12:33-37
B. Thus, we must avoid speech that is corrupt: Eph. 4:25-30
C. Instead, we must use only language that is good and helpful: Col. 4:6
IV. It takes a “thus says the Lord”--“Thus says the Lord”
A. Note attitude of Samuel: 1 Sam. 3:1-10
B. God doesn’t speak to us directly, so how does He speak?: 2 Tim. 3:16-17
C. We need a “thus says the Lord” not only for church affairs but for everything we do in life: Tit. 2:11-14
Conclusion: Philip P. Bliss (1838-1876), 1873
More holiness give me, more strivings within. More patience in suffering, more sorrow for sin.
More faith in my Savior, more sense of His care. More joy in His service, more purpose in prayer.
More gratitude give me, more trust in the Lord. More pride in His glory, more hope in His Word.
More tears for His sorrows, more pain at His grief. More meekness in trial, more praise for relief.
More purity give me, more strength to o’ercome, More freedom from earth-stains, more longings for home.
More fit for the kingdom, more useful I’d be, More blessèd and holy, more, Savior, like Thee.
Yes, it should be our desire to exhibit more holiness in our lives: Heb. 12:14. We can do this if we—
Discipline ourselves
Accept our duty
Watch our words
And always seek a “thus says the Lord”
However, before we can pursue holiness, we must first be made holy or sanctified, and this happens when our sins are washed away by God’s grace through the blood of Christ as we submit to His will: 1 Cor. 6:9-11—Acts 18:8

By Wayne S. Walker

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